Far North Queensland residents with disability will now receive extra support to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with a new team established to boost participant numbers in the region.
Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford today announced the launch of the Assessment and Referral Team (ART) in Far North Queensland at the Disability Connect and Outreach Program Forum in Cairns.
Mr Crawford said the program was helping to bridge the gap for more equitable access to the NDIS and improve outcomes for Queenslanders living with disability.
"People living with disability take valuable and far-reaching contributions to our communities," Mr Crawford said.
"The Palaszczuk Government is working to ensure people with disability are empowered, treated with respect and dignity and have equal access to employment, social, cultural and economic opportunities.
"We know that the number of NDIS participants in Far North Queensland could be increased and we want to ensure those living with disability have access to the supports and services they need to participate in the community and reach their goals," he said.
ART will help people living with disability to gain greater access to the NDIS — from Mackay to Mount Isa, Cairns to Carpentaria and Tablelands to Torres Strait, and all those living in remote areas of the state.
ART has already helped more than 1,200 Queenslanders across the state, including more than 11 per cent who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mr Crawford said the success of ART is due largely to the team's ongoing commitment to support participants with their NDIS applications, including preparing and collecting documentation, arranging specialised assessments, where needed, and lodging completed forms.
"This dedicated team is on hand to support people with disability, their families and carers to navigate the NDIS process," he said.
"People who are not eligible for the NDIS are referred to the Queensland Community Support Scheme or mainstream agencies to ensure no one is left behind."
Mr Crawford said in addition to helping individuals access the supports they need, the NDIS contributed to jobs growth across Queensland.
"With $332.5 million in committed supports in NDIS plans in Cairns, there has been an increase of 3,100 additional workers who have sought clearance to work in the local disability sector since the transition commenced," he said.
ART accepts referrals from community members, government agencies and local disability service providers for those people who may need extra help applying for the NDIS in Townsville, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Maryborough, the Sunshine Coast, North and South Burnett, the Fraser Coast, Gympie and Moreton Bay and now Far North Queensland as part of a phased state-wide rollout.
