What is Outback Independent Living (OIL)?

Outback Independent Living (OIL) is the peak body for people with disability in Central West Queensland. Based in Longreach, we help people with disability, their families and carers access the NDIS, connect with local services and build inclusive communities where people belong and thrive.

What does it mean that OIL is a peak body?

As a peak body, OIL receives government funding to help people with disability, their families and carers, and the people who support them. We also tell government what help is needed in our region, so remote voices are heard when decisions about services and funding are made.

What areas does OIL cover?

We work across the seven regional council areas of Central West Queensland: Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Diamantina, Longreach and Winton. That is more than 396,000 square kilometres and over 10,500 people.

We support people with disability of all ages, along with their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. We also work with service providers, councils and government to fill local service gaps.

Can OIL help me apply for the NDIS?

Yes. We help with NDIS access applications, assessments, plan reviews and appeals, and can help you understand and use your plan. We can also help with diagnosis and assessment pathways and early childhood support for children under 9.

What if I am not eligible for the NDIS?

You can still contact us. We help people find local supports, community connections, peer networks, equipment and funding options. We also advocate to government and funders for better services for people with disability in remote areas.

Can OIL help with housing, accommodation or respite?

Yes. We run workshops and offer one-on-one support to help people understand supported accommodation and living options. We also work with service providers to expand housing, accommodation and respite options across the region.

How do I find a local NDIS Support Coordinator?

Our Support Coordination page lists Support Coordinators who live in or regularly visit the Central West, including in Longreach, Barcaldine and Emerald. A local coordinator understands our communities and what is available in the bush.

How do I refer myself or someone else to OIL?

Complete our online Referral Form, or download the PDF version. You can also call 0477 645 577 or email referral@oil.org.au and we can mail forms to you. The participant, or their parent or guardian, needs to consent to the referral.

How can I find out about upcoming workshops and events?

Our Events page lists upcoming OIL workshops and events, along with other disability events relevant to our region. You can also sign up to the OIL newsletter on our home page to receive news and updates.

Outback Independent Living

Who We Are

Outback Independent Living (OIL) is the Peak Body for people with disability in Central West Queensland. We work across communities to support access to services, amplify remote voices, and co-create inclusive solutions.

OIL supports people with disability across Outback Queensland to access the services, opportunities, and resources they need to belong and thrive.

We provide assistance to individuals, families and carers, including support for NDIS access, assessments and plan reviews, referral pathways, information for accommodation and respite, employment pathways, individual and sector capacity building, and peer networks.

Our work is grounded in collaboration, capacity building, and empowering individuals and communities to create inclusive and sustainable solutions in remote areas.

Our Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals

Our Vision

People with disability belong and thrive in Outback Queensland.

Our Mission

We support people with disability to access stable services and inclusive communities, and to live a good life — wherever they are.

How We Do This

We work alongside individuals, families, communities, partners, stakeholders and government decision-makers to create practical, lasting change.

Our approach is grounded in four strategic pillars:

Connect
We work with individuals, families, and communities to understand needs and provide — or connect them with — the right support.
Advocate
We engage with all levels of government and funders to address the infrastructure, service gaps, and policy issues impacting people with disability in remote areas.
Engage
We collaborate with service providers to fill local gaps and co-design services that work in remote communities.
Sustain
We build organisational strength through good governance, strategic planning, financial management, and continuous improvement.

Who We are

We Are Your Peak Body

Outback Independent Living (OIL) is the peak body for people with disability living in Central West Queensland.

This means that OIL gets funding from the government to help people with disability, their parents and carers, and other people who support them. We are funded to help you and inform people from the government about what help is needed for our region.

Other Peak Bodies include:

Real Stories

Storytelling Series

Real stories. Real resilience.
Real life in the Outback.

Discover powerful videos showcasing the lives of people with disability in remote Queensland—celebrating independence, strength, and community spirit.

FAQ

Questions People Ask

Outback Independent Living (OIL) is the peak body for people with disability in Central West Queensland. Based in Longreach, we help people with disability, their families and carers access the NDIS, connect with local services and build inclusive communities where people belong and thrive.
As a peak body, OIL receives government funding to help people with disability, their families and carers, and the people who support them. We also tell government what help is needed in our region, so remote voices are heard when decisions about services and funding are made.
We work across the seven regional council areas of Central West Queensland: Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Diamantina, Longreach and Winton. That is more than 396,000 square kilometres and over 10,500 people.
We support people with disability of all ages, along with their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. We also work with service providers, councils and government to fill local service gaps.
Yes. We help with NDIS access applications, assessments, plan reviews and appeals, and can help you understand and use your plan. We can also help with diagnosis and assessment pathways and early childhood support for children under 9.
You can still contact us. We help people find local supports, community connections, peer networks, equipment and funding options. We also advocate to government and funders for better services for people with disability in remote areas.
Yes. We run workshops and offer one-on-one support to help people understand supported accommodation and living options. We also work with service providers to expand housing, accommodation and respite options across the region.
Our Support Coordination page lists Support Coordinators who live in or regularly visit the Central West, including in Longreach, Barcaldine and Emerald. A local coordinator understands our communities and what is available in the bush.
Complete our online Referral Form, or download the PDF version. You can also call 0477 645 577 or email referral@oil.org.au and we can mail forms to you. The participant, or their parent or guardian, needs to consent to the referral.
Our Events page lists upcoming OIL workshops and events, along with other disability events relevant to our region. You can also sign up to the OIL newsletter on our home page to receive news and updates.

Our Thriving Goals

This is what it means to thrive in Outback Queensland

View our Goals