Commonwealth and Victorian governments have come to an agreement on arrangements to transition people with disability into DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme.
Commonwealth Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin and Victorian Minister for Disability Services and Reform, Mary Wooldridge, called it “a crucial step”.
They said the arrangements provide clarity for existing users of disability supports and providers on the timeframe for the transfer to the national scheme.
The first stage of the scheme in the Barwon area will commence in July for residents living in the City of Greater Geelong, Colac-Otway Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe and Surf Coast Shire.
By July 2016, all Barwon area residents with significant and permanent disability—around 5000 people—will have access to the scheme.
People are currently receiving support from Disability Services, Early Childhood Intervention Services, Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation Support Services and some Home and Community Care Services will transition into the scheme.
More than 4000 people will access the scheme in its first year and all existing state and Commonwealth participants will transition into it by September 2014.
Ms Macklin said the agreement marked a significant step towards the launch of DisabilityCare Australia.
“This agreement acknowledges that a step by step introduction of DisabilityCare Australia is needed so that people with disability, their families and carers get the support they need in moving across to the new scheme.”
Ms Wooldridge said people with disability, their families and carers, along with service providers, would welcome the agreement.
“This is a significant milestone, because people with disability, their families, carers and service providers now have the vital information they need to prepare for the launch of DisabilityCare Australia in the Barwon area,” Ms Wooldridge said.
