What's the problem?

The NDIS exists to help people with disability and families to get the essential supports needed to live a decent life.

But over the last few years, the NDIS has changed. People with disability, families and allies have worked really hard to prevent devastating and fundamental changes to scheme.

And even though we prevented terrible changes, like independent assessments, and 'god powers' for the NDIS Minister of the day, and NDIA CEO of the day - the cost cutting measures haven't stopped.

People with disability are having funding for essential supports cut from their NDIS plans with no reason. They then have to either try to survive without those supports - or they have to keep fighting. Many are forced to go through the long and painful journey to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) - where they're up against the NDIA's expensive and intimidating private lawyers, often alone because disability advocates are completely overwhelmed by demand.

The NDIA is letting down the very people they exist to support.

NDIS related AAT appeals have increased by more than 400% since July 2021.

And the NDIA are spending more and more on private lawyers to fight NDIS participants at the AAT – more than $32 million from July 2021 to Feb 2022.

Most of the NDIA's internal lawyers have recently quit.

This is not the NDIS we fought for.

Join us in person for a rally and march to say NO to the cuts and NO to the intimidating external lawyers.

Instead we want to hear YES to Defending our NDIS, and YES to going back to the original intents and purposes of the NDIS.

Join us for a journey from the NDIA to the AAT - a 10 minute walk but all too often a 10+ month journey - through 'hell'.

What's the plan?

We will meet up outside the Melbourne NDIA head office at 367 Collins Street, and walk down to the front of the AAT at 15 William Street, Melbourne.

We will hear from NDIS participants, families, and advocates about their experiences, and why this is so important.

We will have Auslan interpreters there, and we hope to livestream the event (with captions) for everyone who can’t be there with us in person. Stay tuned for more info!

The walk to the AAT from the NDIA will take about 10 minutes – but in reality that journey often takes people more than 10 months.

Bring your own homemade signs, print and fill out some of ours, wear our t-shirts if you have any (we are bringing extra t-shirts and signs too - and if you can afford to chip in you can help us get more)

Let's show the powers that be that we won't put up with any more cuts, or anymore millions on private law firms - because we won't stop fighting until we have an NDIS that works well for everyone who needs it.

If you can't attend in person, you can still participate by watching our livestream on Facebook or YouTube.

Accessibility

You can find our access key on our website.

This event will be held on the streets of the Melbourne CBD. We don't know how the weather will be - we know the footpaths can be busy, and slippery, and could be extra tricky for some people. We will have Auslan interpreters there and will have captioning for the livestream. But if there's anything else please let us know when you register and we'll do our best!

COVID Safety

With rising COVID cases in Melbourne, it's crucial that this event is safe for all our attendees. Please take precautions including wearing N95 or similar quality masks and keeping your distance.