PHN - Increasing Access to AOD Treatment Services in Regional and Remote Areas

Overview

The $189 million Whole of Government Drug Strategy Budget Measure was announced as part of 2019-20 Budget.  This included $9.5 million over two years (from 2019-20) to increase access to drug and alcohol treatment services in regional, rural and remote areas by addressing gaps in the workforce and providing additional specialist services to these areas of need.  The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide funding to establish a presence in regional, remote and rural areas whereby PHNs commission additional full-time equivalent (FTE) and outreach services.  The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:  - provide on the ground benefits in areas currently struggling to attract and retain drug and alcohol specialists; and - improve the accessibility of service in areas experiencing high demand for drug and alcohol treatment and support.  This will be achieved by:  - increasing FTE resourcing to extend drug and alcohol treatment service coverage in regional, remote and rural areas; and  - expanding outreach services to areas that do not currently have access to drug and alcohol treatment services.  The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:  - increase the workforce capacity and the delivery of specialist outreach services in rural and remote areas by taking into consideration the barriers of accessing and delivering drug and alcohol treatment in rural and remote areas, including hard to reach communities.