The latest Quarterly Report for the NDIS released today shows the world-leading NDIS had benefitted more Australians and from increasingly diverse backgrounds than ever before.
Acting CEO of the NDIA, Vicki Rundle, said the latest COAG NDIS Quarterly Report for 1 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 shows the strong progress the NDIS has made.
“The positive impact that the NDIS continues to have on the lives of Australians with disability and their families and carers is demonstrated by improved participant satisfaction results,” Ms Rundle said.
“This report outlines the NDIA's progress – we’ve now exceeded 300,000 Scheme participants being supported, including close to 100,000 participants who have received supports for the first time.
Ms Rundle said confidence in the Scheme was growing, with 90 per cent of participants satisfied with their planning experience and 86 per cent saying they thought their plan would make their life better.
Ms Rundle said access to a growing, vibrant and competitive provider market was vital to participants achieving their goals. The growth of the NDIS provider market was up six per cent in the June Quarter to 21,510 registered providers.
“Eligible Australians across almost all areas of Australia now have access to the NDIS and we are particularly pleased to see an increase in the diversity of participants entering the Scheme,” Ms Rundle said.
“Over 2,000 participants identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander joined the NDIS between April and June – representing 7.3 per cent of all participants entering in the quarter.
“Additionally, 10.3 per cent of participants who received an NDIS plan in the quarter were of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) heritage, compared with 8.2% in previous quarters combined.
More children aged 18 years and under were benefitting from the NDIS than ever before, with 129,764 children nationally that had an approved NDIS plan - including 57,564 who had not received supports prior to entering the Scheme.
New survey results show the NDIS is having a significant impact on children and their families after just two years benefitting from the Scheme, including:
For children who are not yet of school age:
- 94 per cent of parents and carers thought the NDIS improved their child’s development compared to 91 per cent in their first year; and
- 85 per cent of parents and carers thought the NDIS increased their child’s ability to communicate what they want, compared to 82 per cent in their first year.
For children starting school to 14 years after two years in the Scheme;
- 65 per cent of parents and carers felt their child had become more independent as a result of the NDIS compared to 56 per cent in their first year.
“We are encouraged by the improvements we are seeing in children aged 14 years and under after just two years in the NDIS. These results are great outcomes for both the children and their parents as the NDIA works to further improve the experience for families accessing the Scheme,” Ms Rundle said.
“While the latest Quarterly Report results are promising - there is still room for improvement and we continue to work on a number of initiatives to further enhance the experience participants have with the Scheme.
“Our focus will always be to invest in the experience and outcomes of NDIS participants. Importantly, the Scheme has been within budget each year of its operation, and continues to be financially sustainable.”
The NDIS is expected to be available to an estimated 500,000 Australians with disability over the next five years.