A dramatic decline in access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme for people with mental health-related disabilities is putting vulnerable Australians at risk and will have far-reaching consequences, the Australian Psychosocial Alliance has warned.
The Australian Psychosocial Alliance (APA), a national alliance of leading mental health support organisations, today released a report showing NDIS application approval rates for people with psychosocial disability have plummeted by nearly two-thirds (62%) within the last five years.
Only 25% of applications were approved for this group according to the most recent data, compared with 66% of such applications at the start of the 20/21 financial year. The declining access rate sits in stark contrast to the access rate across all disabilities, which has remained relatively steady.
Access Denied also highlights a range of other troubling experiences for this group, including poor understanding of psychosocial disability and the impacts of mental ill-health, prohibitive costs associated with applications, and suggestions from non-medically qualified assessors to try inappropriate treatments.
APA spokesperson Tom Dalton, who is CEO of member organisation Neami National, said: “We are seeing growing inequity in access to the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability. It’s verging on systemic discrimination. While the Government and NDIA have not publicly made any changes to eligibility criteria, it is quite clear there are changes behind the scenes that are affecting NDIS approvals for this group.”
The APA is calling for the federal government to resolve the pressing issues of psychosocial disability access to the NDIS, improve the NDIA’s psychosocial disability capability, and ensure greater expert oversight, prioritising lived experience representation.
Access Denied draws on NDIS statistics, organisational data and first-hand insights from participants, carers and others involved in the system. CEOs of the seven APA members have gathered in Canberra this week to escalate their concerns to Ministers and other members of the federal parliament.
The report estimates thousands of Australians who should be eligible for support are being excluded, with opaque changes and inconsistencies in National Disability Insurance Agency processes creating logistical, cost and communication barriers, leading to inequitable outcomes.
“While we understand the need to reduce Scheme costs, this is not the way to do it and will ultimately lead to an increased burden on acute services in other areas such as health, homelessness, and unemployment. It is a false economy with a human and societal cost,” Mr Dalton said.
“People who need the NDIS need the day-to-day support that the Scheme was designed for. The rise in rejections for access means many are missing out on necessary and impactful supports, while waitlists for already-stretched mental health services will continue to grow. We need to build pathways which reflect an understanding of psychosocial disability and mental health, so that everyone gets the support they need.”
While people with a primary psychosocial disability account for almost 9% of current NDIS participants, they represent just 3% of those successfully obtaining access to the Scheme.
The term psychosocial disability captures people with a range of mental health challenges, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, where that condition strongly affects their daily function, self-care and social participation. People with psychosocial disability often have poorer physical health, lower life expectancy, experience high levels of social disadvantage and isolation, and are overrepresented in homelessness statistics.
Access Denied also points to an unsustainable burden on the time of medical and other professionals as part of the application process. In many cases, applications for single participants now involve a staggering 100 hours of professional medical and allied health input to receive NDIS support.
Problems with NDIS access are compounded by the lack of other supports available outside the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability. A 2024 government-commissioned study found major unmet psychosocial support needs across Australia. There is also a delay in introduction of foundational supports, a proposed state-and-federal program that would provide services for people who fall outside the NDIS.
“Federal and state governments need to move now on this, because we’re seeing terrible unintended human consequences. The current situation is excluding people from the NDIS, leaving them falling through the cracks,” Mr Dalton said.
The full report, Access Denied: Psychosocial Disability and the NDIS, can be accessed here.

The new rights-based Aged Care Act commences this Saturday 1 November, and will afford older Australians with greater independence, autonomy, choice and control regarding their care. 

The overhaul of the Act is long overdue generational reform, with demand for aged care projected to grow dramatically due to Australia’s ageing population. A new Aged Care Act, framed in rights of the older person, was the number one recommendation of the Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care’s final report four and a half years ago. 

The Act reinforces that older people have the right to make their own decisions, with appropriate support if they need it. For registered supporters, the new regime also introduces clear responsibilities and consequences, ensuring that the autonomy and voice of the older person is respected in all decisions about their care and life.

Older Persons Advocacy Network CEO Craig Gear said the hallmark of the new Act is a Statement of Rights.

“This is an exciting new chapter for the sector, older Australians, carers and providers,” Mr Gear said.

“At its core is the recognition that older people remain at the centre of their care, supported by those they trust – whether that’s a family member, friend, advocate or provider.

