History of the NDIS

A timeline of the National Disability Insurance Agency

Bringing a vision to life

A grassroots campaign was at the heart of the creation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). People with disability, community organisations, advocates and governments worked hard to make disability reform a reality.  

The NDIS was legislated in 2013. It moved through trial and transition to full Scheme rollout across Australia by 2020. The NDIS now supports more than half a million adults and children with disability. Many of these people are receiving supports for the first time. 

Transcript for 'Bringing the NDIS vision to life'

Pre-trial

People with disability, community organisations, advocates and governments worked hard to make disability reform a reality.

  • 2008

    The National Disability Agreement is signed, an important first step towards a new, cooperative approach by Australian governments to support Australians with disability. 

    Work starts on developing a National Disability Strategy 2010-2020. 

  • 2011

    Every Australian Counts launches. This grassroots campaign lobbied to introduce the NDIS. 

    February 

    The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorses the National Disability Strategy  . 

    July  

    The Productivity Commission  inquiry report into Disability Care and Support is released. It recommends replacing the current system with a new scheme.

    August  

    The Australian Government commits to introducing an NDIS. 

  • 2013

    March 

    Federal parliament passes the NDIS Bill.

    Watch some of the key moments that led to this huge milestone for the NDIS 

    Transcript for 'How the NDIS came to be'

Trial

Starting with 4 sites and growing to 9 by the end of the 3-year trial period, the trial was a chance to ensure the NDIS was sustainable nationwide. 

  • 2013

    July

    The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 comes into effect. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is established. The NDIA launches the first 4 trial sites: 

    • Hunter area (New South Wales) 
    • Barwon (Victoria) 
    • South Australia for 0-to 14-year-olds 
    • Tasmania for 15-to 24-year-olds. 

    Fortunate to be born in the right pocket of time. Read Adam’s story

    Mother and her young teen son side by side looking at each other smiling
  • 2014

    June 

    7,285 people are receiving NDIS supports. 

    July  

    The NDIA launches 3 more trial sites: 

    • Australian Capital Territory 
    • Perth Hills (Western Australia) 
    • Barkly (Northern Territory). 

    Joining the NDIS in early days paved Ben’s pathway to paid employment. Read Ben’s story.

    Young man barista in yellow shirt looking at the camera making a coffee
  • 2015

    June 

    17,155 people are receiving NDIS supports. 

    July 

    The NDIA launches an additional trial site in New South Wales: 

    • Nepean Blue Mountains for 0- to 17-year-olds. 

Transition

The trial ends on 1 July 2016. This is the start of the NDIS rollout across the country. 

  • 2016

     

    April 

    The NDIA launches final trial site in Northern Queensland: 

    • Townsville and Charters Towers for 0- to 17-year-olds, and Palm Island Aboriginal Shire for 0- to 64-year-olds.

    June 

    29,719 people are receiving NDIS supports. 

    July   

    The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. 

    September 

    The pressure has eased for the Coyle family. Read John’s story

    photo of a family sitting next to each other on a couch

    October

    The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of Queensland.

  • 2017

    January 

    The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of South Australia and Northern Territory.

    June

    89,610 people are receiving NDIS supports, a 200% increase in one year. 

    August

    100,000 people are receiving NDIS supports.

    November

    Parliament passes legislation to set up the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission  (the Commission). 

  • 2018

    April

    Christopher’s super-hero progress. Read Christopher’s story

    NDIS participant, Christopher, in a pool, wearing pink goggles. Christopher is smiling at the camera.

    June

    172,333 people are receiving NDIS supports, nearly 55,000 for the first time.

    July

    The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of Western Australia.   

    August

    Parents determination to secure life-long support for their son. Read Kaarthik’s story.

    NDIS participant, Kaarthik, wearing black glasses and black t-shirt, is smiling at the camera.

    September

    200,000 people are receiving NDIS supports.   

  • 2019

    June

    286,015 people are receiving NDIS supports

    October

    Shania is excited to move into her new accessible share house. Read Shania’s story

    Photo of a young girl in front of a house looking towards the camera

Full Scheme

From 1 July 2020 the National Disability Insurance Scheme is available to all Australians. It is now truly a national Scheme.

  • 2020

    June

    391,999 people are receiving NDIS supports. 

    Ram’s early childhood success. Read Ram’s story.

    Photo of a young boy on his bike smiling at the camera with his father by his side

    August

    A new Participant Service Charter launches. The Charter explains what participants can expect when they deal with the NDIA. It states overall principles, clear service standards and timeframes. 

    September

    13-year-old Kaylah is on the mend after her stroke. Read Kaylah’s story.

    Photo of a young girl using a wheelchair outside, looking towards the camera
  • 2021

    June

    466,619 people are receiving NDIS supports, more than half for the first time. 

    October

    The Australian Government passes the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021 to protect participants from the risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

    December

    The myNDIS app launches, helping NDIS participants manage their plans on the go.

  • 2022

    February

    More than 500,000 people receiving NDIS supports.

    May

    Carol shakes up fashion industry with inclusive designs at first ever adaptive clothing runway. Read Carol’s story.

    Photo of a lady in her home smiling at the camera

    June

    534,655 people are receiving NDIS supports, more than 300,000 for the first time. 

    July

    Parliament passes changes to The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Act 2022 to improve the NDIS.  

    Mary Anne is now a teacher and role model in remote Kununurra. Read Mary Anne’s story

    Photo of a woman looking towards the camera with nature in the background

    October

    A review into the NDIS is announced. The NDIS Review will look at the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS.

    November

    Alberto’s childhood dream realised in Tokyo Paralympics perfection. Read Alberto’s story

    Photo of a man running in a track and field race
  • 2023

    January

    Priscilla is loving life, work, and her increased independence. Read Priscilla’s story

    Photo of a lady and a little girl with gardening gloves on, outside

    April

    NDIA Board appointments take the number of people with disability on the Board to 6 out of 12. 

Notes on participant numbers: 

Reported participant numbers (people receiving NDIS supports) are as at 30 June and include active eligible participants with approved plans and participants with an expired plan who haven’t started a new plan, but haven’t left the Scheme. This excludes children receiving Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) supports. 

This page current as of
12 July 2023