Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

NDIS continues roll out across Queensland

Queenslanders living in regions including Brisbane, Logan and Redlands, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Croydon, Etheridge, Cape York, Torres Strait, Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett, Cherbourg, and the Gold Coast will join more than 160,000 Australians already participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from 1 July 2018.

Assistant Minister for Disability Services, Jane Prentice said the rollout of the NDIS across these Queensland regions was an important milestone for people with disability, their families, carers and the broader Queensland community.

“I am pleased to announce the continued rollout of the NDIS in Queensland 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 and is already empowering more than 15,000 Queenslanders with disability.”

According to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Market Position Statement for Queensland, the number of people receiving disability support across the state is forecast to increase to 91,000 by 2020.

“The NDIS will also create up to 35,950 new jobs across Queensland and generate local investment which will ensure people with disability have the assistance they need to help them achieve their goals and participate in their local communities,” Mrs Prentice said.

“Over the coming years, an additional $2.5 billion will be injected into the local economy as a result of the NDIS rolling out across Queensland.”

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.

LAC services will be delivered by Carers Queensland in Brisbane, Logan, Redlands and the Gold Coast; APM on the Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and Cherbourg; and Mission Australia in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Croydon, Etheridge, Cape York and Torres Strait.

ECEI services will be delivered by The Benevolent Society in Brisbane, Logan and Redlands, BUSHkids on the Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and Cherbourg; and Mission Australia in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Croydon, Etheridge, Cape York and Torres Strait.

The NDIA is working to source a partner to deliver ECEI services in the Gold Coast and Hinterland region.