In the 2017-18 Budget the Australian Government committed $80 million over four years for the National Psychosocial Support (NPS) measure. The purpose of the NPS measure is to provide psychosocial support services to assist people with severe mental illness resulting in reduced psychosocial functional capacity who are not more appropriately funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

This funding has been directed through the Primary Health Networks across Australia.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) will be releasing a tender within the next fortnight for NPS funding.

The tender is to support people with severe mental illness who are not clients of Commonwealth mental health programs (Day to Day Living, Personal Helpers and Mentors, and Partners in Recovery) and who are ineligible for support through the NDIS.

There will be a separate tender process for each of the Cairns, Mackay, and Townsville areas of the NQPHN region. The Cape and Torres area funding will be subject to a separate procurement process.

Applicants interested in applying for the tender should register at NQPHN’s tender portal at www.nqphn.com.au/commissioning to be kept informed of commissioning/funding opportunities.