The Australian Government has announced that Graeme Head AO will become the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Disability Insurance Agency, taking up the role from 24 November 2025 for a three‑year term. The appointment follows an extensive national recruitment process by the NDIA Board, chaired by Kurt Fearnley AO, and marks a significant moment in the evolution of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Graeme Head brings decades of experience in public sector leadership, disability policy and consumer‑oriented service delivery. He is best known for serving as the inaugural NDIA Quality and Safeguards Commissioner from 2018 to 2021, where he oversaw regulatory reform and safety frameworks for NDIS service providers. More recently, he has held the role of Secretary at the New South Wales Department of Customer Service, where he focused on improving service innovation, customer outcomes and digital engagement.

In assuming the role of NDIA CEO, Graeme Head will be responsible for overseeing the day‑to‑day management of the agency, ensuring that the NDIS continues to deliver for people with disability, their families and carers. His remit includes working with the NDIA Board on strategic planning, operational reform, accountability and aligning the scheme with evolving expectations around choice, control, support quality and sustainability.

The appointment follows the conclusion of the current CEO’s term. Rebecca Falkingham PSM, who has held the position since October 2022, will hand over to Mr Head after her service. The transition coincides with a crucial phase in the NDIS’s development — as the scheme seeks to balance participant needs, cost pressures and operational reforms.

In announcing the appointment, the Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler MP, underscored the significance of this leadership choice. He highlighted that “bringing in someone of Graeme Head’s calibre and experience is a positive step for the NDIS” and emphasised that the new CEO’s role will be pivotal in shaping the future of the scheme to meet participants’ expectations and deliver a more responsive and sustainable system.

The move signals a clear emphasis on next‑generation service delivery: building on the foundations of participant‑led planning, increasing provider choice and capability, strengthening governance and regulatory oversight, and achieving better outcomes for Australians with disability. With growing demand and spending pressures, the NDIA faces the dual challenge of supporting improved participant experience while maintaining scheme sustainability.

It is expected that Graeme Head will bring a fresh approach to digital systems, participant responsiveness and collaboration across government, states, territories and the disability sector. His track‑record in consumer‑facing public service and regulation is likely to shape how the agency embeds cultural change, oversight mechanisms and innovation in the NDIS.

Stakeholders in the disability community have reacted to the appointment with cautious optimism. Many recognise that strong leadership at the NDIA is central to addressing long‑standing concerns around plan reviews, timely access to services, consistency in decision‑making and transparent communication. The appointment of a CEO with deep regulatory and public service credentials is seen as a positive signal, though expectations are high for meaningful progress rather than incremental change.

For people living with disability, their families and support networks, the leadership change offers hope for improved experience — less administrative complexity, more effective support, and better alignment between participant goals and service delivery. The CEO’s priority will be to ensure the scheme’s processes are not only efficient but also aligned with participant‑driven choice, control and dignity.

At the same time, the broader disability service market will be closely watching how the new leadership affects provider partnerships, pricing frameworks, compliance expectations and innovation in service models. The NDIA’s relationship with registered providers, allied health, early intervention services and community organisations will be a key arena for change under the new CEO.

The structural context of this appointment is important. The NDIS remains one of Australia’s largest social policy programs and faces multiple pressures including budget growth, complexity of participant needs, workforce shortages, and expectations for increased transparency and effectiveness. Against this backdrop, leadership changes within the NDIA take on added significance.

Looking ahead, priorities for the incoming CEO are likely to include:

• Enhancing participant voice and ensuring that the scheme better reflects the diversity of people with disability across urban, regional and remote Australia.

• Strengthening provider markets to deliver high‑quality, reliable services in a cost‑effective manner.

• Embedding robust integrity, compliance and regulatory frameworks to protect scheme sustainability, participant safety and public trust.

• Leveraging digital platforms and data analytics to improve participant experience, streamline processes and encourage innovation.

• Fostering strong partnerships between the NDIA, state and territory governments, the disability sector and First Nations communities, to deliver place‑based supports that meet local needs.

Graeme Head’s appointment will commence on 24 November 2025 and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the NDIA and the NDIS. The scheme’s stakeholders will be looking for visible action, measurable improvement and a renewed focus on delivering the everyday supports that enable people with disability to live meaningful, autonomous and inclusive lives.

In summary, the selection of Graeme Head as the new CEO of the NDIA is a timely move aimed at driving the scheme into its next phase—one characterised by stronger governance, smarter service delivery, participant‑centred design and sustainable growth. The disability community, providers and governments alike will watch closely to see how this leadership will translate into outcomes for those the NDIS serves.