Advocacy Resources
Below we have a small list of groups that can assist with advocating for your care. This list isn't exhaustive, if you have a community action group, advocacy group you would like to share please email Mel: hello@caretomebunbury.com.au
We've also added a template letter to send to your local member or parliament re: changes in the NDIS.
We've also added a template letter to send to your local member or parliament re: changes in the NDIS.
| template_letter_re_ndis_bill.docx |
WA Advocacy Directory & Community Voices Support PackThis guide has been lovingly compiled by the team at Home Care To Me Bunbury Geographe to ensure you always know your rights, where to turn for free support, and how to make your voice heard by those in power.
Advocacy Groups in Western Australia (WA)An advocate is someone who stands on your side, listens to what you want, and helps you speak up to government agencies, NDIS, aged care providers, or doctors. Their services are 100% free, confidential, and independent.
Here is an easy-to-read list of who they are and how they can wrap support around you.
1. People with Disabilities Western Australia (PWdWA)
Advocacy Groups in Western Australia (WA)An advocate is someone who stands on your side, listens to what you want, and helps you speak up to government agencies, NDIS, aged care providers, or doctors. Their services are 100% free, confidential, and independent.
Here is an easy-to-read list of who they are and how they can wrap support around you.
1. People with Disabilities Western Australia (PWdWA)
- Who they are: The peak disability advocacy organization in WA, run by and for people with disabilities.
- What they do: They provide free individual advocacy to help you solve problems with the NDIS, transport, housing, or physical access.
- How they can help: If you are struggling to get the funding you need, having issues with your NDIS plan, or feel you aren't being treated fairly, a PWdWA advocate will sit with you, write letters, and attend meetings with you.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: (08) 9485 8900 or Country Freecall 1800 193 331
- Email: info@pwdwa.org
- Website: www.pwdwa.org
- Phone: (08) 9485 8900 or Country Freecall 1800 193 331
- Who they are: A warm, welcoming group specializing in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and their families.
- What they do: They focus heavily on inclusion, peer support, and family-led advocacy. They speak simple, clear language and specialize in helping families navigate complex systems.
- How they can help: They host free workshops, offer peer networks where you can talk to other families in similar situations, and provide resource sheets that make NDIS and healthcare processes easier to understand.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: (08) 9420 7203
- Email: ddwa@ddwa.org.au
- Website: www.ddwa.org.au
- Phone: (08) 9420 7203
- Who they are: The primary independent advocacy voice for older people in Western Australia.
- What they do: They support older Australians who receive Commonwealth-funded aged care services (like Home Care Packages or residential care) to understand their rights and resolve issues.
- How they can help: If you feel your Home Care Package is not being managed correctly, if you have concerns about the quality of your care, or if you need help finding a new aged care provider in the Southwest, Advocare will advocate on your behalf.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: (08) 9479 7566 or Freecall 1800 655 566
- Email: rights@advocare.org.au
- Website: www.advocare.org.au
- Phone: (08) 9479 7566 or Freecall 1800 655 566
- Who they are: A national network that works locally in WA through Advocare to protect the rights of older Australians.
- What they do: They provide a national helpline that links you directly to local advocates who can explain your rights under the Aged Care Charter of Rights.
- How they can help: They can help you raise formal complaints about services, help you transition to new care providers, and offer excellent, plain-language resources about self-advocacy.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: 1800 701 300 (Free call, nationwide helpline)
- Website: www.opan.org.au
- Phone: 1800 701 300 (Free call, nationwide helpline)
- Who they are: A compassionate group providing individual advocacy for NDIS participants, with a strong focus on physical and intellectual disabilities.
- What they do: They help participants navigate the NDIS review process, appeal decisions, and access community services.
- How they can help: If your NDIS plan has been cut or you need to request an urgent change of circumstances because your health has changed, their advocates can guide you through the paperwork and represent you at reviews.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: (08) 6365 6013
- Email: admin@explorability.org.au
- Website: www.explorability.org.au
- Phone: (08) 6365 6013
- Who they are: A specialty advocacy service for people with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
- What they do: They provide free, culturally sensitive advocacy, recognizing that language, culture, and migration history can make accessing support even harder.
- How they can help: They can arrange translation services, help explain NDIS or aged care systems in your preferred language, and make sure your cultural and spiritual needs are respected by providers.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: (08) 9388 7455 or Freecall 1800 280 014
- Email: admin@edac.org.au
- Website: www.edac.org.au
- Phone: (08) 9388 7455 or Freecall 1800 280 014
- Who they are: The peak body representing family carers (the family members, partners, or friends who provide unpaid care to a loved one).
- What they do: They advocate for the rights, mental health, and financial security of carers, who are often exhausted and burnt out.
- How they can help: They offer free counseling for carers, social connection groups, and represent the voices of carers to the government so that your contribution to your loved one’s life is respected and funded.
- Contact Details:
- Phone: 1300 227 377
- Email: info@carerswa.asn.au
- Website: www.carerswa.asn.au
- Phone: 1300 227 377
