Last month, the Federal Government announced funding of $5.9 million over the next two years to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have better access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
As part of this, The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) received funding to assist Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation – Affiliates and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) strengthen NDIS services with Indigenous Communities.
Minister Stuart Robert stated that ‘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.’
The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) received funds to employ an NDIS Engagement and Sustainability Officer (ESO). The primary focus of the NDIS ESO will be to assist ACCHOs where appropriate to:
- Support reliable access, choice, and control of NDIS services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their local communities.
- Increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS registered providers in urban, regional, and remote communities.
- Assist with the expansion of existing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regional and remote communities to include NDIS services.
- Raise community awareness within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the NDIS and enhance participant registration.
Robert Skeen, CEO at the AH&MRC welcomes the opportunity. ‘This funding will help us support ACCHOs to deliver more in the NDIS space. We want to make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a disability can easily access culturally-safe care now, and always.’
The newly funded position is a small win for the sector and puts Aboriginal health back in Aboriginal hands.
“We look forward to recruiting an Aboriginal person to work with our Services and help them transition and operate as an NDIS provider in the local area. NDIS should have a positive impact on their lives of Aboriginal people, no matter where they live,” said Shana Quayle, Sector Support Manager at the AH&MRC.
The AH&MRC sees this new position as the first step in the right direction to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS market and workforce, and will continue to push the Morrison Government to further invest in the ACCHOs sector.
For more information about the NDIS Engagement and Sustainability Officer position please contact AH&MRC’s Sector Support Manager, Shana Quayle via Squayle@ahmrc.org.au.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Nadia Ruben
Communications and Marketing Manager, AH&MRC
E: nruben@ahmrc.org.au | T +61 2 9212 4777
