Launch FAQs

Where are the first stage launch locations for the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

The first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be launched in South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, the Hunter in NSW and the Barwon area of Victoria.

Why is the first stage of a National Disability Insurance Scheme only in a few locations?

Governments are building the scheme in selected locations in the first instance to ensure that the implementation of the scheme is informed by feedback from people with disability, their families and carers, and service providers and community organisations.

The new scheme will involve major changes to the way that governments work with people with disability, their families and carers and service providers.

Governments want to make sure that we get this reform right so that we build a system that is sustainable over the long term for people with disability, their families and carers.

Launching the scheme in selected locations will provide us with valuable experience and evidence to inform its further implementation.

How were the first stage locations determined?

First stage locations were chosen based on their ability to ensure that we are able to fully assess all aspects of the operation of an NDIS. This involved a mix of considerations including demographics of the regions, the capacity and readiness of the workforce and a range of different locations. This will enable us to understand how to roll-out an NDIS across the country.

Who will be eligible for support in the first stage locations of an NDIS?

When fully implemented, the NDIS will provide support to people who have a permanent and significant disability, which affects their ability to participate in the community or employment and requires care and support. More detailed descriptions of who would be eligible for this assistance are currently being developed.

Some launch sites will focus on specific age groups in the first stage. This will enable us to develop greater understanding of how an NDIS should best support the needs of these different age groups.

Is my local government area included in the region?

In the first stage, the whole states of South Australia and Tasmania will be covered for the agreed age ranges.

The ACT will be covered in full for people up to 65.

In NSW, the first stage will cover the Hunter local government areas of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Maitland.

In Victoria, the first stage will cover the Barwon area including the local government areas of the City of Greater Geelong, Colac-Otway Shire, the Borough of Queenscliff and the Surf Coast Shire.

What supports and services are included in the first stage of a National Disability Insurance Scheme? What’s covered? What’s in and what’s out?

A fundamental principle of a NDIS is to consider a person’s care and support needs over their lifetime. For many people this will involve the type of support that they are familiar with, for example a support worker who comes to assist them with activities that they cannot do without help, or help with aids and equipment like a wheelchair or a hoist.

However, a key objective of the first stage of an NDIS is to develop increased flexibility and innovation, so many people will be able to access different types of support. This will be developed as part of a new planning process with people with disability, their families and carers, during which their goals and aspirations, and how their daily life is affected by their disability, are fully understood and support options explored.

I am a service provider in one of the launch sites. What does this mean for me?

In the launch sites, governments will work closely with all service providers and provide assistance where necessary to ensure that they are able to successfully transition to the new arrangements.

What will happen to my current care and support arrangements?

If you are currently receiving care and support these arrangements will continue.

The Agency, participating governments and service providers will now discuss how best to transition your support into the new Scheme.

Once the launch commences, you will be able to contact your local NDIS office and we will meet to discuss your goals and aspirations and to see if there is anything more needed to support you, or if there are things you would like to do differently.

What does an ‘insurance’ scheme mean?

Under an insurance approach, the costs and risks of severe disability for a person is distributed among the wider community as a shared responsibility. People’s needs will be carefully assessed and regularly re-assessed so they get the right support at the right time.

An insurance approach means that:

people with disability don’t need to bear the costs of their disability on their own,
that they have the certainty that if they or their loved ones are born with or acquire a disability, they will get the care and support they need.

Taking a long term view of people’s care and support needs ensures that people with disability get the right support earlier, rather than waiting until they reach crisis point.

Why will it take so long?

This is a major change. Building a new system in partnership with the states and territories that will improve outcomes for individuals takes time. The first stage of an NDIS will start from July 2013.

Why is the funding not being provided to service providers instead?

Under an NDIS, existing service providers will still play a core role in working with people with disability.

Will there be any consultation?

The expert advice of people with disability, their families and carers, service providers and community groups will be essential in designing the first stage of an NDIS. This input will be actively encouraged and supported at both the national and launch site levels.

The Australian Government have established an Advisory Group and four Expert Working Groups to engage with people with disability and their families and carers, and to work through the detail of the policy design. You can find more information on these on this website.

The Australian government has also funded the National Disability and Carer Alliance to conduct detailed grassroots engagement across the country with people with disability, their families and carers, and with service providers. The Alliance can be contacted at www.disabilitycareralliance.org.au.

I don’t live in a launch region at the moment but if I move can I get the package?

Detailed eligibility arrangements are still being discussed between all governments and information will be available on this website, in coming months.

I’m not living in one of the first stage locations. What does this announcement mean for me?

The Government made clear in the 2012-13 Budget that lessons learned in launching the scheme will inform when and how we to proceed to a full scheme.

The Australian Government is continuing to boost investment in care and support for people with disability, their families and carers around the country including:

$8.7 billion from 2009-10 to 2015-16 under the National Disability Agreement to increase and improve specialist disability services such as supported accommodation, targeted support and respite.
a further $3 billion from 2011-12 to 2014-15 in Disability Employment Services to strengthen links to training and skills development for job seekers with a disability.
an extra $200 million from 2011-12 to 2013-14 for support for school students with a disability; and
providing more than $118 million from 2011-12 to 2015-16 for access to early intervention services for children with vision or hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome.
in excess of $220 million for early intervention services for children with autism under the Helping Children with Autism initiative.

Where can I find more information about the first stage launch locations?

As more detailed information about the arrangements in first stage locations becomes available it will be posted on this website. You can register your details to receive updates on progress.

You can also call the NDIS Hotline on 1800 800 110.