Northern Territory Disability Strategy Second Action Plan 2026-2029
This is a HTML version of the action plan, the document is also available as a PDF PDF (628.2 KB) or easy read PDF (2.9 MB).
Minister's message
It is my honour to present the second action plan under the Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022-2032.
This action plan spans 2026 to 2029 and delivers 54 actions to continue to drive momentum towards the Strategy’s vision of an inclusive Territory no matter where we live.
The Northern Territory Government is committed to progressing this important work. As Minister for Disability, I will continue to advocate for the Territory at the national level, ensuring our unique circumstances, challenges and priorities are considered in national reform processes.
Our unique landscape and diverse communities are reflected throughout this action plan, with actions targeted to regional and remote communities and focused on the issues of greatest concern to Territorians with disability. The actions have been informed by what we heard from people with lived experience of disability, community members and other stakeholders, and incorporate feedback provided through national reform consultation processes.
I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions and generosity of people with disability who continue to share their stories, knowledge and experiences. Your important contributions have helped inform the development of this action plan and will continue to guide our work to create a more inclusive Territory where people with disability are valued, respected and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
In particular, I acknowledge the members of the NT Disability Advisory Committee for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people with disability and their determination to make our Territory more accessible and inclusive.
As we continue our journey towards a more inclusive Territory – one where people with disability have greater opportunities to participate, contribute and have their voices heard - it is imperative that we work together and in genuine collaboration with the disability community to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Hon Jinson Charls MLA
Minister for Disability
Message from the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee
The Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee (NTDAC) is a non-statutory group of diverse people living across the Territory including carers and people with lived experience of disability.
We are proud to represent the views of the disability community across the Northern Territory and provide important strategic advice to the Minister for Disability to guide and shape policy decisions that impact Territorians with disabiIity, their families and carers.
The last 2 years have seen a significant national focus on reforms to disability policy. The findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) and the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Review), both delivered in the second half of 2023, have highlighted the national effort required from all levels of government, non-government organisations, private entities and the broader community, to enact genuine change to create a safe and inclusive society for all Australians living with disability.
We welcome this second action plan under the Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022-2032 and have worked closely with the Office of Disability in the Department of People, Sport and Culture during its development to provide our input on priority areas, actions and accountability. Committee members participated in consultation workshops to ensure the voices and needs of people with disability, their families and carers are heard and reflected throughout.
We want to see this new action plan make significant progress to improve the lives of all Territorians living with disability. We want to see their lived experiences considered in all departments across the Northern Territory Government. It is important the action plan continues the progress made in the Territory and we are confident the strategic initiatives committed to over the next 4 years will strengthen the rights of people with disability, enhance accessibility, promote community awareness and engagement, and expand support services across various sectors.
Together, we can break down barriers and build an inclusive Northern Territory of lasting equality where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Sarah Skopellos
Chair, Minister's Disability Advisory Committee
Where we started
The Northern Territory (NT) Disability Strategy 2022-2032 aims to address the barriers to equality, accessibility and inclusion experienced by Territorians with disability.
The NT Government aspires to an inclusive and accessible Territory where all people with disability can participate in all aspects of society and are given the opportunity to thrive.
This vision is fundamental to improving the lives of all Territorians with disability and the strategy and accompanying action plans contain commitments by the NT Government to make this happen.
Vision
An inclusive Territory where people with disability are valued, respected and can contribute to community, no matter where they live.
Principles
People with disability guided the development of the strategy; their voices, experiences and choices reflected throughout.
The strategy is based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), both ratified by Australia. It is also guided by the following principles, co-developed with people with disability:
- Promote the dignity, autonomy, and freedom of people with disability.
- Champion the key role of those who support people with disability: families; kinship families; carers; guardians and significant persons.
- Ensure people with disability are not disadvantaged because of personal circumstances, such as age or home location.
- Recognise the important role of Aboriginal people in achieving the outcomes of the strategy.
- Value the importance of culture to improving life outcomes.
- Create environments that are culturally safe for Aboriginal people.
- Make people with disability the key decision makers in decisions that affect them, including by promoting collaboration and co-design between people with disability and other stakeholders.
