On 1 January 2017, the Northern Territory (NT) will pass an important milestone in the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with up to 300 eligible participants from the East Arnhem region and people living in supported accommodation in Darwin set to transition into the scheme over a six month period.

Officers of the NT and Australian Governments are working closely with the National Disability Insurance Agency to ensure there is a coordinated client centred and tailored approach to the rollout of the NDIS across the NT.

“The scheme is underpinned by the principles of choice and control, with a unique focus in the NT of increasing access and equity of support services for Indigenous Territorians in remote communities,” Acting Chief Executive Officer of NT Department of Health, Janet Anderson said.

“Alongside the NDIA, we’re coordinating engagement in the East Arnhem region with existing clients and service providers to support Territorians with a disability to transition to the NDIS in a streamlined, planned manner”.

The NDIS delivers an insurance based system of individually tailored support for people with disability based on reasonable and necessary supports, with the funding controlled by the individual. This approach will fundamentally change the way disability supports are provided in the NT.

Over the next three years the NDIS will be introduced in stages across the Northern Territory to ensure it is successful and sustainable. With the challenge of introducing significant reform, it is essential that service quality and safeguards are in place. The NT has developed a robust approach to assist service providers to deliver quality services and appropriate protections.

Territorians will phase into the NDIS according to the following timeline:

1 July 2016              Barkly region has continued to transition

1 January 2017       East Arnhem Region

                                 Darwin supported Accommodation

1 July 2017              Darwin Remote region

                                 Katherine region, including supported accommodation

                                 Alice Springs supported accommodation

1 July 2018              Darwin region

                                 Central Australia, including Alice Springs

1 July 2019              Full scheme commences

To ensure there is no disruption to individuals’ services, the existing Australian and NT government services and support arrangements will continue to be available until eligible participants have phased into the NDIS.

Further information can be accessed via www.ndis.gov.au or by calling the NT Office of Disability on (08) 8999 2809.

Media Contact: Gail Liston (08) 8951 5111