South Australia

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 South Australia

From July 2013, DisabilityCare Australia will be launched across South Australia.

The first year will focus on children aged birth to five years with significant and permanent disability or who would benefit from early intervention. Children aged from birth to two years will be the first group to access the scheme, with children up to five years entering the scheme before July 2014.

From July 2014, the age limit will be extended to 13 years and in the third year of launch all children up to 14 years.

A total of around 5,000 children with significant and permanent disability are expected to benefit from the first stage of the scheme.

Early intervention is a key feature of the scheme in South Australia. It aims to give each child the best start in life by providing support as early as possible. The scheme will focus on early interventions with the greatest potential for making a difference throughout a child’s life.

DisabilityCare Australia staff will be on the ground from July 2013 to help children and their families and carers transition to the scheme, and to provide information and referral services.

There is 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 children with disability and their family to plan and arrange the support they need; the scheme recognises that each individual, their family and every community is unique in terms of their needs and the support required
  • improve the delivery of support services and care across South Australia, 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 2013 and July 2016, children living in South Australia can access the scheme if they:

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

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 South Australian Governments.

For more information about disability services in South Australia go to www.sa.gov.au/disability