“This is a transformational shift in power dynamics, and it is imperative that older people are empowered to make informed decisions that benefit them.”

Along with the new Act comes strengthened quality standards and greater protections for older people receiving aged care. It also sees the commencement of the Support at Home Program which has higher levels of support, more packages and benefits such as restorative care pathways. 

There is also an end-of-life pathway to support people who choose to die at home.

“Like with most significant reforms, there will probably be teething issues, as the changes have yet to be tested,” Mr Gear said.

“This transition, and the potential for co-payments, may be of concern and people should call the My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or our Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600 if they feel the changes have affected their ability to receive or pay for aged care in the community.

“But the spirit of the new legislation reflects modern Australia, and we look forward to working with the Government and the wider aged care sector to get this right and so that older people live with dignity and respect.

“We thank the federal government for its commitment to improving our aged care system.”

The state government is backing shelters, rehoming groups and community vet clinics – making vet care more affordable and helping more pets find loving homes across Victoria.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced the opening of applications for Round 13 of the Animal Welfare Fund, which will invest $1.6 million to support companion animal welfare across Victoria.
This round offers Pet Welfare Grants of up to $100,000 for not-for-profit organisations, animal shelters and community foster care networks. Eligible projects include those focused on rehoming, education, emergency animal relief and expanding facilities available to the community during times of crisis.
Low-cost vet clinic grants of up to $50,000 are also available to put towards equipment, upgrades and expansions for not-for-profit and community vet clinics, and up to $200,000 to establish new low-cost vet clinics.
Previous grants awarded under the Animal Welfare Fund Grants program have helped Geelong Animal Welfare Society to establish new kitten enclosures and cat isolation wards, enabled Victorian Animal Aid to purchase a dental x-ray machine and assisted The Australian Animal Protection Society to create a sensory dog park.
Over the past decade, the AWF Grants Program has awarded more than $14.75 million in funding to not-for-profit animal shelters, foster care organisations and community vet clinics – directly improving the wellbeing of companion animals across Victoria.
Applications for Round 13 Animal Welfare Fund Grants are open until November 27, 2025. To apply and for more information visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging beekeepers to continue to report varroa mite despite the state transitioning to management of the pest.

Throughout August, large numbers of beehives were moved into almond orchards for pollination. As anticipated, new detections of Varroa have and will continue to occur across Victoria.

The focus is now on preparing beekeepers to live with the pest while slowing its spread. Agriculture Victoria’s Varroa Development Officers are working in field with beekeepers to ensure any positive loads within the state are well managed to minimise the biosecurity risk.

Under the National Varroa Mite Response Plan, Varroa development officers are providing guidance directly to beekeepers on how to manage Varroa mite and appropriately utilise the chemical control options available.

Victorian Chief Plant Health Officer Rosa Crnov stressed the importance of following all relevant processes.

’On 11 September, Agriculture Victoria removed statewide border control measures on hives that were previously in place to manage the spread of Varroa destructor into Victoria.

The change reflects the continued spread of Varroa across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia and aligns with the national strategy to slow the spread of Varroa and transition to management,’ Dr Crnov said.

’Beekeepers seeking to introduce bees, bee products or used beekeeping fittings into Victoria from any jurisdiction are still required to obtain a health certificate which has been modified to include Varroa related conditions.

After extensive industry consultation and with the expected continued spread of Varroa, Agriculture Victoria determined in September 2025 that more stringent movement restrictions could no longer be justified.

This reduction in regulatory burden will further support business continuity for beekeepers seeking to introduce bees and hives into Victoria from jurisdictions where Varroa is present and further support access to pollination services for growers.

All beekeepers in Victoria are urged to check their hives and record their inspections, mite testing results and hive movements in BeeMAX. By reporting varroa detections in BeeMAX all beekeepers will be able to see the latest detections of varroa in Victoria.

A rare chance has arisen to acquire a painting by the much sought-after artist David Bromley.

His art, plus an award-winning film and a community gathering, will combine to help the Phoenix@The Rex Community Cinema.

An intriguing documentary about his life, Light After Dark, will be shown at this fundraiser over Melbourne Cup weekend, October 31, November 1 and 2., 5pm to 7.30. The film takes the viewer through his layers of anxiety, phobia and suicide survival to reach the light, and will be followed by a live Q and A with David and Yuge Bromley.

