What is Every Australian Counts?

Every Australian Counts is the grassroots campaign that fought for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and won. EAC is made up of hundreds of thousands of people with disability, families, carers, and those who work to support them who have come together to fight for a fair go for people with disability in Australia.

The campaign was officially launched in 2011. Just two years later in July 2013 the National Disability Insurance Scheme started in a small number of locations. It has now been rolled out across Australia. There are now over 650,000 people with disability getting the support they need to live the life they choose.

Every Australian Counts didn’t end with the introduction of the NDIS. The campaign continues to fight to make sure the NDIS delivers on its promise to people with disability.

And we still need your help to keep up the fight. Join us by signing for campaign updates.

Who is behind the campaign?

The Community

Hundreds of thousands of Australians, made up of people with disability, families, carers, people who work in the disability sector, friends and supporters.

The National Disability & Carer Alliance

Formed in 2009, the National Disability & Carer Alliance was the group behind Every Australian Counts up until early 2022. The “Alliance” was made up of:

The EAC Steering Committee

Over 2021 and into 2022, the “Alliance” worked towards developing a strategy for EAC to become an independent entity in its own right. This would mean that the EAC could ultimately maintain its own Board or Committee of Management and continue to independently ensure that the NDIS continues to deliver on its promise for people with disability, their families, and supporters. In addition to this, EAC would operate financially independently, able to raise and spend its own funds. This will not be achieved without EAC retaining its strong commitment to and input from its “grass-roots” supporters, just like you!

The “Alliance” established agreed Terms of Reference for the initial operation of an EAC Steering Committee. This will work towards the development, formation, and establishment of an independent EAC entity.

The first part of the Steering Committee has been completed with the appointment of an independent chair and a representative from the members from the “Alliance”, being the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, remaining to oversee the work.

Steering Committee Members

Please check out our Steering Committee Members who operate EAC in line with our supporters’ input.

The journey so far

Where we started

For years people with disability struggled with little or no support. We had to rely on family, friends, or charity, or go without. It was hard to get a good education or find a job or just be included. And for a long time it looked like things would never change.

The big idea that changed everything

In 2008 people started talking about an idea that would change everything: the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The idea was simple – create a national system with enough funding to provide tailored, individual support. No more missing out, no more waiting lists, no more “one size fits all”.

What we did

We all knew the NDIS was the way to go, but we had to convince Australia. So in 2011 Every Australian Counts was born. In just two short years we amassed hundreds of thousands of supporters from our community and beyond. Together we showed Australia why we needed the NDIS.

Where we are now

The NDIS opened its doors in 2013 with trials in a few areas. In 2016 the rest of the country started rolling in. But we didn’t stop – because we didn’t think the job was finished yet. We kept building our community and kept pushing to make sure the NDIS delivered on its promise to people with disability.

What’s next?

The NDIS is making a big difference to lots of lives. People are finally getting the support they need. But the NDIS isn’t working well for everyone – that needs to change. We also need to make sure funding for the NDIS is secure – now and into the future.

We still need your help to make sure the NDIS is the best it can be. You can sign up for updates and join the fight.

Latest news and opinion

News 6 February 2025

Campaign Statement: Take the Time for Codesign – Protect NDIS Participants’ Safety and Wellbeing

  6 Feb 2025 To: The Commonwealth Government of Australia   We, the undersigned organisations and individuals, are deeply concerned about the Government’s rushed approach to implement major

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News 20 December 2024

10 New Year Wishes for 2025: What We’re Asking Our Governments to Commit To

As we welcome 2025, we’re calling on our governments to commit to ten actions that will protect the NDIS and fulfil its promise: a system that empowers people

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Opinion 12 February 2025

New Support Needs Assessments for the NDIS

Suddenly, everyone seems to be talking about new assessments for the NDIS, called Support Needs Assessments. What are they and why are they such a talking point? Read

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