NDIS launches in East Melbourne
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will become available to Victorians in Inner and Outer Eastern Melbourne from 1 November 2017, improving the lives of people with disability and generating more than 1000 new jobs in the wider region.
Jane Prentice, the Assistant Minister for Disability Services, said the roll out of the NDIS in the Inner and Outer East Melbourne regions was an important milestone for people with disability, their families, carers and the broader local community.
“I am pleased to announce the continued rollout of the NDIS in Victoria and I welcome people who are existing state clients and other eligible residents into the Scheme,” Mrs Prentice said.
“The NDIS is one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history, it is already empowering more than 15,000 Victorians with disability, helping them fulfil their goals and participate in community life.
“Across Victoria, people are excited about the NDIS and the impact it will have on their lives and I share their enthusiasm.”
According to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Market Position Statement for Victoria, the number of people receiving disability support in the Inner and Outer East Melbourne regions is forecast to grow from 13,300 to 15,400 by 2019.
“The NDIS will also generate jobs and local investment which will ensure people with disability have the assistance they need to help them achieve their goals,” Mrs Prentice said.
“Over the coming years, an additional $210 million will be injected into the local economy as a result of the NDIS rolling out in Inner and Outer East Melbourne.”
The NDIA is working with Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and Local Area Coordination (LAC) partners to deliver the NDIS in local communities across Australia. ECEI and LAC partners help participants navigate the NDIS and connect them with other community services, where appropriate.
The ECEI partner in both Inner and Outer East Melbourne is Link Health and Community who will deliver ECEI services to children aged zero to six. La Trobe Community Health Service will deliver LAC services in both Inner and Outer East Melbourne.
Once fully implemented in 2019, the NDIS is expected to support about 105,300 people with disability in Victoria and about 460,000 people nationally. The NDIS is expected to boost the Victorian economy by $2.5 billion and bring more than 10,000 new jobs in disability services to the State.
The NDIS is available to people under the age of 65 with permanent and significant disability.
Inner East Melbourne and Outer East Melbourne residents are encouraged to visit the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au to find out how to get NDIS Ready.