G’day legends, and welcome to your weekly SwiftyMatchy wrap-up! 🏁
This isn’t your average dry newsletter – we’re bringing you the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) lowdown with a cheeky twist. Strap in as we zoom around Australia, dishing out the latest NDIS news from every state and territory. Expect a wild mix of 🎪 feel-good expos, ⚖️ accountability drama, and 🙃 “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments, all delivered with a warm wink and a whole lotta sass.
And yes, I’m writing this while watching Bathurst roar across the screen 🏎️💨 – because let’s be real, we’re all running our own version of that race. Some of us don’t make it to the finish line, others cross it but don’t quite feel like we’ve won… and that’s okay. The point is, we show up, we keep driving, and we celebrate every lap we make. That’s what the NDIS hustle is really about – resilience, grit, and good company in the pit crew.
Ready? Let’s hit the track and dive in, mates! 💥
Vin Diesel eat your heart out !
🌏 Around the States We Go!
From Melbourne expos to Darwin award nights, every corner of Australia brought something to the NDIS table this week. Grab your flat white, because here’s what went down—state by state, with all the sass and none of the jargon. 💅
VIC: Melbourne brought the heat with a massive Disability Connection Expo (Oct 3–4), connecting thousands of people with NDIS providers. Think free entry, live entertainment, and good vibes all around. 😍
NSW: One Sydney-area operator got permanently banned from NDIS work effective Oct 3. The watchdog basically said “nope!” to dodgy dealings to keep participants safe. 🚫 Good riddance!
QLD: A rogue provider got slammed with a record $2.2 million fine after a tragic neglect case – a harsh wake-up call that NDIS safety isn’t optional. ⚖️ Message received, Queensland.
WA: An Australian-first pilot in Perth is helping kids with complex disabilities attend childcare 🤸🎈– giving exhausted parents a breather and teaching them to navigate support systems like pros. Talk about a win-win!
SA: In Adelaide, one mum’s fight for a $2.6k Thermomix (instead of a $10.5k support worker) has spotlighted how “nonsensical” some NDIS rules can be. 🍳 Why pay more for less independence? The struggle is real, and we’re shaking our heads 🙃
TAS: Tassie’s investing in its disability workforce with new training scholarships for support staff (hello, Appointed Program Officers!). 🎓 Knowledge is power, baby — and consistency is the name of the game.
ACT: Canberra officially ended the NDIS “grace period” on Oct 2 – meaning buying non-approved items with NDIS funds now risks a debt 💸. Free ride’s over, folks. Read the fine print and spend wisely!
NT: Up in Darwin, the NT Disability Inclusion Awards (held Oct 9 at Parliament House) celebrated local legends making a difference. 🏆🎉 Inclusivity heroes, we see you and we salute you!
🎧 New Podcast Episode (Feat. Cedar, Brett & Belinda)
You asked, we delivered! Our dynamic trio – Cedar, Brett & Belinda – have officially hit the airwaves in the latest Sarah Knows Support Workers podcast episode, now live on Spotify, Apple & Youtube. Expect honest convos, hearty laughs, and unfiltered NDIS truths. It’s like chatting at the pub with your smartest (and sassiest) mates – if those mates also happened to be disability advocates dropping wisdom bombs and mic-drop moments. Go have a listen and tell us your favourite quote – we know you’ll have a few! 🎙️💬
👀 Next Up – Big Names, Bigger Conversations!
Can’t get enough? Neither can we. We’ve got a stacked lineup coming your way – and I’m buzzing to spill it. Coming soon to the Sarah Knows Support Workers mic:
💥 James Loveday – industry legend with the stories you need to hear
⚙️ Garth from Paycat – breaking down payroll pain points with a laugh
💻 Mat from ShiftCare – giving us the inside scoop on how tech is reshaping support work
💪 Growth chats – all about how we keep the heart in a growing sector
Trust me, this lineup is pure gold and packed with real talk, spicy takes, and “aha!” moments. Stay tuned – this next round of episodes is gonna be a ripper. 🔥
💋 Final Words
Alrighty, that’s a wrap on this week’s whirlwind of NDIS news! 🎊
We hope you’re walking away feeling more in the know, a little more fired up, and a whole lot more empowered – because this space runs on community, connection, and real talk. 💪
Keep your boots high, your standards higher 👢✨
Stay bratty, stay bold 💋
— Team SwiftyMatchy
💌 Email Sarah – the Swifty you didn’t know you needed for your unfiltered NDIS truth bombs → [email protected]
📣 Share the newsletter with your mates and keep the convo rolling – because when we all speak up, the sector listens. 💜