Media Release by The Hon Sarah Henderson MP

NDIS now available across all of Tasmania

All eligible Tasmanians now have access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with the Scheme becoming available on 1 January 2019 to the last remaining age group in Tasmania – those aged between 50 and 64 years old.

More than 5,000 Tasmanians are already accessing the NDIS, with more than 1,700 of those receiving supports for the first time.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said the final roll out in Tasmania allows the NDIS to provide support to all eligible people with disability in the state.

“I am pleased to announce the NDIS is now available to all eligible Tasmanians,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The NDIS is already empowering more than 208,000 Australians to have choice and control in how they live their lives.

“The final roll out in Tasmania will ensure people with disability have the support they need to achieve their goals.”

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, added the roll out in Tasmania was an important milestone for the Scheme.

“Today marks an important step for the NDIS, as we can now provide opportunities for people with disability across all of Tasmania,” Ms Henderson said.

“The NDIS is life-changing and this milestone ensures all eligible Tasmanians now have access to reasonable and necessary supports to ensure they can engage with and contribute to their communities.”

The NDIS is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs and inject an additional $260 million into the Tasmanian economy.

Once fully implemented, the NDIS is estimated to support about 10,600 people with disability in Tasmania and about 460,000 people nationally.

For more information visit www.ndis.gov.au.