Understanding policy, programs and impact in Australia

A plain language guide for disability research

Understanding Policy, Programs and Impact – A Guide for Disability Research

This short explainer is for anyone joining the July 2025 NDRP Evidence to Action event.

Whether you’re a researcher, advocate, or policy partner, we want to start with some shared understanding.

We’ll explain how government works in Australia—who makes decisions, how programs are funded, and how research and lived experience can make a difference.

Let’s break it down.

Watch this article as a video

Who does what in Australia?

Australia has three levels of government:

• The Commonwealth Government (that’s the federal government based in Canberra)

• State and territory governments (like Queensland, Victoria, or the Northern Territory)

• Local governments (like councils—but we won’t focus on them here)

Different governments are responsible for different things.

For example:

• The Commonwealth runs the NDIS and income supports like the Disability Support Pension.

• States and territories run public schools, health services, and disability advocacy funding.

• Both levels have a role in housing, transport, justice, and employment.

That’s why influencing change often means working across levels—and understanding who holds the levers.

Who’s involved in decision-making?

There are four key roles to understand:

1. Politicians are elected leaders—Ministers, MPs, and Senators. They set priorities, approve laws, and announce big decisions.

2. Policy officers are public servants. They write advice, consult with stakeholders, and design programs. They’re often the people researchers talk to.

3. Program managers run services or contracts. They’re in charge of delivering what policy says should happen—like funding providers, running evaluations, or checking outcomes.

4. Regulators make sure the rules are followed. They monitor safety, compliance, and standards. Think: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or AHPRA for health.

All four roles can use research—so sharing your evidence with just one group isn’t always enough.

How are decisions made?

Policy doesn’t move in a straight line—it’s a cycle.

It often starts with:

• A problem or review (e.g. Disability Royal Commission)

• A priority or reform (e.g. changes to the NDIS)

• Or a budget window.

  
  

Policy teams write advice, brief politicians, consult stakeholders, and look at evidence.

If it’s a priority, it might be funded in a Budget, or become a program. Then it’s delivered—and often evaluated later. But here’s the tricky part: policy windows don’t stay open for long.

That’s why timing matters—and why research has the most impact when it’s co-designed from the beginning, not shared at the end.

Where can research make a difference?

Research is powerful when:

• It’s shaped by lived experience and community priorities

• It’s clear and timely

• It’s useful to the people writing briefs or making decisions.

This means:

• Involving policy teams in your research design

• Sharing findings in accessible ways (briefs, visuals, plain language)

• Using timing strategically—e.g. before budgets or during reforms.

And it means building relationships. People use research when they trust it—and trust you.

Evidence to Action Event, 24 July 2025

The July 2025 Evidence to Action event is about mobilising disability research and evidence for policy impact. Find out more about the event here.

We'll explore what works in getting research into policy, what gets in the way, and how we can each help bridge the gap. You'll hear from people with lived experience, policymakers, and researchers.

Thanks for reading and see you soon.

Key terms

1. Legislation: Legislation is a law made by Parliament. It sets the rules that governments, organisations, and people must follow. Some laws apply across all of Australia (Commonwealth laws), and others apply only in a state or territory. Example: The NDIS Act 2013 is a national law that explains how the NDIS should work. If research shows that people with disability aren’t safe in NDIS-funded housing, this might mean the law or the way it is used needs to change.

2. Policy: A plan or set of decisions made by government about how services should work. Policies guide what happens in areas like health, housing, transport, and disability. Example: A policy might set rules about how people with disability are protected in supported accommodation.

3. Program: A program puts a policy into action. It might be a service, payment, or type of support. Programs are often run by government or by organisations funded by government. Example: The Individualised Living Options (ILO) program under the NDIS is a program that supports safe home choices.

4. Regulation: Rules or laws that must be followed. These help keep people safe and make sure services are fair. A regulator checks that rules are followed. Example: Regulations protect people from being restrained or secluded in disability services.

5. Politician: An elected leader who helps make laws and decisions for the community. Politicians are part of local, state/territory, or federal governments. Example: A politician might introduce a new law to improve disability worker screening checks.

6. Policy officer: A government worker who develops policy ideas, writes advice, and helps Ministers make decisions. Example: A policy officer might work on reforms to improve safety in group homes.

7. Program manager: Someone who runs a government program, checks that it works well, and makes improvements. Example: A program manager might adjust a program to better support people with psychosocial disability.

8. Regulator: An organisation or person who checks that services follow the rules and keep people safe. They respond to complaints and carry out investigations. Example: The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is a regulator that looks at restrictive practices.

9. Lived experience: Knowing something because it has happened to you. We focus on the lived experience of people with disability. Example: Someone with lived experience might explain how it feels to go through a safety incident in a group setting.