Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

About DisabilityCare Australia

DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme (‘the scheme’) is a new way for people to get disability support that takes an individualised approach to providing care and support over a person’s lifetime.

The scheme will deliver a life-long approach to support people with disability through individualised funding. This means rather than providing support based on the number of places in a limited number of programs, the scheme will provide funding so people can get the care and support they need, based on their individual support needs, goals and aspirations.

DisabilityCare Australia is being rolled out in stages because it’s a big change to the current system. It’s also a permanent change, so it needs to be implemented in a sustainable and steady way.

The first stage of the scheme will be launched from July 2013 in four locations across the country. The first stage will benefit around 26,000 people with a significant and permanent disability.

The launch locations that commence in July 2013 are:

Further sites in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory will be launched from July 2014. DisabilityCare Australia will also be rolled out across Queensland by 2019.

DisabilityCare Australia in the ACT

From July 2014, the first stage of the scheme will start for people with disability living in the ACT, and people with disability will gradually transition across.

Around 5,000 people with disability in the ACT will be covered by the scheme when it is rolled out to all eligible residents.

Between now and June 2014 in the ACT, there will be a focus on improving the capacity of people with disability and their families to exercise choice and control, and improving capability of the community sector to deliver services under the scheme, in preparation for the roll out from July 2014.

There will be a gradual intake to ensure that scheme participants are properly supported and receive the right services for their individual needs.

DisabilityCare Australia staff will:

  • work with scheme participants and their families to plan and arrange the supports they need; the scheme recognises that each individual, their family and every community is unique in terms of their needs and support required
  • improve the delivery of support services and care across the ACT, which will help make a real improvement in people with disability’s family life and community participation
  • work with the local community to improve community involvement for people with disability.

What are the access requirements?

Between July 2014 and July 2019, people living in the ACT can access the scheme if they:

  • have a significant and permanent disability that affects their ability to participate in the community and employment and they require care and support, or could benefit from early intervention requirements
  • meet residence requirements
  • meet age requirements.

A person who is a scheme participant and is under the age of 65 can choose to remain a participant or transition to the aged care system once they turn 65 (or turn 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).

What happens next?

You don’t need to do anything right now.

Governments have agreed how existing clients of disability programs will gradually enter the new scheme, and your current support arrangements will continue with your current providers until you enter the scheme.

DisabilityCare Australia and the Australian and ACT Governments are working together to ensure that people transition smoothly to the scheme.

More information

For more information about DisabilityCare Australia and the rollout of the scheme from

1 July 2013:

You can view a copy of the bilateral agreement between the Australian and ACT Governments.

More information about the launch in the ACT will also be posted on the Disability ACT website or you can contact Disability ACT Information Services:

General Enquiries: 133 427

Disability Information Service: (02) 6207 1086 TTY: (02) 6205 0888

Email: NDIS@act.gov.au