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9 ParaQuad News • The NDIS Edition 2016
The timing and roll out of the NDIS
is guided by agreements made
between the Commonwealth and
State and Territory Governments. The
transition phase is a unique period for
the NDIS as we have a large number
of people joining the Scheme during
a short period of time.
Our focus is on as smooth as
possible a transition, where we
move from old systems to new, and
avoid disruption to services.
Things won’t be perfect immediately,
but we will continue to listen, learn
and improve as the Scheme grows.
The NDIS is expected to be
operating state-wide in NSW by
July 2018, ultimately providing
support to about 140,000 people.
Nearly one third of all NDIS
participants will be based in
NSW once the NDIS is rolled out.
From 1 July 2016, the NDIS began
rolling out across New South Wales.
The NDIS currently has a trial
site in the Hunter region, which
began on 1 July 2013 for people
up to the age of 65 and an early
transition site that began in Nepean
Blue Mountains on 1 July 2015 for
children and young people aged
17 and under.
To date over 7000 people have
an approved plan with the NDIS
in NSW. Which means over 7000
people, their families and carers in
NSW now have access to supports
funded through the NDIS to live
an ordinary life.
By 2019, the Scheme
will support about
460,000 Australians
with disability
This new approach will ensure the
economic, education and social
participation of Australians with
disability is maximised.
The NDIS is central to demonstrating
Australia’s commitment to the
United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with a disability.
It is also a critical part of the
National Disability Strategy
(NDS), which brings community,
government and industry together
to address the challenges faced by
people with disability.
Established in 2013, the NDIS is
already transforming lives and is
on time, on budget and with a
high satisfaction of its clients with
a rating of above 90 percent.
The NDIS already
provides support for
more than 25,000
Australians with a
disability. Over the
coming years, that
number will increase
to about 460,000
Australians
People with a disability are living
more independent lives, engaging
with their community, enrolling in
education, entering the workforce
for the first time or returning to
work, and receiving the services
and equipment they need.
It is an exciting time to be an
Australian. It’s an even more exciting
time to be an Australian with a
disability. It is exciting because
– after years of campaigning,
designing, planning and piloting
– we are about to move into the
full rollout stage of the NDIS. It’s
exciting because, at long last,
people with a disability will have the
opportunity of an ordinary life.
For families and carers, there will be
certainty of support when they can
no longer care for a loved one with
a disability. For all Australians, there
is the knowledge that the NDIS will
be there if they, or their children or
grandchildren need it. For business,
including the not-for-profit
sector, the NDIS is a major growth
opportunity. Above all, the NDIS is
an unprecedented opportunity for
our country.
Tania: home with her
family where she belongs
Tania is a proud Awabakal woman
and active member of the NDIA
Hunter Local Advisory Group who
is passionate about improving the
lives of young people residing in
aged care.
After having a stroke at the age of
39, Tania lived in an aged care facility
for three years, where she was
confined to her bed and separated
from her husband and daughter,
who is now 16.
When Tania became an NDIS
participant in the Hunter Trial
Site, she began to reclaim her
independence and achieve her
goals. First she was provided with
a power wheelchair that gave back
her freedom. ‘I was in bed all day
every day. When I first had my
stroke I couldn’t talk, walk, move or
see. I remember the first day I went
outside (in my wheelchair) it was just
amazing feeling the sun and seeing
the grass, the things you miss.’
‘Then I was given some travel
allowance so that I could go home
and see my daughter. Until then I
could only see her once a week and
she hated visiting the nursing home.’
In Tania’s second NDIS plan her goal
was to move back home with her
husband and daughter. With the
support of her NDIS planner and
her Local Area Coordinator (LAC),
Tania obtained an electric bed, an
electric shower chair, physiotherapy
and occupational therapy supports.
Because of these supports, she now
lives at home with her family.
‘The NDIS is just fantastic. I cannot
thank them enough for what they
have done. It has changed my life.
It has given me my daughter back
and everything back to me that
I ever wanted.’
For more information
Phone: 1800 800 110
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