Media Release by Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

Enhanced support for Victorians with disability

The Morrison Government is committed to ensuring the safety of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants during the current COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria. 

In addition to the state-based vaccination hubs prioritising workers announced by the Victorian Government yesterday, a dedicated Commonwealth vaccination hub for people with disability opened in Thomastown last week. Each day more than 120 people with disability, their support workers and their primary carers are being vaccinated. 

In addition to the dedicated vaccination hub, the following measures are being taken:

  • Working with the sector to support appropriate worker mobility arrangements for disability residential services providers, where worker restrictions are required to ensure the safety of workers and NDIS participants.   
  • A new national support payment of $150 per participant for disability providers to assist NDIS supported independent living participants eligible within Phase 1a to attend offsite locations, including Commonwealth hubs, state clinics and GPs.
  • The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will reinstate measures to enable NDIS providers in Victoria to directly claim the cost of PPE for workers.
  • The NDIA is offering COVID-19 related supports including deep cleaning services, assistive technology and a clinical first response service for supported independent living providers should COVID-19 be detected.

“I acknowledge and thank the disability sector in Victoria and nationally for their continued active planning and response to potential outbreaks of COVID-19 and for taking reasonable precautions to minimise infection risks,” Minister Reynolds said.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Morrison Government has made $90.7 million available to support people with disability as part of a broader community support package.

To find out how to book a vaccine, go to Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines | Australian Government Department of Health.