Government Submissions

The Australian Government is conducting a review ofthe data Availability and Transparency Act 2022, which will consider the effectiveness of the Act and whether its operation supports improvements in public sector data availability, sharing and transparency. The AHEAD team wrote a submission which emphasised that while the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) has the potential to transform outcomes for people with disability in Australia and position us as global leaders in disability research, progress has been slowed by governance issues and lack of transparency.

Strengthening governance and sustaining the DATA Scheme are essential to realising the NDDA’s promise.

This submission, made on behalf of the Research Alliance for Youth Disability and Mental Health (RAY) and Achieving Health Equity for all People with Disability (AHEAD), responds to the proposed Thriving Kids program by outlining evidence-informed recommendations for its design and implementation. Drawing on extensive Australian and international research, the submission highlights the role of social determinants, systems design, and early intervention in shaping health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people with disability. Rather than addressing each term of reference individually, the submission presents seven key recommendations focused on systems-based and place-based approaches, genuine co-design, investment in evidence and data infrastructure, cross-sector coordination, and realistic implementation timelines. The submission emphasises the importance of iterative reform, rigorous evaluation, and equity-focused design to ensure Thriving Kids delivers sustainable and inclusive outcomes for children, families, and communities.