Between June and November 2021, the Centre for Social Impact (CSI), Swinburne University of Technology, undertook this research project to assist the Department of Social Services (DSS) to build an evidence base for the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Program and inform the future investment strategy. The study includes a review of grants information, surveys and interviews of grantees and sector informants, and a desktop review of literature on current identified needs and priorities to achieve inclusion/equity for people with disability.

This report is a final overview report comprising high level analysis across these data sources.

The Tier 2 landscape of the NDIS has changed since the commencement of the ILC grants investment. After the initial focus on the roll out of individualised funding via the NDIS, the focus is increasingly shifting to the supports available in Tier 2 via mainstream services and community activities that must, therefore, adequately understand and cater to the needs of people with disability. Informants report that the ILC grants have been valuable in enabling them to undertake worthwhile programs that have delivered positive outcomes for people with disability. However, while the ILC program has also done some good work to build mainstream and community capacity, it has been limited and much more needs to be done, attending not only to building knowledge of disability and inclusion practice but also to the systemic drivers of exclusion.