This is your comprehensive guide to navigating the most significant reforms and compliance challenges in the NDIS sector since its inception. With civil penalties, infringement notices and banning orders it is essential that you gain the knowledge, tools and confidence to manage legal risk and meet compliance obligations in the NDIS space. Whether you’re a provider, legal advisor or compliance professional, you’ll gain practical insights and actionable strategies. You'll take a deep dive into the biggest legislative reforms since the NDIS began, stay on top of compliance trends and enforcement powers, master decision-making in the NDIS space, prepare for emerging risks and navigate the issues of neurodiversity in the workplace. Gain practical tips for compliance with the Disability Inclusion Acts, the foreshadowed Disability Discrimination Act reforms and universal provider registration. Navigate best practice for compliance with the NDIS including pricing and competition law plus psychosocial safety and WHS duties.

Presenters

Kim Boettcher, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Kim is a Barrister at Frederick Jordan Chambers in Sydney. Kim practises in Equity, Common Law, Protective and Guardianship Law, and in the Probate and Succession List. Prior to coming to the Bar, she practised as a Solicitor in commercial and civil litigation law in England and Wales, New South Wales and Queensland. More recently, she was a Solicitor at the Seniors Rights Service, an independent legal centre and regularly attended the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing in New York as a civil society representative. Kim was appointed to the NSW Minister of Fair Trading's Retirement Villages Advisory Council in 2013 and also to the Minister's Expert Committee on Retirement Villages Standard Contract Terms and Disclosure Documents in 2011. Kim was a Member of the inaugural Legal Services Council in 2014 and reappointed from 2017-2020. She is a past Treasurer of the International Commission of Jurists Australia and was appointed to the NSW Bar Association’s Succession and Protective Law Committee in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Chris Molnar, Partner, Kennedys
Chris Molnar is a workplace relations partner at Kennedys. He has practised in the area of workplace relations for over 25 years. He has extensive experience and knowledge in industrial relations, employment law, occupational health and safety, and discrimination. Chris is accredited as a specialist in Workplace Relations by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV). He was the recipient of the prestigious President’s Award in 2009 from the Law Institute of Victoria for his contribution to the specialisation scheme. In 2016 he was awarded the LIV Rogers Legal Writing Award for the best contribution in 2015 to the Law Institute Journal. Chris has acted for individuals, corporations and public sector agencies in a wide range of areas including: enterprise bargaining including strategy, communications with employees and negotiations with unions; drafting individual and collective industrial agreements; employment contracts, restraint clauses, protection of intellectual property, performance management and remuneration systems; termination of employment including unfair and wrongful dismissals; industrial disputes including proceedings in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Fair Work Australia, Fair Work Commission and the Federal Court; award variations; the industrial relations and employment law implications of business restructuring, mergers and acquisitions; discrimination and sexual harassment; and occupational health and safety including advice on employer or occupier duties, corporate and managerial responsibility, incident management and prosecutions. Chris is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a former Chairman of the Workplace Relations Specialisation Committee and Past Chairman of the Workplace Relations Section of the Law Institute of Victoria, which is responsible for co-ordinating activities of workplace relations lawyers in Victoria such as educational programs, research and recommendations for law reform. He is a member of the Specialisation Board of the Law institute of Victoria. Chris obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Monash University. He also holds a Master of Laws degree from Monash University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Melbourne. He is listed in Doyle's Guide for 2016 and 2017 as one of Melbourne's leading Employment and Industrial Relations lawyers. He is a Recommended Lawyer for 'Dispute Resolution: Litigation (Australia)' in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021.

Fay Calderone, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
Fay Calderone is a trailblazer in employment law, with over 25 years of experience advising top-tier employers, boards and leaders across Australia. Her strategic counsel has shaped workplace policies and guided complex projects that champion safety, inclusivity, and respect. Fay is widely recognised not just for her legal expertise, but for her transformative approach that places humanity at the heart of workplace culture. As a Partner at Hall & Wilcox and the founding Chair of the firm’s Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing Council, Fay’s influence reaches far beyond legal practice. She leads initiatives that foster thriving, psychologically safe workplaces and is a trusted voice in the media and on stage at industry conferences. Her thought leadership has earned her accolades including recognition in The Best Lawyers and Doyle’s Guide for Labour & Employment Law – Sydney, a 5-Star Employment Lawyer by HRD Australia, and multiple honours from the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards, including Wellness Advocate and Employment Partner of the Year. She is also a proud member of the prestigious Saxton Speakers Bureau. Fay’s advocacy is deeply personal, rooted in lived experience and a relentless commitment to equity. Her work goes beyond managing legal risk to leading cultural change and empowering leaders to build workplaces where people feel safe, valued and able to thrive. Her bestselling debut book, Broken to Safe, is a powerful call to action for leaders to confront toxic workplace cultures and burnout. Drawing on her extensive experience, Fay offers practical, compassionate strategies to create environments where employees flourish and organisations prosper.

