NDIS Appeals Advocate

About Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion

Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) is an independent advocacy organisation whose purpose is to advocate for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland. We provide advocacy to individuals with disability through our four advocacy practices: Human Rights Advocacy Practice, Mental Health Advocacy Practice, NDIS Appeals and Disability Advocacy Practice. We also engage in systemic advocacy through campaigns and submissions directed at attitudinal, law and policy change, and by supporting the development of a range of advocacy initiatives throughout our state. We are a registered charity and community legal service that works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.

About the role

We are looking for an advocate or solicitor to join our team in January 2024. The role is full-time until 30 June 2025 (part time will be considered). Applications are encouraged from First Nations or people with lived experience of disability as the position would benefit from a person with lived experience.

Our team has a strong reputation for a high standard of work and being strategic to achieve positive outcomes for our clients. We engage in community education, State and National policy discussions on the NDIS and contribute to systems advocacy. Examples of QAI systemic work can be found here.

The NDIS Appeals Service is funded by the Department of Social Services to support people to appeal a decision of the NDIA to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The NDIS Appeals team includes both solicitors and advocates working together to achieve outcomes for clients through the appeal process.

The NDIS Appeals Advocates and Solicitors report to and work under the supervision of the NDIS Practice Principal Solicitor. The role falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award). It will be paid at a minimum of level 4 and a maximum of level 5 (depending on experience).

Key responsibilities

• Assist and support people with disability to:
  • understand the NDIS appeal process and the legal criteria for determining access or support to the NDIS
  • make informed decisions and build their capacity to self-advocate at the AAT (particularly where QAI is unable to provide ongoing representation)
  • support and represent them at the AAT (which includes attending conferences, conciliations and hearings)
  • prepare statements and gather reports from experts, to address the legal criteria to support a NDIS appeal.
• Work with fellow advocates and the Principal Solicitor to plan, co-ordinate, and promote best practice in service delivery, including through development of service and community resources, contributing to team discussions, and collaborating with external stakeholders.
• Comply with intake and record keeping practices consistent with obligations of a community legal service.
• Internal reporting and external reporting to the funding bodies as required.
• Preservation of the purpose and intent of QAI: Promotion, protection and defence of people with disability through the Disability Advocacy Practice and provision of systemic information to the systems advocacy team, to contribute to law reform and systemic advocacy work.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity
2. Tertiary qualifications in disability, law, health related studies or social work
3. A minimum 2 years’ experience as either:
   • a disability advocate with working knowledge of the NDIS, OR
   • as a solicitor
4. Highly developed interpersonal skills to both listen, develop trust and communicate complex matters with our clients, all of whom live with disability and to advocate effectively for clients within the AAT and the NDIA (including their lawyers)
5. Excellent written communication skills, including ability to convey information in plain English
6. Satisfactory criminal history screening.

Desirable

1. Lived experience of disability.
2. Practical knowledge of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
3. 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 rules.

Why Work for QAI

We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within our workplace and were the first organisation to opt-in to being bound by the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustments if required to assist the application and recruitment process. We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and supportive workplace culture as we take the well-being of our staff seriously. Our well-being program includes staff activities such as walks by the river, yoga or potluck lunches, creating opportunities to connect with each other and take a break from our screens.

We also offer salary sacrificing options, a flexible work environment, professional supervision, paid parental leave and portable long service leave, which is now standard across the sector.

QAI is able to customise the role to facilitate candidates with disability.

Please address any questions to Sian, Principal Solicitor on 07 3844 4200 or email [email protected] using the subject line: NDIS Appeals Advocate enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.