Shaping change through action
Meridia works alongside people, families, communities, our workforce, and sector leaders to influence policy, improve systems and create better outcomes for the people we support.
Through lived experience, frontline insights and partnerships, we contribute to conversations that shape disability, mental health, employment, housing and community services across Australia.
Our advocacy priorities
At Meridia, we advocate for policies, systems and services that create more inclusive, equitable and empowering communities. Guided by the voices and experiences of the people we support, our advocacy focuses on advancing meaningful change across key areas that impact quality of life, participation and wellbeing.
From disability inclusion and mental health to housing, employment and lived experience leadership, we work to influence outcomes that enable people to thrive and reach their full potential.
01.
Disability Inclusion & Reform
Advancing systems that promote choice, inclusion, rights and participation.
02.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Improving access, early intervention and recovery-focused support.
03.
Inclusive Employment & Economic Participation
Creating pathways to employment, social enterprise and economic inclusion.
04.
Home & Living
Supporting access to safe, sustainable and person-centred housing options.
05.
Workforce & Sector Sustainability
Building a skilled workforce and stronger service systems.
06.
Lived Experience Leadership
Ensuring people with lived and living experience shape decisions that affect them.
What we are working on now
Meridia is actively contributing to sector reform and system improvement through advocacy, leadership and collaboration.
We engage with government, industry and community stakeholders to help shape policies and practices that improve outcomes for people with disability, mental health challenges and complex support needs.
Inclusive governance
Meridia is committed to lived experience representation backed up by accessible structures and processes.
Get Real Podcast: Inclusive Leadership – Nothing About Us, Without Us
Through our Get Real: Talking Mental Health & Disability podcast, Meridia amplifies the voices of people with lived and living experience, creating space for authentic conversations that challenge barriers and drive inclusion. In this episode, Andrew Radford shares his journey as a long-time advocate for people with intellectual disability and autism, reflecting on the importance of representation, inclusive leadership and ensuring that people with lived experience are involved in decisions that affect their lives. Andrew’s insights highlight the principle of “nothing about us, without us” and the positive impact of genuine participation at every level of leadership.
Submissions and policy papers
Through submissions, policy papers and engagement with decision-makers, Meridia advocates for systems and services that deliver better outcomes for people, families and communities. We contribute evidence, expertise and lived experience perspectives to help shape policy, influence reform and drive positive change.
Advocacy partners and networks
Collaboration is central to our advocacy. Through our membership of leading sector networks and peak bodies, Meridia works alongside partners across disability, mental health and employment to influence policy, share expertise and advance positive outcomes for the communities we support.
Meridia and our service brands are proud members of:
- Alliance 20
- Ability First Australia
- CEO Collab
- NDS
- Mental Health Victoria
- Mental Health Australia
- Mental Health Coordinating Council
- NT Mental Health Coalition
- National Employment Services Association (NESA)
- Disability Employment Australia (DEA)