Mental Health Coordinating Council is proud to launch Learning from each other, a new member highlight series that showcases the incredible work of our members, supporting member collaboration and sharing resources to strengthen our sector.

Representing the largest and most diverse network of disability service providers across Australia, National Disability Services (NDS) is the country’s peak body for disability service organisations. Its members collectively operate several thousand services for more than 300,000 Australians with disability and employ a workforce of more than 100,000 people.

With a commitment to sector sustainability and diversity that is underpinned by high-quality, evidence-based support, National Disability Services’ focus is on strengthening, safeguarding and expanding choice for people with disability.

Strengthening NSW networks through Sector Connect

NDS reflects this commitment through its Sector Connect forums, a series of regional events in NSW which bring providers together to share and exchange knowledge, deepen local networks and stay up to date on national and state reform.

In 2025, the NDS team traveled to Taree, Batemans Bay, Broken Hill, Bathurst, Tamworth and Newcastle. Each event included updates on Australia’s reform landscape, insights into advocacy impact, Q&A discussions and examples of best-practice and innovation – helping to build a stronger, more connected sector across NSW.

NDS’s Sector Connect forums are confirmed for 2026. The team will be visiting Wollongong, Dubbo, Ballina, Griffith, Blacktown, and Goulburn. When the events are released, they will be listed on the NDS events page.

Tools for sector workers and leaders

NDS continues to support the sector with practical tools developed to strengthen workforce capability.

For NSW leaders and providers who are looking to build capacity and secure funding, Support Your Staffing Strategy in NSW offers actionable strategies and insights to guide workforce development.

Left to right: Lowri Williams (State Manager), Dr Debbie Jabbers (Foundational Supports Lead), Lesley Patton (Sector Support and Development Consultant) and Paula Firmstone (Senior Sector Support and Development Officer)

For community mental health organisations seeking to build an inclusive, culturally safe workforce, NDS has recently updated their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Guide and Toolkit. This resource offers a clear pathway to recruit and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and includes self-assessment tools, improvement planning, and guidance in becoming more culturally responsive.

NDS also places strong emphasis on lived experience and the value of a well-supported peer workforce. Through its lived experience network, NDS works to elevate peer voices and assist organisations in embedding peer roles across their services. Members interested in peer workforce development—or those wishing to share innovative peer support models—are encouraged to connect with the NDS team.

NDS welcomes collaboration around the design and development of foundational supports for people with psychosocial disability and looks forward to working with others in community mental health to build strong, responsive and inclusive services.

If you would like to get in touch with National Disability Services NSW, you can phone their Surry Hills office on (02) 9256 3111, email ndsnsw@nds.org.au or visit the NDS website for more information.