How We Can Help
We provide support for all disabilities
Our advocates offer support for people with all disabilities (including physical, neurological, psychosocial, and intellectual conditions), as well as individuals with a disability from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
We help with issues such as engaging with the NDIS, housing, working services, workplace rights, education, transport and guardianship.
Our Advocates stand alongside people with disabilities, their families and carers.
Advocates listen closely and respectfully. They act fairly on your behalf – ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are defended.
This is a free service that provides short to medium-term, non-legal support.
We work with and for you when you’ve been treated unfairly and need help making a complaint or seeking representation.
You might need advocacy if you’ve experienced:
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Discrimination
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Physical violence or abuse
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Financial exploitation
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Not being listened to
We help you resolve issues relating to:
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Housing, accommodation / Homes NSW
- Disability Services
- Government services such as:
- Centrelink
- The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)
- The Department of Communities and Justice
- Healthcare and Department of Health
- Workplace rights
- Public, private and tertiary education such as preschool, school, university and TAFE
- Transport
- Private healthcare services
- Guardianship and financial issues
Submit a request for support and a member of our team will review your request and respond within 4 working days.
Families often advocate on behalf of loved ones with disability, but sometimes the challenges are complex, overwhelming, or simply too much to manage alone. That’s where our team comes in.
Our advocates provide free, non-legal support to help families navigate systems like:
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Housing / accommodation / Homes NSW
- Disability Services
- Government services such as:
- Centrelink
- The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)
- The Department of Communities and Justice
- Healthcare and Department of Health
- Workplace rights
- Public and Private Education such as Preschool, School, University and TAFE
- Transport
- Private healthcare services
- Guardianship and financial issues.
We encourage families to self-advocate, but we know that isn’t always possible. Our role is to equip you with resources, up-to-date information, and practical support so you feel empowered to stand strong for your child, adult child, spouse, or any family member.
Our NDIS Appeals team is here to stand with people with disability and their families across Greater Sydney and the Northern Rivers.
We provide free support for those navigating the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — the body that reviews decisions made by government agencies, including the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Before we can assist, you’ll need to lodge your application online. If you’re applying for an External Merits Review and you have a disability, there is no charge to apply.
Click the button to learn more information about how to prepare for an ART and how we can assist, or fill in the form below and a member of our team will get in touch with you shortly.
Our advocates aim to empower people with disabilities, family members and carers with the skills to self-advocate now and in the future.
In 2024/25 65% of clients told us that following engagement with our services they were more confident to advocate for themselves in a similar situation in the future.
The team have created a range of self-advocacy resources for:
- People with disability
- Support workers
- Family and carers
- People studying a Certificate IV in Disability
Our team are available to deliver training sessions on request.
Get Started Now
We provide advocacy support across NSW:
- Virtual or Telephone Individual Advocacy – all of New South Wales
- Virtual or Telephone NDIS Appeals – Sydney Metro and Northern Rivers, New South Wales
- Face-to-Face Individual Advocacy – Sydney Metro, Wollongong and the South Coast and Northern Rivers in New South Wales and surrounding areas
- Face-to-Face NDIS Support – Northern Rivers New South Wales, and surrounding areas
Unsure or want to ask a question?
- Call us on: 1800 819 775
- Email is at: advocacy@scia.org.au
- Submit an enquiry: Click the button below
Why SCIA?
- Free service
- For all disabilities
- Funded under government grants
- Confidential & supportive
- Experts in advocacy
- Individual to you
How Advocacy Works
Our Advocates are trained professionals who work with people with disabilities or families and carers to promote and protect the rights of a person with disabilities.
We will:
- Listen to your situation
- Provide information and timeframes
- Address discrimination
- Sort out problems
- Assist you to address the issue
- Always work in your interests and seek the desired solution of an alternative but suitable solution.
Our team have experience, keep matters confidential and prioritise serious or urgent issues, and issues where a person is in a segregated setting where possible.
Not sure on the next steps?
Here’s what you can expect:
Submit the request for service form on behalf of yourself, or someone else
After your submission has been reviewed by our Intake Officer, you will receive a confirmation email. This is usually within four business days.
Cases are allocated regularly. Those on the waitlist are kept up to date on the progress of their case and given an expected timeline.
Once allocated, you will receive a welcome pack and an individual advocacy plan is completed.
What People are Saying
“Excellent responsive service. Advocate was 100% focused on participant wishes and wellbeing”.
“[The Advocate] was phenomenal – so kind and supportive, and knowledgeable!”
“My advocate was approachable and available, she advocated for me in the best way possible at all times. She went out of her way to keep me informed along the way.”
“[The Advocate] was very understanding of my situation and was able to put my mind at rest for which I was very grateful for, and helped me through an uncomfortable hearing. The office ladies were great too, very kind and friendly towards me, so I give a big thank you to SCIA.”
NDIS Appeals team assists family with funded supports
Advocacy assists client with service provision issues
Advocacy assists woman with her first NDIS planning meeting
Advocacy team changes future decisions of NDIS Appeals