- Recognise that disability is only one part of someone’s story.
Three action plans will be developed over the life of the 10-year Strategy to guide government action to achieve the Strategy's vision and deliver long-lasting change for people with disability.
The strategy and action plan 1, including easy read versions, are available on the see above.
What we have achieved so far
Action plan 1 was the first phase of the NT’s strategic approach to improving the lives of people with disability.
It comprised 118 actions aligned to key priorities that were raised in consultations with people with disability, government, community stakeholders, mainstream and specialist disability services and other stakeholders.
Significant collaboration took place across the NT Government over the life of action plan 1, including with local governments, the community sector and industry, to implement actions that:
- Change community attitudes by increasing the visibility, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
- Improve access to services for people with disability in remote locations, including disability services, health services, education services, community services and other types of services.
- Increase the availability of suitable housing options for people with disability and ensure that public spaces and buildings are designed with inclusion and accessibility in mind.
- Foster cultural connections for Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability and build the cultural competency of disability service providers.
- Increase employment of people with disability, including through enhanced transition pathways from school.
A Final Status Report for Action Plan 1 PDF (559.6 KB) outlines key achievements and a closing statement for each action.
Despite the achievements of action plan 1, there is still much more work to be done to address the barriers that Territorians with disability continue to experience in accessing and participating fully in all aspects of community life.
What we are doing now
Action plan 2 outlines 54 meaningful and measurable actions to address the issues of most importance to the disability community in the Territory.
The actions reflect a commitment by NT Government departments to build a fairer, safer, and more inclusive community. They have been developed in consultation with people with disability, their families and carers, disability advocacy organisations, peak bodies, and the broader community. In particular, the voices, insights, and lived experiences of the NTDAC have been instrumental in shaping this document.
While focused on the Northern Territory’s unique context and the needs of Territorians with disability, the actions are also aligned with current disability reforms, in particular the findings of the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review. Action plan 2 also aims to embed positive duty into the ongoing work of the disability sector and the broader community.
Who we spoke to
We heard from the NTDAC, people with disability, their families and carers, the disability community, sector and various other stakeholders.
The Department of People, Sport and Culture worked closely with the NTDAC during development and their voices, insights, and lived experiences have been instrumental in shaping this document. Their input has resulted in actions that empower people with disability and aim to address the many barriers currently experienced by the disability community across the Territory.
Throughout a 3-week public consultation period held in late 2025, more than 190 voices from across the Territory provided feedback, with more than half of these from regional and remote areas. People primarily chose to provide feedback through our engagement partners, however, survey responses, written submissions from community members and representative organisations, and direct in-person feedback were also received.
A What We Heard summary report PDF (319.2 KB) capturing an overview of the feedback received during the consultation.
Where action plan 2 fits
Diagram showing the relationship between disability policies and strategies at international, national, Northern Territory and local government levels.
International agreements include the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
National policies include the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031 and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Northern Territory legislation and strategies include the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992, Disability Services Act 1993, NT Disability Strategy 2022-2032 and action plans 1 and 2.
Local government actions support implementation through regionally focused disability action plans.
Our Territory context
Action plan 2: 2026-2029
The strategy has 5 outcome areas that reflect key themes, each with a set of priorities, that have been refreshed to ensure they remain current and align with the disability reform landscape. This action plan identifies key actions to be implemented under each outcome area and priority.
| Outcome | Priorities |
|---|---|
| 1. People with disability have rights and choices which are protected and respected |
|
| 2. People with disability are included and can engage, participate and contribute to community life |
|
| 3. People with disability can access the places, information and services they need |
|
| 4. People with disability have the skills and opportunities to participate in the economy and be financially secure |
|
| 5. People with disability’s health and wellbeing is supported |
|
Outcome 1
People with disability have rights and choices which are protected and respected
Priorities
- The rights of people with disability are appropriately safeguarded through strengthened legal protections and embedded human rights.
- Strengthen formal and informal advocacy services, networks and resources.