Dr Jane Lonie, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr Jane Lonie
Dr. Jane Lonie is a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist with over twenty years of experience in the assessment and management of cognitive dysfunction in adults and older adults. She is author of over twenty peer reviewed articles in the areas of dementia and capacity, (the most recent paper appearing in the Australian Bar Review), and maintains a special interest in provision of medico-legal opinion in matters relating to legal capacity. She regularly provides assessment and reports in matters of questionable testamentary capacity, guardianship disputes, financial management orders, capacity to instruct, give evidence or appoint powers of attorney. During her twenty years of experience in specialist Neuropsychological practice, Dr. Lonie has provided assessments and reports for in excess of 3,500 patients. She offers private consultations to patients at the request of patients themselves, carers, referring clinicians and legal practitioners. Dr. Lonie has substantial experience in assessment, report writing and court appearance for the purposes of provision of expert opinion relating to areas of expertise: Assessment of Cognitive function (Adults and Older Adults); Assessment of testamentary capacity (contemporaneous and retrospective) ; Guardianship disputes/ application reports; Financial management Capacity; Assessment of capacity to grant/revoke Powers of Attorney; Return to work assessment ; Total and Permanent Disability insurance claims; Neuropsychological function in criminal matters; Capacity to give evidence.

Belinda Kochanowska, Founder & Principal, Intrepidus Law
Belinda Kochanowska is an award winning NDIS law and disability law expert. She is a passionate advocate for disability rights, known for founding and leading Intrepidus Law, Australia’s foremost NDIS and disability rights law firm. Her dedication is fuelled by her personal experience as the mother and carer of an NDIS Participant, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating the NDIS and disability rights issues. With over 20 years of legal experience, Belinda’s career spans top-tier private practice, government roles at both the state and federal levels, corporate in-house positions, and advocacy work at a not-for-profit disability human rights organisation. Her commitment to the inclusion of neurodivergent children in mainstream schooling drives her ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive society. Belinda’s expertise has been recognised at the highest levels, including her invitation to provide evidence at the Senate Hearing Committee inquiry on key NDIS legislation amendments. Belinda Kochanowska’s blend of professional excellence and personal commitment makes her a powerful force in the fight for disability rights. Belinda was awarded the prestigious 2025 Queensland Law Society Solicitor of the Year Award (Small Firm) and is a finalist for the illustrious 2025 Australian Human Rights Commission Award (Law Award). Belinda completed a Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diploma PLEAT at the University of Queensland in 2003 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2003 and the High Court of Australia. Belinda’s 20 year legal career ranges from being a solicitor in top tier private legal practice, a lawyer in government (both State and Commonwealth) and as a corporate in-house Lawyer at various corporate entities, publicly listed and government owned, and a not-for-profit human rights organisation. Belinda has built a specialisation in NDIS Law and Appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal.

Clare van Drunen, General Counsel, My Place
Clare van Drunen is General Counsel at My Place WA Ltd, a large established not-for-profit NDIS provider. In her role with My Place, Clare practises in a variety of areas and sees first-hand the impact of NDIS reform and legislative change on My Place’s operations and service delivery to consumers. Clare has extensive experience in corporate, real estate, and employment law. Prior to joining My Place, Clare practised at Clayton Utz and has previously been named in the Doyles Guide as a rising star. Clare is also a Non-Executive Director for MSWA Ltd.

Michael Perkins, Principal Lawyer, MJP Collab
Michael is a lawyer, author, and educator with four decades of experience in trusts, estates, and private client practice. Michael is co-author of the book “Estate Planning: A Practical Guide for Estate and Financial Services Professionals”, published by LexisNexis, Co-author of the “Estate Planning – Core Principles and Practice” chapter contribution to Financial Planning in Australia (10th edition), by Sharon Taylor & Anor (Lexis Nexis). Supported Decision Making is important to Michael as a method of client care in professional practice and dealing with the orderly management of a person’s interest as they age. Michael has worked collaboratively with Dr Jane Lonie to evolve processes and practices that help professionals deal with clients with impaired decision-making ability or a suspicion of decision-making impairment. Michael holds the MICW designation from the Institute for Collaborative Working and is active in the operations of the Institute in Australia. In addition, he is a Trust and Estates Practitioner (TEP) member of the international Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (“STEP”), Founder and member of Academic Community of STEP.

