The ICF Australia Interest Group is a national collective of professionals, researchers, and disability advocates dedicated to applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework in real-world settings. Their goal is to promote a consistent, strengths-based way of thinking about disability—focusing on participation, inclusion, and function rather than medical labels.

It’s about understanding people for what they can do, not just what they can’t.

What is the ICF, and why does it matter?

The ICF—developed by the World Health Organization—is a global framework used to describe health and disability in a more human, holistic way. It moves away from a purely medical view and looks at how people live their lives across six key domains:

• Body functions and structures
• Activities
• Participation
• Environmental factors
• Personal factors
• Health conditions

So rather than just saying, “Sam has cerebral palsy,” the ICF encourages us to ask, “How does Sam participate at school, at home, and in their community? What supports help them thrive?”

This change in thinking has huge implications for services, funding, education, and inclusion—especially in places like Australia where the NDIS, health care, and community programs rely on consistent assessments.

Who’s part of the ICF Australia Interest Group?

It’s a mix of people from across sectors:

• Allied health professionals (like occupational therapists and physiotherapists)
• Educators
• Disability researchers
• Policy advisors