- Deliver disability confident and accessible justice, corrections and police services.
| Action | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | The rights of people with disability are appropriately safeguarded through strengthened legal protections and embedded human rights | |
1.1.1 Strengthen rights-focused legislative protections for people with disability | Review and update existing legal frameworks and relevant legislation to systemically uphold and safeguard the rights of people with disability. This includes modernisation of the Disability Services Act 1993 (NT) and review of the Guardian of Adults Act 2016 (NT). | Attorney-General’s Department Department of People, Sport and Culture |
1.1.2 Streamline and centralise complaint information and resources | Continue to build public confidence in complaint handling by developing a centralised online resource that sets out the various complaint pathways available to the public that is supported by a printable, accessible version for use in remote communities. This includes investigation of a centralised referral mechanism and support service that is culturally safe and aligned to community need. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
1.1.3 Ensure safeguarding initiatives protect more people with disability | Identify priorities and improve safeguarding initiatives, such as the Community Visitor Program, to reach and protect more people with disability, particularly those at high risk of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation. | Attorney-General’s Department |
| 1.2 | Strengthen formal and informal advocacy services, networks and resources | |
1.2.1 Ensure appropriate disability advocacy and systemic representation forall people with disability across the Territory | Capture a holistic view of disability advocacy services across the Northern Territory, including Aboriginal and other representative services, to identify service delivery gaps and prioritise and build capacity in areas of need. This includes services that assist people from diverse community groups such as culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQIA+SB communities. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
1.2.2 Increase supported decision-making programs and services | Increase the availability and promotion of supported decision-making programs and services including systemic advocacy, information and education. This includes support for represented persons to transition from guardianship to independence. | Attorney-General’s Department |
| 1.3 | Deliver disability confident and accessible justice, corrections and police services | |
1.3.1 Deliver enhanced screening and timely identification and diagnosis ofdisability in custodial environments | Implement culturally safe and responsive screening and assessments for disability to support timely identification and diagnosis of disability in youth and adult custodial environments. This includes collectively working with key stakeholders to improve service provision for Aboriginal people with disability. | Department of Corrections |
1.3.2 Strengthen case management and transition planning for offenders withdisability to reconnect with the community | Improve case management and transition planning for offenders with disability, including those who may be ineligible for the NDIS. This includes enhanced health and therapeutic services for those with complex needs and coordinated access to disability services in the community, including the NDIS, in preparation for release. Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to ensure culturally informed community connections. | Department of Corrections |
1.3.3 Improve accessibility of custodial programs, communications and engagement | Improve accessibility of custodial programs including educational and vocational pathways, communications and engagement by focusing on delivery of programs which cater for complex needs. This includes greater use of visual aids and alternative formats of communications. | Department of Corrections |
1.3.4 Improve police responses to and engagement with people with disability | Work collaboratively with people with disability to design, implement and evaluate strategies that improve police responses to people with disability, are aligned to the national disability reform agenda and are tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of the Northern Territory. | NT Police |
Outcome 2
People with disability are included and can engage, participate and contribute to community life
Priorities
- Address barriers and enhance pathways to participation in social, recreation, sporting, arts, cultural events and activities.
- Support business and community services to be disability confident and inclusive.
