Lloyd Walker

Head shot of Lloyd Walker, white male with brown hair wearing glasses.

I was born with a disability that affects my left leg. Looking back, this has influenced many of my life decisions, including my career in engineering for human functioning.

I completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) at the University of Queensland, and as a result of my honours research, I was awarded two international scholarships to complete a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degree in bioengineering at the University of Stathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. My PhD was focused on the biomechanics of the foot and lower leg.

I returned to Australia in 1991 and have worked in:

  • North Queensland to establish a permanent rehabilitation engineering service (at the Cootharinga Society of NQ), combined with education options at the James Cook University. At JCU I developed the first distance learning Graduate Diploma in Assistive Technology for Australia in 1997, and served as Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head to establish a new Occupational Therapy program.
  • Adelaide (2002-2009) as Director, Regency Park Rehabilitation Engineering (RPRE) at Novita Children’s Services. As well as being part of a major transformation project for the organisation, I led the leading rehabilitation engineering centre in Australia. It included clinical, product sales, testing and research services. During my tenure I formed NovitaTech, and spearheaded the formation of a new dedicated division of Research and Innovation, combining the expertise in technology research and development with Novita’s substantial expertise and track record in disability and paediatric therapy research.
  • Sunshine Coast (2009-2015; 2022- ) where I established my own consulting engineering business (Tech4Life) to enhance the understanding of, and development of good policy for the effective use of technologies for independent living. A major project Tech4Life led during the 2010 period was the ARATA “Making a Difference with AT” papers and associated policy. Much of this work underpined early recommendations from the Productivity Commission and others in the formation of the NDIS AT program.
  • In 2015 I joined the National Disability Insurance Agency as Director – Research, and in December 2015 became the Director – Assistive Technology, I role I held in various forms until January 2025. I was responsible for much of the NDIS policy, guidance and particularly market development guidance through the national rollout of the Scheme, the challenges of the 2020 COVID pandemic, and several changes of government policy. I also influenced whole of Government approaches to AT.

A brief summary of my past and present national and international responsibilities: