What is an Independent NDIS Support Worker?
If you've ever searched for disability support services in Sydney and stumbled across Australian Disability Advocates, you might have wondered — are they an advocacy organisation?
It's a fair question. And I want to clear it up once and for all.
We are not a disability advocacy organisation.
ADA — Australian Disability Advocates — is an independent NDIS support work service. Founded by me, Ali Chahine, based in Bayside Sydney. What I do every day is show up for NDIS participants, help them build structure and routine, and support them in living the life they want to live. That's support work. Not advocacy in the traditional sense.
But here's the thing — the line between the two isn't always clear. So let me break it down.
What is a Disability Advocate?
A disability advocate is someone who speaks up for the rights of people with disability. They help individuals navigate complaints, challenge decisions made by the NDIS or other organisations, and ensure people's legal rights are upheld.
Disability advocacy organisations in Australia include groups like People With Disability Australia and various state-based advocacy services. They do incredibly important work.
But that's not what I do.
What is an Independent NDIS Support Worker?
An independent NDIS support worker is someone who provides direct, hands-on support to NDIS participants — without being employed by a large service provider.
I work directly with participants and their families, or through support coordinators who refer clients to me. I help with things like:
Building daily routines and structure
Community access and participation
In-home support
Supporting adults and children with ASD and psychosocial needs
Helping participants achieve their NDIS goals in a practical, real-world way
The difference between an independent support worker and one who works for a large organisation is significant. When you work with me you get consistency — the same person every session, someone who genuinely knows your participant and invests in the relationship.
Why I Went Independent
I spent years working for various service providers across Sydney — including Supported Independent Living homes. I saw firsthand how the system worked and where it fell short.
The biggest gap I noticed was training. Not one service provider I worked for invested in behaviour support practitioner training for their staff. I saw how much of a difference that training made in quality of care — so I paid for it myself. Out of my own pocket.
That decision shaped everything I do now. Going independent meant I could do things the right way. My way. With proper training, genuine relationships, and a commitment to quality over compliance.
Do I Advocate for My Participants?
Absolutely — and this is where it gets interesting.
While ADA is not a disability advocacy organisation in the formal sense, advocating for my participants is a core part of how I work. If a participant needs their voice heard, if something isn't working in their plan, if they need support navigating a situation — I'm in their corner.
That's just what good support work looks like. You show up for the whole person, not just the hours on the service agreement.
Who Do I Work With?
I work with NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. I specialise in adults and children with ASD and psychosocial disabilities, though I've worked across a wide range of disability types over my four years in the field.
I'm based in Bayside, Sydney but travel across Sydney to support participants wherever they are.
If you're a support coordinator looking for a reliable, BSP-trained independent support worker for one of your participants — I'd love to connect. Fill out the referral form, and I'll be in touch.
If you're a participant or family member looking for support, same thing. Reach out and let's have a conversation. No pressure, no commitment. Just a chat to see if we're a good fit.
The Bottom Line
Independent NDIS support worker. Not a disability advocacy organisation. But someone who genuinely advocates for every single person they support.
That's ADA. That's me.
— Ali Chahine Founder, Australian Disability Advocates Independent NDIS Support Worker, Sydney