The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has reached a major milestone with 100,000 Australians with disability now having choice and control over life-changing support delivered through the Scheme, including people in the New England Electorate.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the fact that the NDIS has now reached 100,000 participants across Australia represents significant progress for the NDIS.

“In our local area, many people with disability, their families and carers are already benefitting from the NDIS and ultimately we expect about 3,895 participants to benefit from the Scheme in the New England Electorate,” Mr Joyce said.

“All Australians should be very proud of this landmark Scheme that replaces a system where the level of support a person with disability received was determined by their postcode and the vastly different funding provided from all levels of government.”

“The NDIS is focussed on building capacity and delivering outcomes so more people with a disability can participate in their community and enter the workforce and live the life they choose.

“In my discussions within New England with NDIS participants and their families and carers, it is clear that participants believe their NDIS plan is making their lives better.

The NDIS commenced on 1 July, 2013 in several trial locations across the country. Following the successful trial, the national rollout commenced on 1 July, 2016. The NDIS is being introduced in stages around the country over three years, reflecting the scale and complexity of the reform and the need to ensure it delivers outcomes for participants. .

The NDIS will provide about 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life, including personal care and support, access to the community, therapy services and essential equipment.

(ENDS)