The Justice Advisory Panel was established by the NDIA to examine policy and systemic issues affecting people with disability who interact with the justice system.
Between September 2024 and September 2026, the Panel met bi-monthly to consider issues affecting current and potential NDIS participants across Australia and provide strategic advice about opportunities to improve outcomes.
The Panel was made up of three members
- Dr. Jennifer Cullen AM (Chairperson)
- The Honourable David Harper AM
- NDIA, General Manager, Specialised Service Delivery
The Panel did not make decisions about participants, potential participants and NDIS plans.
Panel Advice
The Panel developed 4 advice papers that outline practical actions to improve outcomes for people with disability who interact with the justice system. This advice highlights opportunities to:
- strengthen shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the NDIS and justice systems
- improve information and data sharing to enable safer and more coordinated supports
- increase provider capability, safeguarding and access to appropriate disability supports
- support earlier intervention and coordinated responses for young people with disability who are involved with, or at risk of entering, the justice system.
You can read the advice papers:
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Information and Data Sharing (DOCX 607KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Information and Data Sharing (PDF 582KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Education and Engagement (DOCX 610KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Education and Engagement (PDF 440KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Providers and Markets Advice (DOCX 597KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Providers and Markets Advice (PDF 585KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Youth Justice (DOCX 583KB)
- NDIA Justice Advisory Panel Advice – Youth Justice (PDF 922KB)
Overview of findings
Information and data sharing
The Panel identified:
- timely information sharing, coordination and decision-making across service systems are critical enablers of effective support and safeguarding for people with disability who interact with the justice system.
- considerations to improve information sharing, participant identification, data capability and decision making.
Education and engagement
The Panel identified:
- varied understanding of the NDIS and its legislative remit, across court and judicial stakeholders, justice agencies, providers and other stakeholders.
- considerations to strengthen a shared understanding of NDIS roles, responsibilities and legislative boundaries.
Provider and markets
The Panel identified:
- significant challenges for participants with complex support needs, particularly those in regional, remote and very remote areas and First Nations participants.
- considerations to improve provider capability, workforce development, cultural safety and market responsiveness.
Youth justice
The Panel identified:
- early identification and coordinated responses across systems as critical enablers of effective support.
- considerations focused on both practical and strategic early intervention and coordination for young people with disability who are involved with, or at risk of entering, the justice system.
Learn more about the NDIS and the justice system .