NDIS to Trigger Economic Boom in NSW

The first market forecast report from the National Disability Insurance Agency has revealed that the scheme would create a jobs and economic boom in New South Wales over the next three years.

The Market Position Statement, released on Monday, said that in NSW the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would generate up to 28,930 extra jobs and double the size of the disability services market to $6.8 billion, while supporting an estimated 64,000 more people with disability.

Western Sydney is expected to see the highest growth in the state, with approximately 8,000 more people with disability receiving support, an additional $400 million in funding for disability services and up to 3,300 more jobs created.

This National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which has responsibility for implementing the NDIS, said this was the first analysis in what will be a nationwide series.

Minister for Social Services Christian Porter said this is the first time there has been confirmation on the jobs and business opportunities that would be created by the NDIS.

“It is expected that by 2019, the NSW disabilities market would support almost double the number of people currently supported, to 142,000,” Minister Porter said.

“This will bring with it an increased demand for new products and technologies, increased jobs and strong economic growth right across the state.

“The NDIA’s assessment of the NSW market showed almost a quarter of current providers in Western Sydney expected their business to double in size, with a further 20 per cent expressing strong intentions to grow.”

NSW Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka said the statement demonstrated that everyone in the state would share the benefits of the NDIS.

“We are on the verge of a disability services boom in NSW, with the biggest winners being people and business in Western Sydney. Put simply, the NDIS means more money, more people getting support, more jobs and more growth,” Ajaka said.

“Importantly, this is a big tick of approval for the state of the disability services sector in NSW. Together with the support of the NSW Government and peaks, the sector is ready and able to step up come 1 July 2016.”