Important Update: Adjustments to our Membership Model

For nearly 25 years, Australian Disability Network has been committed to supporting employers in making their organisations more accessible and inclusive for people with disability.

Over the past decade, we have grown from 150 to over 450 members, reflecting our shared dedication to advancing access and inclusion goals.

As a not-for-profit organisation, our current economic landscape presents challenges that make it necessary to refine how we deliver and price our services. To ensure we continue to provide the high-quality service and expertise you expect, we are making important adjustments to our membership model and pricing structure. These changes will help us remain financially secure while optimising the value you receive.

Why are we making these changes?

• Sustainability: Our dedicated Relationship Managers often provide support that exceeds the level covered by existing membership fees. While we have managed this additional cost in the past, it is now unsustainable without adjustments.
• Value optimisation: After analysing membership usage patterns, we found that some members are not fully utilising their allocated membership hours. While we understand the reduction in hours may impact some, our goal is to optimise our membership benefits to ensure the best possible value for all members.
• Competitive rates: Even with these adjustments, our consulting rates remain significantly lower than those of leading consulting organisations. And as a not-for-profit organisation, every decision we make directly benefits you, our members, through reinvestment into improving and innovating our programs and services.

Overview of membership adjustments:

Gold Membership:

• New Price: $11,500 +GST, down from $13,200 +GST
• New Membership Hours: 30 hours, down from 35 hours
• New Consulting Hour Rate: $295 +GST, up from $285 +GST

Silver Membership:

• New Price: $8,200 +GST, up from $7,900 +GST
• New Membership Hours: 16 hours, down from 22 hours
• New Consulting Hour Rate: $325 +GST, up from $285 +GST

Bronze Membership:

• New Price: $2,750 +GST, up from $1,700 +GST
• New Consulting Hour Rate: $350 +GST, up from $285 +GST

Non-Member

• New Consulting Hour Rate: $395 +GST, up from $350 +GST

Overview of other changes

Any products that can be paid for using member hours will now be priced according to the consulting rate specific to your membership type.

In addition to reviewing our membership pricing:

• We have reviewed and adjusted the base prices for our products and services.
• We are transitioning the PACE Mentoring and Stepping Into Internship programs to a payment model that will no longer accept member hours. This change will be fully implemented for the Stepping Into Internship program for Winter 2025, and PACE Mentoring for Autumn 2025.

Have a question?

Please refer to the detailed FAQs below for more information about these changes.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to creating more accessible and inclusive workplaces. We look forward to continuing this important journey together.

1. What are the changes and when do they come into effect? 

As of 1 August 2024, membership hours and pricing* will change as per the following tables:

Membership Prices

Membership hours 

Consulting hour rate

Please note that changes to membership prices and included hours will only apply to memberships invoiced on or after 1 August 2024. For example, memberships which renew on 1 September 2024 will be invoiced on 1 August 2024.

The change to our consulting rate will apply to services agreed to on or after 1 August 2024.

We do acknowledge some members have received quotes for work that may be agreed on or after 1 August 2024. These quotes are valid for the duration specified on the quote. For example, 30 days from date of issue.

For those using membership hours to access our Flagship Access and Inclusion Index and Disability Confident Recruiter Programs, these will be charged at the 2023/24 member hour rate.

* All prices are exclusive of GST.

2. Why are you making these changes?

We are making these changes to better align our membership offerings with the evolving needs of our growing community, and to ensure a long-term sustainable membership.

• Sustainability: Our dedicated Relationship Managers often provide support that exceeds the level covered by existing membership fees. While we have managed this additional cost in the past, it is now unsustainable without adjustments.
• Value optimisation: After analysing membership usage patterns, we found that some members are not fully utilising their allocated membership hours. While we understand the reduction in some hours may impact those who need additional hours, our goal is to optimise our membership benefits to ensure the best possible value for all members.
• Competitive rates: Even with these adjustments, our consulting rates remain significantly lower than those of leading consulting organisations. And as a not-for-profit organisation, every decision we make directly benefits you, our members., through reinvestment into improving and innovating our programs and services.

3. How do these new prices compare to other disability inclusion consultants?

When comparing our consulting rates to other leading disability inclusion consultants, we remain highly competitive, offering rates that are significantly lower. With nearly 25 years of experience, we have always been dedicated to supporting employers to build disability confidence for their employees, customers and community. Our profound and specialised disability inclusion expertise sets us apart from the competition.
Additionally, as a not-for-profit organisation, any profits we generate are reinvested to benefit our members, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation in our services.

4. How did you decide on these adjustments?

We arrived at the new membership model through rigorous modelling, ensuring it aligns with our mission to serve members who are actively participating in and committed to projects that increase disability confidence.

5. Can I upgrade my membership level mid membership year?

Absolutely! Members can upgrade at any time. Simply reach out to your Relationship Manager or key contact. Starting from August 1, 2024, upgrades will be aligned with the new model’s level of hours.

6. My membership renews in August, but I’ve already received my renewal invoice in July. Do I need to be reissued an invoice and pay more?

If you received your renewal invoice in July, it remains valid under the current pricing structure. The updated membership prices and included hours will apply to memberships invoiced on or after August 1, 2024.

7. Can I roll my current member hours into future membership years?

Any unused membership hours will expire at the end of your membership.

8. What happens to my member hours if my membership has just begun?

Any memberships already in place will not be impacted by the changes to membership pricing or packaged hours. When the membership renews, the new pricing and hours will be put in place.

From 1 August 2024, any additional hours purchased over and above hours that are included as part of your membership will be charged at the new consulting hour rates.

Consulting hour rates

9. Are there any other fees changes?

Any products that can be paid for using member hours will now be priced according to the consulting rate specific to your membership type.

