I’ARA COMMUNITY IMPACT
We are deeply connected to the communities we serve, and driven by a belief that real change happens when expertise, empathy, and action come together.
From frontline service delivery to system reform, education, and workforce development, our impact is felt across disability, health, justice, education, and injury systems.
Below are the key ways we create meaningful, measurable impact in our communities.
Award‑Winning Community Contribution
Our work has been recognised at local, state, and national levels.
Australian Disability Service Awards
Finalist — 2023, 2024, 2025
Winner — 2025 Outstanding Support Organisation for Disability (National)
Business Excellence Awards (FNQ)
Finalist — Community Contribution Excellence Awards (Cairns & Atherton Tablelands) — 2023, 2024 & 2025
Finalist — 2023, 2024, 2025
Award‑Winning Community Contribution
Our work has been recognised at local, state, and national levels.
Australian Disability Service Awards
Finalist — 2023, 2024, 2025
Winner — 2025 Outstanding Support Organisation for Disability (National)
Finalist — 2023, 2024, 2025
Business Excellence Awards (FNQ)
Finalist — Community Contribution Excellence Awards (Cairns & Atherton Tablelands) — 2023, 2024 & 2025
Free Community Education & Professional Uplift
We believe strong communities are built on shared knowledge.
i’ara delivers free, high‑quality education sessions to health professionals, educators, and community organisations across the regions we serve.
These sessions are designed to build confidence, capability, and connection, particularly in areas where access to specialist training is limited.
Our free education initiatives include:
- Training for Queensland Health teams, including Nurse Navigators, Allied Health professionals, Mental Health Registrars, and discharge planners
- Education for schools and early educators on disability access and system navigation
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness and local history sessions, led by respected Elders and educators
- Guest lecturing and student placements through James Cook University, supporting the next generation of social workers and community leaders.
Outcomes we’ve seen:
- Improved hospital discharge planning and reduced system bottlenecks
- Increased confidence among clinicians navigating NDIS pathways
- Stronger cross‑sector relationships between health, disability, and education
- Placement students progressing into leadership roles within the sector.
Workforce Development & Internal Training Excellence
Our impact starts from within.
i’ara is recognised as a Great Place to Work®, achieving exceptional results well above Australian benchmarks. In our most recent certification, 100% of employees reported that i’ara is a great place to work – an outcome that is rare nationally.
This reflects our commitment to:
- Comprehensive internal training programs
- Strong clinical and operational governance
- Ongoing professional development beyond compliance
Our internal training includes:
- Advanced NDIS and scheme‑specific training
- Vicarious trauma and wellbeing education
- Workload planning and burnout prevention
- Case management efficiency and systems training
By investing deeply in our workforce, we ensure our staff are skilled, supported, and able to deliver the highest standard of care — sustainably.
Trusted Across Disability and Injury Schemes
i’ara is a registered and trusted provider across multiple schemes, allowing us to support people with complex and intersecting needs.
We are approved to provide high‑level coordination and specialist support through:
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ)
Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
Why This Matters
Because we live here. Because we raise our families here. Because we are the community.
We don’t see gaps and walk away.
We see them, and we step in.
We believe systems should work with people, not against them.
And until they do, we’ll keep showing up.
We Do Support Coordination
