29/10/2025 NDIS First Nations Strategy: Strengthening Aboriginal and Indigenous Disability Support
The NDIS First Nations Strategy is making strong progress in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The strategy focuses on increasing access, improving support, and ensuring services are culturally safe.NDIA consults communities through NDIS Engage and roundtables to implement improvements effectively.
What is the NDIS First Nations Strategy?
The NDIS First Nations Strategy is a groundbreaking consultation opened by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). This strategy aims to create meaningful change by increasing the number of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal Business Enterprises operating in the NDIS market.
Right now, eight per cent of NDIS participants are First Nations Australians. However, the number of Aboriginal NDIS providers is much lower. This gap needs to be closed.
Why Does This Matter?
NDIA opens the NDIS First Nations Strategy as a groundbreaking consultation. The strategy creates meaningful change by increasing Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal Business Enterprises in the NDIS market.
As Kelly Mundine, CEO of Mibayn Disability Services, says: “First Nations organisations bring trust, connection and understanding to the NDIS – making it more accessible for our people.”
This is exactly what the new strategy aims to achieve.
The First Nations Market and Sector Development Strategy
The NDIS First Nations Strategy introduces a comprehensive plan called The First Nations Market and Sector Development Strategy. This strategy focuses on three key goals:
- More Aboriginal providers – The NDIA supports Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal Business Enterprises to operate as registered NDIS Aboriginal service providers
- Better local access – First Nations participants can access NDIS support coordination and disability services in or near their communities
- Greater choice and control – The strategy gives First Nations participants more options when they select their disability supports
What is NDIS Choice and Control?
NDIS choice and control are fundamental principles of the scheme. It means participants have the power to decide who provides their support, how they receive it, and what goals they want to achieve.
For First Nations Australians, this means being able to choose providers who understand their culture, values, and community needs. When you work with Aboriginal-owned and operated providers, you get support that truly respects your identity.
What Makes the NDIS First Nations Strategy Different?
The NDIS First Nations Strategy embeds the expertise and lived experience of First Nations people into disability support. It ensures the NDIS offers effective, empowering, and supportive services for Aboriginal and Indigenous Australians.
Senator Jenny McAllister said, “This strategy makes the NDIS as effective and supportive as possible for First Nations Australians and their families.”
Released in January 2025, the strategy reflects a long-term commitment to improving outcomes for Indigenous NDIS participants through culturally safe and inclusive supports.
How My Mobile Plan Manager Supports You
At My Mobile Plan Manager, we understand the importance of NDIS choice and control for all participants, including First Nations Australians.
We provide NDIS plan management services that give you the freedom to choose your own providers – including Aboriginal-owned businesses and community-controlled organisations.
Our team handles all the financial administration of your NDIS plan, so you can focus on what matters: accessing quality, culturally appropriate supports.
Moving Forward with the NDIS First Nations Strategy
The NDIS First Nations Strategy marks real progress toward a more inclusive and culturally safe NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
If you’re a First Nations participant seeking plan management that respects your choices, or want to learn more about accessing Aboriginal providers, we’re here to help.
Ready to take control of your NDIS plan? Contact My Mobile Plan Manager today and discover how we support your journey to greater independence and choice.