In addition to reviewing our membership pricing, we have also reviewed and adjusted the base prices for our products and services.

10. Why can I no longer use member hours for the PACE Mentoring and Stepping Into Internship Programs?

To align with our commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of our business, we have made the decision to move some of our programs, such as PACE and Stepping Into, from a member hours payment option to a direct invoice only model.

11. I have planned/signed a program agreement to use member hours for the next round of PACE Mentoring and Stepping Into Internship Programs. Will this be honoured?

Yes, we will honour any pre-existing program agreements or commitments that have been accepted in writing. The transition from using member hours to a direct invoice only payment model for these programs will be fully implemented by Stepping Into Internship program for Winter 2025, and PACE Mentoring for Autumn 2025.

12. I have a quote for additional hours outside of my current membership. What rate will this now be charged at?

Any quotes raised are valid for 30 days. Any work quoted prior to 1 August 2024 will be quoted at our current rates. If you request a quote for work on or after 1 August 2024, it will be made using the new consulting hourly rates.

13. Are you changing the number of hours attached to products and services?

To align with our commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of our business, we have made the decision to move some of our programs, such as PACE and Stepping Into, from a member hours payment option to a direct invoice only model. This is the only program being impacted by a change in use of member hours at this point in time.

14. Are there any discounts or promotional offers currently available?

There are no specific discounts or promotional offers currently in place. However, our membership pricing structure offers tiered discounts on products and services, with Gold Members receiving the most favourable rates, followed by Silver and then Bronze Members.

15. Do you offer monthly memberships?

Not at this point in time.

16. Will the length of membership and billing cycle stay the same?

Yes, all memberships will continue to be billed annually. Membership renewal invoices will continue to be sent 30 days in advance of membership renewal.

17. Are you introducing any new features or services with the price increase? 

We continually review our products, conduct research globally and locally, and listen to our member’s feedback to create new, and improve our current, products and services.

We will launch a Voice of Member survey in August, inviting one representative from each member organisation to take part in a Voice of Member feedback survey. This survey will give members the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings about our membership. We will use this information to help us explore new products and services, and deliver a membership offering that better meet your needs.

18. We are a not for profit / small to medium enterprise / have charity status, are there prices for us?

Currently, our pricing structure is tailored to different membership levels, allowing each organisation to choose the option that best fits their needs. We will be conducting research with our members in July and August to gather feedback on potential model adjustments.

In the meantime, we are committed to assisting you to develop a plan that aligns with your budget and enhances your disability confidence. Please let us know how we can support you further in navigating these options.

19. I need to obtain internal approval before I can accept an active quote, how long do I have?

All quotes are valid for 30 days. If you receive a quote for work before 1 August 2024, it will be priced at the current member rates.

20. How can I provide feedback, ask questions about the new pricing, or escalate concerns?

We value your input! In August, we will launch a Voice of Member feedback survey, inviting one representative from each member organisation to take part.

This survey will give members the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings about our membership. We will use this information to help us explore new products and services, and deliver a membership offering that better meet your needs.

If you have any feedback, questions or concerns before this survey is released, please connect with your Relationship Manager, or our Administration Coordinator at +61 2 8270 9200 or admin@ausdn.org.au. You can also reach out to our CEO, Corene Strauss, at +61 2 8270 9219 or corene.strauss@ausdn.org.au.

21. Are there any more changes coming in the near future?

We review our pricing each year. We will continue to communicate if and when changes occur. We will also listen your feedback shared directly with our teams and via our Voice of Member survey launching in August.

22. Will you honour the price of work we have previously agreed to (including invoiced work / quotes of more than 30 days old)?

If we have already booked work with your organisation, we will honour the signed agreement and quote at the previously listed pricing, provided it is still within its valid terms. Please note that quotes older than 30 days are considered expired and may need to be reissued under the new pricing structure. Please reach out to your Relationship Manager if you wish to discuss further.

23. My organisation is not in a position to continue membership with these new prices, or purchase additional consultancy hours. Can I cancel my membership, or get a refund on the time I have left?

We understand these adjustments may be challenging, and we are committed to working with you to ensure your continued participation in enhancing disability confidence.

Please contact your Relationship Manager to discuss how we can support you to navigate these changes and continue your journey towards greater disability confidence.

If you’re considering cancelling your membership or seeking a refund for the remaining time, please reach out to your Relationship Manager. While our membership agreement does not permit refunds for unused membership, please note there are no exit fees associated with cancellation.

24. What services can I access for my Gold or Silver membership hours?

Your membership hours offer a wide range of valuable services designed to support your organisation’s disability inclusion efforts. These include:

• Access and Inclusion Index: evaluate and benchmark your organisation’s progress.
• Disability confidence training: equip your team with essential skills and knowledge.
• Document reviews: ensure your materials are inclusive and accessible.
• Advice and support: benefit from personalised guidance from a dedicated Relationship Manager.
• Customised consultancy: receive tailored solutions for your specific needs.
• Disability Employee Network workshops and establishment meetings: engage in specialised training and strategy sessions.
• How to guide publications: access practical resources for implementing inclusive practices.

We can also work with you to develop a comprehensive plan to maximise the impact of your membership hours and enhance your organisation’s disability confidence.

25. Why were we not consulted about these changes?

We have recognised that we need to make immediate changes to ensure our organisation can continue to deliver the work we need to do.

If you would like to discuss these changes further, please connect with your Relationship Manager, or our Administration Coordinator at +61 2 8270 9200 or admin@ausdn.org.au. You can also reach out to our CEO, Corene Strauss, at +61 2 8270 9219 or corene.strauss@ausdn.org.au.