AI in the NDIS Summit 2026

AI in the NDIS Summit 2026 is a one-day, practical leadership summit for NDIS providers who want to cut through the AI hype and turn it into safer, smarter, more sustainable supports.

Join sector leaders at ICC Sydney or via live national stream to explore how AI can reduce admin, close funding leakage, strengthen compliance, and tackle workforce pressure, without replacing the people at the heart of disability support.

Across keynotes and four live AI labs, you will see real NDIS-focused tools in action for rostering, operations, workforce, finance and compliance, then translate those insights into a structured 90-day AI implementation roadmap you can take straight back to your leadership team.

Every attendee receives slides, a curated implementation toolkit, and 30 days of access to the Disability Sector Australia advisory community so you are supported before, during, and after the summit.

With early bird tickets, in-person networking, and an online stream option, this event is designed for providers who are ready to move beyond fear and lead the AI transition on their own terms, with human-to-human connection at the centre.

Keynote speaker(s):

• Dominic Price

Work Futurist · Partner, Be Luminous · TED Speaker

Dominic is a Work Futurist, Partner at Be Luminous, TED speaker, and one of the most genuine voices on what it really takes to make technology work for people — not the other way around.

He joined Atlassian as employee #600 and, over twelve years, helped scale the company to more than 16,000 people globally, co-created the Atlassian Team Playbook, and became a trusted advisor to leaders navigating serious organisational change.

He has travelled to more than 53 countries and still calls Australia home. Manchester made him. The rest, as he says, is very much still in progress.

• Andrew Licence

Founder & Principal, Impact HRT

Andrew Licence is the Founder and Principal of Impact HRT, where he helps organisations maximise business value through smarter HR technology programs. With more than 20 years of experience working globally with top-tier consulting firms and organisations, he has built a strong reputation for solving complex workforce challenges and delivering exceptional client outcomes.

• Ben Smart

Strategic Operations and AI Adoption Specialist.

Ben will explore where AI can genuinely help disability providers today, which admin tasks are ready for AI support, and how teams can use AI in a practical, safe, and sustainable way. He is Helping product and services organisations deal with complexity, create clarity, and grow with disciplined operating practices.

• Michael Batko

Co-Founder & CEO of Hourglass AI

Michael has helped organisations across Australia move beyond AI hype by designing practical AI strategies, building intelligent workflows, and helping businesses become truly AI-native.

Before founding Hourglass AI, Michael led Startmate, Australia's largest startup accelerator, growing it into one of the country's most influential innovation communities and supporting more than 300 startups with a combined value exceeding $3.5 billion. His career also includes leadership roles with PwC, KPMG, and American Express, giving him a unique perspective on strategy, technology, and organisational transformation.

Panelist(s):

• Jessica Martin

CEO & Founder Bella Sláinte, Head of Strategy Google

Jessica thrives on tackling the most intricate challenges within the world's largest and most complex organizations. With a comprehensive background spanning corporate strategy, finance, governance, risk and regulation, privacy, technology, and international sports, she consistently operates at the forefront of emerging issues, adeptly navigating complex regulatory landscapes alongside strategic business imperatives.

Leveraging over 20 years of experience, Jessica is known for her judgment, creative problem-solving abilities, ethical decision-making, and forward-thinking strategies, all implemented while collaborating with C-suite executives across diverse regions and industries. She is passionate about working with leaders and businesses to proactively address monumental challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Her impactful leadership has been recognized by the industry, as demonstrated by her shortlisting for Campaign Asia's Women Leading Change Awards in 2022.

• Christina Larkin

Christina is EY’s Digital Assurance Leader for Oceania. She has over 20 years of experience helping clients assess the risks and opportunities that technologies present, providing trust in the integrity of data and digital solutions. Christina leads a team that considers the ethical and control implications of data quality and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Christina serves on several advisory committees to develop industry and regulatory standards for emerging technologies.

• Anthony Vella

Anthony Vella is Chief Transformation Officer at MMS and a Senior Advisor to the AI advisory, Lumyra. Anthony is currently completing a Doctorate at Grenoble Ecole de Management, with a focus on the use of AI for risk-based pricing models in finance. He also holds post graduate qualifications at INSEAD and the University of Oxford.

He is a former Deputy CEO of the NDIA and has worked in disability services delivery over the past decade for a number of Providers in the sector. Anthony believes that technology innovation can be a powerful enabler in support of improved service delivery, however, must be implemented with care and appropriate governance to minimise the risk of harm to Participants.

Anthony couples his research in AI, with practical application in operational delivery of AI and advising organisations on AI Governance.

• Darren Chua

Darren is a co-founder of Lumyra, an AI advisory firm that helps CEOs and boards navigate both the transformative potential and the risks of artificial intelligence. He brings over 30 years' experience in strategy consulting at firms including Bain & Company and EY, where he served as EY's Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Leader.

Darren is currently undertaking a PhD at UTS, researching human-AI collaboration and governance in high-stakes decision-making. His work in collaboration with Healthdirect Australia and 1800 MEDICARE examines how to make AI in care settings both helpful and safe for all Australians, questions that sit at the heart of risk and compliance in the NDIS. A recognised voice in responsible AI governance, Darren helps leadership teams align on getting the best outcomes for their customers, employees and stakeholders.

Accommodation:

Delegates can access discounted accommodation at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. To redeem the 10% discount off the Flexible Rate, visit the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour website, select your check‑in and check‑out dates at the bottom of the page, then enter BGPG in the “Preferential Code” field before clicking “Book Now”. All available room types and rates will be displayed, with the discounted option clearly highlighted in red as a “Special Offer”.

Sponsors:

Here are the sponsors/partner organisations for the DSA Summit:

1. HRPA – Human Rights Practice Australia

2. Effica Hire– Intelligent Hiring

3. EFFICA

4. Core CRM

5. YouBeeU

6. Clickability