Tasmania

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 Tasmania

From 1 July 2013, the first stage of the scheme in Tasmania will include approximately 950 young people aged 15 to 24 years with significant and permanent disability.

Through DisabilityCare Australia in Tasmania, young people with disability will be provided with a range of improved supports to help them move from school to further education, vocational training, employment, or to be more involved in their community

DisabilityCare Australia staff will be on the ground from July 2013 to help people transition to the scheme, and to provide information and referral services. Most people will transition to the scheme in the first year.

There is a gradual intake to ensure that everyone who meets the access requirements of the scheme is properly supported and receives the right services for their individual needs.

Young people with disability in the age cohort with Individual Support Packages or Community Assistance Packages, those transitioning from state care (formal out of home arrangements), and 2013 school leavers will be prioritised in the first year.

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 and care across Tasmania, 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?

From 1 July 2013, people living in Tasmania 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
  • are between 15 and 24 years of age.

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 Tasmanian Governments.

For more information about disability services in Tasmania go to www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/disability