PWDA Elections and AGM

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2026 election of PWDA Directors

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is a national disability rights, advocacy and representative organisation made up of, and led by, people with disability.

PWDA is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the strategic direction, governance and financial sustainability of the organisation.

PWDA is electing four (4) Director positions on the PWDA Board.

People with all kinds of disability, from diverse backgrounds and from all states and territories are encouraged to consider nominating.

About the election process

  • Voting in the 2026 PWDA Board Directors Election opens Monday 14 September.
  • More than four (4) nominees met the eligibility and selection criteria, therefore an election will be conducted in accordance with the PWDA Constitution.
  • There are eight (8) candidates for 4 positions on the PWDA Board. Please take a moment to read their candidate statements to help you decide who to vote for.
  • The Returning Officer, Freyja Tasci of GoVote, has been appointed to manage the election process.
  • Newly elected Directors will take office at the PWDA Annual General Meeting on Thursday 12 November 2026, which will be held online via Zoom.
  • To protect the integrity of the election process, only members recorded as current members by midnight on Friday 10 July 2026 will be eligible to participate in the 2026 Board election and AGM voting process.

When does voting open and close?

Voting in the 2026 PWDA Board Directors Election opens Monday 14 September.

PWDA members have an important say in who represents them and who will serve as Directors for the next two years.

We encourage members to take some time to learn about the candidates and cast your vote when voting opens on Monday 14 September. 

Voting closes: Friday 9 October 2026 5:00pm AEDT.

Important information about voting

You can vote online, by phone or by post while voting is open. Only votes successfully lodged during the voting period will be counted.

  • Online: If you are registered to vote online you will receive an email from GoVote on Thursday 10 September with a link to the online voting platform. GoVote will send another email on Monday 14 September when voting opens.
  • Postal: If you are registered to vote by post you will receive ballot papers in the mail.
  • Phone: To vote by telephone you can call the Returning Officer on 1800 919 553. You can call during Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

You can only vote once and all votes are anonymous.

  • If you do not receive your email from GoVote, please check your junk mail.
  • If you can’t find it please contact PWDA. You can contact us by email at pwd@pwd.org.au or call 1800 422 015 to speak with someone.

Resources

PWDA Constitution

2026 Board Director Nomination and Election Information Session

On Wednesday 24 June, PWDA held an online information session inviting people to learn more about the 2026 Board Director nominations and election process.

We have included the recording below for anyone who missed the session or wants to rewatch.

2026 PWDA Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of People with Disability Australia will be held on Thursday 12 November 2026 via the Zoom online conferencing platform.

This is a PWDA members only event.

Members must register to attend.

All current PWDA Members will receive a Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) email or postal pack with information on how to register.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

PWDA is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Directors have legal and governance responsibilities under the PWDA Constitution, Australian charity regulations and governance requirements, the Corporations Act and general law.

The Board of Directors is responsible for:

  • Setting the strategic direction of PWDA
  • Ensuring the organisation is well governed
  • Ensuring the organisation is financially sustainable
  • Making sure PWDA complies with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Representing the interests of PWDA members
  • Supporting the long-term future of the organisation.

PWDA Directors are volunteers. Directors are not paid for their Board role, but reasonable travel and support costs are covered.

There are currently 3 Directors. The PWDA Board can be comprised of up to 11 Directors.

9 of the Director positions are reserved for, and may only be filled by Member Elected Directors; and 2 director positions are available, and may only be filled by Board Appointed Directors.

There is no limit on the number of board members per state, as long as the total number of Directors does not exceed 11.

Being a Director is a governance role. Directors are legally responsible for the governance of the organisation.

Much of the work of the PWDA Board happens through preparation, meetings, committees, decision-making and oversight. It may not always be visible to members, but it is essential to PWDA’s accountability, future and impact.

Directors are expected to:

  • Attend Board meetings (approximately every 4 weeks)
  • Read Board papers and prepare for meetings
  • Participate in strategic planning and governance decisions
  • Participate in Board committees or working groups if required
  • Act in the best interests of PWDA at all times
  • Follow the PWDA Constitution, policies and procedures
  • Understand issues affecting people with disability
  • Represent PWDA appropriately.

Board meetings are usually held monthly, in the evening and may be online or face-to-face.

The roles are:

  • President
  • Up to 2 Vice-presidents
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

The PWDA Board of Directors elect these roles.

There may be times when a Director’s personal interest or interests can come into conflict with the responsibility to act in the best interests of PWDA.

There are three types of conflicts of interest:

  • Actual: where you are being influenced by a conflicting interest
  • Potential: where you could be influenced by a conflicting interest
  • Perceived: where you could appear to be influenced by a conflicting interest

Conflicts of interest do not automatically disqualify a person from serving as a PWDA Board Director. They are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Conflicts of Interest may include:

  • Holding a senior leadership or governance role in another organisation where the interests of that organisation regularly conflict with PWDA’s interests or advocacy positions.
  • Having significant financial interests that could influence, or be seen to influence, decisions made by the PWDA Board.
  • Being employed by, or having close financial ties to, organisations that receive funding from PWDA or regularly seek contracts with PWDA.
  • Having personal, family or business relationships that could affect independent decision-making.
  • Having legal, financial or other obligations that would prevent a person from acting in the best interests of PWDA.
  • Being unable or unwilling to disclose and appropriately manage actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

Disclosing and managing conflicts of interest is a requirement for Responsible Persons under the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission Governance Standards.

In the Nomination Form, Nominees are required to complete a declaration and disclose relevant information, including conflicts of interest and any matters that may affect their eligibility to serve as a Director.

If relevant information is not disclosed, this may affect whether a nomination can proceed, whether a nominee is found eligible to stand for election, or whether they are able to serve as a Director if elected.

Need Help Or Support?

Contact Us
PWDA | 1800 422 015 | pwd@pwd.org.au

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Resources and Easy Read Documents

Easy Read nomination documents

PWDA Constitution