- Increase the community’s visibility, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
| Action | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Address barriers and enhance pathways to participation in social, recreation, sporting, arts, cultural events and activities | |
2.1.1 Enhance accessibility and inclusivity of community and public events | Enhance event accessibility and inclusivity by updating policies, processes and guidelines, and embedding accessibility standards for public funding of large-scale events. | Department of Tourism and Hospitality |
2.1.2 Improve accessibility of community infrastructure | Improve community infrastructure by embedding accessibility into planning and processes, and prioritising accessibility upgrades to meet minimum standards. This includes infrastructure used for large-scale community and public events as well as key arts, cultural and sporting facilities. | Department of Tourism and Hospitality Department of People, Sport and Culture |
2.1.3 Increase disability inclusion in government decisions and approval processes | Support all Northern Territory Government agencies to increase consideration of disability, accessibility and inclusion as part of decision-making and approval processes. Provide guidance to agencies when templates, policies, procedures and programs are developed or updated and engage the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee for advice as required. Includes updating grant guidelines and approval processes for community grants such as Seniors Month | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
2.1.4 Increase opportunities for long term participation in sport and active recreation | Increase opportunities for people with disability to participate and remain engaged in sport and active recreation activities by educating the sector, strengthening processes and supports and maximising come and try opportunities for the community. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
2.1.5 Increase accessible and inclusive programs across the arts and culture sector | Support arts organisations to embed inclusive and accessible practice across programs, creative projects and audience experiences to increase opportunities for people with disability to participate and create. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
| 2.2 | Support business and community services to be disability confident and inclusive | |
2.2.1 Improve localised responses to people with disability who are victim-survivors of violence, abuse, or neglect | Embed disability awareness into the domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) service system and improve wrap around supports for people with disability. This includes tailored, accessible resources and support for women and children, who experience higher prevalence of DFSV. | Department of Children and Families |
| 2.2.2 Support businesses to become disability aware, accessible and inclusive | Expand induction processes for Territory business advisors to enable them to confidently support businesses seeking advice about accessibility and inclusion, including positive duty obligations. | Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations |
| 2.2.3 Promote accessible parking and enhance visibility of information and regulations | Promote and advocate for improved accessible parking and update the Disability Directory with additional information about accessible parking regulations and requirements, responsibilities and contacts. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
| 2.3 | Increase the community’s visibility, understanding and acceptance of people with disability | |
2.3.1 Strengthen positive community attitudes towards disability | Develop an initiative for businesses, organisations and services to show they are disability confident and offer accessible and inclusive services. This includes creation of a recognisable logo to be displayed online or onsite, promotion of the initiative and consideration of potential synergies with the NT Companion Card. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
2.3.2 Raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of hidden disabilities | Increase available resources to inform and promote awareness of hidden disabilities across NT Government agencies and the broader community through collaborative projects and as part of the online Disability Directory. | Department of Tourism and Hospitality Department of People, Sport and Culture Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment |
2.3.3 Recognise and reward excellence in inclusivity and accessibility | Celebrate, recognise, and reward individuals, groups, and businesses that excel in inclusivity and accessibility by advocating for new inclusive award categories within existing Territory award events. This includes promoting and recognising carers and employers of people with disability. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
Outcome 3
People with disability can access the places, information and services they need.
Priorities
- Improve the availability and accessibility of new and existing housing.
- Enhance the accessibility of transport, buildings and public places.
- Improve the accessibility of public information, technology and communications.
- Increase the quality, availability and cultural responsiveness of disability services across the Territory.
| Action | Agency | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Improve the availability and accessibility of new and existing housing | ||
3.1.1 Increase the availability and supply of accessible and adaptive housing in remote communities | Develop a plan for implementation of the voluntary Liveable Housing Design Standard for new social housing in all remote areas of the Northern Territory and consider application of these standards for social housing modifications and refurbishments. This includes a review of design and building certification processes in relation to accessibility standards in regional and remote areas. | Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development Department of Logistics and Infrastructure | |
3.1.2 Improve accessibility of crisis accommodation | Capture a holistic view of current crisis accommodation facilities across the Northern Territory, including domestic family violence shelters and refuges, to identify accessibility upgrades needed and prioritise future investment. | Department of Children and Families | |
