Responsibility: Australian Government
Response: Accept
Status: In progress
What has been achieved to date
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) currently provides funding of $14.5 million for a network of Remote Community Connectors (RCC) to support more than 480 Communities. There are 38 RCC contracts with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.
In December 2024, the NDIA Board approved the expansion of the RCC model to enhance the support available to NDIS participants. The NDIA is currently undertaking a tender process to expand the RCC program. This expansion will increase the RCC coverage to more MMM6 (remote) and MMM7 (very remote) First Nations communities. The NDIA is expecting to expand from the current 38 contracts to 50 contracts, to cover approximately 575 communities. The expansion will also include the establishment of 16 urban RCC hubs in key First Nations servicing locations for people travelling off country, either as cultural practice or to access services not available on-country.
The NDIA provides funding of $5.7 million for two demonstration projects to guide on approaches for strengthening early childhood services in remote and very remote Australia - one in the Kimberley, Western Australia and one in the Torres Cape, Queensland.
The NDIA also provides $3.2 million for the Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer (ADLO) Program delivered by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, which subcontracts to 38 member organisations. ADLOs are nation-wide in locations where there are Partners in the Community (urban and regional centres).
The NDIA has implemented an enhanced Remote Service Delivery Model to support people living in remote and very remote Australia. The model prioritises local, face to face services through RCCs, Local Community Connectors and a network of NDIA planners who regularly visit communities. People in remote locations who do not have access to a Partner in the Community, now have their own geographically tied NDIA staff to work with them throughout their NDIS journey. The model also includes a dedicated sector engagement and market development function, so the NDIA can work with communities on locally identified priorities. The NDIA also has a new ‘local problem solving’ capability, building workforce through partnering with the National Indigenous Australians Agency on the Community Development Program and running remote access clinics.
What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report
The National Disability Insurance Agency should increase the number and coverage of the community connector programs for First Nations people with disability in remote areas. The implementation of the programs should be community-led and delivered. This expansion must be accompanied by adequate long-term funding for the programs and organisations delivering the programs, with sufficient training for staff delivering the programs.
In regions where English is not the preferred language for First Nations people, the programs should focus on recruiting staff who speak local languages
Australian Government Response July 2024
The NDIA is committed to ensuring the NDIS is accessible and culturally appropriate for eligible First Nations people with disability in remote areas and is implementing a variety of initiatives to support this, including exploring ways to expand its Remote Community Connectors program.
The NDIA’s Remote Community Connectors program consists of community-based NDIA representatives that support the culturally appropriate delivery of the NDIS in remote and very remote communities. The program recognises that people with disability in remote communities, including First Nations people, may need additional support to access the NDIS, build their NDIS plan, and use their funded supports.
The NDIA provides funding of over $11.8 million per annum for a network of approximately 200 Remote Community Connectors to support more than 430 remote communities. Remote Community Connectors fulfil a critical function in First Nations communities promoting awareness, understanding and connection between NDIS participants, providers, and the NDIS, and have an important role in participant wellbeing. Remote Community Connectors are employed through local service partners, primarily Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
The introduction and implementation of the NDIA’s Remote Service Delivery Model will see an expansion of Remote Community Connector roles. The direct service delivery model is designed to provide a nationally consistent pathway for remote and very remote Australia, incorporating community connector roles into NDIA Remote Service Delivery teams. Remote Community Connector roles will be both outsourced through NDIA Service Partners and supplemented with directly sourced roles to the NDIA.
More recommendations
View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.