David donated six impressive works to this cause. Included are four Bromley classic paintings, a Sesame Street inspired work, and a Bromley/Colin Beard original painting.

One of three classic paintings will be auctioned each night, with the remaining works offered in exclusive raffles.

Tickets: $30 includes snacks, drinks, the film and Q&A.

Venue: Bromley Art Gallery, 45 Vincent St,  Daylesford.

Bookings through Humanitix:

https://events.humanatix.com/phoenix-light-after-dark-fundraiser

Bookings also available at Bromley Art Gallery, 45 Vincent St,  Daylesford.

Seating is limited, so early booking is advisable.

The Pet Show is back at the Castlemaine Show this Saturday, November 1 at the Camp Reserve, Castlemaine.

MAAW Shelter is donating their time to steward the event  and the Mount Alexander Shire mayor Rosie Annear will judge along with another guest judge.

There is lots of fun for all ages and bring along your fur baby for just $2 per entry with some wonderful prizes including vouchers from MAAW. Enter on the day or at the show office on weekdays from 11am-5.30pm at Camp Reserve.

Classes are: Largest Pet, Smallest Pet, Best Groomed Pet, Happiest Pet, Best Dressed Pet and Best Behaved Pet.

Hepburn Shire Council has announced the reappointment of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bradley Thomas for a further four-year term, following a decision by councillors at last night’s meeting.

Mr Thomas has led the organisation since May 2021, driving key initiatives and delivering major infrastructure projects.

Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said the reappointment reflected Bradley’s strong track record of performance and delivery.

“Councillors recognised that Bradley is best placed to lead the organisation as it embarks on implementing the new Council Plan. The appointment will provide the organisation with continuity and stability going forward,” Cr Henderson said.

In accepting the reappointment, Mr Thomas said it was a privilege to continue leading the organisation and serving the Hepburn Shire community.

“I’m pleased by the Council’s confidence in the leadership of the organisation and excited about what we can achieve together in the next four years. While we are a small council, we do great things for our community.

“I look forward to continuing to work with our amazing staff, our dedicated councillors, community, and local businesses to enter this new chapter, with a stronger commitment to improving our community responsiveness, while providing essential services and ensuring our financial sustainability,” Mr Thomas said.

The state government is supporting Victoria’s wildlife rehabilitator volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated shelter operators and foster carers across Macedon for being awarded funding thanks to the Victorian Government’s annual Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants.
The grants are providing more than $310,000 to support 150 wildlife shelter operators and foster carers across the state by improving the standard of care they provide, enhancing facilities to treat, house and rehabilitate wildlife for release, and boosting their skills and knowledge through education and training.
Successful recipients in Macedon are:
Serenity in Drummond for the purchase of feed for Eastern Grey Kangaroo joeys and textbooks to increase rehabilitation knowledge:
Lyndarth Wildlife Shelter in Gisborne to construct a movable cage/aviary to allow for the soft release of rehabilitated animals:
Gwandalan in Darraweit Guim to cover the cost of food and milk powders;
The Wildlings Woodend Wildlife Shelter to expand the enclosure for gliders to enhance recovery; and Red Box Wildlife Shelter in Elphinstone to purchase brush-screen fencing and wildlife- specific manuals.
These grants, worth up to $3,000, recognise the important role of wildlife rehabilitators, through dedicating their own time and money to rehabilitate injured or displaced wildlife and release them back into the wild.

Victoria’s youth justice system is expanding to keep the community safe.

With remand rates for young people increasing by 46 per cent year-on-year, an initial 30 beds will be opened as part of a new model at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre.

These beds will be for a lower-risk cohort aged 17 years and over – freeing up more custodial beds at Cherry Creek and Parkville Youth Justice Centres for serious high-risk offenders.

The new model at Malmsbury will deliver a more intensive program of education, vocational training and job opportunities for this lower-risk cohort.

It will also allow more tailored programs to be offered to young people at Cherry Creek and Parkville.

This includes recent changes to the Youth Justice Act allowing rehabilitation programs to be offered to young people on remand – not just when sentenced.

To support the opening of these beds at Malmsbury, 114 staff members will be recruited to work at the Centre.

Recent recruitment drives for more youth justice workers has seen a significant strengthening of Victoria’s Youth Justice workforce, with record levels of applications received.

