DSC Annual NDIS Conference 2025

Agenda out now

Check it out below!

The NDIS event of 2025
is just weeks away!

Don't miss your chance to join the largest gathering of sector leaders in Australia.

Put yourself in the same room (or virtual space) as 1500+ people who understand exactly what you're dealing with. Get the latest intel, practical strategies, and make the connections that will matter for your organisation in the coming year.

"This conference has become the best investment in PD for orgs and individuals. Alongside great content there is always such good opportunties to network and connect."

Previous attendee

"Gives me energy in the lead up to so much change that we are about to need to implement."

Previous attendee

"The DSC conference was more than I could of hoped for, it should be held as the industry standard, anything less is not acceptable. This is the conference I will always send my staff to attend."

Previous attendee

Presenting Partners

Big names. Big insights. Big picture.

This is no ordinary speaker lineup. We've secured the Minister, Shadow Minister, ABC's Patricia Karvelas hosting a blockbuster NDIS 2.0 panel and much, much more. Get the latest on reforms and the future of the sector - all from the people shaping it.

Program

Day 1 - May 20

9:30am - 5:00pm AEST

Who should attend?

Everyone who wants to make connections with like-minded colleagues and hear the latest from the industry experts, including:

CEOs and Senior Leaders
Business Owners & Managers
Government Representatives
Advocate & Academics
Thought Leaders
HR and People & Culture
NDIS Support Coordinators
NDIS Support Workers
Highly Engaged NDIS Participants

Please note sessions are subject to change

More speakers to be announced

presentation

Welcome to Country

keynote

NDIS Minister Keynote Address

presentation

NDIS Decoded: Essential Market Data for Providers

NDIS growth is slowing across Australia, but this session will unpack the real story behind the squeeze - revealing how funds are being used across participant groups and where savvy providers can still find untapped opportunities if they know where to look.

presentation

Creating Employment Opportunities through the NDIS

The Centre for Inclusive Employment is here to back providers — but this isn’t a spectator sport.

NDIS providers are key to creating employment opportunities for people — and there’s an untapped market to fund it.

Morning Tea

presentation

Ability Roundtable’s Benchmarking Data

This session will dive into what the data says — who's making it work and who's bleeding dry. Plus an update on what’s happening with NDIS pricing.

panel

Business Planning in Uncertainty

Hosted by Sally Coddington

presentation

NDIS Commission Update

As Commissioner and Associate Commissioner of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Louise Glanville and Natalie Wade work together to lead the independent national regulator of NDIS supports and services. In this joint address, the leaders will share their unique insights into how a human-rights focus is embedded into the NDIS Commission’s work, as well as sharing their perspectives on changes facing the sector.

The NDIS Commission is committed to ensuring that the human rights of people with disability are at the forefront whenever and wherever they are receiving disability support services. This approach will be central to the significant regulatory reforms the NDIS Commission will progress this year and in the future to address quality, safety and integrity issues in the sector.

Performance

A Million Dreams

Singer-songwriter Lara Nakhle performs the uplifting ballad "A Million Dreams."

Lunch

"Informative in such an important time of change" - previous attendee

panel

Separation of Housing and Support, Preparing for the Future

Hosted by Brent Woolgar

presentation

Trends in Quality of Support in Supported Accommodation – Why it is Declining

We’ve seen a big investment in disability services over the years. Group homes are getting smaller and fewer people are living in each house – all good moves on paper. But what’s actually happening with quality? The data paints a worrying picture.

panel

Putting Evidence into Practice

Hosted by Therese Morgante

When it comes to positive behaviour support, implementation is where the magic happens. Learn what the research says about effective implementation of PBS—and why a plan is only the first step. We’ll unpack what gets in the way, and the enablers to bringing PBS to life in the real world.

Afternoon Tea

interview

NDIS Reform Advisory Committee Update

Hosted by Dr George Taleporos

The Co-Chairs of the NDIS Reform Advisory Committee will share how people with disability are shaping critical reforms following the NDIS Review and Royal Commission and explore what lies ahead in the reform journey.

panel

Disability at the Front Line: When Your Life is Your Work

Hosted by Todd Winther

An honest and insightful exploration of what it takes to share lived experience at work, the toll it can take and how organisations can effectively and supportively learn from these stories.

