Greater Choice & Control in Far North Queensland.

Steven Krockenberger
Oct 2
2 min read

Updated: Oct 2

Living in regional or rural areas can sometimes make it harder for NDIS participants to access the supports they need. For many NDIS participants in Far North Queensland, this has included fewer local services and challenges with plan management, such as slower response times, limited face-to-face contact, and lack of local knowledge.

That’s now changing. NDIS Participants in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay can access greater local, face-to-face plan management support through First2Care, making it easier to use and get the most out of their NDIS plans.

Photo of Steve Krockenberger in front of Cairns lagoon with beautiful fish sculptures in the background.

Why Connecting Locally Can be Better

When plan managers are based outside the region, it can take longer to get help, and advice may not always reflect the local community. Having someone nearby means participants get better access to more personalised support from people who understand local services. Early feedback shows participants are benefiting from:

Issues being resolved faster
Using their plans more effectively
Feeling more confident navigating the NDIS

“Having a local help with their plan management needs has made a huge difference to a lot of participants,” says Steve Krockenberger, Client Engagement Lead (FNQ) at First2Care. “The feedback has been really positive, and for us it means we can meet face-to-face and invest in the participant’s unique needs and resolve issues quickly. They know the face on the other end of the phone if they ever need anything.”

Growth in Local Support

Since introducing face-to-face support in Far North Queensland just a few months ago, First2Care has already seen a 10% increase in participants using plan management services in the region.

With just over 30,000 people supported by the NDIS in the Far North, having accessible, local plan managers gives participants the option of more personalised and responsive support.

What This Means For Participants

For participants in FNQ, greater choice with face-to-face plan management options brings:

Friendly, local support that understands local needs and services
Easier access to help when it’s needed
A stronger partnership in managing NDIS funding effectively

At First2Care, we believe every participant should feel supported and confident in using their plan, no matter where they live. By having local plan managers in Far North Queensland, participants now have the same level of access to support as those in larger cities.

If you’re an NDIS participant in Cairns, Townsville or Mackay and would like to explore local plan management support, contact Steve directly on 0484 261 884 or feel free to reach out to our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.