Works will begin immediately to upgrade the infrastructure and security at Malmsbury, with the extra beds to come online in a staged approach from early next year.

Enrolments are now open for the Qantas Group Safety Academy, Australia’s first dedicated safety education academy developed in partnership with leading Australian universities, Griffith University and RMIT University. Classes will begin from January 2026.
Drawing on Qantas’ aviation safety expertise and Griffith and RMIT universities’ collective expertise in training delivery, the Academy will foster the next generation of world-class professionals in aviation as well as other safety critical industries including energy, mining, health and construction.
Four micro-credentials are available to students initially, which will be delivered over a six to twelve week period via online learning. These micro-credentials cover topics such as cognitive and social aspects of human factors in safety, foundations of risk analysis, risk-informed decision making, ethical safety leadership, and safety principles and culture. Students can enrol in as many micro-credentials as they wish.
An additional eight micro-credentials will be added to the Academy offerings in 2026, which will be informed by learnings and feedback from its initial intakes. The long-term aim is for the Academy to offer postgraduate qualifications, followed by advanced research programs. Further detail on the micro-credentials can be found here.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said Qantas was proud to be sharing its more than 100 years of operational experience to inform safety training that will upskill Australians.
“We’re incredibly proud to be leading this Australian-first initiative in partnership with Griffith University and RMIT University. The lessons we’ve learned about safety culture, risk management, and human factors have been refined over decades of operation in one of the world’s most safety-critical industries,” Ms Hudson said.
“These principles are universal, whether you’re working in aviation, healthcare, mining, or any other industry. By establishing the Safety Academy we’re committed to helping develop the next generation of safety leaders who understand that safety isn’t about compliance, but about creating a culture where people are empowered to lead, innovate, and look out for one another.”
RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor STEM College and Vice President Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, said it was exciting to start welcoming students to undertake this critically important training.
“The new Academy combines the expertise of our national carrier with world-class learning and teaching from RMIT and Griffith universities,“ Professor Itsiopoulos said.
“With RMIT’s human factors and risk management focused micro-credentials, students will work with the same advanced tools used by industry to develop the tactical knowledge and relevant skills needed to make a real difference in jobs across safety critical industries.”
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, said Griffith was proud to partner with the Qantas Group.
“Griffith will offer an Ethical Safety Leadership micro-credential course to equip leaders with the necessary skills to understand, manage and support the legal and ethical considerations which are essential to maintaining safety in the workplace with a focus on industries with high regulatory and safety standards like rail, energy, mining, health and construction,” Professor Evans said.
“We’re also offering a Safety Principles and Culture micro-credential course which takes an in-depth look at safety as a discipline, tracing its evolution and exploring contemporary safety practices across industries.”
For more information about the Safety Academy by Qantas Group visit www.qantas.com/safetyacademy.

The state government is supporting refugees and asylum seekers to access free or subsidised training, helping them gain meaningful employment and build new lives in Victoria.

Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney has announced a $3 million investment for the Asylum Seeker VET program, including support for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) to continue its work.

The Asylum Seeker VET program provides access to skills and training for people who have been forced to flee their home countries, helping them succeed in Victoria. Many choose to give back to their new communities – some of the most popular courses are in childcare, community and disability services, and nursing and allied health.

By supporting refugees and asylum seekers to enrol, the program gives them access to vocational training like Free TAFE and Skills First courses.

Since December 2024, the government has supported more than 950 asylum seekers to study at TAFE, supporting their job search and financial independence. The ASRC has supported more than 250 people in the past year to study at a TAFE, university or training provider.

The $3 million funding being provided through the Victorian Budget 2025/26 will enable the ASRC to continue its work through the Asylum Seeker VET program and offer more iwraparound support and follow-up services.

The Reconnect program includes early school leavers, people experiencing long-term unemployment, asylum seekers, young people affected by the justice system, and people with current or previous experience in out-of-home care.

To learn more about the Asylum Seeker VET program, visit www.vic.gov.au/asylum-seeker-vet-program.

A new UNSW Sydney and Black Dog Institute study has found that an intensive, one-week online therapy program can significantly reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD)—the most common anxiety disorder in Australia, affecting around one in seven people each year.

Published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, the research is the first randomised controlled trial to test a seven-day internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) program for social anxiety.

