Why we’re here
At Spinal Life Australia, we aim to support people with spinal cord damage to live an accessible, equitable and empowered life, as a leader in specialist services and a pioneer in everything we do.
Our members are at the heart of our organisation, with an active community who connect through events, activities and campaigns, and help set our course for the future.
We are also dedicated to advocacy on a local, state and national level, working with and on behalf of our members to create change on issues that matter most.
What we do
We are part of your trusted team for life, with services including personal support to assist people at home, work and in the community, and allied health to provide the latest equipment, aids and technology, along with assessments for home modifications and driving.
We deliver our services under a range of funding schemes including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ), My Aged Care and Veterans’ Home Care.
Our members can access further services including advocacy for individuals, peer support and regional networks to connect and share experiences.
We are also active in the community through our SEAT injury prevention program, training workshops and more.
How we started
In 1960 a group of people with paraplegia and quadriplegia met in Brisbane to talk about the best way to advocate for their needs. That meeting was the beginning of what is known today as Spinal Life Australia.
Our early services focused on advocacy, healthcare and lifestyle advice, as well as personal assistance.
The support we deliver has grown rapidly over the years to include new services and programs, and we have also moved into new locations across Queensland and Western Australia.
To find out more about our key goals and projects, you can download a copy of our Strategic Roadmap.
You can also read our annual reports and other publications.
Our driving foundations
Below are the principles that guide us every day.
Our purpose
To support a life journey approach to assist people with spinal cord damage.
Our mission
To enable solutions to live an accessible, equitable and empowered life.
Our vision
We will be recognised as the leader in specialist services for people with spinal cord damage.
Our values
Empathy – not sympathy
Pioneering – to continually pursue a vision of something better
Expertise – to be knowledge experts
Never Underestimate Capability – to encourage potential
Our Quality Management
At Spinal Life Australia we believe in being the best we can possibly be. Our priority is delivering exceptional quality services that meet our customers’ needs, expectations and satisfaction.
We are subject to rigorous accreditation, audit and reporting standards set by the disability services sector. Our certification includes the National Standards for Disability Services and the Human Services Quality Standards.
The Australian Spinal Injury Alliance
The Australian Spinal Injury Alliance was established to provide a national voice for all Australians with a spinal cord injury. This alliance is made up of eight state-based spinal cord injury organisations, including Spinal Life Australia.
The Alliance’s five key priorities are: government liaison, advocacy, injury prevention, information sharing and awareness raising.