15 August 2012
The National Disability Insurance Scheme launch sites have now been agreed by the Australian and State and Territory governments.
The agreements between the respective governments include that people will:
- be assessed to receive individualised care and support packages;
- have decision-making power about their care and support, including choice of service provider;
- be assisted by local coordinators to help manage and deliver their support; and
- access a system they can navigate and that will link them to mainstream and community services.
There will be five launch sites commencing on 1 July 2013 as follows:
Victoria - to be located in the Barwon Region, covering 5,000 people with significant and profound disabilities, their families and carers. The Australian and Victorian Governments will work together to develop a consistent approach to assessing people's needs; and work with service providers to build the capacity of the disability care workforce in the Barwon region. The Victorian Government will invest over $300 million for disability services for people in the Barwon Region over the trial period. The Australian Government will invest more than $190 million towards individual support packages as well as fully funding the provision of services including local area co-ordination, assessment, service sector capacity building and for the NDIS Launch Transition Agency operations and administration. The Australian and Victorian Governments will hold further discussions regarding the location of the agency and a potential $25 million contribution from the Victorian Government for the establishment of the agency in Geelong.
New South Wales - to be located in the Hunter region, covering 10,000 people with significant and profound disabilities, their families and carers. The Australian and NSW Governments have said they will work together to provide people with disability, their families and carers with the care and support they need, when they need it. This work will include developing a consistent approach to assessing people's needs; and working with service providers to build the capacity of the disability care workforce in the Hunter region. Under the agreement, the NSW Government will contribute $35 million in new support, in addition to the $550 million already provided for disability services in the Hunter region. The Australian Government will invest more than $300 million in better services for people with disability in the Hunter, including: $244 million towards individual support packages; and $61.8 million for local area co-ordinators who will assist people with disability to plan and access their care and support packages. The Australian Government will also fund the operation of the NDIS Launch Transition Agency to operate the launch. The Australian Government has agreed to meet the total of any cost overrun associated with average package cost or higher than expected client numbers in launch sites.
Australian Capital Territory - About 6,000 people under the age of 65 with disability in the ACT will benefit under this first stage of an NDIS. This funding will cover the costs of care and support for individuals, local area coordinators and a new agency to manage the first stage of an NDIS. The ACT Government is contributing around $8 million to the costs of launch, with around $19 million to launch in the ACT.
South Australia - During the first year, existing and newly eligible children aged 0-5 years will be accepted to participate in the NDIS launch. During the second year starting 1 July 2014 it is planned to extend to children aged 0 -13 years, and in the third year starting 1 July 2015, be expanded to children aged 0 -14. About 4,800 children are already receiving disability services in South Australia. It's expected to cover about 5,000 children. South Australia earmarked $20 million over the next three years for the NDIS launch.
Tasmania - would see support provided to nearly 1,000 Tasmanians living with a disability aged between 15 and 24 years old - including both current and potential disability service clients. As part of the agreement, Tasmania will contribute up to $2 million a year in addition to projected budgeted spend of $17.9 million on individualised supports on care and support packages for people aged between 15 and 24.
To enable the pilots, there will be Commonwealth legislation establishing the scheme and a national launch agency that will administer the scheme during the launch phase. The agency will be responsible for managing Commonwealth and State funds in a single national pool, and undertaking planning, assessment and approval of individual support packages.