Friday, 22 September 2017
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is encouraging organisations working in the disability support sector in the region to consider applying for new Business Acceleration grants being offered by the NSW Government.
Mr Marshall said the government’s new $19 million Disability Sector Scale-Up (DSSU) program would help businesses prepare for and make the most of the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
“The NDIS has the potential to double the size of the disability support sector in NSW from around $3.4 billion to $6.8 billion over the next two years,” Mr Marshall said.
“This creates huge and exciting opportunities for businesses and other organisations working in the Northern Tablelands’ disability sector to scale-up and expand their offering.
“NSW is offering Business Acceleration grants of up to $2 million to assist businesses scale-up and bring innovative and effective solutions to our disability support sector in time for the rollout of the NDIS.
“Ultimately the end result will be improved choice and access to high quality services for people with a disability.”
Mr Marshall said applications for the first of tranches of small, medium and large Business Acceleration grants were now open and businesses, non-government organisations, peak bodies and consortiums are all able to apply through www.tenders.nsw.gov.au
“This includes organisations already operating under the NDIS as well as others in adjacent sectors that want to expand into the disability support service market,” he said.
The Disability Sector Scale-Up is a component of the NSW Government’s $100 million Smart, Skilled & Hired initiative. On top of the Business Acceleration Grants, the Disability Sector Scale-Up will provide low cost advisory services for small businesses through Business Connect to help them service the NDIS.
“In NSW the NDIS will provide support for up to 140,000 people and the NSW Government, through the DSSU program, is making sure we take full advantage of the Scheme,” Mr Marshall said.