National Disability Insurance Scheme

Minister’s Message

In the lead up to launching DisabilityCare Australia from July this year, the Australian Government has secured a strong, stable funding stream to support the rollout of the full national scheme. This will provide Australians with a disability, their families and their carers with the certainty they deserve – so all Australians can have confidence that this vital reform will be locked in place for the long term.

We have passed legislation through Parliament that provides for a half a percentage point increase in the Medicare levy.

The legislation will increase the Medicare levy from 1.5 to 2 per cent of taxable income from 1 July 2014, with every cent raised to be put towards funding DisabilityCare Australia.

We also announced in the 2013-14 Budget that we will invest $14.3 billion over seven years to roll out DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme, across the whole country.

We have reached agreement to the full roll out of the scheme across all the states and territories except Western Australia.

These agreements mean around 90 per cent of Australians will be covered by DisabilityCare Australia by July 2019.

We will continue to seek the agreement of the Western Australian Government to roll out of DisabilityCare in their state.

Once the scheme is fully rolled out, it will provide support for around 460,000 people who have a significant and permanent disability that affects their communication, mobility, self-care or self-management.

DisabilityCare Australia will give people with disability, their families and carers the care and support they need over their lifetimes, and choice and control over the services they receive.

I currently receive disability support – do I need to do anything right now?

You don’t need to do anything right now. Your current arrangements will stay in place until you’ve met with DisabilityCare Australia to discuss your needs and to develop an individual plan of supports after 1 July 2013. Our priority is to make sure you continue to get the support you need.

I don’t receive disability support – will I be covered?

If you don’t currently receive disability support and you have a permanent and significant disability you may be able to access the scheme once it’s available in your area.

For more information about DisabilityCare Australia, the rollout of the scheme from 1 July 2013 and specific information for service providers: