Disability services, support and information
Ask Izzy – Disability Advocacy Finder
People with disability who need someone to speak up for them can use Ask Izzy to search for independent disability advocacy providers in their area.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)
CYDA represents children and young people with disability and their families. The organisation provides information for families, raises public awareness and tries to improve services.
Disability Gateway
The Disability Gateway has information and services to help people find the support they need. This resource is for people with disability, their family, friends and carers.
Healthy Start
Healthy Start is a national strategy that aims to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for children whose parents have learning difficulties. It brings together practitioners, managers, researchers and policy-makers to share knowledge, information, resources and expertise.
Little Dreamers
This organisation provides online and in-person support programs for young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use or frail age. Programs include chat rooms, tutoring, personal development, peer support, in-school programs and holiday programs.
Livewire
Livewire is an online community for young people with disability or serious illness and their siblings. It has facilitated chat rooms, blogs and articles. Livewire also runs events and activities at hospitals.
MyTime
MyTime groups are for parents, carers or grandparents of children with disability or chronic medical conditions. The groups meet to socialise, discuss and learn more about the services and supports in their area. They’re facilitated by professionals with disability and parenting expertise.
Reimagine Australia
Reimagine Australia (formerly known as Early Childhood Intervention Australia) promotes early intervention for babies and young children with developmental delay or disability. It runs workshops, seminars and conferences and has a chapter in each state and territory.
Siblings Australia
This organisation provides support for siblings of people with disability.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s national scheme that funds reasonable and necessary supports to help children with disability, developmental delay or developmental concerns and adults with disability reach goals throughout life. If you care for a child with disability, you might be able to get funding for disability services from the NDIS.
Information for carers of people with disability
Australian Government Department of Social Services – Disability and carers
On this webpage, you can find links to information about programs, services, benefits and payments for people with disability and their carers.
Carer Gateway
This Australian Government website has information about services and support for carers. Look for information on the website, use the service finder or call the national helpline – phone 1800 422 737, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm.
Carers Australia
This organisation represents people who look after someone with disability or chronic illness or an elderly person. The website has links to the carers association in each Australian state and territory. Carers can get information, advice and support from their local association.
Services Australia – Living with disability
This webpage has information about payments and services to help people living with illness, injury or disability. There’s also support for their families or carers.
Young Carers Network
Young carers are children and young people up to 25 years who help with care in families where someone has an illness, a disability, a mental health issue or an alcohol or other drug problem. This website has information for young carers, families and professionals. Respite services are available for young people who are at risk of not finishing school because they’re looking after a family member. Young Carers Network is part of Carers Australia.
If your family has a child with disability, autism or other additional needs, you might like to explore our sections on Children with disability, Children with autism and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for information about disability, services and support.
State and territory disability advocates
A disability advocate can help you say what you want for yourself and your child. These organisations can help you find an advocate:
- Australia wide: People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
- Australian Capital Territory: ADACAS Advocacy, Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI)
- New South Wales: Disability Advocacy NSW, IDRS
- Northern Territory: Disability Advocacy Service Inc. (DAS)
- Queensland: Disability Advocacy Pathways, Speaking Up For You (SUFY)
- South Australia: Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of SA (DACSSA), Disability Rights Advocacy Service Inc. (DRAS)
- Tasmania: Speak Out Advocacy
- Victoria: Positive Powerful Parents, STAR Victoria, Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID)
- Western Australia: Developmental Disability WA (DDWA), People With Disabilities WA (PWDWA)
Our Easy English guides are for people who have difficulty reading English, including parents with intellectual disability. They cover many topics, like the NDIS, disability services, inclusion and education, baby development and parenting.
State and territory government disability agencies
The NDIS supports people with disability around Australia. You can also visit the following government websites for information about disability services in your state or territory:
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Office for Disability
- New South Wales: NSW Department of Communities and Justice – Disability and inclusion
- Northern Territory: NT Government – Disability services
- Queensland: Queensland Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services – Disability Services
- South Australia: Government of South Australia – Disability
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet – Community and Disability Services
- Victoria: Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing – Disability
- Western Australia: WA Department of Communities – Disability services
State autism associations provide information and support for parents and carers raising autistic children. Use our guide to state autism associations to find contact details for the autism association in your state or territory.