Being a member of NDS has many benefits. We partner with our members to help navigate challenging times, drive innovation and support our members to deliver high quality and sustainable services to people with disability. We support members to bring about change and explore ways to improve the sector. We employ a dedicated team of staff skilled in providing resources, advice and member representation on a broad range of disability-specific issues. Our state and territory teams bring depth and understanding of the context of operations in each jurisdiction. At NDS we believe that the strength of disability service providers is enhanced by a shared voice, collaboration, learning and mutual experiences - we are stronger when we work together.

There are a few differences between the benefits available to Organisational Members and Associates. The key difference is that only Organisational Members can be elected to the NDS leadership positions and vote in organisational elections.

Are you making the most of your NDS membership benefits? View our Member Benefits guide to find out more.

Here are some great benefits of NDS membership:

To drive sector change through effective and ‘smart’ advocacy on behalf of our members, drawing on good practice and robust evidence to inform our positions. 

NDS has maintained strong relationships with governments, their departments and the sector for over 75 years. NDS members have frequent opportunities to contribute to policy development, ensuring our policy positions draw on good practice and robust evidence. Much of our advocacy takes place 'below the line', where influence happens quietly but assertively. Our strength in advocacy comes from the collective power of many providers and with more than 1000 members, NDS has a strong voice at the policy table. Members can access all NDS submissions

NDS has a number of forums for NDS Members to become involved and provide input on national issues and to respond to the concerns and interests of members in each State or Territory. NDS is governed by a national board which includes the elected chair from each state and territory, as well as representatives elected directly by members. State and Territory Divisional Committees. Each State and Territory has its own Divisional Committee, consisting of representatives elected by NDS members in that state or territory. NDS members can participate and contribute to eight National Communities of Practice.

To provide timely insights and analysis to service providers that they can use to inform their own decision-making. 

NDS provides members with timely and easy to understand information and analysis, crucial with the current pace and complexity of challenges and changes occurring in the sector. This includes:

• Access to dedicated member-only web content containing submissions, latest news, policy papers, case studies, research, webinars, project-related information, hubs and more.
• Regular email News Updates on local, state and national issues.
• Exclusive access to the NDS helpdesk, an online platform where you can ask questions about the NDIS and disability employment.
• Member-only webinars, podcasts and events tackling complex and relevant topics like the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework, the Disability Royal Commission, the NDIS Review, and more.

To provide tools, resources and services to promote and drive continuous improvement in service quality and business sustainability. 

NDS is committed to lowering the cost of doing business for members. Supports include access to professional advisory services and discounts on partner products and services.

Professional Advisory services:

• Expense Reduction Analysts provides NDS members with discounts on a range of management consulting services, such as cost optimisation programs, supplier management, process efficiency, contract risk mitigation and specialist knowledge
• Exclusive access to NDS’s free legal hotline (not-for-profit Organisational Members only)
• Exclusive access to 30 minutes of free advice from NDS's IR/HR advisory service
• A complimentary 20 minute over-the-phone NDIS consultation for small business (less than 10 FTE) and sole trader members
• Access to 10 minutes of free financial advice from Pitcher Partners

Member discounts / complimentary access:

• Free NDP membership for all staff of NDS member organisations.
• Discounted access to the NDS Quality Portal
• Discounted Qantas Club  membership
• Salary packaging and payroll with AccessPay
• Discounts on online recruitment reference checks
• A free fleet appraisal and fleet management discounted services
• Access to specialist insurance and risk management advice
• Discounted access to NDS Management Support Online (MSO), providing access to hundreds of resources on all aspects of running an organisation.
• Discounted access to Emprevo, a digital workplace platform for filling shifts

To facilitate networking, collaboration and sharing of knowledge, experience and good practice across the sector.

Being an NDS member gives you access to a community of diverse disability service providers to collaborate, innovate and explore new opportunities for professional development.

• NDS members receive discounted registration fees at many NDS regional, state and national conferences and events, including our premier event, the annual Executive Leaders Conference.
• NDS delivers an extensive range of online and face-to-face workshops, in partnership with subject matter experts, to meet the professional development needs of the disability sector. We can even provide customised training in your workplace. Many of our training options offer discounts exclusively for members.
• The NDS Workforce Essentials e-learning library allows members to train their workforce online, anywhere, at any time. A significant discount is available to Members.
• NDS members are provided with free subscription to [NDP%20membership]National Disability Practitioners (NDP) for all staff.