Strengthening Disability Support Services: Initial policy direction to test and refine through disability sector engagement

24 September 2026.

This paper seeks agreement to the initial policy direction for strengthening the Ministry of Social Development’s Disability Support Services (DSS) to enhance the consistency, fairness, transparency, and sustainability of its funded disability support.

It is proposed that DSS test and refine the initial policy direction and any other operational improvements through engaging with a small number of disability sector leaders, which will inform public consultation. Authority is sought for the Ministerial Disability Leadership Group to approve materials for public consultation. Agreement to transfer a fiscally neutral underspend in Vote DSS from 2025/26 to 2026/27 is sought.

PDF version

Coversheet (PDF 188.14KB)
Paper - Strengthening Disability Support Services: Initial policy direction to test and refine through disability sector engagement (including appendices 1-3) (PDF 7.22MB)
SOU-25-MIN-0154 Minute (PDF 229.78KB)

Word version

Coversheet (Word 65.13KB)
Paper - Strengthening Disability Support Services: Initial policy direction to test and refine through disability sector engagement (Word 62.46KB)

Note:

The Cabinet paper Strengthening Disability Support Services: Policy decisions to establish a legislative framework is published here:

Disability Support Services: Policy decisions

The Cabinet paper Disability Support Services Bill: Approval for Introduction is published here: 

Disability Support Services Bill: Approval for Introduction

More information about the DSS Act is also available on the DSS website here:

Disability Support Services Legislation