Media Release by The Hon Stuart Robert MP

Delivering the NDIS: Improving Access For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

The Morrison Government is providing $5.9 million over the next two years to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to strengthen National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Minister for the NDIS Stuart Robert said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability will see improved access to disability services as a result of this $5.9 million investment.

NACCHO is being funded to work with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) to increase registrations to deliver NDIS services. This will help build capacity for these organisations to transition to and operate as NDIS providers and, in turn, grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS market and workforce.

NACCHO Chair Donnella Mills said the investment would help make NDIS services more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability increasing their choice and control.

‘Through our ACCHOs we will leverage our relationships within local communities to improve access to culturally appropriate support under the NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability living in urban, regional and remote communities’.

‘One of the 16 targets outlined in the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap is that ‘everyone enjoys long and healthy lives’. This project will help NACCHO increase community awareness within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the NDIS and the life-changing support it can provide,’ said Ms Mills.

Minister Robert said the Australian Government is committed to delivering an NDIS that is ready to support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants now and long into the future.

‘This initiative builds on the Government’s existing efforts to deliver significant improvements to the NDIS. We now have more than 400,000 participants in the world-leading NDIS – an increase of approximately 100,000 participants over the past 12 months – and with more than 175,000 receiving supports for the very first time. I am focused on ensuring the NDIS is accessible for all, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability’.