Statement: SSI welcomes updated Australia’s Disability Strategy

An updated national disability strategy, released this week signals much-needed attention to building a more inclusive Australia.

We were pleased that the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031, released by Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, includes recommendations in line with those from SSI’s submission, which called for stronger recognition and action on the intersectional experiences of people with disability.

We welcome the strategy’s commitment to have all levels of governments collaborate on a new Associated Plan to improve the accessibility of information and communication. We encourage governments to co-design this with people with disability, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds, to ensure it meets the needs of all communities.

While the strategy’s current target areas expire in 2025, we believe retaining employment as a focus area could deliver huge benefits to the community.

SSI also welcomes Minister Rishworth’s announcement of the launch, starting 1 July 2025, of the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence. This will be led by the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University, in collaboration with a range of consortium partners.

The work of the Centre complements the work outlined in our Pathways to Possibility report, launched in November last year, which highlights the crucial role that employment plays in ensuring people with disability gain more control over their lives, achieve financial independence, and improve their quality of life.

There is a rich, untapped talent pool of around 113,000 Australians with disability who are unemployed and looking for work.

While recent ABS data shows the participation of people with disability in the labour force is improving, the progress is slow and unevenly spread, especially for those from culturally diverse backgrounds and First Nations communities.

Our Community of Practice has been bringing together a wide network of businesses and employers across various sectors and local councils to develop, share and promote inclusive employment strategies.

Learn more about Pathways to Possibilities.

If you’re passionate about driving outcomes for people with disability in mainstream employment, join our Communities of Practice kicking off early this year.

Read the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy