Media releases

28 August 2025

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has expressed deep concern about the announcement that Centacare Queensland will cease delivering NDIS-funded disability services, impacting around 700 participants and their families, and placing at risk the employment of more than 600 staff.

AFDO acknowledges Centacare’s decision follows an independent review that found its current model was not financially sustainable. However, AFDO warns that this development underscores a broader systemic failure in the NDIS, where pricing and funding structures are forcing long-standing providers out of the sector, while others have collapsed suddenly with devastating impacts.

Recent examples, such as the collapse of Annecto, have shown the severe consequences when services end abruptly, leaving participants, families and staff without certainty and facing immediate disruption. In contrast, Centacare appears to have taken more appropriate steps by engaging early with participants and families, setting out a clear transition timeline, and working with the NDIA and other providers to minimise harm. While the withdrawal is still deeply concerning, this approach shows a greater respect for the rights and needs of people with disability and their families.

Centacare’s exit will affect a wide range of supports including Supported Independent Living, short and medium-term accommodation, Onsite Shared Support, Social and Life Skills Hubs, in-home and community supports, and Disability Support for Older Australians.

AFDO President Grant Lindsay said:
“This is a deeply distressing time for participants and their families. They are being asked to navigate sudden changes to services that are central to their lives and wellbeing. No one should face the risk of losing critical supports because the system fails to fund providers adequately. The Government has a responsibility to provide market stewardship and ensure ongoing sustainability of the NDIS, which is much boader than a budget bottom line. People with disability must be supported with choice, control, and continuity, not left scrambling when providers withdraw or collapse.”

AFDO CEO Ross Joyce said:
“Centacare’s decision is a stark reminder that the NDIS pricing model is unsustainable and must be set independently. While their withdrawal is deeply concerning, Centacare has at least shown more respect for clients and families as well as their staff, by planning transition pathways. Other providers, including Annecto, have failed to do this, and the lesson is clear: participants and families must come first.”

We call on the Federal Government and the NDIA to immediately address pricing, establish provider-of-last-resort arrangements, and ensure independent advocacy and support coordination are available during transitions. Participants and families deserve certainty and stability.”

AFDO emphasises that:

• Participants’ rights and safety must be the first priority during transitions.
• The NDIA must actively monitor all cases to prevent gaps in support.
• Regional participants in places like Hervey Bay, Kingaroy and Gatton must not be left without viable alternatives.
• Government must immediately reform NDIS pricing through an independent review process, and establish clear provider-of-last-resort mechanisms to avoid repeating this situation.
• Stronger governance and accountability measures are needed so that when providers exit, transitions are managed with respect and care.

END

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ross Joyce, CEO – AFDO – mobile; 0402 842 040 (text preferred to connect) or email: ceo@afdo.org.au

About AFDO

For over twenty years, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), a Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO), is the pre-eminent national peak in the disability sector, along with its disability-specific and population or cross-disability members, representing people with disability with a total reach of over 4.5 million Australians.

AFDO continues to provide a strong, trusted, independent voice for the disability sector on national policy, inquiries, submissions, systemic advocacy and advisory on government initiatives with the Federal and State/Territory governments.

We work to develop a community where all people with disability can participate in all aspects of social, economic, political, and cultural life.

This includes genuine participation in mainstream community life, the development of respectful and valued relationships, social and economic participation, and the opportunity to contribute as valued citizens.

AFDO’s Full & Associate member organisations: