The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has introduced a new initiative designed to strengthen the presence, leadership and participation of First Nations organisations within the disability support market. While First Nations Australians make up a meaningful share of all NDIS participants, the number of First Nations-owned or operated providers remains significantly lower. This gap has created challenges in service accessibility, cultural safety and choice for many participants, particularly in remote and regional communities.

To address this, the scheme is developing a dedicated First Nations Market and Sector Development Strategy. The aim is to ensure that First Nations participants have greater access to providers who understand their culture, community and lived experience. The strategy also aligns with the broader First Nations Strategy 2025-2030, placing community leadership at the centre of how disability supports are designed and delivered.

Strengthening First Nations Representation in the NDIS

One of the strongest messages emerging from First Nations communities is the importance of being supported by people who share cultural knowledge, connection to Country and an understanding of how disability affects individuals in community settings. Many participants feel more comfortable, more empowered and better represented when services are delivered by First Nations-led organisations.

At present, however, there is a clear mismatch: although thousands of First Nations people are supported under the NDIS, the number of First Nations organisations providing NDIS services does not reflect this demand. The result is a system where many participants—especially those living in remote or regional areas—have limited or no access to culturally safe providers. For some, the nearest provider may be hours away or may not have insight into community practices, language or customary needs.

The new strategy seeks to correct this imbalance by making it easier for First Nations organisations—both community-controlled organisations and First Nations-owned enterprises—to enter, grow and thrive within the NDIS market.

Objectives of the New First Nations Market & Sector Development Strategy

The new strategy focuses on three core goals:

1. Increasing the number of First Nations providers
The government intends to create conditions that make it simpler and more sustainable for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and First Nations businesses to operate as NDIS providers. This includes building capability, providing targeted support for new entrants, removing unnecessary barriers, and expanding opportunities for existing organisations.

2. Improving access to services within First Nations communities
One of the persistent challenges in disability support is ensuring the availability of services in smaller or remote communities. The strategy will work to ensure that supports are delivered closer to home, in culturally familiar environments, and by people who understand the unique needs of communities. The goal is to close the gap in service accessibility across Australia.

3. Enhancing participant choice and control
A core principle of the NDIS is to give participants autonomy over their supports. For First Nations participants, meaningful choice includes being able to choose a provider who respects culture, language, identity and personal preference. By increasing the number and diversity of First Nations providers, participants will gain more options that reflect their values and community expectations.

A Strong Emphasis on Cultural Safety and Community-Led Support

The decision to create a dedicated strategy comes from years of feedback that First Nations participants benefit from services designed and delivered in ways that honour their cultural identity. Community-controlled organisations and First Nations-led providers often have a deep understanding of:

• Kinship and family structures

• Cultural obligations and social norms

• Local languages and communication needs

• Community responses to disability

• Historical and intergenerational challenges

• Regional or remote living conditions

When these factors are understood and integrated into service delivery, participants often feel more respected, more engaged and more connected. This leads to stronger outcomes, better continuity of care and greater trust in the NDIS system.

Consultation and Co-Design with Communities

The strategy will be shaped through a national consultation process. Stakeholders—including First Nations providers, participants, disability advocates and community organisations—are invited to contribute ideas and lived experience. Roundtables and community discussions will be held across the country to gather input.

This co-design approach reflects an important shift: rather than designing programs in isolation, the government is working directly with communities to understand what works, what barriers exist and what support is needed.

Stakeholders will have the opportunity to discuss topics such as:

• Challenges faced by First Nations organisations entering the NDIS market

• Opportunities to collaborate across sectors

• How to improve cultural safety across provider networks

• What tools and resources are needed to strengthen First Nations leadership

• How to support economic development through disability services

This level of engagement signals a long-term commitment to systemic improvement, not just a short-term initiative.

Government’s Commitment to Long-Term Change

Government representatives have reiterated that improving the experience of First Nations participants is a key priority. They emphasise that culturally safe and community-led approaches are essential for building trust and improving outcomes. Increasing the number of First Nations-owned and operated providers is viewed as a vital part of this process.

There is also a strong recognition that disability intersects with broader social factors—health care access, education, employment, language, and connection to community. A well-designed NDIS support system has the potential to create positive ripple effects across all these areas.

Empowering First Nations Providers to Grow and Lead

Existing First Nations NDIS providers have expressed that community-led services bring unique strengths to the disability sector. They say that First Nations organisations are often more trusted, more culturally attuned and better placed to deliver services in a way that aligns with the expectations of local families and Elders.

These providers report that when participants feel culturally safe, they engage more confidently in supports such as therapy, community participation, daily living services and health-related programs. The new strategy aims to expand these positive experiences nationwide.

What This Means for Participants and the Sector

For First Nations participants, the most meaningful change will be improved access to culturally aligned care, delivered closer to home and with a deeper understanding of cultural identity.

For First Nations providers, the strategy offers a pathway to build sustainable organisations, strengthen local employment opportunities and shape the future of disability services in their communities.

For the wider disability sector, this initiative signals a shift toward more inclusive, equitable and community-driven service models. Non-Indigenous providers will also be encouraged to strengthen their cultural capabilities and collaborate with First Nations organisations.

A Step Toward a More Inclusive NDIS

The introduction of the First Nations Market and Sector Development Strategy represents a significant milestone in improving disability support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It places community voice, cultural knowledge and self-determination at the forefront of service design, ensuring that the NDIS better reflects the diversity and strength of First Nations communities.

The initiative aims to ensure that every First Nations participant has the ability to access supports that respect their identity, meet their needs and empower them to live full, independent and connected lives.