Victoria

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 Victoria

From July 2013, the first stage of the scheme in the Barwon area will commence for residents living in the local government areas (LGAs) of City of Greater Geelong, the Colac-Otway Shire, the Borough of Queenscliffe and the Surf Coast Shire.

By July 2016, all Barwon area residents with significant and permanent disability—around 5,000 people—will progressively access the scheme.

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 currently receiving support will transition to the scheme in the first year.

DisabilityCare Australia and the Australian and Victorian Governments are working together to ensure that people move smoothly into the scheme.

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

People with an existing assessment where they require individually funded disability support who are registered on the Department of Human Services; children with an existing assessment indicating they require Early Childhood Intervention Services; and people with existing Individual Support Plans will be prioritised first.

Other existing clients will access the scheme on a program-by-program basis.

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 Victoria, 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 July 2013, people living in the Barwon area 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
  • live in the LGAs of the City of Greater Geelong, the Colac-Otway Shire, the Borough of Queenscliffe and the Surf Coast Shire and
  • meet age requirements.

A person who is a scheme participant during the first stage 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 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people). Existing clients aged 65 and over will continue to receive support consistent with current arrangements.

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 Victorian Governments.

For further information about disability services in Victoria you can visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability