Media Release by Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

Working with South Australia to get NDIS ready

Joint Media Release with:

  • Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for families, community services and indigenous affairs, Minister for disability reform
  • Mark Butler MP, Member for Port Adelaide

The Australian Government has announced it will work with the South Australian Government on measures to help get the state ready for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

An NDIS will make sure Australians with disability have access to the care and support they need to participate in society, no matter where they live, if they were born with a disability or how they acquired their disability.

An NDIS will involve fundamental changes to the way disability care and support is provided in Australia.

The South Australian Government’s commitment today to move towards a model of individualised funding for people with disability is a significant step towards improving disability services and getting the state NDIS ready.

And as part of the critical design and development work needed to prepare for the launch of an NDIS, the Australian and South Australian governments will work together to:

  • Coordinate the Commonwealth’s Better Start and Helping Children with Autism programs with South Australia’s early childhood intervention services; and
  • Develop tools to help parents of children with disability make informed choices about the early intervention services they receive.

This work will help to ensure that early intervention programs provided through various levels of government are coordinated and it will clear any confusion and guide families through the array of service options and providers that currently confront them.

This joint work will also inform the design of the launch of an NDIS by providing a practical example of how to give families the tools and support they need to make choices in the early years of a young person’s life.

Research demonstrates that intervention in the early years can help children with disability prepare for school and lifelong learning.

South Australia will also make its skilled staff available for secondment to the Agency the Australian Government will establish to lead the Commonwealth’s work to design the launch of an NDIS.

The Australian Government has invited all states and territories to second staff to this agency, to share their experience and expertise.

Throughout 2012, the Australian Government will work closely with state and territory governments, people with disability, their families and carers, service providers and the disability care and support workforce on the critical design and development work that is needed for a launch.

The Australian Government welcomes the South Australian Government’s commitment to work to improve the lives and choices of South Australians with a disability, their families and carers.