In October 1997, the Minister for Health, Family and Children's Services launched the Disability Services Five Year Strategic Plan ( 1997-200 I) for services provided and/or funded by Territory Health Services (THS). Written following Territory-wide consultation, the plan endorsed a review of the Northern Territory Disability Services Act and the development of culturally appropriate Disability Service Standards.
In April 1998, work began to draft Disability Service Standards for the Northern Territory.