From today, 1 November 2017, more Australians in Eastern Melbourne, Rockhampton, Gladstone, and west to the South Australian and Northern Territory borders can access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Assistant Minister for Disability Services, Jane Prentice, said these NDIS rollouts are important milestones for people with disability, their families, carers and the broader community.

“I am pleased to announce the continued rollout of the NDIS in Victoria and Queensland, and I welcome people who are existing state clients and other eligible residents into the Scheme.

“The NDIS is one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history, it is already empowering more than 15,000 Victorians with disability, helping them fulfil their goals and participate in community life.

“The NDIS will also generate jobs and local investment which will ensure people with disability have the assistance they need to help them achieve their goals.” 

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is working with Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and Local Area Coordination (LAC) partners to deliver NDIS in local communities across Australia. ECEI and LAC partners help participants navigate the NDIS and connect them with other community services.

Link Health and Community is the ECEI partner in both Inner and Outer East Melbourne. They will deliver ECEI services to children aged zero to six. La Trobe Community Health Service will deliver LAC services in both Inner and Outer East Melbourne.

In Rockhampton, BUSHkids will deliver ECEI services to children aged zero to six, and Carers Queensland Incorporated will deliver LAC services. 

Once fully implemented in 2019, the NDIS is expected to support about 105,300 people with disability in Victoria; 91,000 people with disability in Queensland; and about 460,000 people nationally. The NDIS is expected to boost the Victorian economy by $2.5 billion and bring more than 10,000 new jobs in disability services to the State; while the state of Queensland is expected to be boosted by $2.5 billion and double the disability services workforce.

To read the full media releases, go to the Hon. Jane Prentice MP's website.