Disability services

Disability access to community facilities

There are a number of community facilities that have disability access in the Northern Territory (NT).

These includes art centres and museums, libraries, public transport, parks and reserves, and sporting venues.

Art centres and museums

You can find art centres and museums that have disability access below.

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Disability access includes:

  • internal and external disability ramps and access to all areas of the museum, including the galleries, discovery centre, shop and café
  • wheelchair access and viewing areas in the theatrette
  • disability access toilets on levels 1 and 2
  • parking is at the front of the museum
  • an electronic chair lift.

For more information, go to the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT website.

Strehlow Research Centre and Museum of Central Australia

Disability access includes:

  • disability access to the museum shop and foyer via a ramp
  • lift for access to the museum, located on the lower ground level
  • disability toilet on level 1, classified as the ground floor
  • external toilet block that also has disability access
  • disability parking is available.

For more information, go to the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT website.

Fannie Bay Gaol

The Fannie Bay Gaol is a collection of buildings on the gaol site. There is disability access to all areas of the external grounds and there is disability parking.

There is no wheelchair access to the internal areas of the building.

There are also no disability access toilets.

For more information, go to the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT website.

Lyons Cottage

Disability access is from a street entrance to the Lyons Cottage grounds and through a middle section of the building.

There is no disability access through the front entrance and no disability access toilets.

Disability parking is not available on the grounds, but public parking spaces are available near the facility.

Brown's Mart

Disability access includes:

  • ground level disability access to the theatre, music room, external area and Happy Yess
  • disability toilet access available at ground level near the theatre entrance
  • no disability access to first floor areas.

For more information, go to the Brown's Mart website.

Centre for the Arts - Frog Hollow

Disability access includes:

  • access to block B west wing, ground level block C centre wing, block D east wing
  • disability toilet access
  • external areas in blocks B and D
  • disability parking within the grounds
  • paved access to the art gallery from the car park.

It is located at 56 Wood Street, Darwin NT 0800.

Tactile Arts

Disability access includes:

  • access to the gallery, ceramic and textile workshops
  • disability toilet access
  • disability parking.

For more information, go to the Tactile Arts website.

Old Qantas hangar

Disability access includes:

  • access to the museums
  • disability toilet access
  • no identified disabled parking, but plenty of parking spaces close to the facility.

It is located at 22 Macdonald Street, Parap NT 0820.

Arts NT art space

Disability access to the external grounds, internal offices and workshop.

Parking available at the front of the building.

It is located at 96A Winnellie Road, Winnellie NT 0820.

Australian Aviation Heritage Centre

Disability access includes:

  • access to the external grounds, internal museum, shop and café
  • toilet access in the main hangar
  • paved access through the main entrance
  • disability parking.

For more information, go to the Australia Aviation Heritage Centre website.

Defence of Darwin Experience and Darwin Military Museum

All areas, including toilets, within the Defence of Darwin Experience are accessible to people with disabilities.

There are several areas in the military museum not accessible to people with disabilities such as the:

  • top of the gun emplacement
  • top of the command post
  • Vietnam War gallery.

All other display areas are accessible with common toilets for both the experience and museum.

Darwin Entertainment Centre

Disability access includes:

  • external disability ramp access
  • underground parking and lift access to ground floor
  • ground level, disability access to foyer, bar and studio
  • disability toilets located on level 1, access via lift
  • disability access to outdoor balcony and bar, internal bar and theatre.

For more information, go to the Darwin Entertainment Centre website.

Araluen Arts Centre

Disability access includes:

  • access to all galleries
  • access to the theatre ground level row G
  • disability access toilets at east foyer and west foyer
  • lift facility providing access to level 1
  • hearing loop installed in the theatre - including 20 headsets for use if you have a hearing disability
  • fold-up wheelchair
  • motorised scooter
  • external disability parking
  • paved pathway throughout the precinct
  • external toilet block located in the precinct with disability access.

Read more about the Araluen Arts Centre.

Central Craft

Disability access includes:

  • access to the shop and main open workspace
  • no internal disability toilet
  • external disability parking
  • paved pathway throughout the precinct
  • external toilet block in the precinct with disability access.

Read more about Central Craft.

Mess House: Yaye's Café

Disability access includes:

  • access to the internal and external areas of the café
  • external toilet block with disability access
  • disability parking
  • paved pathway throughout the precinct.

For more information, go to the Araluen Arts Centre website.

Connellan and Bellman Hangars

Located in the Araluen Cultural Precinct, the Connellan and Bellman Hangars have the following disability access:

  • access throughout the museum
  • external toilet block with disability access
  • no identified disability parking, but plenty of available parking space.

For more information, read Araluen Arts Centre.

Old Court House

Disability access includes:

  • access to external and internal areas of the facility
  • no disability toilet access
  • no available parking spaces within the facility
  • public parking is close to the facility.

It is located at 27 Hartley Street, Alice Springs NT 0870.

The Residency

Ground level disability external and internal access and limited available parking spaces.

It is located at 12 Parsons Street, Alice Springs NT 0870.

Red Hot Arts

Ground level disability external and internal access.

Disability toilet access.

For more information, go to the Red Hot Arts website.

Libraries

The following libraries in the NT that have with disability access.

Parliamentary Library

Parliamentary Library is located on level 1 and 2 of Parliament House and has the following disability access:

  • external disability ramp access to level 1
  • lift access to level 2
  • magnifying sheets
  • disability toilet access available on levels 1 and 2
  • disability parking is available in front of Parliament House.

Nightcliff Library

Disability access includes:

  • external disability ramp access at the front and rear of the library
  • access throughout the library
  • no disability toilet access
  • spoken ebooks available
  • large print resources.

It is located at Lot 516/517 Pavonia Place, Nightcliff NT 0810.

Karama Library

Disability access includes:

  • access at ground level via the front external entrance or internally via the shops
  • disability toilet access is available in the shopping centre
  • disability parking is available
  • spoken ebooks available
  • large print resources.

It is located at Karama Shopping Centre, Karama NT 0812.

Katherine Library

The library is located on level 1 and lift access is available. On the ground level there is disability toilet access and parking.

It is located at Randazzo Centre, Katherine NT 0850.

Taminmin Library

Located in the Taminmin School, Humpty Doo, the library provides services to the school, college and local community.

Disability access includes:

  • access throughout the school
  • no disability toilet access
  • disability parking available - one space
  • large print books
  • home-bound service is provided.

Nhulunbuy School Library

Ground level disability access to and throughout the school. Disability access toilets and parking are available.

Jabiru Library

Disability access includes:

  • ground level disability entry and exit access
  • large print resources
  • spoken ebooks
  • disability parking
  • no public toilet access.

It is located at NTG Building, Jabiru NT 0886.

Public transport

For information about disability access to parking, public transport and taxis, read about getting around with a disability.

Sporting venues

The Marrara Indoor Stadium has disability access.


Access to disability services in NT

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is now available in the Northern Territory (NT).

The NDIS provides support and services to people with a disability in the NT.

You may be eligible if you have:

  • a disability or condition that is likely to be permanent or
  • a development delay that affects your ability to participate in everyday activities.

To check if you are eligible for the scheme, or for more information, call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or go to the National Disability Insurance Scheme website.

Get help if you are not eligible for the NDIS.

Find out more about disability advocacy.


Disability advocacy

Advocacy services provide information and support to people with disabilities and their carers.

The Darwin Community Legal Service has free legal support and advice for people in the Top End. Go to the Darwin Community Legal Service website or freecall 1800 812 953.

The Disability Advocacy Service has free support and advice for people in Central Australia. Go to the Disability Advocacy Service website or call 08 8953 1422.

The National Disability Advocacy Program can help with general access and support. It also helps people with disability with other issues that can arise, including help with the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

For more information go to the Australian Government Department of Social Services website or call the Northern Territory offices of the Department of Social Services on 1300 653 227.

For disability advocacy you can also get support from the following websites:

Northern Territory Carers Charter

Carers play an important role in our community. They must be treated with respect and dignity.

The Northern Territory Carers Charter recognises their contribution to caring.

The charter takes into account the needs and roles of carers and the services they provide.

All staff must have an awareness and understanding of the charter.

The charter gives guidance to service providers on how to:

  • act in accordance with charter when providing relevant services
  • consult with carers and those who represent carers about program development, strategic/operational planning that is relevant to carers and the people in their care.

For more information, you can read the Northern Territory Carers Recognition Act 2006.

Get the printable A3 Northern Territory Carers Charter PDF (939.0 KB).

Find out more information about disability services.


Disability awards and recognition

The Office of Disability supports events and awards to celebrate inclusion and achievements of people with disability in the Northern Territory (NT).

These efforts align with the NT Disability Strategy 2022-2032 and its action plan, which aim to create an inclusive community where people with disabilities are valued, respected and can actively contribute, no matter where they live.

Read more about the strategy and action plan on the Territory Families, Housing and Communities website.

Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards

The Office of Disability sponsors the Young Carers Award at the Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards each year.

The awards acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of young people in the Northern Territory (NT) who are aged 30 years or under.

Nominating a young person for the award recognises the difference they are making by caring for and supporting a person with disability or who is aged.

Often, young carers give their time to make the lives of the people they care for more comfortable.

They also help:

  • improve independence
  • boost confidence
  • enhance wellbeing.

This help can be the difference between being in hospital or at home, feeling happy or depressed, having self-respect or feeling like a burden and lonely.

The award is presented to a young carer who is making an outstanding contribution in this field.

To nominate or to find out more, go to the NT Young Achiever Awards website.

Northern Territory Disability Inclusion Awards

Every year, the Northern Territory Disability Inclusion Awards recognise exceptional individuals, businesses, organisations, government departments and programs that demonstrate outstanding commitment to improving the lives of Territorians with disability.

There are 5 award categories and an overall award for excellence selected from the pool of winners and highly commended recipients across all award categories.

The 6 awards presented at the official ceremony are:

  • excellence in rights promotion
  • inclusive communities award
  • excellence in innovation
  • excellence in supporting employment outcomes
  • excellence in supporting mental health disabilities and recovery programs (psychosocial disability)
  • overall award for excellence.

To nominate or to find out more, go to the NT Disability Inclusion Awards website.

All Abilities Expo

The All Abilities Expo is an interactive event that connects people with disability, carers, guardians and families with disability service providers and other community organisations.

The event provides an opportunity for people with disability to speak directly with service providers to discuss individual requirements.

Integrated disAbility Action hosts the event in Darwin every May.

It captures all participating services in the All Abilities Expo Directory, a valuable online resource packed with essential information and contacts.

In 2023, All Abilities Expos are also being trialled in Katherine (October) and Alice Springs (November).

To be part of one of the events held across the Territory this year, and secure your inclusion in the directory, register your stall or consider a sponsorship package.

To find out more, go to the All Abilities Expo website.

National Carer’s Week

National Carer’s Week is recognised and celebrated across Australia each year during October.

In the Territory, Carers NT coordinate events and festivities that aim to:

  • celebrate and broaden awareness of carers
  • highlight the contribution they make to our community.

Many carers do not realise they are in fact a carer.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.

To find out more, go to the Carers NT website.

International Day of People with Disability

The International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations-observed day celebrated yearly on 3 December.

It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.

The Australian Government Department of Social Services funds a national program to help promote and raise awareness of IDPwD.

Aligning with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31, the program includes a website with resources, stories, ambassadors and an events calendar listing registered celebrations and events across Australia.

Local events are also held to celebrate International Day of People with Disability including the annual Carnival of Fun.

Grants

In 2023, the Office of Disability funded organisations through a grant round. This was to raise awareness and help the community show support for people with disability during the annual recognition day (IDPwD).

The objective of the grant round is to:

  • celebrate IDPwD with an inclusive event, activity or initiative to be held on or near the day of recognition
  • raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and to celebrate their achievements and contributions across the Territory
  • support the vision of the NT Disability Strategy 2022-2032.

For more information about these funded events including photos, go to the Territory Families, Housing and Communities website.

Contact

For more information, contact the Office of Disability by calling 08 8999 2809 or emailing OfficeofDisability.TFHC@nt.gov.au.


NT Companion Card

If you have a disability and need a lifelong attendant care support to access the community, you may be eligible for a Companion Card.

The card allows your chosen companion or carer to go with you to participating entertainment, recreation venues and activities without paying for a ticket for your carer.

Your carer who is assisting you could be any of the following:

  • paid or unpaid assistant or carer
  • friend
  • family member
  • partner.

The card is given to you, so the person you take with you to an event does not have to be the same person each time.

Example card

Example of the front of a companion cardExample of the back of a companion card

Eligibility

A card is not automatically issued to you if you have a disability. You will be assessed for your eligibility.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be a permanent Australian resident, living in the Northern Territory
  • demonstrate that you have a significant permanent disability
  • demonstrate that you are unable to participate at community venues or activities without attendant care support
  • demonstrate that you need lifelong attendant care support.

Support from your companion

You may be eligible for the card if you need significant help with any of the following, but not limited to:

  • mobility
  • communication
  • decision-making.

If your condition is episodic

You may be eligible if your condition is episodic. For example, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or schizophrenia.

You will need to provide information in your application or supporting evidence about the frequency and why you need attendant care support to access the community.

How to apply

To find out how to apply and where you can use your card, go to the NT Companion Card website.