New Darwin NDIS office to support Territorians with a disability

Territorians with a disability, their carers and providers now have a single, central and accessible National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) office in Darwin.

The new office, located on Harry Chan Avenue, Darwin, was officially opened today by Chairman of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Dr Helen Nugent AO.

Joining Dr Nugent at the opening was fellow NDIA Board Member, Mr John Langoulant AO and representatives of the Northern Territory Government.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said the new office will not only allow the NDIA to work closely with people with disability in the Northern Territory, it will also play a key role in delivering the NDIS to rural and remote communities spanning several states.

“The new office is the central hub for the NDIS in the Northern Territory and plays an important role in the roll-out of the Scheme to rural and remote areas of South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia,” said Mr Fletcher.

“With the entire Northern Territory now covered by the NDIS as at 1 July this year, we are making sure the Scheme is operating effectively to provide Territorians with disability choice and control of their supports.

“As at 31 August 2018, the cumulative total number of NDIS participants in the Territory receiving support was 1,346, including 370 children supported through the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) gateway.

“Of these, there are now 630 Territorians receiving supports for the very first time, 660 people who have transitioned from an existing Territory program and 56 who have transitioned from an existing Commonwealth program.”

“At full Scheme, the Territory is expected be the smallest market within the NDIS with around 6,500 participants, however, the growth in people with disability receiving funded supports is expected to be one of the greatest at 103 per cent.”

NDIA Chairman, Dr Helen Nugent AO, said the new office has received positive feedback from the community and providers with many saying it is much more suitable for access.

“Over the past two years, the NDIA has been operating out of two different office sites in Darwin and has outgrown both offices,” Dr Nugent said.

“More than 60 staff are now working from the new office to improve the economic and social outcomes for Territorians with a significant and permanent disability.

“This new office has been completely refitted, is fully accessible for people with disability and allows Darwin-based NDIA staff to operate out of the one location.”