Australian of the Year

Professor Bruce Bonyhady is one of the key architects of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and is driven by his passion for equity and inclusion for people with disability.  

Two of Bruce’s sons have disabilities, and he is acutely aware of the challenges that many people with disability and their families face. His response was to champion a national scheme for disability support based on need that would empower individuals to make their own choices in accessing assistance. 

He was the inaugural chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency (2013-16) and co-chair of the NDIS Review (2022-23). 

Alongside his foundational work with the NDIS, Bruce has been instrumental in fostering research into disability, first at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and now at the Melbourne Disability Institute. 

Bruce’s vision and strength of purpose have transformed support for people with disability, and championed new research that will shape the future for generations to come.