NDIS AI summit 2026: the original announcement and current checks
Why Australia's Leading NDIS and AI Experts Are Coming Together for One Practical Summit
By Clickability · Originally published 8 July 2026
Original article and dated context
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future conversation for the NDIS sector.
Across Australia, providers are facing increasing workforce pressure, growing compliance obligations, tighter financial margins and rising expectations around participant outcomes. At the same time, AI is emerging as one of the most talked-about technologies in business—but for many leaders, separating genuine opportunity from marketing hype remains a challenge.
That's the thinking behind the AI in the NDIS Summit 2026.
Taking place on Friday, 24 July 2026 at ICC Sydney, with a national livestream available, the summit has been designed specifically for NDIS provider leaders who want practical answers—not theory.
Rather than asking whether AI belongs in disability services, the summit explores a far more important question:
How can AI help providers deliver better supports while keeping human connection at the centre?
A Day Built Around Practical Outcomes
Unlike traditional conferences, the AI in the NDIS Summit is structured as a working day for provider executives, operational leaders and decision-makers.
Throughout the day, attendees will move from understanding the future of AI to seeing practical demonstrations, learning from sector experts and building a personalised 90-day AI implementation roadmap that can be taken directly back to their organisation.
The program combines keynote presentations, expert panel discussions and four live AI Labs covering the operational areas that matter most to providers:
[Clickability update, October 2026: The announcement describes four labs while its operational list has five entries. The hero poster also gives a different finishing time from the body. These historical details have not been reconciled; do not use them as a current itinerary.]
- Rostering
- Operations
- Workforce
- Finance
- Compliance
These sessions showcase real AI solutions designed specifically for the NDIS environment, demonstrating how technology can reduce administrative burden, improve operational visibility and support better decision-making without replacing the people delivering care.
Opening the Conversation: Leading Through Change
The summit opens with internationally recognised Work Futurist and TED Speaker Dominic Price, whose keynote, From Fear to Opportunity, explores how organisations can embrace AI without losing the culture, trust and human leadership that make them successful.
Having helped Atlassian grow from approximately 600 employees to more than 16,000, Dominic has spent years guiding organisations through large-scale transformation. His message is particularly relevant for disability providers navigating one of the biggest technological shifts the sector has experienced.
Putting Human Rights at the Centre of AI
Technology alone is never enough.
Andrew Licence, Founder and Principal of Impact HRT, brings more than two decades of experience helping organisations improve workforce practices and organisational performance.
His perspective reinforces an important principle: successful AI adoption isn't simply about implementing new software—it requires thoughtful leadership, governance and a continued focus on people.
This theme of responsible implementation continues throughout the day.
What AI Can Actually Do Today
Many providers understand AI is important but remain unsure where to begin.
Ben Smart, Strategic Operations and AI Adoption Specialist, focuses on exactly that challenge.
Rather than discussing distant possibilities, Ben explores the practical administrative tasks AI can already support today, helping organisations simplify complexity, improve operational clarity and build sustainable adoption strategies.
Building on those practical foundations, Michael Batko, Co-Founder and CEO of Hourglass AI, demonstrates how organisations can move beyond experimentation to become genuinely AI-enabled.
Drawing on leadership experience across Startmate, PwC, KPMG and American Express, Michael shares practical frameworks for implementing AI in ways that create measurable business outcomes.
Learning from Leaders Across Technology, Governance and Disability
One of the summit's highlights is an expert panel bringing together leaders from disability, technology, governance and artificial intelligence.
Jessica Martin, CEO and Founder of Bella Sláinte and Head of Strategy at Google, offers insights drawn from more than twenty years working across corporate strategy, governance, technology and innovation. Her experience helps connect emerging technologies with real organisational decision-making.
Christina Larkin, EY's Digital Assurance Leader for Oceania, examines the governance, ethics and assurance frameworks organisations need when adopting AI. With more than two decades advising organisations on digital risk and emerging technologies, she brings a critical perspective on building trustworthy AI systems.
Former NDIA Deputy CEO Anthony Vella, now Chief Transformation Officer at MMS and Senior Advisor to Lumyra, bridges policy, operational delivery and AI governance. His experience across disability services and ongoing doctoral research into AI provides valuable insight into implementing innovation safely while protecting participants.
Joining him is Darren Chua, Co-Founder of Lumyra and AI governance researcher at the University of Technology Sydney. Darren's work focuses on human-AI collaboration in high-stakes environments, including healthcare, helping organisations understand how to balance innovation with accountability, transparency and risk management.
Together, these panelists explore one of the sector's most important questions:
How do we adopt AI responsibly while maintaining trust, safety and quality support?
Experience AI Through Four Live Labs
The afternoon shifts from discussion to demonstration.
Attendees will participate in four live AI Labs, showcasing technology developed specifically for the NDIS sector across:
- Workforce management
- Rostering
- Operations
- Finance
- Compliance
Rather than watching generic software demonstrations, providers will see practical tools solving real operational challenges faced by disability organisations every day.
These sessions are designed to help leaders identify immediate opportunities for their own organisations and understand what successful implementation looks like in practice.
Leave With More Than Inspiration
Every attendee receives:
- A personalised 90-day AI implementation roadmap
- Presentation slides
- A curated AI implementation toolkit
- Thirty days' access to the Disability Sector Australia advisory community
The objective is simple: ensure providers leave with practical next steps—not just ideas.
Event Details
Friday, 24 July 2026
ICC Sydney – Cockle Bay Room
9:00am – 4:00pm AEST
National Livestream Available
Networking drinks will follow the summit until 5:00pm, providing an opportunity to connect with fellow provider leaders, technology experts and industry innovators.
For NDIS providers looking to better understand artificial intelligence—and how it can strengthen operations while keeping people at the heart of support—the AI in the NDIS Summit offers an opportunity to learn directly from some of Australia's leading voices in AI, governance, organisational transformation and disability services.
To view the full agenda, speaker schedule and ticket options, visit the official event page HERE.
As a valued contact, you can also use the discount code Click99 to receive 37% off all in-person summit tickets.
[Clickability update, October 2026: The advertised Click99 code and discount are historical. No current availability or ticket price is asserted.]
To learn more about Disability Sector Australia (DSA), please visit their website at www.dsa-australia.com.au.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
How providers can assess an AI proposal before a trial
Start with a task and an accountable person. Ask what information enters the tool, who can access it, how it is retained and whether staff can inspect the result before it affects a participant. Begin with synthetic examples or public material, not live case records.
OAIC guidance explains the privacy checks. A conference demonstration does not establish a tool’s suitability for your service. For behaviour-support plans, use the Commission’s specific AI position rather than treating a generic productivity tool as clinical authority.
Questions readers ask
Is the July summit invitation still current?
No. It is preserved as a historical announcement, including its offers and program details.
Does attendance establish that an AI product is safe for participant records?
No. Providers must assess their intended use, privacy handling and review process. Official guidance
Find providers who can explain how they handle your information
When comparing disability services, ask about record keeping and who reviews information used in your support. Clickability’s provider profiles, ratings and reviews can help you prepare those conversations.