Lead author Dr Kayla Steele from UNSW’s School of Psychology and the Black Dog Institute says the findings highlight the potential of brief, accessible digital therapies to reach people who struggle to access traditional treatment.

“Many people with social anxiety avoid seeking help because of time, cost, or fear of judgment. A short, intensive online program could remove many of those barriers,” Dr Steele says.

Participants completed a condensed version of the THIS WAY UP program developed with St Vincent’s Hospital.

The course included six structured online lessons with clinician support over one week.

Research highlights:

• The study was the first randomised controlled trial of intensive internet delivered CBT (iCBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD).
• iCBT was found to be superior in reducing social anxiety and functional impairment at post-treatment and follow-up.
• Diagnosis of SAD also halved in the iCBT group at one-month follow-up.
• The program was well received by participants with good adherence (84% completed) and satisfaction (85% satisfied).

The state government is cracking down on illegal dumping across Victoria – cleaning up our parks and reserves, and holding illegal dumpers accountable for the mess they leave behind.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has announced $21.5 million to bolster the Illegal Dumping Taskforce and deliver extra financial support for councils and public land managers to clean-up illegally dumped waste.

This will help public land managers clean up priority waste – like public health hazards – and will cover up to 50 per cent of the clean-up costs in situations where all avenues to trace the perpetrator and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible.

To catch more people flouting the law and hold them to account, $13 million will help the Illegal Dumping Taskforce ramp up surveillance, enforcement and clean-up efforts across Victoria.

The taskforce will be led by the EPA, who will work with Conservation Regulator and undertake enforcement activities using expanded intelligence and monitoring to detect and respond to waste crimes in key locations.

The taskforce will also review fines and cost recovery for illegal dumping, hold offenders to account through the courts and step up naming and shaming of those who do the wrong thing.

Rubbish dumping and littering on public land is illegal with a maximum penalty of $3,951,800 for businesses and $800,000 for individuals or five years imprisonment, or both.

All Victorians have a part to play in preventing waste dumping. To report illegal dumping contact the EPA on 1300 372 842.

Grade 5 students across Victoria will have the chance to become hooked on fishing, thanks to free Little Angler Kits.

The 82,500 kits will be distributed across nearly 1,900 primary schools in time for the 2026 September school holidays.

The Little Angler Kits have everything a first-time fishing enthusiast needs to get started including a fishing rod and reel with line, tackle box with tackle, and an eight-page Kids’ Guide to Fishing outlining the basics of fishing safety, knots and rigs.

The Kids’ Guide to Fishing also provides advice on the best baits to use, peak fishing seasons and hot spots across Victoria as well as colour illustrations of freshwater and saltwater species likely to be caught.

The initiative is funded by recreational fishing licence fees,

There will be plenty of opportunities to reel in results. Victoria’s fish stocking program leads the nation with 10 million fish released across Victoria for the third time in four seasons, more than every other state and territory combined.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is leading the Little Angler Kit rollout and has created a series of informative tutorial videos presented by VFA Ambassador Lee Rayner and Michelle Brittain from the Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network with step-by-step instructions on how to get started.  

Translated versions of the Kids’ Guide to Fishing, available in Vietnamese, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi and simplified Chinese, complement the videos and are available from a kid-friendly web page at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/littleanglerkit

The state government is helping families with $200 vouchers so their children can get active and play the sports they love this summer.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has visited the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre to announce the next round of Get Active Kids vouchers will be available to eligible families.

The popular program ensures cost is not a barrier for kids to play sports with more than 65,000 vouchers expected to be distributed over the next two years.

Since launching in 2020, almost 190,000 vouchers have already been snapped up by families to help cover the costs of sporting memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment.

More than half of families say their kids would not have been able to participate in sport without the voucher, and almost 20 per cent of children have used the voucher to join a local sporting club for the first time.

From soccer to dancing, there are more than 70 sports and more than 2,300 activity providers included in the program across the state.

Families can apply for the vouchers online before redeeming them at an activity provider like a local sporting club or a reimbursement of up to $200 per child.

Children must be 18 years and under who are named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and named on a Medicare Card.

A special consideration is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.

A second 2025/26 round of the Get Active Kids Program will open early next year, giving even more families a chance to get their child involved in sport. For more info or to apply, visit getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers.