Supporting Participation Program
Disability Rights
In 2025-26, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) will contribute funding through the Supporting Participation Program (Supporting Participation by Representatives of People with Disability in Key International Forums on Human Rights Program) for people with disability to attend the following key international human rights forums:
- 25th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII25) at the UN Headquarters in New York, United States of America (USA), 20 April to 1 May 2026.
- 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19) at the UN Headquarters in New York, United States of America (USA), 9 to 11 June 2026.
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
Every year, member states gather at UN Headquarters in New York for the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights.
At each of these meetings, the Permanent forum:
- provides expert advice and recommendations on Indigenous issues
- raises awareness and promotes the integration and coordination of activities related to Indigenous issues within the UN system
- prepares and disseminates information on Indigenous issues
- promotes respect for and full application of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and follow up the effectiveness of this Declaration (Art. 42 UNDRIP).
UNPFII25 will focus on the theme, 'Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health, including in the context of conflict'.
Access Easy Read Information about UNPFII25 in PDF Format (1.85 MB)
Access Easy Read Information about UNPFII25 in Word Format (14.89 MB)
Conference of State Parties (COSP19)
Article 40 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) establishes that State Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of State Parties (COSP) to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the Convention.
COSP is held on an annual basis, and covers a range of themes and issues in round-tables, interactive dialogues and side-events.
The themes for COSP19 have not yet been announced.
Access Easy Read Information about COSP19 in PDF Format (1.94 MB)
Access Easy Read Information about COSP19 in Word Format (16.99 MB)
Participation
The Supporting Participation Program (Supporting Participation by Representatives of People with Disability in Key International Forums on Human Rights Program) seeks to give effect to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), including:
- Article 4.3 for States Parties to closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities through their representative organisations in the implementation of the CRPD.
- Article 29 for States Parties to guarantee participation of people with disabilities in political and public life.
- Article 33(3) for civil society, in particular persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, to be involved and participate fully in the monitoring process.
- Article 40 for State Parties to meet regularly in a Conference of State Parties (COSP) to consider the implementation of the CRPD.
Who can apply for funding?
- COSP19 - applications are only accepted for people with disability from disability representative and disability advocacy organisations who have:
- Consultative Status from the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), or have COSP19 accreditation.
- UNPFII25 - applications are only accepted for people with disability from organisations who have ECOSOC Consultative Status and/or have Indigenous Peoples' Organisations (IPOs) accreditation.
Delegations
Individuals can apply for funding through the Supporting Participation Program to attend an identified forum as part of either Delegation:
- The General Delegation is for people with disability with demonstrated experience in the disability sector and/or human rights advocacy experience to attend the identified forum.
- Delegates will represent the experiences and interests of Australians with disability exchange information and good practice and influence policy change at an international level.
- Delegates funded under the General Delegation will be required to perform functions for individuals in the General and Emerging Young Leaders Delegation, including but not limited to:
- leading informal discussions and promoting delegation advocacy considerations
- sharing learnings from any previous international disability advocacy experiences
- supporting General and Emerging Young Leaders Delegation tasks
- participating in and/or coordinating civil society delegation meeting opportunities on the ground
- mentoring at least one individual from the Emerging Young Leaders Delegation.
- There are no age restrictions for individuals applying under the General Delegation
- Individuals between 18-35 years are welcome to apply to this stream instead of the Emerging Young Leaders Delegation if preferred.
Information to include in applications
The ‘Expression of Interest Guide’ sets out the information required, covering both the organisation and the individual seeking funding. It also provides the application form that needs to be completed.
The application must include an overview of the budget requested. This budget should include any funding or in-kind contribution that the organisation will make towards the overall cost of attendance.
Access the 'Expression of Interest Guide' in PDF Format (162.36 KB)
Access the 'Expression of Interest Guide' in Word Format (98.22 KB)
Format of applications
Applications need to include the information outlined in the ‘Application Form’ and can be made through any of the following formats:
- Written document
- Easy Read (no length limit)
- Video (maximum of five minutes)
- Audio file (maximum of five minutes)
Easy Read, video and audio files can be supported by an additional one-page written summary.
Selection and assessment process
Supporting organisations can submit applications supporting multiple individuals, but each individual application will be assessed separately.
Factors considered in the assessment are outlined in the ‘Application Form’.
DHDA will ensure funding is balanced to reflect the diversity of the Australian community, including (but not limited to) considering experiences of people with different types of disability, age, First Nations people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people from regional and remote areas, and people from the LGBTQIAP+ community.
Roles and Responsibilities
The ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ (the Commission) is managing the Expression of Interest by receiving and assessing applications and will provide a Recommendation Report to DHDA.
Timeline for applications
- 7 October 2025 – Calls for Expressions of Interest opens
- 16 November 2025 – Expression of Interest closes
- Late 2025 – Organisations and individuals advised of outcome
All applications must be submitted to disability@humanrights.gov.au by 5pm (AEDT) on the 16 November 2025.
Please contact the Disability Rights Team at the email address above with any questions.
Note: Once funding decisions have been determined, questions around funding of delegates should be directed to the relevant contact at DHDA (the Commission will provide these details to successful applicants).
Key documents on this page
Access the 'Expression of Interest Guide' in PDF Format
Access the 'Expression of Interest Guide' in Word Format
Access Easy Read Information about UNPFII25 in PDF Format
Access Easy Read Information about UNPFII25 in Word Format