3.1.3 Ensure social housing allocations and modification processes are inclusive | Update social housing policies and processes to embed accessibility across the sector and ensure people with disability are appropriately prioritised, processes are streamlined and wait times minimised. This includes sharing key information and updated processes in alternative formats such as easy read to make them more accessible to all. | Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development | |
| 3.2 | Enhance the accessibility of transport, buildings and public places | ||
3.2.1 Raise awareness and understanding of disability across the transport sector | Implement culturally safe disability awareness training for licensing of transport sector workers, with supporting resources available online. This includes a review of information bulletins and other online information to ensure they include awareness of disability and inclusion, to educate workers to better understand, support and respond to people with disability. | Department of Logistics and Infrastructure | |
3.2.2 Implement national transport standards and improve prioritisation of accessible rides | Improve driver responses to passengers with disability by planning and implementing national transport standards reform and addressing local sector issues. This includes updating prioritisation processes and review of tariff or incentive scheme benefits, with key information and progress updates provided to the disability community in accessible formats. | Department of Logistics and Infrastructure | |
3.2.3 Increase accessible infrastructure in regional and remote communities | Review accessibility of existing transport infrastructure and systems to determine and prioritise accessibility improvements, including collaboration with community organisations where required and review of transport routes to and from communities. This includes support for agencies to apply for funding under the Accessible Australia initiative to improve accessibility to build spaces and natural areas. | Department of Logistics and Infrastructure Department of People, Sport and Culture | |
3.2.4 Improve accessible features within parks and reserves | Increase accessibility within parks and reserves to support people with disability to access and experience the Territory’s unique landscape. This includes regional consultation and planning to understand need, maximise accessible features and attractions, and support prioritisation of works accordingly. | Department of Tourism and Hospitality | |
| 3.3 | Improve the accessibility of public information, technology and communications | ||
3.3.1 Review and improve accessibility of emergency management information | Develop alternative formats for communication of key information and processes including Auslan or live captioning for video messaging and expand community engagement opportunities to better inform and prepare people with disability, their families and carers. | Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Service | |
3.3.2 Identify and publish information on accessible amenities within emergency shelters | Identify accessible amenities within emergency shelters across the Territory and publish this information online to enable the disability community to make informed decisions when preparing for an emergency. | Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Service | |
3.3.3 Increase information available to the community about the accessibility of public places | Review, update and increase accessibility of information both online and onsite for public places including sports facilities and national parks and reserves. This includes the use of alternative formats such as easy read. | Department of People, Sport and Culture Department of Tourism and Hospitality | |
3.3.4 Improve accessibility of Northern Territory Government agency communications | Review and update current processes to embed accessibility across all Northern Territory Government agency communications and ensure that alternative formats such as easy read are available for key information. This includes holistic website improvements, clearer processes for creating accessible formats and more accessible information about Public Trustee fees and charges. | Department of Corporate and Digital Development Department of People, Sport and Culture Attorney-General’s Department | |
| 3.4 | Increase the quality, availability and cultural responsiveness of disability services across the Territory | ||
3.4.1 Increase the disability support workforce in remote communities | Support remote communities to build and sustain an essential care workforce through the development of culturally acceptable pathways for local residents to attain qualifications, leading to a skilled, culturally competent, inclusive workforce. This includes support for Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and Aboriginal registered training organisations to strengthen capacity in the essential care sector. | Department of Education and Training | |
| 3.4.2 Support disability service providers with targeted workshops and information sessions | Coordinate targeted workshops and information sessions to support local disability service providers and sector staff to enhance their business skills, strengthen their resilience and response to disability reform, and address emerging issues. | Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations Department of People, Sport and Culture | |
| 3.4.3 Strengthen networks and opportunities for disability service providers | Promote and support an industry led networking group to identify local challenges and opportunities within the sector, facilitating partnerships between disability service providers and other sectors such as the education and training sector and connecting service providers with development and grant funding opportunities. | Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations | |
Outcome 4
People with disability have the skills and opportunities to participate in the economy and be financially secure
Priorities
- Provide education that meets an individual’s lifelong learning needs.
- Expand options for young people with disability transitioning from school to employment or other
forms of economic participation. - Support employers and increase employment opportunities for people with disability and carers.
