2025 Federal Budget: Welcoming Australia’s commitment to disability equity and rights amidst changing global landscapes

Media-release | March 25, 2025

The Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC) has welcomed the Australian Government’s continued recognition of disability equity and rights within the 2025 Federal Budget. We also welcome the increase to Australia’s aid budget given the changing donor landscape affecting our region. 

ADDC Executive Officer, Kathryn Bloom, said “The commitment to increase Official Development Assistance (ODA) to AU$5.1 billion in a time of global instability and domestic budgetary pressure is an important indication of Australia’s ongoing commitment to our region.” 

ADDC welcomes the funding increases to disability announced throughout 2024 including $12m for assistive technology in the Pacific in the Indo-Pacific. With the world facing compounding crises—including disasters, conflict, and rising inequality—it is critical that development assistance reaches those who are most marginalised. 

However, more must be done to support the disability movement and make disability equity a reality. People with disabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, continue to face significant barriers to equity, including limited access to assistive technology (AT) and barriers to healthcare, and economic opportunities. Women and older people with disabilities face double disadvantage and discrimination.

While Australia’s commitment to disability equity is clear, more action is required to accelerate progress. The International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS) is a groundbreaking and ambitious framework to drive change. Yet without adequate resourcing, it risks falling short of its performance targets. Australia aims to achieve 60% of aid investments performing effectively on disability equity by 2026, with the latest data showing only 51% on this measure for 2023-24.

 “Setting IDEARS up for success from the outset is essential to meet this deadline and ensuring its long-term impact”, says Bloom. 

“But to truly deliver on the ambition of IDEARS, we need to see investment and targeting of programs that matches the scale of the challenge. Disability equity must not only be acknowledged but actively prioritised within existing programs to achieve meaningful and lasting change.” 

As Australia continues to navigate global uncertainties, it is vital that disability-inclusive development remains as a priority area of international assistance. ADDC urges the government to build on this budget’s commitments and ensure that future funding effectively addresses gaps in equity for people with disabilities and other marginalised communities.

Media contact: 

ADDC Media via kclarke@addc.org.au or call 0452 056 808. 

ENDS.

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