The latest quarterly report for the National Disability Insurance Scheme demonstrates that solid foundations are being built for the Scheme.
Senator Mitch Fifield, the Assistant Minister for Social Services, said that more than 11,000 participants now have support plans in place, and $565.3 million has been committed to people with disability to fund the services and equipment they need to live more independent lives.
“That means that more than 11,000 Australians with disability and their families are now at the centre and in control of their entitlement, getting the support they need to pursue their own personal goals and improve their economic and social participation,” Minister Fifield said.
The key points from the Report include, as at December last year:
- 11,000 people with disabilities had an approved NDIS plan, at a total cost of $565.3 million. This represents 81% of the bilateral targets, up from 77% since the last quarterly report.
- The cost of the average package (excluding residents of large institutions) is $35,300. This is largely unchanged from the last quarter average ($35,207), and remains below the expected full scheme average of $36,750.
- The average length of time from application to commencement of services has increased since the last quarterly report to 100 days (up from 95 days). Time taken to commence services can vary across individual circumstances as participants take the time to review their options and select their preferred service providers.
- Participant satisfaction levels remain very high.
The report shows improvements in the National Disability Insurance Agency’s performance against targets in most of the trial sites, with significant improvements in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia.
Minister Fifield said negotiations have commenced to determine how each state and territory will transition to full Scheme over the next few years.
“I look forward to working with my state and territory counterparts as we lay down the framework through which the NDIS will be rolled out to people with disability in each jurisdiction.”
“The Scheme is making a huge difference in the lives of participants and their families. Supporting people with disability through the NDIS is just one of many reasons why the Abbott Government is working to repair the Budget so that we can fully fund the Scheme now and into the future,” Minister Fifield said.
The Report is available at http://www.ndis.gov.au/document/754.
Media contact: Lydia Paterson | 0409 792 081 | lydia.paterson@dss.gov.au