CEO appointed to lead NDIS Agency

The Australian Government has appointed David Bowen as CEO of the body responsible for coordinating the implementation of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Mr Bowen brings a wealth of experience to his new role as CEO of the NDIS Launch Transition Agency.

Mr Bowen has been a consultant to the insurance industry, health and disability sectors and was a member of the Independent Panel which advised the Productivity Commission in its inquiry into a national disability care and support scheme.

A lawyer with a strong background in administrative and insurance law, Mr Bowen was also one of the architects of the NSW Lifetime Care and Support scheme and its inaugural CEO.

He is the Chair of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Advisory Committee and previously also General Manager of the NSW Motor Accidents Authority for 11 years.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Launch Transition Agency has been funded by the Australian Government to implement the first stage of an NDIS. The Agency will be working with all jurisdictions to ensure improved support for people with a disability, their family and carers.

The Gillard Government is delivering $1 billion over four years to start rolling out the first stage of an NDIS.

The first stage of an NDIS will begin in mid-2013 and will provide care and support to around 10,000 people with significant and permanent disabilities in selected locations across the country.

From mid-2014, the reach of an NDIS will be expanded to bring the total number of eligible people up to 20,000.

These individuals will have their needs assessed and be supported to develop individual plans to deliver ongoing personalised care and support over their lifetimes.

Our commitment means this Labor Government will start delivering an NDIS a year ahead of the timetable set out by the Productivity Commission.

We want Australians with disability, their families and carers to start benefiting from this fundamental reform as quickly as possible.

Key Features of an NDIS

The scheme will:

• provide eligible individuals with the care and support they need when they need it;
• give individuals decision making power, including being able to choose their service provider;
• provide high quality, evidence-based services which manage life-time costs of care;
• be simple to navigate and link to mainstream and community services;
• recognise the essential care and support of families and carers and support them in that role;
• facilitate each individual’s access to community participation, education and employment; and
• be managed on an insurance basis.