South Australia Getting Ready for NDIS

The Federal Government will work with the South Australian State Government to help the state prepare for the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The $6 billion-a-year scheme will provide insurance cover for all Australians in the event that they, or a family member, acquire a disability, and will provide individualised care and support to around 410,000 people with significant disabilities.

The Gillard Government announced in August this year that it would begin working with State and Territory Governments on measures to build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Gillard Government says the SA Government’s “commitment today to move towards a model of individualised funding for people with disability is a significant step towards improving disability services and getting the state NDIS ready.”

To prepare for the launch of the NDIS, the Federal and South Australian Governments will work together to:

• Coordinate the Commonwealth’s Better Start and Helping Children with Autism programs with South Australia’s early childhood intervention services
• Develop tools to help parents of children with disability make informed choices about the early intervention services they receive.

The work will inform the design of the launch of the NDIS by providing a practical example of how to give families the tools and support they need to make choices in the early years of a young person’s life.

South Australia will also make its skilled staff available for secondment to the Agency the Australian Government will establish to lead the Commonwealth’s work to design the launch of an NDIS.

The Australian Government has invited all states and territories to second staff to this agency, to share their experience and expertise.

Throughout 2012 the Federal Government will be working and consulting extensively with State and Territory Governments to prepare the way for the NDIS.