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NDIS Appeals Advocate

Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion

Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) is an independent, community-based systems and legal advocacy organisation for people with disability. QAI's mission is to promote, protect and defend, through advocacy, the fundamental needs, rights and lives of the most vulnerable people with disability in Queensland. The organisation does this by engaging in systemic advocacy through campaigns directed at attitudinal, law and policy change, and by supporting the development of a range of advocacy initiatives in this State, in addition to individual legal and non-legal advocacy, provided through seven (7) separate services. As QAI is a social advocacy organisation, it works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.

Role description:

The NDIS Appeals Advocate provides individual advocacy for people aggrieved by a decision of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), including through both external and internal review. The advocate also engages in community education to build the capacity of people with disability, their carers and families to self-advocate where possible, and informs QAI campaigns seeking to achieve positive systemic reform for people with disability, in keeping with QAI’s values, mission and objectives.

The NDIS Appeals Advocate reports to the NDIS Appeals Principal Solicitor.

The role would suit a lawyer/graduate lawyer.

THE key responsibilities OF THE NDIS APPEALS ADVOCATE ARE TO:

  • Provide advice and discrete task assistance to clients seeking to pursue either internal or external review of an NDIA decision (typically to refuse access to the NDIS or refuse funding for supports).
  • Provide ongoing assistance to clients to navigate internal and external (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) review processes, including liaising with lawyers representing the NDIA and with AAT staff, and attending conferences and hearings before the AAT.
  • Liaise and collaborate with Legal Aid NDIS Appeals lawyers in relation to escalated AAT matters for individual clients.
  • Provide referral to other services within, and external to, QAI.
  • Build the capacity of the community by, for example, preparing community education materials for publication and presenting at NDIS Appeals information sessions, including for people with disability, their carers and families.
  • Work with fellow advocates and the Principal Solicitor to plan, co-ordinate, and promote best practice in service delivery, including through development of service resources, contributing to team discussions, and collaborating with external stakeholders.
  • Work in conjunction with the QAI systems advocacy team, providing information (including case studies), advice and support to respond to inquiries, and make submissions in relation to, the NDIS.

Selection criteria

Essential

  1. Commitment to social justice principles including the promotion and protection of the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
  2. Experience working with people with disability and/or mental health impairments.
  3. Demonstrated attention to detail and highly developed organisational skills to balance competing priorities while maintaining best-practice service delivery within a resource-poor community-based service.
  4. Excellent interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitively and develop rapport with people from diverse backgrounds and convey information in plain English.
  5. Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
  6. Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth), Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) and related subordinate legislation.
  7. Computer competency.

Desirable

  1. Individual advocacy experience (legal or non-legal), with demonstrated ability to reason and argue assertively on important issues on behalf of people with disability.
  2. Legal training or qualifications.
  3. Experience at a community legal centre and/or with CLASS and/or DEX databases.
  4. Good knowledge of the welfare and/or disability sector/s, with understanding of what makes people vulnerable.

Any enquiries regarding the position can be made by calling 3844 4200.

A position description is attached.

How to apply

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