NDIS Quarterly Report reveals increased growth and satisfaction

The report highlights the positive impact the NDIS is having on the lives of people with disability, noting 183,965 Australians are now accessing the life changing Scheme, representing a 13 percent growth compared to the previous quarter.

Of these participants, 54,802 or almost 1 in 3 are accessing support for the first time.

The figures also revealed an increase in participant satisfaction from 84 percent to 88 percent.

The Quarterly Report shows 91 percent of parents or carers of NDIS participants of preschool aged children consider the NDIS has helped with their child’s development.

It also revealed 71 percent of participants aged over 25 years old say the NDIS has helped them with daily living activities, with 88 percent of all NDIS participants rated their experience with the Scheme either ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

The NDIS has also seen the provider market experience substantial growth with a 17 percent increase of registered providers this quarter, equating to 16,755 providers.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Robert De Luca says while the figures represent improvement, there is still more work to be done to ensure a consistent experience among people with disability and providers.

“The results of the survey and very encouraging, however, there is still room for improvement and we continue to work on a number of initiatives to further enhance the experience.”

Mr Luca also notes the NDIS is gaining momentum as it continues to roll-out across the country.

“The NDIS is now fully operational in New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, with the first regions of Western Australia joining the NDIA administered Scheme on July 1 this year,” he says.

“This means hundreds of thousands of Australians are now benefiting from the NDIS and its life changing support, right across the country.”

The Quarterly Report also revealed 176,197 Australians with disability have received individualised NDIS plans, which has helped change their lives by increasing their independence and engagement with their communities.

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) took to Facebook to highlight key points of the report, citing some room for improvement.

“The report shows that there are still considerable delays relating to plans and plan review and the Government needs to lift the staffing cap so the NDIA can do their job and deliver this once effectively in a generation reform and create the best possible plans for people with disability,” a PWDA spokesperson says.

“This will mean less reviews, less appeals and better plans.”

Alongside the continual roll out, the NDIS continues to be delivered within budget as it has each year since its conception in 2013.

By the numbers

NDIS and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) participants by State and Territory

ACT – 6,808 participants

SA – 18,565 participants

NSW – 89,622 participants

TAS – 4,416 participants

NT – 843 participants

VIC – 42,204 participants

QLD – 16,999 participants

WA – 4,508 participants

To read the reports, click here.

For more information on disability support and services, please visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au