The Priority Reforms: why they matter for mob with disability

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap puts four Priority Reforms at the centre of change. These reforms shift power, resources and accountability so communities lead the decisions that affect their lives, including disability policy and services.

The Four Priority Reforms:

1

Formal partnerships & shared decision-making

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share decision-making authority with governments through structured, resourced partnerships (national and place-based).

2

Build the community-controlled sector

Invest in and strengthen Aboriginal community-controlled organisations across key service systems (health, early childhood, disability and more).

3

Transform government organisations

Change cultures, systems and accountability in mainstream services to be culturally safe and effective.

4

Shared access to data & information (regional level)

Communities can access and use local data to set priorities, track progress and make decisions, upholding Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

What this means for First Nations people with disability

Policy is co-designed and governed with community, not just consulted.
Community-controlled disability leadership is resourced to deliver supports that work on Country.
Better local data helps fix access gaps (NDIS and foundational supports) and measure outcomes that matter.

What FPDN is doing

Partnering in policy design at national and local levels.
Strengthening First Nations disability leadership and community-controlled capability.
Monitoring data and holding governments to account on targets and reforms. (See NIAA profile of FPDN’s role.)

Tracking progress (and where it’s stalling). Public reporting shows mixed progress. Only a handful of targets are currently on track, with several areas worsening. Use the official dashboard and annual data reports to see changes over time.

Useful links

Priority Reforms (official) – Closing the Gap site
Priority Reform 4 (data sharing) – Overview and commitments
Closing the Gap Dashboard – Productivity Commission data
Coalition of Peaks – Priority Reforms explained

Want to partner on Priority Reforms in disability?

Contact FPDN’s Policy Team.

Priority Reforms (Closing the Gap)