$15.3 million to NDIS projects

The Australian Government is providing a package of more than $15.3 million to help people prepare for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), through the NDIS Sector Development Fund.

The Sector Development Fund was established to assist the disability sector, including people with disability, their families, carers, services providers and workforce, transition to the new arrangements for disability support under the NDIS.

The Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services recently announced funding of more than $6 million for SDF projects in the Northern Territory.

“These projects will generate new solutions to existing challenges associated with disability and mental health service delivery; develop and implement new supports not currently used or available in local markets and increase the level of choice and control people with disability have in remote areas,” she said.

“Queensland will receive more than $5.8 million to expand the disability sector workforce by engaging, attracting and connecting people to jobs, assist small to medium providers in thin markets to expand their operations, and enable new disability service providers in rural and regional areas enter and operate sustainably in the NDIS environment.

“The Supported Independent Living Co-operative (SILC) project, will receive $270,000 to establish a national support network to help families of NDIS participants who want to set up shared housing arrangements with other families, so their loved ones can live independently.

“Funding for Tasmania will build the confidence and skill level of participants and ensure people with disability in Tasmania are confident and able to participate in the NDIS.”

More information on the Sector Development Fund can be found on the NDIS website.