South Australia celebrates the full roll out of DisabilityCare Australia

The Federal Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin and South Australian Minister for Disabilities Tony Piccolo visited Orana in Netley today to celebrate the historic agreement that will see the full roll out of DisabilityCare Australia across South Australia by July 2018.

Ms Macklin said the agreement was a huge step forward for people with disability in South Australia, as well as their families and carers.

“This historic agreement will provide around 33,000 South Australians with disability choice and control over the care and support they receive,” Ms Macklin said
“DisabilityCare Australia will give all South Australians the peace of mind that if they have or acquire a disability or have a child with disability that leaves them needing daily care and support, that they will get the support they need, when they need it.”

Mr Piccolo said that the agreement builds on the upcoming launch in South Australia from July this year.

“The launch will initially focus on children aged birth to 5, extending to 13 years by 2014 and in the third year of launch will cover all eligible children up to 14 years,” Mr Piccolo said.

“We will progressively roll out DisabilityCare Australia in South Australia so that by July 2018, all eligible residents will be covered.”

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Amanda Rishworth, and Federal Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas welcomed the historic agreement as a turning point for people with disability in South Australia.

“DisabilityCare Australia will offer thousands of South Australians with a disability the care and support they need over their lifetimes,” Ms Rishworth said.

“DisabilityCare Australia will end the cruel lottery that currently exists where the care and support they receive depends on where they live or how they acquired their disability.”

“This historic agreement means all eligible South Australian residents will be covered by July 2018, including people with disability working at Australian Disability Enterprises such as Orana,” Mr Georganas said.

Under the agreement:

• By 2018-19, the South Australian Government will provide $723 million to cover all people in South Australia. This contribution was determined using the benchmark set by New South Wales in the agreement reached with the Commonwealth in December 2012. This will contribute to the cost of care and support for people with disability.
• By 2018-19, the Commonwealth Government will contribute around $760 million to the scheme for South Australians. This will be around 51 per cent of scheme costs. In addition, the Commonwealth will cover the full cost of people who turn 65 and choose to remain in the scheme.