| Action | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Provide education that meets an individual’s lifelong learning needs | |
4.1.1 Protect the right to inclusive education for children with disability and developmental delay | Strengthen connections between the education system and the NDIS and disability services sector, and support schools and teachers to better understand disability rights and deliver inclusive education approaches with improved policies and programs. | Department of Education and Training |
| 4.2 | Expand options for young people with disability transitioning from school to employment or other forms of economic participation | |
4.2.1 Strengthen support for students with disability transitioning to employment or further study | Implement a careers guidance and transition support service to better support students to define and articulate their goals and aspirations beyond school, taking into account diversity, including higher levels of support needs, Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This includes development of clear and accessible information and resources, and linkages to further education providers, employment service providers and government programs. | Department of Education and Training |
4.2.2 Promote Northern Territory Public Sector (NTPS) employment to school-leavers and the broader disability community | Increase promotion of NTPS employment and the availability of graduate and trainee programs to school-leavers with disability by linking with schools through the careers guidance and transition support service; and to all people with disability by increasing targeted promotion activities. | Department of Corporate and Digital Development |
| 4.3 | Support employers and increase employment opportunities for people with disability and carers | |
4.3.1 Increase employment of people with disability within the NTPS | Enhance the NTPS recruitment and selection policy to enable and better support the attraction and recruitment of people with disability. This includes facilitation of employment programs and initiatives and maximising participation in the Disability Employment Graduate and Trainee Program. | Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment |
4.3.2 Improve inclusive workplace practices and streamline workplace adjustments | Develop workplace adjustment resources for use across the NTPS and empower and encourage all employees to foster an inclusive workplace culture by developing an awareness and education campaign. Information and resources developed will be published online to raise awareness and increase inclusivity in all workplaces. | Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment |
4.3.3 Support the business community to confidently employ people with disability | Expand induction processes for Territory business advisors to enable them to confidently support businesses seeking advice about the employment of people with disability, including workplace adjustments. | Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations |
4.3.4 Support carers to take advantage of educational or developmental opportunities | Pilot a small grant or bursary program open to unpaid carers to provide a one-off financial contribution towards course fees, equipment, uniforms or other necessary items required to support them to access education or development opportunities. This includes TAFE, university or other vocational training. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
Outcome 5
The health and wellbeing of people with disability is supported
Priorities
- Deliver disability confident, inclusive and accessible health services.
- Improve accessibility and availability of specialised health education, prevention and supports for people with disability.
- Enhance early identification of disability and strengthen early supports for children.
- Support all services to work together to improve outcomes for people with disability.
- Enhance data collection practices across government to build an accurate evidence base to inform policy and program development.
| Action | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Deliver disability confident, inclusive and accessible health services | |
5.1.1 Improve disability awareness among Northern Territory Public Sector key professionals | Increase take up of disability confident learning to ensure workforces are able to confidently and positively respond to people with disability, their families and carers. This includes scoping feasibility of face-to-face training. | Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment |
| 5.1.2 Increase alignment with national health care standards for disability, inclusion and accessibility | Increase alignment of health services with national health care standards for disability confidence, inclusion and accessibility. This includes partnering with key stakeholders to implement programs to support government, Aboriginal Community-Controlled, Primary Care and private health services to achieve standards, with a focus on culturally safe and responsive health services, and services for people with intellectual disability. | NT Health |
| 5.2 | Improve accessibility and availability of specialised health education, prevention and supports for people with disability | |
5.2.1 Increase accessible health education and prevention programs | Increase availability and accessibility of culturally-responsive preventative health and education programs for people with disability across priority areas, in collaboration with Aboriginal community-controlled and primary care health services. | NT Health |
5.2.2 Enhance specialised health services for people with disability | Provide specialised health services for people with disability to address unmet need, that seamlessly intersect with the NDIS and align to national standards, including development of new services where required for priority areas such as psychosocial disability, and health and mental health services for people with cognitive disability. | NT Health |
| 5.2.3 Investigate options, in partnership with the private aids and equipment sector, for aids and equipment to be reused or gifted | Scope feasibility for the reconditioning or repair of aids and equipment that are no longer required by community members, including NDIS funded equipment, for reuse or gifting to community services where appropriate. | NT Health |
| 5.3 | Enhance early identification of disability and strengthen early supports for children | |
