Northern Territory celebrates final NDIS roll-out while Western Australia joins
![The final stage of the NDIS roll-out has commenced in the Northern Territory, while Western Australia has become the final state to officially join the Scheme [Source: Shutterstock]](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/12-July-NDIS-WA-NT.jpg?fm=pjpg)
The final stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) roll-out in the Northern Territory (NT) has commenced, while Western Australia (WA) becomes the final state to officially join the Scheme.
The announcements came on the fifth anniversary of the NDIS.
“From [1 July 2018] people with a disability eligible for the NDIS in Greater Darwin and Central Australia regions will commence transition to the NDIS, marking the final stage of transition in the Northern Territory,” Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles says.
Already available in the East Arnhem, Barkly, Darwin Remote, Katherine regions, the NDIS is expected to reach full scheme in the Northern Territory on 1 July 2019, supporting 6,500 people with disability.
Minister for Social Services, Dan Tehan acknowledges the importance of Western Australia in joining the other Australian states and territories in transitioning to the NDIS.
“The NDIS will be life-changing for Western Australian participants, by supporting people with disability, their families and carers to play a greater role in their communities,” he says.
“The Scheme will fund reasonable and necessary supports for people to help them live an ordinary life. It will also deliver profound economic change, creating new market, new employment and new investment.”
It is expected WA NDIS participants will transfer to the federally administered scheme between 1 April 2018 and 31 December 2018, with transition already underway for those receiving state or federal disability supports.
According to WA Minister for Disability Services, Stephen Dawson, the NDIS is expected to support roughly 39,000 people with disability by 2020.
“This will mean a significant increase in funding and services and will deliver an unprecedented availability of support for people, many of whom have not been able to access anything of this kind before,” he says.
Mr Dawson says he will work alongside the Disability Reform Council, Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan and the National Disability Insurance Agency, local disability sector leaders and people with disability as the roll-out proceeds.
The NDIS continues to improve the lives of more than 160,000 Australians living with disability.
“Supporting every Australian to live their best life is a noble ambition and it is why working together to implement the NDIS is so important,” Mr Tehan says.
For more information on disability support and services, please visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au