Advocacy
ANSA advocates for applied neuroscience with government, regulators and other health professions, and works to raise awareness of it as an integral part of the health system.
Our Advocacy committee responds to consultations and writes on matters that affect practice and the people it serves. The submissions and letters we have sent are below.
ANSA members can read and comment on drafts in progress on the Official documents page. Know of a consultation ANSA should respond to? Email the Secretary.
Submissions and letters
Newest first.
Title: Submission to the Senate inquiry into the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Sent: May 2026
To: Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Summary: ANSA raised concerns that the "Not an NDIS Support" list, which names neurofeedback without defining it, can block participants from therapies that improve functional capacity. It called for a transparent evidence review framework, a pathway for emerging therapies to be reconsidered, regular review and clear definitions of excluded supports, and funding decisions focused on functional outcomes.
Link: Read the submission | https://appliedneuroscience.org.au/resources/Documents/Submissions/Applied%20Neuroscience%20Society%20of%20Australasia%202026%20NDIS%20Senate%20Inquiry%20submission.pdf
Title: Submission to the Senate inquiry into epilepsy in Australia
Sent: May 2026
To: Senate Community Affairs References Committee
Summary: ANSA made the case for recognising professionally administered neurofeedback and non-invasive neuromodulation in Australia's epilepsy care, given that about one in three Australians with epilepsy do not achieve seizure control with medication. It recommended an independent evidence review, a funded Australian trial, a research funding stream for non-drug therapies, and including these therapies in the national epilepsy strategy.
Link: Read the submission | https://appliedneuroscience.org.au/resources/Documents/Submissions/ANSA%20Submission%20-%20Epilepsy%20in%20Australia%20Submission%202026.pdf
Title: Submission to the Senate inquiry into assessment and support services for people with ADHD
Sent: 9 June 2023
To: Senate Community Affairs References Committee
Summary: ANSA called for objective measures in ADHD assessment and wider access to neurofeedback, including Medicare rebates for accredited practitioners, to give families options beyond medication and ease assessment wait times. It also set out why ANSA declined to endorse the AADPA clinical practice guideline, citing how it assessed the evidence for non-drug treatments and the rigour of its development process.
Link: Read the submission | https://appliedneuroscience.org.au/resources/Documents/Submissions/ANSA%20Submission%20Senate%20Inquiry%20into%20Assessment%20and%20Support%20Services%20for%20people%20with%20ADHD.pdf
Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia
A non-profit society for health professionals and researchers working in applied neuroscience across Australia and New Zealand.
Acknowledgement of Country
ANSA acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and their continuing connection to Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.