Australia's care system, covering child care, aged care and disability support, has increasingly moved to private, for-profit providers. Commentators say this shift has produced gaps in service and uneven quality. Political and social scientist Mark Considine describes a wide mix of good and poor services. Under the current voucher-style funding model, governments leave much of the design and location of services to providers. The authors argue reforms that only add scrutiny will not fix the problem and call for a more community-based social model.
Dee Bocking has been named the Liberal candidate for Gosford. She is an aged care specialist and disability support worker, and a small business owner. She is also a former Gosford City councillor.
Logan residents can meet local aged care, disability support, community service and health providers at a free Care & Lifestyle Expo. The event runs from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday 3 November at the Logan Reserve Community Centre in Chambers Flat. Organised by the Birch Foundation, it brings together service providers, charities, allied health professionals and community groups. Birch Foundation managing director Shone Benjamin says the aim is for people to see available services face to face. Exhibitor fees will support the charity's ongoing programs.
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Eight remote communities in Far North Queensland are now getting expanded NDIS support. The communities include Aurukun, Ayton, Coen, Cooktown, Degarra, Kowanyama, Shiptons Flat and Wujal Wujal. The Remote Community Connector program helps people with disabilities apply for support and connect with local services. Most face-to-face services are delivered by Aboriginal community controlled organisations. NDIA chief executive Graeme Head said the changes follow feedback from First Nations communities that support needs to be local, trusted and easier to access.
Two-year-old Blake Thomas has made significant progress through Ability WA's In-Home Baby Intervention Service, a Telethon-funded program that provides therapy in children's homes. His mother, Jenna Moriarty, said that meeting Blake in his own safe space was the key. Over the past year, Blake has learnt to crawl, take steps holding his mother's hand, and communicate using sign language. He has also been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 and has an NDIS plan in place. The family is now transitioning to the NDIS as Blake turns two.
Dimity, 67, says it has been hard to share the care of her autistic son Stu, who moved into his own purpose-built home almost two years ago. Stu needs substantial support and has round-the-clock care. Dimity still recruits and trains support workers, oversees his support program and acts as his advocate. She is now working with a circle of support, including siblings and extended family, to share responsibilities. She says their relationship has improved since his move.
The Sewing Basket has opened its first shop outside Sydney in Casino, on the New South Wales north coast. Achieve chief executive Jo-Anne Hewitt cut the opening ribbon. Achieve is a not-for-profit disability support provider that came to the Northern Rivers in 2016. Hewitt said the shop aims to be a community space, with workshops and guest artists planned for next year. The shop is at The Chambers, 98 Walker Street, and accepts donations.
More than 3,700 Australians are stuck in public hospital beds despite being medically cleared to leave, with most waiting for aged care placements. Around 1,140 are NDIS participants who need community support to live safely. The Commonwealth will cut NDIS supports from October 2026, transferring costs to states. In NSW, stranded patients rose 46% in a year, blocking one in eight emergency beds. Queensland has the highest number, costing the state $3.6 million daily.