End of Day 1

Networking Evening Event: 5:00 - 8:00pm

Brought to you by our Presenting Partner, Performl

Join us opposite the MCEC, at The General Assembly, for some drinks and canapés to network and debrief with your peers whilst listening to the sweet sounds of Lara Nakhle.

Program

Day 2 - May 21

9:00am - 3:30pm AEST

2025 Conference Themes

NDIS reform: Legislation, new rules, new committees and plenty more new to come!

The disability ecosystem: From lifeboat to joined up ecosystem? What's happening with foundational supports?

Quality and safeguarding: Following a Royal Commission, what can we expect from regulation reform?

Change a constant: Let’s focus our collective expertise on what we can control.

Invest right: Harness data and technology to drive quality and efficiency.

The future: The challenges and opportunities of NDIS 2.0.

Please note sessions are subject to change

More speakers to be announced

Performance

Acknowledgement of Country

keynote

Shadow NDIS Minister Keynote Address

panel

NDIS 2.0 - What Happened, What’s Next?

Hosted by Patricia Karvelas

Our outspoken panel will dive into the post-election landscape and unpack what's actually happening behind the headlines. From the Royal Commission to the NDIS Review, new legislation and guidelines and the promise of foundational supports that still haven’t arrived.… expect candid conversation and tough questions on the future of NDIS.

presentation

How the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) will Inform Policy

Discover how the NDDA is transforming the disability landscape through data-driven insights.

Morning Tea

panel

Lamp, Ladder, Lifeboat - Foundational Supports and the NDIS

Hosted by Assoc. Prof. Sue Olney

Foundational supports can look different for everyone: from guidance to ad hoc or ongoing support. In this discussion, we’ll dive into the risks and opportunities for governments, service providers, and service users in today’s policy landscape.

panel

Generational Change - An Opportunity to Shift the Dial

Hosted by Rob Woolley

With the Royal Commission, NDIS Review, and rising pressure on sustainability, the sector is at a turning point.

Future services must shift away from high-dependence models to building independence. Foundational Supports with leaner funding packages will be a gamechanger, and services have no choice but to adapt for the future.

"Extremely valuable yearly event especially given the constant changes of the NDIS" - Previous attendee

interview

Circles of Support: Building Inclusion into Everyone's Lives

Hosted by Chris Coombes

Community connection is key to building resilience and ensuring people live fulfilling lives. Yet in some ways the heavy reliance on the NDIS has made social divides worse by reducing community involvement in supporting people with disability.

We all benefit from building inclusive communities and Hunter Circles will show you how to get started.

Performance

If You Don’t Laugh You’ll Cry

Award winning comedian Alistair Baldwin skewers NDIS with a biting comedy sketch that promises to have you laughing through the bureaucratic pain.

Lunch

presentation

Guiding the Way: Building Common Principles for Navigators

NDS and DANA have teamed up to establish shared principles for creating independent, person-centred navigator roles.

In this session you’ll hear what the sector has called for in the navigator role and how co-design is progressing with the NDIA.

presentation

AI: The Future of NDIS Service Provision

Hosted by Ben Armstrong

Providers are feeling the pressure – costs are rising, reforms are coming, and the system isn’t as efficient as hoped. Could AI be the breakthrough we need?

This session will break down practical ways to adopt AI with simple, affordable solutions.

More sessions to be announced as confirmed!

Introducing your event hosts

Sara Gingold, Todd Winther & Evie Naufal

MC's who really know the NDIS. Sara, DSC's renowned Editor in Chief will join Todd our uber popular Political Geek and Evie, the DSC Managing Director who has been here since the start. You'll be getting the commentary from people who know and care.

Get your tickets

Together, let’s see the bigger picture, plan for another year, and focus on what matters: building thriving businesses and delivering better outcomes for people with a disability.

Ticket prices and packages

Save when you bring your team!

In Person (MCEC)

$1680 (each)

Group of 3 save $150pp
Group of 5 save $200pp

Add Networking evening event for $165 pp

Get tickets here

Online (Zoom)

$720 (each)

Group of 3 save $50pp
Group of 5 save $75pp

Get tickets here

An evening with Lara Nakhle

Networking Evening Event

20 May 5-8pm - The General Assembly

Join us opposite the MCEC for an evening of networking, drinks and canapés whilst listening to the talented Lara Nakhle.

Didn't purchase your networking ticket with your conference ticket??
Don't worry... it's not too late. Reach out to [email protected] for an access code to purchase a networking add-on ticket now!