The Avoca Group

27/07/2025

Good News for Bedford below:

Bedford is extremely grateful and relieved to announce today that the Malinauskas Labor Government will provide the organisation with a $15 million support package.

The focus for Bedford now is our people after what has been a very challenging time.

All staff and clients are encouraged to please return to their Bedford site as normal tomorrow, Monday 28 July. Operations and programs across all Bedford’s 22 sites, including our Bedford-backed businesses will run as usual.

All Balyana residents will remain in their supported accommodation for the immediate term whilst a plan is developed by Bedford.

We thank our community for their patience as we work hard to inform everyone within the limitations of access to our people on a weekend. More detailed information will be provided to all clients and staff once they return to site from tomorrow.

06/07/2025

🎟️ The Companion Card: Because We Deserve to Be Included

If you—or someone you love—have a lifelong disability and need support to participate in community events and activities, the Companion Card isn’t just a ticket — it’s a right.

This card means your carer or companion gets in FREE at venues and events across Australia, removing barriers and making inclusion real. No extra costs. No excuses. Just dignity, respect, and full participation.

The Companion Card is recognised nationwide — NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, WA, NT & QLD — and it’s time every business and venue stepped up to support it.

Whether you’re a person with a disability, a family member, a carer, or a business wanting to make a difference, this card helps unlock access, inclusion, and connection.

🔥 Don’t wait! Apply now. Your right to access your community matters.

👉
The NSW Companion Card program https://www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/companion-card

ACT Companion Card Program
https://www.act.gov.au/community/people-with-disability/companion-card

VIC Companion Card Program
https://www.companioncard.vic.gov.au/

TAS Companion Card Program
https://www.companioncard.tas.gov.au/

SA Companion Card Program
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/disability/companion-card/apply-for-a-companion-card

WA Companion Card Program
https://www.facebook.com/CompanionCardWA/?ref=embed_page #

NT Companion Card Program
https://ntcompanioncard.org.au/

QLD Companion Card Program
https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/out-and-about/subsidies-concessions-passes/companion-card

Tag someone who should know about this — let’s make sure no one is left out.

20/06/2025

The National Assistance Card is a personalised card to assist people with disability and health conditions in the community.

To find out more information or apply for a card visit https://www.nationalassistancecard.com.au/
National Assistance Card

15/06/2025

❤️

11/06/2025

The Annual Pricing Review 2024-25 has been released.

NDIS have introduced pricing changes to ensure participants are not charged more than any other Australian for their supports.

Data has confirmed that people with disability have been paying ‘NDIS premiums’ for certain therapies, while those same services are being delivered broadly to other Australians at lower rates.

You can learn more and read the full list of recommendations at 💻

The NDIA is committed to the continuous improvement of the methodologies underpinning the NDIS price controls framework. A combination of market data, research, public consultation and regular industry engagement informs changes to pricing arrangements and price limits.

05/06/2025

The NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme has introduced a new number for providers, plan managers and support coordinators to call us so we can answer enquiries more efficiently.

📞 The new number is 1300 311 675.

For more information about how to contact us, visit 💻

There are many ways to contact the NDIS: by phone, email, mail, searching for an office and conta

30/05/2025

The Avoca Team are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear client, who faced Motor Neurone Disease (MND) with remarkable strength and dignity. Their courage throughout this journey touched all who knew them and will not be forgotten.

At this time, we also extend our thoughts to everyone currently navigating the challenges of this cruel disease—individuals living with MND, their families, and the tireless caregivers and advocates. Your resilience is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, support, and continued research toward a cure.

Rest gently now CM you will be missed 😢

28/05/2025

NDIS Funding Update – New Q&A Overview (Section 33) - Funding Periods

💬 Many participants have questions about how NDIS funding is now structured. Here’s a quick summary 👇

Q: What is a funding amount?
A: This is the total amount of funding in your NDIS plan. It includes all supports funded by the NDIS for the plan period.

Q: What are funding components?
A: Your total funding is divided into components such as Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports. These reflect the types of supports you are funded for.

Q: What is a funding period?
A: Funding periods are how your plan budget is broken down over time. For example, in a 12-month plan, you may have quarterly funding periods (every 3 months), where a portion of your funding becomes available each quarter.

Q: Can I use funding from future periods early?
A: No. You can only use the funds available in your current funding period. The system is designed to spread your supports evenly across the life of your plan.

Q: What happens to unspent funds from a funding period?
A: Unused funds from one period will roll over to the next funding period within the same plan. However, any funds left at the end of your plan do not carry over to your next plan.

Q: Why has this change been made?
A: To improve budgeting and ensure your funding is used steadily and appropriately throughout your plan duration—minimising risks of early overspending or gaps in support.

For more info, visit: 🔗 https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/frequently-asked-questions-about-legislation

Frequently asked questions about the legislation changes that came into effect from 3 October 2024

17/05/2025

17/05/2025

Changes commence on Monday 19th May 2025

Section 33 which is how funding is made available in plans from this date…

At this stage we have been told instead of the person having access to their entire plan funding it will be released every 3 months.

If there is an overspend in that 3 months, invoices won’t be paid and cannot be paid from the next funding period.. for example of a person uses all the 3 month funding in 1.5 months, any services provided and invoices after the funds run out will be declined. If there is funds left over from one period they will be transferred to the next period. All of can trigger a spend audit by NDIS of the participant and the provider, the provider could be asked to explain why funds run out.

You can read a bit more here:

https://www.intermediaries.org.au/news/section-33-ndis-plan-funding-periods/

Please note very limited information has been released on this, except it has been in the planning since October 3rd 2024 with the new legislation

From Monday 19 May 2025, DIA understands that new plans issued via the PACE system will include funding periods....

11/05/2025

Mother’s Day – a time to honour and celebrate all the mothers and others who nurture, guide, and inspire us. 💐

We also hold space for those for whom this day may bring complex emotions:

🤍 Mothers who have lost children
🤍 New mothers finding it difficult adjusting to the role
🤍 Those who have lost mothers
🤍 Those with strained mother/child relationships
🤍 Those who have chosen not to be a mother
🤍 Those longing to become a mother
🤍 Siblings who have supported a brother or sister with disability or chronic illness, but also yearn for their own moment as a mother or daughter.

However you mark this day, we hope you find a moment to honour what it means to you.

07/05/2025

HUMAN SERVICES SA are making a new State Disability Inclusion Plan for 2025–2029 – and want to hear from you!

If you live with disability or support someone who does, share your ideas before Thursday 15 May 2025: https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/draft-state-disability-inclusion-plan

You can also send a written, audio, visual or video submission to dhsdisabilityinclusion@sa.gov.au

Help us build an inclusive South Australia where no one is left behind.

Share your feedback on the draft State Disability Inclusion Plan 2025 - 2029. What's being decided? The South Australian Government has made a commitment to our disability community through a dedicated whole-of-government approach to create a fairer and more inclusive