Overview

The Department of Education and Training (the department) is committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to receive quality education. This includes enabling students with any additional needs, including disability, to access the same educational and social opportunities as other students. The Framework for Inclusion 2019-2029 is the department’s overarching 10-year strategy to ensure an inclusive and equitable public education system that gives all children in the NT the opportunity to engage and grow to achieve.

The department trialled a Student Advocacy Service for students and families in Darwin and Palmerston from 2021-2023. The service aimed to address the barriers many students face, including students with disability, to access and participate in education, by supporting families to better understand their children’s rights and make informed decisions.

The trial was reviewed in 2022 to assess its effectiveness in supporting families to be more actively involved in decision making about their children’s education and resolving issues relating to the access of and participation in NT Government schools. This review confirmed that professional advocacy can make a substantial difference to outcomes for students with additional needs, their families, and schools. It established a critical need to continue and expand the Student Advocacy Service in the NT with some changes and improvements in program design and implementation.

Based on the review’s findings, the department launched the second phase of the Student Advocacy Service in March 2024, with revised program arrangements in Darwin and Palmerston, running through to March 2025. In response to the growing demand for advocacy services, the department will continue delivering professional advocacy to students in NT Government schools in Darwin and Palmerston. To achieve this, the department will provide grants to non-profit and non-government organisations with proven experience in providing high-quality individual advocacy services to vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities.

Grant recipients will advocate for students and their families by:

• supporting collaborative consultation between schools and families, including supporting families to voice their concerns and work towards improvement or resolution in education matters affecting them
• assisting to understand and navigate the education system, policies and procedures
• assisting families and schools to resolve issues at a school level
• educating them about their rights to inclusive education and training opportunities, with NT Government schools, helping make informed decisions
• providing referral to other services to resolve disputes, if required

The following areas are out-of-scope for the advocacy service:

• Professional advocacy services for families of students not enrolled in NT Government schools
• Resolving disputes or issues unrelated to education, including but not limited to family matters, health or medical issues, or housing-related concerns
• Delivering educational content, teaching, or directly providing classroom-based support
• Addressing current complaints or disputes progressing to external agencies or tribunals
• Providing legal representation or legal advice though families can be referred to legal professionals or advocacy services for further support.
• Overseeing or auditing school administrative functions or decision-making processes

Organisations that deliver independent advocacy to individuals with disability, irrespective of the type of disability, are strongly encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity.

Funding details

A total of $503,042 (GST excl.) over 2-years is available for the continued delivery of the Student Advocacy Service in Darwin and Palmerston, from March 2025 - March 2027.

Allocation by year:

• March 2025 - March 2026: $247,804 (GST excl.)
• March 2026 - March 2027: $255,238 (GST excl.)

There is no maximum grant amount, but grants cannot exceed the amount of available funds. The department will fund more than one provider, as such one provider cannot apply for the full grant amount.

There is no guarantee of continued funding for the successful applicants once the 2-year grant is completed.

Contact Details

Name: Inclusion Reform

Role: Department

Phone: 0889449257

Email: oswips@education.nt.gov.au