Advocate’s Corner: December 2025

Welcome to this month’s Advocate’s Corner, where we share updates from across Advocacy WA and highlight the key themes we have been seeing in our work alongside people with disability, families, and supporters.

This month continued to be busy for our team. We saw an increase in referrals, more walk in requests for urgent help, and a rise in complex issues needing immediate support. These trends show the ongoing pressure people face when navigating systems that can be confusing, time sensitive and demanding.

What We’ve Been Seeing

Across the month we recorded sixty four intakes, with forty seven people self referring or being supported by someone they trust to make contact. Agencies made seventeen referrals. Nineteen referrals were redirected for being out of area.

The top areas people needed support with were:

• NDIS
• Government payments
• Housing and homelessness

These categories represented the highest proportion of issues raised, with NDIS making up thirty five percent of all enquiries, government payments twenty seven percent, and housing eight percent.

We also saw an increase in walk in clients seeking help to complete documents, particularly court related forms. These documents are often complex and time sensitive, and there are limited services available to support people with disability to complete them.

Advocacy in Action

Administrative Review Tribunal matters increasing

There was a noticeable rise in NDIS External Review issues progressing to hearings at the Administrative Review Tribunal. Some matters were directed straight to hearing without being offered conciliation. This placed significant pressure on applicants, many of whom did not have informal supports to assist them with preparing statements, gathering evidence, or understanding the hearing process. Advocates continued to guide clients through each step, helping them understand their rights and what the Tribunal required.

20251208_IA Board Report Novemb…

Accelerated proceedings and added pressure on applicants

We also saw an emerging trend where applicants were asked to consent to accelerated appeal processes. While this shortens timelines, it reduces opportunities for informal resolution and places a greater burden on applicants to justify why they want standard processes followed. Advocates responded by helping clients understand the implications and make informed decisions.

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The themes from November reflect the increasing complexity of issues people are facing and the ongoing demand for timely, person centred advocacy. Our team remains committed to standing beside people with disability, offering clear information, respectful support, and guidance through systems that can be difficult to navigate.

If you need information or assistance, please reach out to our team. We are here to help.

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