NDIS

Roll out of DisabilityCare Australia

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Where and when is DisabilityCare Australia available?

DisabilityCare Australia is the national disability insurance scheme. We are introducing the scheme in stages from July 2013. This is because it’s a big change, and we want to get it right and make it sustainable.

From 1 July 2013, DisabilityCare Australia begins in Tasmania for young people aged 15-24, in South Australia for children aged 0-14, and in the Barwon area of Victoria and the Hunter area in NSW for people up to age 65. From 1 July 2014, DisabilityCare Australia will commence across the ACT and the Barkly region of Northern Territory. Roll out of the full scheme in these states and territories, as well as Queensland will commence progressively from July 2016.

New South Wales

For existing clients of specialist disability services – From 1 July 2013, the first stage of the scheme will commence for people living in the local government area (LGA) of Newcastle. People living in the Lake Macquarie LGA will enter the scheme from 2014, and people living in the Maitland LGA will access it from mid-2015.

People with permanent and significant disability or mental illness residing in the Hunter launch site not currently receiving specialist disability services can make an access request to DisabilityCare Australia at any time from 1 July 2013.

From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out in New South Wales and by July 2018, all eligible residents will be covered.

Victoria

The Barwon area of Victoria is one of six locations across the country to benefit from the launch of DisabilityCare Australia.

From July 2013, the first stage of the scheme in the Barwon area will commence for residents living in the local government areas (LGAs) of the City of Greater Geelong, the Colac-Otway Shire, the Borough of Queenscliffe, and the Surf Coast Shire. By July 2016, all Barwon area residents with significant and permanent disabilities will be able to access the scheme.

From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out in Victoria and by July 2019, all eligible residents will be covered.

South Australia

South Australia is one of six locations across the country to benefit from the launch of DisabilityCare Australia.

Children with disabilities in South Australia will start to move into DisabilityCare Australia from 1 July 2013. Children currently in disability support programs aged from birth to two years will be the first group to access the scheme, with children up to five years entering the scheme before July 2014. From July 2014, the age limit will be extended to 13 years, and in the third year of launch all children up to 14 years.

From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out in South Australia and by July 2018, all eligible residents will be covered.

Tasmania

Tasmania is one of six locations across the country to benefit from the launch of DisabilityCare Australia. Participants aged 15–24 years as at 1 July 2013 will be able to access the scheme during the first stage of DisabilityCare Australia in Tasmania. Over the next three years, young people with significant and permanent disability will be able to access the scheme when they turn 15 years old. From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out in Tasmania and by July 2019, all eligible residents will be covered.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT is one of six locations across the country to benefit from the launch of DisabilityCare Australia. Between now and June 2014, programs will be implemented to help people with a significant and permanent disability, their families, carers and service providers get ready for DisabilityCare Australia. The scheme will launch on 1 July 2014. DisabilityCare Australia will have full coverage across the ACT by July 2016.

Northern Territory

The Barkly region is one of six locations across the country to benefit from the launch of DisabilityCare Australia. People with a significant and permanent disability will be able to access the scheme from July 2014. From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out in the Northern Territory and by July 2019, all eligible residents will be covered.

Queensland

From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out in Queensland and by July 2019, all eligible Queensland residents will be covered.

Find out more

  • Fact sheets – more details about the arrangements in each location.
  • What help can I get? – more details support options.
  • Other services in your state – links and contact details.