Bill Shorten names Maningrida trial site for $7.6m NDIS funding injection

An NDIS pilot program in a remote community will put vulnerable Territorians one step closer to needs-based funding.

Some of the Territory’s most vulnerable people will see additional support thanks to a $7.6m investment from a federal body.

Maningrida has been named one of two trial sites for a funding injection from the NDIS, bringing the Territory one step closer to needs-based disability funding.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said the community would be included in the pilot program for alternative commissioning approaches due to its thin market – where a gap exists between participant needs and service availability.

The remote township has 43 active providers but only three representatives are based in the community.

West Arnhem was home to 153 NDIS participants as of March 2023.

“Alternative commissioning approaches could strengthen the way that people access NDIS supports, by everyone working together within the community to achieve better outcomes for participants,” Mr Shorten said.

“This pilot will allow us to gain invaluable information on how we can ensure Australians with disability living in remote and First Nation communities can access supports and provide lessons on how to build the capability of communities and governments, and the types of alternative commissioning that work best.”

The announcement comes in the midst of a nationwide review of the NDIS.

An additional Territory-wide deep dive into the scheme – led by NT Disabilities Minister Ngaree Ah Kit, NDIS architect Bruce Bonyhady and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Tracy Mackey – focused on Maningrida.

Arafura MP Manuel Brown said the deep dive would continue to shine a light on the issues people living with disability face in remote areas.

“This will be a community led approach working in partnership with Traditional Owners, the disability sector, Aboriginal Health Organisations and all levels of government to create innovative solutions,” he said.

“The alternative commissioning trial is one way that utilisation barriers can be addressed and the deep dive will continue to examine other potential solutions.”

Ms Ah Kit welcomed the additional support Maningrida would receive in the pilot program.

“People with disability deserve inclusion, accessibility, opportunities and support – no matter where they live,” she said.

“Alternative commissioning approaches will enable the community to identify new and innovative ways to bring disability services to communities that have historically not been able to access the services they need.”

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