The Victorian Disability Worker Commission and the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria welcome the appointment of David Simmonds as the Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner.
Mr Simmonds is an experienced accessibility and inclusion leader with over a decade of focused work in disability policy, transport accessibility reform, and advocacy for people with disability and low vision – both across government and not-for-profit settings. He also brings lived experience of disability.
As the Director of Accessibility and Inclusion with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, he has worked to improve accessibility of Victoria’s public transport network and contributed to the Commonwealth-led reform of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. He has also served on the Department’s Disability Employee Reference Group.
Mr Simmonds will commence his term as Commissioner on Monday 19 October 2026.
Chair of the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria, Melanie Eagle, said the appointment of the Commissioner came at a pivotal time in ensuring safer services for people with disability.
“I join with my fellow Board members in welcoming David Simmonds to lead the regulation of disability workers so that people with disability can receive safe, quality services.
“The Board looks forward to working with David to continue the important work of regulating the sector, and attracting, developing and retaining a high quality, professional and safe disability workforce.”
“I wish to thank the Acting Commissioner, Kate Maddern, for her leadership of the Commission during a time of significant change in the disability sector.”
Mr Simmonds said he is looking forward to having conversations across the disability community about how the regulation scheme can improve to serve their needs.
“I look forward to building on the great work of the Commission over the past six years and listening to the needs and priorities of the disability community in ensuring a safer, stronger disability sector.”
The Victorian Disability Worker Commission oversees the nation’s strongest safeguards for disability workers. It implements the only state-based disability worker regulation scheme, promoting accountability, safety and quality in the disability workforce. The scheme comprises voluntary worker registration, a Code of Conduct, and a complaints service.
For further information, read the Victorian Government media release.
Media Contact: Kirsten Howe 0436 310 415| mediaenquiries@vdwc.vic.gov.au