A Fairer Funding Deal for the Northern Territory

The NT needs a fair and reasonable share of Commonwealth funding.

The Australian Government provides approximately $1.6 billion each year to State and Territory Governments to tackle homelessness and provide more social and affordable housing. Of this $1.6 billion, the Northern Territory receives roughly $20.4 million. That’s 1.3%. This is despite having 12 x the national rate of homelessness and more than 54% of its Aboriginal population living in overcrowded housing. Territorians are being disadvantaged.

The funding received by the Northern Territory is the lowest amount of any State or Territory. To illustrate what to many people resembles a nonsense, Western Australia received a total of $171.3 million under NHHA in 2020-1. Western Australia has an estimated 6,224 homeless population. The Northern Territory has over twice as many homeless people but receives only 11.9% of the amount allocated to Western Australia.

We are seeking is a fairer deal for the Northern Territory on homelessness. It won’t break the bank of the other States but it will make a huge difference here. The Productivity Commission agrees that funding should not be based on population share. Read the study report here.

Territorians deserve access to key frontline services as everyone else.

Read our full submission to the Productivity Commission here.

NT Shelter has submitted a Supplementary Submission on the National Housing and Homelessness Plan (The Plan). 

What would needs-based funding mean for the Northern Territory? 

  • The delivery of a sustainable, effective accommodation and tenancy support footprint in urban centres in the Northern Territory.

  • Access to a wider range of services in regional centres with few or none.

  • Delivery of programs that work and are commonplace across the rest of Australia.

  • A service footprint to be established in some of the other 73 remote communities, potentially using a hub and spoke model.

  • Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations with more control over services that are required and delivered in a remote housing context and culturally safe way.

  • Protect the investment in new housing through building tenant capacity and culturally appropriate local support services.

  • Maintain tenancies for newly housed families and prevent further homelessness.

Have your say! Submissions to The Plan close Friday 20 October at 11.59pm. Further information can be found here.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Australian Government Real Expenditure under NHHA ($ per person experiencing homelessness)

Percentage of NHHA Funding Allocation by Jurisdiction Versus Need Percentage of Homeless Population

See what NT Shelter has had to say in the media:

'In Need of Repair': The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement Study Report
Read the Productivity Commission's report into the NHHA.
Click Here
"A $167 million a year rip-off for the Northern Territory"
NT Shelter's Executive Officer spoke with the ABC's PM program about NHHA funding to the Northern Territory.
Listen here
On election eve, as democracy frays, hear these calls for action
We spoke with Croakey Health Media ahead of the May Federal election about what we'd like to see from the next Federal Government.
Click Here
Greater action needed on Katherine rental shortage, says NT peak body
Funding inequities impact communities right across the Northern Territory, as explained in this Katherine Times article
Click Here
“The Northern Territory’s needs aren’t well served”
Peter spoke with Stewart Brash on ABC Alice Springs, welcoming Minister Julie Collins’ remarks at the National Homelessness Conference, but pointing out that with such dire housing need in the Northern Territory, our needs are not well served by the current Federal funding..
Click Here
“Territorians deserve the same access to services as any other Australian”
Regional Coordinator Annie Taylor sat down with the Sisters in Law radio show to discuss the Productivity Commission report, and the announcements in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Support the call

Funding needs to go where it is needed most. The Northern Territory needs a fair and reasonable share of Commonwealth funding. Every Australian has a right to a home regardless of where they live.

Support the call by urging your Members of Parliament to act AND/OR find out more about our campaign in 2023 via the form below.