NDIS to roll out from Geelong across Victoria

THE GEELONG-headquartered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is to be rolled out across Victoria over the next three years, Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he had signed an “historic” $5.1 billion bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth rolling out the scheme to an estimated 105,000 Victorians.
The Labor Government will contribute funding of $2.5 billion per year, with the Commonwealth contributing $2.6 billion, once the scheme is fully implemented, more than doubling the current funding for disability support.
Mr Andrews said the agreement followed a successful Barwon region pilot, with the roll out starting 1 July in North East Melbourne.
The roll out will include the Central Highlands in January 2017 and the Greater Bendigo area in May 2017, with the rest of the state to follow.
Mr Andrews said Victorian children under the age of six would receive priority help, in recognition of the developmental needs of young children.
“The scheme will provide personalised care and support for people with a disability across the whole of Victoria by 1 July, 2019.
“Once fully rolled out, the NDIS will be the end of rationed services and waitlists for people with disability and their families.
“This is an historic day for Victoria and a victory for people with a disability, their families and loved ones who fought so hard for this reform.
“This provides certainty about how the NDIS will roll out across Victoria, and once fully rolled out it will mean a fairer system with no more waiting lists – it is about putting people with disability and their families first.”