In a major governance announcement affecting the future direction of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Australian Government has officially reappointed Mr Kurt Fearnley AO as the Chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Board for a further three-year term. This leadership renewal comes at a critical juncture for the Scheme — as reforms, strategic planning and significant governance responsibilities continue to shape the lives of more than three-quarters of a million Australians living with disability.
Mr Fearnley’s second term as Chair formally commenced on 17 January 2026 and will extend through to January 2029, reaffirming his role at the helm of the agency that oversees one of the nation’s most ambitious social support programs.
A First in Leadership: Disability Representation at the Top
Mr Kurt Fearnley AO’s journey to this role is notable not only for his personal accomplishments but also for the symbolic importance of his leadership. He was the first person with disability to be appointed Chair of the NDIA Board when he first assumed the role in September 2022, breaking new ground in Australian public administration.
Before his appointment to lead the NDIA Board, Fearnley was already a household name in Australia. He is widely recognised as one of the country’s most accomplished Paralympians, having won multiple gold medals and distinguished himself on the world stage in wheelchair racing. In his post-sporting career he has been a vigorous disability advocate, public speaker and influential commentator on inclusion, equity and barriers facing people with disability across the nation.
That lived experience, complemented by a strong commitment to policy and governance, has made him an influential voice in strategic decision-making for the NDIS — giving the disability community representation at a level rarely seen in public sector leadership historically.
Role and Responsibility: What the Chair Does
The NDIA Board carries significant responsibilities under the NDIS Act 2013. Its core purpose is to:
- Set the strategic direction of the NDIA, ensuring that the agency’s planning and governance align with the legislative objectives of the scheme;
- Oversee performance and accountability, monitoring how the agency delivers supports and manages public resources;
- Provide governance and stewardship, ensuring the agency operates effectively, ethically and in the best interests of participants; and
- Report on outcomes, including performance reporting to the Minister and oversight bodies.
The Chair guides the Board in fulfilling these duties and acts as a critical link between government direction, executive management and the broader disability community. The role is particularly important during times of reform and policy change, when the Board’s leadership helps shape confidence in the system’s direction and integrity.
A Pivotal Time for the NDIS
Mr Fearnley’s reappointment arrives amid a period of ongoing change and modernization within the NDIS. The Scheme — which provides funding for support and services to eligible Australians with permanent and significant disability — is equivalent in scale to some of Australia’s largest social programs, with annual expenditures exceeding tens of billions of dollars.
In recent years, the NDIS has undertaken significant internal reform aimed at improving consistency, accountability and participant outcomes. This includes the implementation of updated planning frameworks, enhanced governance structures and strengthened regulatory oversight of providers — all designed to ensure the Scheme remains sustainable, equitable and responsive to participant needs.
Part of these reforms has also been the alignment of executive leadership to guide the Agency through this period. In late 2025, Mr Graeme Head AO was appointed the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA, serving a three-year term to manage the day-to-day operations of the agency and help drive reform delivery in tandem with the Board.
What Government Leaders Have Said
The reappointment of Mr Fearnley was announced jointly by key government ministers responsible for the NDIS portfolio, including The Hon Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, and Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, who also holds ministerial responsibility relating to the Scheme.
Minister Butler highlighted the importance of continuity and strong leadership at the NDIA Board, noting that Mr Fearnley’s tenure has been marked by stability, strategic insight and a steadfast focus on participant needs during a period of reform and recalibration for the NDIS. He emphasised that stewarding one of the nation’s largest social policies is a “responsibility not to be taken lightly” and applauded Fearnley’s effectiveness in keeping participant outcomes at the centre of the Scheme.
Similarly, Minister McAllister praised Mr Fearnley’s advocacy for the disability community, stressing that his leadership has ensured that lived experience plays a central role in decision-making at the highest levels of the agency. McAllister said this perspective has helped embed a culture of inclusivity and genuine representation that enriches the governance of the NDIS.
Fearnley’s Response and Vision for the Future
In his own remarks, Mr Fearnley expressed pride and humility at being asked to continue in the role. He described the NDIS as “a world-leading system of support for people with disability” and underscored his commitment to working with the Board, government and disability community to ensure the Scheme continues delivering tangible benefits — not only for participants today but for future generations.
He highlighted that while the NDIS has made enormous progress since its inception, the path ahead involves ensuring the Scheme stays participant-centred, financially sustainable, governed with integrity and continually responsive to evolving needs. For Fearnley, leadership means listening to participants, learning from feedback and maintaining a long-term focus on improving quality of life for people with disability and their families.
The Importance of Leadership Diversity
One of the hallmark aspects of Mr Fearnley’s leadership is the representation of lived experience at the executive level of one of Australia’s most significant government programs. Disability advocates and sector stakeholders have long called for greater inclusion of people with disability in senior public sector leadership and policy roles — arguing that those with lived experience bring invaluable perspective to decisions that affect daily life and supports for millions.
Having a Chair with lived experience sends an important message about the values of the Scheme — that leadership should reflect the community it serves, and governance should be enriched by diverse voices who genuinely understand the lived realities of participants. This leadership model aligns with broader advocacy goals in the disability sector that champion representation, self-determination and genuine inclusion across policy, governance and service delivery.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While the NDIA Board under Fearnley’s guidance will continue to perform its statutory duties to oversee strategy and performance, the broader environment in which the NDIS operates remains complex and dynamic. The Scheme must balance:
- Rising participant numbers and changing demographics;
- Pressure on Scheme sustainability and funding models;
- Ongoing reform implementation;
- Sector workforce challenges; and
- Community expectations for quality, transparency and accountability.
Addressing these challenges requires strong governance, clear vision and ongoing collaboration between the Board, Agency leadership, government and community stakeholders. The reappointment of Mr Fearnley — with his unique combination of personal experience, public leadership and commitment to inclusive governance — positions the NDIA Board to navigate these demands with continuity and purpose.
Conclusion: Stability in a Time of Change
The reappointment of Mr Kurt Fearnley AO as Chair of the NDIA Board for a further three years marks a significant moment in the governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. With his lived experience, leadership credentials and strategic focus, Fearnley’s continuing role offers both stability and inspiration at a time when the Scheme confronts challenges and pursues reforms aimed at improving outcomes for participants across Australia.
As the NDIS evolves to meet future needs, effective governance — grounded in representation, accountability and participant focus — will remain essential. The new term for Mr Fearnley is an affirmation of his leadership and an opportunity to build on the progress achieved to date, in partnership with the community the NDIA exists to serve.
