Position Description

NDIS Appeals Officer / Advocate

Background:

Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc. is a community based not for profit association, funded by the Australian Federal Government through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (previously funded through the Department of Social Services)

Mission:

To empower, advocate and promote social justice and equitable access for people living with disability.

Vision:

An accessible, inclusive community that values the rights and contributions of all people especially people living with disability to be free and empowered to exercise their rights

Our Values

1. Human Rights
We advocate for the fundamental rights of people living with disability. We strive to promote their dignity and equity in all aspects of our work.

2. Empowerment
We provide information and knowledge, build confidence and capacity, connect with community, share leadership, appreciate achievements, and support each other.

3. Respect for All
We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, patience, and kindness. We are non-judgemental, and welcome diverse perspectives.

4. Independent
We operate without bias. We respect each client’s freedom to choose service providers that best meet their needs.

5. Learning
We engage in continuous learning and self-improvement. We embrace the dignity of risk and accept that everyone has the right to fail and learn from their mistakes.

Accountability:

The position of Disability Advocate is accountable to the Executive Officer.

Position Title:

NDIS Appeals Officer/Advocate

Classification:

Hours: Part Time 23 hours per week (3 days). Fixed Term contract position ending June 30, 2026, with the possibility of extension. Community Development Worker: As per SCHADS Award commencing at year level as appropriate to experience and qualifications.

Location:

The NDIS Appeals Officer will be based at the GDAI Traralgon Office (hybrid arrangement is a possibility) with travel on a regular basis over all local government areas of Gippsland.

Objectives of the position:

The Australian Government has provided funding for a National Disability Insurance Scheme Appeals Program which plays an important role in ensuring that National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) decisions are fair and robust. GDAI provides this program in the following Gippsland Local Government Areas as follows;

· East Gippsland

· Wellington Shire

· Latrobe City

· Baw Baw Shire

· South Gippsland Shire

· Bass Coast Shire

There is a strong commitment to ensuring that the NDIS Appeals program is accessible and as non-adversarial as possible for people with disability and, as part of that commitment, all applicants seeking reviews by the Administrative Review Tribunal – ART will be entitled to a support person.

This role involves NDIS Appeals Advocacy work.

Position Objective

The NDIS Appeals Officer/Advocate will play a key role in providing support and assistance to applicants whilst they navigate the process of seeking an ART review of NDIS decisions. There will be a strong focus on fostering ‘self-advocacy’ where possible. Where self-advocacy is not appropriate, the NDIS Appeals officer will, in partnership with the applicant, develop and implement a plan which will provide effective support.

The incumbent will also have specific responsibilities for promotion and education within the community and will have a range of reporting and administrative responsibilities that are required for GDAI’s quality assurance purposes and to meet funding body arrangements.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Foster self-advocacy (supporting individuals to put their own case before the ART)

Where self-advocacy is not appropriate, provide individual advocacy support, developing and implementing an individual plan in partnership with the applicant

Assist applicants to navigate the process of seeking ART review of Agency decisions, including preparing documents, attending conferences and hearings

Refer to the Central Assessment Provider where legal issues are highlighted, and a determination needs to be made as to whether legal assistance is warranted (for complex or novel legal cases)

Work one-to-one with people with disability and/or their carers to ensure and facilitate their access to services, and equitable treatment within services;

To ensure that all relevant Disability Advocacy Standards and legislation are complied with;

To adhere to GDAI’s policies, procedures & systems;

To contribute to GDAI’s meeting advocacy targets;

To maintain effective working relationships with relevant service providers, stakeholders and Government Departments;

To ensure effective working relationships are developed and maintained with all other GDAI staff

Have an understanding of individual advocacy and its relationship to the lives of people with a disability.

Demonstrated commitment and a clear understanding to human rights and social justice.

Ability to analyse, plan and implement advocacy strategies with or on behalf of people with disability.

Knowledge of the disability and human services networks at regional, state and national levels and how they may impact on people’s lives.

An understanding, or the ability to quickly acquire an understanding, of all Acts of Legislation relevant to the lives of people with disability.

Sound written and oral communication skills and computer skills, including the ability to prepare case notes, advocacy plans and other documents; liaise with stakeholders; promote the agency and communicate well with clients, colleagues and other agencies.

Training and Development

Assist in the development of skills in self-advocacy – conducting individual or group sessions.

Attend relevant training to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the role.

Network with other support persons in the NDIS sites and liaise with the ART as necessary.

Education and Promotion

Provide a community education role by providing information about the availability and role of the support person.

Develop promotional materials in a range of accessible formats.

Identify potential education and promotional opportunities.

Evaluate sessions and prepare reports on activities.

Administration and Reports:

Collect and maintain client information on databases.

Collate data and draft other reports as necessary

Other functions including:

Identify systemic issues and trends.

Actively contribute to GDAI meetings and participate in staff development initiatives.

Key Selection Criteria

To competently perform in this position, the person should possess the following knowledge, skills and experience outlined in the following Key Selection Criteria:

Demonstrated understanding and strong commitment to the rights and interests of people with disability and self-advocacy as an essential part of effective empowerment.

Experience in developing and maintaining effective communication with clients on complex matters, issues and/or complex situations.

Experience in working flexibly and creating realistic strategies tailored to resolve issues/challenges faced by people with disability. Demonstrated outcomes and strength based focused approach to service delivery.

Experience in delivering an accessible and responsive service to clients and the ability to critically review one’s own practice.

High-level skills in networking and forming capacity-building partnerships with others.

Excellent organisational skills and a demonstrated capacity to act independently using discretion and sound judgement.

Mandatory Skills/Experience

Qualifications in social sciences, human services and/or a minimum three years equivalent combination of relevant experience, education and/or training in the community services sector.

Demonstrated ability and experience in working effectively and collegially in partnerships and as part of a team.

Competent, or have the capacity to become competent, in the use of relevant computer software programs.

A Victorian Drivers’ license or capacity to travel around Gippsland.

Other position requirements:

The completion of a satisfactory National Police Records Check, Working with Children Check

The incumbent will be required to work in accordance with GDAI’s performance development system and GDAI’s policies and procedures.

Some overnight travel may be required on occasions.

A 6-month probationary period applies to this position. GDAI has a Performance Development Policy which includes the development and review of an annual Performance Plan.

A Position Description can be obtained by email to [email protected] or the website: https://www.gdai.com.au/about-us/employment/

To apply, you must supply:

A covering letter

A response to each of the Key Selection Criterion in a separate document and

A Resume, including the name of three (3) professional referees to: [email protected]

Gippsland Disability Advocacy is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

For more information on the role please contact Leanne Wishart – Executive Officer, Gippsland Disability Advocacy on (03) 5175 0444.

This position closes at 5:00pm on Friday 19th September 2025.