Advocate’s Corner – October 2025

Welcome to this month’s Advocate’s Corner, where we share updates from across Advocacy WA and highlight the key themes we have been seeing in our work alongside people with disability, families, and supporters.

What We’ve Been Seeing

October continued to be a busy month for our team. We received a steady flow of new referrals from across the South West, with most people reaching out directly or with help from someone they trust. This shows that more community members are feeling confident to speak up and ask for the support they need.

Across all requests for help, the top areas people needed advocacy for this month were:

• Navigating the NDIS including access, plan cuts, and appeals
• Understanding government payments like the Disability Support Pension
• Housing challenges including limited availability, suitability, and risks of homelessness

Our advocates have been walking beside people every step of the way, supporting them to understand their rights, gather strong evidence, and feel confident when dealing with complex systems.

Advocacy in Action

NDIS plan cuts and complex decisions

We continued to see many people experiencing significant reductions to their NDIS plans. Essential supports were cut or removed, often without clear explanation. Plan changes like these create uncertainty and distress, especially for people who rely on consistent supports to stay safe and well.

Our advocates have been assisting people to request reviews, understand their legal rights, and lodge appeals through the Administrative Review Tribunal when needed.

Rising requests for additional assessments

A noticeable trend this month was the increased use of Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) ordered during NDIS appeals. This is happening even when people have already provided high quality medical evidence from their own treating professionals.

Many community members shared that this feels disheartening and exhausting, especially when they have already invested time, energy, and financial resources into gathering clear evidence of their disability and functional support needs.

Our team has been working to:

• Explain the IME process clearly
• Support people to understand their choices and rights
• Help gather strong evidence that responds to what the NDIA requires
• Build confidence so people can participate fully in their appeal

System fatigue is growing

We are seeing more people becoming overwhelmed by the complexity of the NDIS access and appeal pathways. Some individuals are missing important deadlines simply because they are exhausted and confused by ongoing rule changes and terminology.

Carers, many of whom are already managing full time responsibilities, also expressed feelings of burnout.

Our advocates continue to focus on clear communication, early support, and trauma informed practice to reduce the stress people face as they work through these processes.

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In Our Communities

Our team has been meeting people in locations across the region including Busselton, Bunbury, Donnybrook, Collie, Margaret River and Manjimup.

These community visits included information sessions, one to one advocacy support, and conversations with local organisations about people’s rights and accessible services.

Every visit reinforces our commitment to ensuring advocacy is available to people wherever they live, because everyone deserves to feel heard and respected.

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Team Update

Strengthening intake and early support

Our intake area remained busy this month, processing a high number of new enquiries and supporting people with information, guidance and referral options. The team trialled and updated new Intake Task Sheet procedures to strengthen clarity and consistency as we grow.

Continuous learning and professional development

Team members attended sector training, webinars, community events, and professional supervision to ensure we remain up to date with the rapid changes in the NDIS, government payment systems, and broader disability policy landscape.

Despite the high demand, our advocates continue to show extraordinary dedication, compassion, and commitment to person centred practice.

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Advocacy WA remains committed to ensuring every person with disability has access to information, support, and a strong voice in decisions that affect their life. Our work this month shows the ongoing need for individual advocacy, clear communication, and community based support across the region.

As always, we stand beside people so they can make informed choices and live a life that reflects their goals, values, and rights.

If you would like more information or support, please reach out to our team. We are here to help.

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