Funding extensions for disability and carer programmes

The Abbott Government today delivered certainty to thousands of people with disability, carers, families and their advocates by extending funding for a range of programmes transitioning to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, said the Government’s priority was to ensure continuity of services to families and carers as the transition to the NDIS begins.

“Families, carers and children will continue receiving quality care and services as there will be no interruption as programmes migrate to the NDIS,” Minister Fifield said.

Minister Fifield said the Government had extended funding to the following programmes:

• Helping Children with Autism (HCWA)
• Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start)
• Young Carers Respite and Information Service (YCRISP)
• Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability (OTD)
• Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe or Profound Disability (RSCYP)
• National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP)

The contract extensions will provide around $47 million to service providers across the country.

Minister Fifield said the Government will extend funding for key support elements of the HCWA package and Better Start initiative through to 30 June 2016. This applies to all support elements that have not fully transitioned into NDIS trial sites and are not provided as part of NDIS.

“As these are extensions to current funding agreements, there is no need for providers to re-apply for funds,” Minister Fifield said.

A funding extension to 30 June 2016 covers the Young Carers Respite and Information Service, Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe or Profound Disability (RSCYP), and Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability (OTD) programmes where providers have not fully transitioned into NDIS trial sites and are delivering services either to young carers, carers of young people with severe or profound disability, or students with permanent and significant disability.

“I have moved to ensure certainty for these critically important programmes supporting young carers and those looking after young people who live with disability,” Minister Fifield said.

Minister Fifield also announced funding assurance to current providers of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP), with a 12-month extension to all agreements.

More than 11,500 people received support through the NDAP in 2013-14.

Existing three-year agreements with providers were due to expire on 30 June 2015, but have now been extended until 30 June 2016.

“The extension allows advocacy groups to continue supporting people with disability while planning takes place for the future of the NDAP,” he said.

“As the NDIS rolls out across Australia, NDAP providers will continue to assist people with disability to participate in decisions that impact their lives, including helping them access both the NDIS and mainstream services.”

Approximate funding breakdown by State/Territory: