Please see below an important Public Health Alert from the Queensland Government. New border restrictions that will take effect from 1.00am on 8 August 2020. The below information provides guidance about these restrictions apply to the disability sector.
Further information, including how to apply for an exemption is available at
People with disability accessing services
What should I do if I am concerned border restrictions will impact my disability services?
If you are concerned these arrangements may impact your support arrangements, please contact your support provider in the first instance.
If a provider has withdrawn services you should contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission by phoning 1800 035 544.
If you are a NDIS participant and have immediate concerns about not receiving essential supports due to border closures, contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and select option 5.
If you are in need of urgent essential disability care and you have been unable to access alternative services through your usual provider or an alternative provider, please contact the community recovery hotline on 1800 173 349.
In the event of an emergency please call 000.
What if I need to travel to Queensland to access specialist disability support but I am not a Queensland resident?
You may apply for an exemption in extreme exceptional circumstances if you are coming from a COVID-19 hot spot.
NSW residents residing in the Border zone may enter and remain within the border zone in Queensland if they have not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days.
Providing services to people with disability
What if I need to travel to Queensland to provider specialist disability support but I am not a Queensland resident?
You may apply for an exemption in extreme exceptional circumstances if you are coming from a COVID-19 hot spot.
NSW residents residing in the Border zone may enter and remain within the border zone in Queensland if they have not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days.
What should I do if I am a support worker and I am concerned these changes will impact my ability to provide disability services?
It is vitally important that any workers tell their employer if they are not able to provide a Queenslander with disability essential daily in-home support, as this will enable other arrangements to be made.
NDIS providers have obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct and the NDIS Practice Standards as well as conditions of registration that relate to the delivery of safe, quality supports and services, and the management of risks associated with the supports provided to NDIS participants.
Visiting a family member or friend with disability
Can I continue to provide informal supports or care to a family member with disability that lives in New South Wales?
If you are a border zone resident, you can continue to travel to visit or provide supports to a person within the border zone.
However, you cannot travel outside of the border zone in New South Wales. You cannot otherwise travel to New South Wales (or any other COVID-19 hotspot). If you do visit a vulnerable family member or friend in New South Wales (or any other COVID-19 hotspot), you will not be able to re-enter Queensland via road and will have to quarantine for 14 days at government arranged accommodation at your own expense when you come home by air.
Can I enter Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot to visit a family member with disability?
You may apply for an exemption in extreme exceptional circumstances. Example: Residents of New South Wales, except for those residing in a border zone, cannot enter Queensland other than in certain limited circumstances, otherwise they may have to apply for an exemption in extreme exceptional circumstances.
New South Wales residents residing in the border zone can enter Queensland only if they remain within the border zone. Travelling to Queensland I am a Queensland resident returning home and I have an intellectual, developmental or other disability and need special equipment and/or support for my health and wellbeing which means I can’t travel home by air.
Can I travel by road?
You may apply for an exemption in extreme exceptional circumstances.
Quarantine
If I have an intellectual, developmental or other disability and need special equipment and/or support for my health and wellbeing can I quarantine at home?
There is discretion for an emergency officer (public health) to allow for quarantine at another premise other than government nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health).
The above information was provided by the Queensland Government.