Alison Choy Flannigan, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
With over 25 years of corporate, commercial and regulatory experience, Alison has specialised in advising clients in the health, aged care, retirement living, disability, life sciences and community sectors. Alison co-leads the Health & Care Practice at National Law firm, Hall & Wilcox. Alison has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia (and the Australian Financial Review) since 2008 for Health & Aged Care and also Retirement Living and Biotechnology. She has been recognised in the Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession as a Leading Health and Aged Care Lawyer each and every year since 2017 and Chambers for Life sciences. Alison has been a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year in Health every year since 2016 and won this prestigious award in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly, Women in Law Awards, Partner of the Year - Big Law, 2019 and 2021.

Madeline Walsh, Partner, Thomson Geer
Madeline Walsh is a Partner in the Aged Care and Retirement Living team at Thomson Geer and the Deputy Chair of the Queensland Law Society Elder Law Committee. Madeline is also the Deputy Chair of the Leading Age Services Australia ‘Next Gen’ Queensland Ambassador Council. Madeline acts for a wide range of private and not-for-profit aged care and disability service providers. She advises providers on their legislative responsibilities, risk management, compliance issues, commercial arrangements and clinical incident management. Madeline works actively with stakeholders in the aged care sector to enhance their understanding of the issues that are relevant to her clients. She adopts a highly consultative approach to work intuitively and efficiently with clients across a range of matters. With a keen interest in regulatory compliance, Madeline provides practical advice to clients on how to manage complex regulatory issues including findings of failure to meet required standards and the imposition of sanctions. She has extensive experience in critical incident investigations, including coronial investigations and inquests. Madeline also prepares a range of complex legal documents including home and residential care agreements and policies and procedures to ensure compliance across a broad spectrum of legislation. Her experience and intimate understanding of the sector means she is able to develop practical documents that are easy to use and expressed in plain English. Madeline is recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading (2020) and recommended lawyer (2019) in Queensland in Health and Aged Care. Madeline Walsh’s relevant experience: Acting for aged care providers in relation to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Acting for an aged care provider in an application to the Federal Court for judicial review of compliance decisions made by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and the Department of Health. Acting for a provider in an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of a decision by the Department of Health to refuse an application for an extension of the provisional allocation period in respect of residential aged care places. Advising residential aged care providers in relation to complex resident issues including security of tenure, substitute decision making and financial arrangements. Advising on and preparing statutory notices and applications for aged care providers including notices to transfer aged care places; applications to vary the conditions of allocation of aged care places; applications for approval to provide aged care; and applications for aged care places and capital grants in the Aged Care Approvals Round.

Prue Campbell, Special Counsel, Panetta McGrath
Prue is a Special Counsel in Panetta McGrath’s Health Law and Aged Care and Retirement Living teams with extensive experience advising public health services, health professionals, and aged care and disability service providers. With a strong background in health law, regulatory compliance and clinical governance, Prue provides strategic legal support across a broad range of issues including litigation, clinical incident management and privacy matters. Prue assists clients in navigating complex regulatory environments with pragmatism and attention to detail. She is recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Western Australian medical negligence and malpractice lawyer (defendant). Prue is also a current sitting legal member on the Department of Health Central Human Research and Ethics Committee and the South Metropolitan Health Service Human Research and Ethics Committee.

Angela Cox, Principal Lawyer, Special Voices Disability Law & Advocacy
Angela is a Melbourne-based disability lawyer. She specialises in solving the unique legal and bureaucratic challenges faced by parents and siblings of people with intellectual disability and autism throughout their lifetime. Growing up with a brother with Down syndrome, and being active in his care as adults, drove Angela's passion to help families in a similar situation. This motivated her to become a disability lawyer and establish her legal practice, Special Voices, in 2017. For the past four years, Special Voices has almost exclusively focused on supporting families navigate NDIS appeals processes. Angela has represented many NDIS participants and their families at the Administrative Review Tribunal and advocated for them in other aspects of the NDIS. She has developed a reputation as an expert in NDIS matters related to children with autism, and early childhood intervention.