NDIS building for a better future

Thousands of Australians are now being provided with life-changing supports across the country as a result of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

At the end of the first year of the national rollout of the NDIS the total number of people who had received support was 96,772, a new report shows.

This solid progress includes 90,638 with an approved plan and 6134 children referred through the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach, which is available to children under six years of age who have a disability or developmental delay.

But more can be done. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is committed to improving the quality of the participant and provider experience and work is advanced to deliver on this promise.

The latest Quarterly Report covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2017, outlines important progress in the implementation of Australia’s landmark Scheme.

Highlights of the report include:

  • 90,638 participants in total had received an approved NDIS plan as at 30 June 2017
  • 15,078 participants received an approved plan in the quarter
  • 6134 children had been referred through the ECEI gateway by the end of the quarter
  • 13,434 plans were reviewed in the quarter and 37,020 plans reviewed in total in 2016-17
  • 84 per cent of surveyed participants in the quarter rated their experience either good or very good. The overall average satisfaction rating since the Scheme began is 92 per cent
  • 8698 service providers have been registered – a 28 per cent increase in the quarter

“Participants are telling us they believe their NDIS plan will make their life better,” Acting NDIA Chief Executive Officer Grant Tidswell said.

“On the first anniversary of the national rollout of the NDIS I want to thank participants, their families, carers and providers for helping deliver the benefits of the NDIS to almost 100,000 Australians,” Mr Tidswell said.

The NDIS is an insurance Scheme that invests in people to build individual capacity to benefit the person and the wider community. NDIS supports are aimed at assisting participants to achieve outcomes such as participating in the community, undertaking education and finding a job.

The Scheme has made solid progress this quarter and the National Disability Insurance Agency has been able to achieve this result in line with information on clients transitioning from state, territory and Commonwealth programs.

In addition to the estimated 460,000 Australians to be assisted by the NDIS by 2020, the Scheme will provide peace of mind to all Australians that support is there should they ever need it.

A relative, a friend or someone in your street is likely to be assisted by the NDIS at some stage in their life.

The Productivity Commission estimate of $22 billion a year at full Scheme remains the best estimate of the longer-term cost of the NDIS and the Commission confirmed in June NDIS costs are broadly on track.

Mr Tidswell reinforced the commitment to deliver quality plans for participants in a financially sustainable way.

The National Disability Insurance Agency is closely monitoring any early indicators of cost pressures within the Scheme and taking measures to address these pressures.

To deliver the NDIS to the 460,000 Australians expected to enter the Scheme by 2020, the NDIS must deliver funding and reasonable and necessary supports in a way that assists people with disability to achieve their goals, while ensuring the Scheme is financially sustainable.

The NDIA’s evidence-based monitoring allows pressures on the Scheme to be identified early and management responses put in place to respond.

Background

NDIS state and territory participants with approved plans at the end of June 2017.

Table of NDIS state and territory participants with approved plans at the end of June 2017State/TerritoryNSWVicQldSATasNTACTWAParticipants with approved plan43,936

15,434

7,188

11,634

2,229

388

6,047

3,782