NDIS Approval High

On the second anniversary of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, a new annual review shows participant satisfaction remains very high with 95 per cent of people rating their NDIS experience as “good” or “very good”.

The “Report on the sustainability of the scheme” for the December quarter 2014 shows the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is on time, on budget and has very high participant satisfaction.

The NDIS is currently operating in seven trial sites and transition to full national coverage will start from July next year.

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) chairman Bruce Bonyhady said the first 18 months of the scheme had been life changing for more than 11,000 people with disability.

“The individualised approach of the NDIS has given people with disability and their families the choice and control to pursue an ordinary life — something many of us can take for granted,” Bonyhady said.

“We are seeing people 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.

“The focus is on what a person can do — not what they cannot — and investing in them leads to not only better social outcomes for individuals, but more economic participation and a stronger Australian economy.”

Key findings of the report include:

• Participant satisfaction remains very high with 95 per cent rating their NDIS experience as “good” or “very good”.

• 13,646 people have been found eligible for the NDIS, with 11,029 having approved individualised support plans in place by the end of December.

• More than $565.3 million has been committed to these participants.

• The average package cost is $35,300, which is below the funding expectation of $36,750.*

Bonyhady said the agency was keen to “listen, learn, build and deliver”.

“Of course, a reform of this size has its challenges. It’s the biggest social reform in 30 years and will cover the whole of Australia,” he said.

“As full-scheme rollout approaches, the most significant challenges are ahead of us. The agency is refining and improving the design and operations of the scheme, building the capacities of the agency itself and working to improve its communications and stakeholder relationships.

“We have learnt a lot in the last 18 months and will continue to make improvements and take on board the feedback of the people at the heart of the scheme – Australians with disability, their families and carers.”

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield said the NDIS achieved a significant milestone as the second anniversary coincided with the early rollout of the Scheme in NSW.

“Children and young people with disability in the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury area, and their families, will (now) take the first steps to accessing the Scheme,” Senator Fifield said.

“Our agreement with the Baird Government for the early roll out of the NDIS in western Sydney was great news for around 2,000 children and young people with disability and their families.”

It is estimated 140,000 people with disability in NSW will directly benefit from the NDIS at full scheme.

Labor congratulated the National Disability Insurance Agency for the work they have done in these early stages of the NDIS.

“The NDIS is being delivered on time and within budget. What’s more, feedback shows satisfaction is high and the scheme is improving quality of life for the Australians taking part,” Shadow Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin said.

“Labor is proud to have delivered the NDIS. We will continue to do all we can to see that the NDIS delivers on its promise for people with disability, their families and carers.”