WA enters next phase of NDIS

Friday, 1 July 2016 

• Existing WA NDIS trials extended 12 months from today
• Plans for further NDIS expansion well underway 

The existing Western Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trials will be extended another year from today, as plans progress for further expansion into new local government areas.

Disability Services Minister Donna Faragher said trials in the Lower South West, Cockburn-Kwinana and Perth Hills were being continued, allowing additional eligible people in those areas to join up.

"The extension of the NDIS trials in these areas will enable those West Australians already benefiting from the NDIS to continue to do so," Mrs Faragher said.

"It also means that additional eligible people with disability in those locations will have the opportunity to join the trial and access supports and services during the coming year."

The Minister said by early 2017, the State and Commonwealth models of the NDIS would be expanded into an additional nine local governments areas ahead of an expected State-wide roll out.

"By July 1 next year, 11,000 people with disability will be entitled to access the NDIS - that's nearly a quarter of all eligible West Australians," she said.

"The State and Commonwealth governments are continuing to work closely to finalise how the NDIS will be governed in WA, but what we do know is that it will be nationally consistent in relation to eligibility, portability and reasonable and necessary supports."

Mrs Faragher said a community engagement plan was underway to seek the views of people with disability, their families and carers on how the NDIS could best meet the needs of West Australians.

"This process, which is being co-ordinated by the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability, will give people with disability and their families and carers, the opportunity to provide valuable input about what's working best on the ground and what else could be improved," she said.
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The WA Government will invest $181 million this financial year to support the NDIS in WA. The Commonwealth Government will contribute $159 million for the NDIS trials in 2016-17.

Fact File

• From October 1, 2016 the WA NDIS will expand to the local government areas of Armadale, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Murray
• For more information about WA NDIS, visit http://www.disability.wa.gov.au
• From January 1, 2017 the NDIA NDIS will expand to the local government areas of Bayswater, Bassendean, Chittering, Toodyay, York and Northam
• For more information about NDIA NDIS, visit http://www.ndis.gov.au
• For more information on the NDIS community engagement program, visit http://www.macd.wa.gov.au