Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

Supporting NDIS innovation in the NT

Joint Media Release with:

  • Northern Territory Minister for Health, Hon Natasha Fyles MLA

NDIS providers in the Northern Territory are being supported to expand and deliver services in new ways, as part of the final round of the Northern Territory Innovation Grant program.

The Turnbull Government is providing $2 million in funding across the Northern Territory for the Innovation Grant Program, with $1,188,625 allocated in the second and final round.

The Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability, the Hon Jane Prentice, said the Innovation Grant Program gives people with disability in remote areas choice and control, by supporting new, innovative programs not previously available.

“These projects will improve the delivery of NDIS for people in the NT and give more tailored support,” Ms Prentice said.

Funded projects include:

  • boosting and expanding staff training, employment services and work experience for people with a disability in remote areas
  • building modifications to increase disability access so services can be offered in new areas
  • training for people with disability and their carers in remote areas so they can undertake minor repairs of assistive technology such as wheelchairs
  • developing apps in Indigenous languages to educate participants about the scheme and how to activate their NDIS plans
  • peer support training for people with a psychosocial disability
  • increasing disability transport services in Tennant Creek
  • expanding physiotherapy and therapeutic services in remote areas.

“The Innovation Grant Program is part of the Australian Government’s Sector Development Fund, helping NDIS participants, providers and workforce to transition to the scheme. We have already committed more than $110 million through the fund,” Mrs Prentice said.

“This includes $10.4 million in funding to the Northern Territory Government for projects supporting participant and provider readiness, including in remote areas.”

The Northern Territory Minister for Health Natasha Fyles said Territorians want and deserve access to high quality services and these grants are critical to developing new and innovative ways to deliver services.

“The grants not only improve services to some of our most vulnerable, but will also support the creation of jobs across the Territory,” she said.

“Two of the projects are based in Darwin and the remainder are in remote locations.

“The projects aim to increase Aboriginal economic and social participation and bring local decision making and jobs for Territorians,” she said.

“The creation of the NDIS is one of the biggest social reforms in Australia’s history.

“The NDIS is expected to create about 80,000 jobs across Australia by 2020. This equates to about one in five of all new jobs created between 2016 and 2020.”

For details of the Innovation Grant and successful projects visit Department of Health Facebook page.