Minister’s message
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a big step closer.
The Australian Government has committed $1 billion in this year’s Budget to support the first stage of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
From the middle of next year, around 10,000 people with disability, their families and carers will start to benefit from the first stage of the scheme in selected sites around the country.
From the middle of 2014, the scheme will expand to cover around 20,000 people.
This means that for the first time in Australia’s history people with significant and permanent disability will start to receive care and support over their lifetime, regardless of how they acquired their disability.
We know that people with disability, their families and carers have been waiting a long time for change. That’s why we will deliver the first stage a full year ahead of the timetable set out by the Productivity Commission.
We will set up a new National Disability Transition Agency to run the delivery of care and support to people with disability, their families and carers in the select locations.
We are working with the states and territories, who have all agreed they have a shared responsibility for the fundamental reform of disability care and support, to build the foundations for the scheme.
And because people with disability must be at the centre of this reform, we will work closely with them, their families and carers, support workers and service providers to design a National Disability Insurance Scheme that responds to their needs.
So roll up your sleeves!
We have a lot of work ahead of us – and we’re getting it done.
