Palaszczuk Government funding helps Queenslanders get on NDIS Grid

The Palaszczuk Government will provide more than $1 million in funding to the Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) to help additional people access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Minister for Disability Services Coralee O’Rourke said the funding includes $275,000 to extend QDN’s Getting on the NDIS Grid project and $750,000 for peer-to-peer advocacy for people with disability who are yet to enter the NDIS.

“Getting on the NDIS Grid engages with selected supported accommodation facilities, such as hostels, as well as neighbourhood centres to identify vulnerable people with disability who may be eligible for the NDIS, and assists them with accessing the NDIS participant pathway,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The extra funding to QDN to continue this vital project was important given the rollout of the NDIS across large parts of Queensland – including the south-east – from 1 July.

“The Getting on the NDIS Grid project has successfully supported hundreds of Queenslanders with disability, who are assessed as ‘hard to reach’, access the NDIS over the past 18 months.

“These clients are among some of the most vulnerable Queenslanders – people who find it challenging to engage with community organisations and government agencies and may have had past negative experiences.

“We are very supportive of the work QDN is doing to support these vulnerable people, and we are proud to be partnering with them to continue delivering this vital service in Queensland.”

Over the past 18 months, the project has directly reached around 1,800 people with disability and connected with more than 3,000 staff, volunteers and supporters.

QDN’s peer-to-peer advocacy project will support a team of peers with disability who have in-depth knowledge of the NDIS to provide advocacy support to participants in the initial stages of their NDIS journey.

The project will be co-designed and co-delivered by people with disability with lived experience of the NDIS access and planning process.

QDN chairman Nigel Webb said the organisation is committed to ensuring that no one who is eligible for the NDIS is left behind.

“Because the NDIS offers choice and control over supports received, people who have previously been reluctant to engage with the service system are more likely to do so and benefit from the NDIS,” Mr Webb said.

“However, they require user-friendly information and support around the NDIS and access.”

The funding for QDN’s peer-to-peer advocacy project is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to provide ongoing funding of more than $4 million for advocacy services for people with disability across the state.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to overseeing the rollout of the NDIS across the state, and supporting Queenslanders with disability to access the NDIS,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Supporting vulnerable Queenslanders, especially those with disability, is a vital part of creating thriving communities.”

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Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389