5.3.1 Improve screening processes for all children up to 5 years of age entering out-of-home care | Implement a policy and process that requires developmental screening for all children up to 5 years of age as they enter out-of-home care. | Department of Children and Families |
5.3.2 Strengthen early intervention and pathways of support for children with disability or developmental delay | Develop a strong system of supports for children and families that focuses on early identification of disability or developmental delay, and timely referral to early intervention for the right care and support. This includes collaboration as required with early childhood and education sectors. | NT Health |
| 5.4 | Support all services to work together to improve outcomes for people with disability | |
5.4.1 Strengthen connection and collaboration between the disability, arts and sports sectors | Create opportunities to build cross-sector partnerships to increase participation and engagement of people with disability. This includes developing structured programs to support collaboration between the sectors, increasing organisational connection and establishing a regular disability arts networking and knowledge sharing across remote, regional and urban communities. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
5.4.2 Establish a consistent approach for people with disability to transition into safe and appropriate housing | Develop an across government policy and process that allows agencies to confidently and consistently transition people with disability from their services (including health services, mental health services, correctional facilities, and out-of-home care) into safe and appropriate housing. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
5.4.3 Develop and implement a custodial health information sharing framework | Improve custodial health information sharing to support effective management of health information for offenders with disability, including young people transitioning to the adult system. This minimises duplication of assessments and assists in the NDIS application process. | Department of Corrections |
| 5.5 | Enhance data collection practices across government to build an accurate evidence base to inform policy and program development | |
5.5.1 Improve data quality and consistency | Enhance data collection practices to better measure disability demographics by identifying standard terms and definitions across government agencies and capturing consistent, high quality and accessible data for Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse people, youth, seniors, LGBTQIA+SB and gender-diverse communities. This includes updating of self-disclosure disability terms and definitions for NTPS employees. | Department of People, Sport and Culture Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment |
5.5.2 Develop an outcomes framework to measure the success of the Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022-2032 | Develop an outcomes framework based on the 5 outcome areas of the Northern Territory Disability Strategy that identifies key indicators to measure and evidence success across the lifespan of the strategy. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
5.5.3 Investigate opportunities for disability to be factored in social and policy research projects | Investigate opportunities for the inclusion of disability in social and policy research projects across government. This includes projects on compounding and other forms of disadvantage such as gender, race and age, with collaborative use of findings to inform priorities and improve outcomes for people with disability. | Department of People, Sport and Culture |
Looking ahead
It is vital that we report on the work we are doing and whether the outcomes people with disability have told us are important to them are being achieved. We want to see genuine change for all Territorians with disability.
How we will be accountable
The Office of Disability will work with all NT Government departments throughout the life of action plan 2 to support delivery of actions and ensure accountability for all commitments.
This will include oversight of the detailed deliverables and agencies for every action, including the specific work to be undertaken, performance indicators with annual and end-of-period measures, and clear responsibilities and reporting commitments.
The NTDAC will continue to have a key role in the oversight and monitoring of implementation of the strategy and this action plan by providing important advice to the Minister for Disability and the Office of Disability during implementation. Departments will also have the opportunity to seek advice and guidance from the NTDAC to make sure their actions are implemented in a way that responds to the needs of the disability community.
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
To make sure action pPlan 2 delivers improved outcomes for people with disability, their families and carers, we will track progress against all actions by:
- developing an outcomes framework and monitoring plan to guide future evaluation processes and track genuine progress of Action Plan 2 and Strategy outcomes
- providing progress reports to the Minister for Disability every 6 months on all actions
- holding quarterly meetings with government agency representatives to drive implementation, share learnings and monitor and report on the progress of actions. The NTDAC will also support these meetings when required to provide lived experience advice and direction
- updating the community and the sector on action progress and actively seeking feedback on actions, outcomes, and the impact the strategy and action plan is having on their lives
- evaluating action plan 2 in 2028–29 to assess the NT Government’s progress and inform the third and final action plan under the strategy, ensuring it builds on lessons learned and achievements to date.
Where to find out more
Throughout the life of action plan 2 we will talk to the Territory community and keep them updated on implementation progress. Information, reports and progress updates will be published online. This will include a live report card that can be accessed by the community at any time to see progress made against each action.
The Office of Disability is responsible for overseeing the implementation of actions and current government disability strategic activities.
For information about action plan 2 or to contact the Office of Disability:
- Website: dpsc.nt.gov.au
- Email: officeofdisability.dpsc@nt.gov.au
- Phone: 08 8999 2809
Give feedback about this page.
Share this page:
URL copied!