Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

NDIS rolls out early in Rockhampton

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will become available to Queenslanders in Rockhampton, Gladstone and west to the South Australian and Northern Territory borders from 1 November 2017, improving the lives of Queenslanders with disability and generating more than 850 new jobs in the region.

The roll out follows an announcement by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments in May 2017 to bring forward the NDIS start date for Rockhampton from January 2018 to November 2017, providing early access for existing Queensland Government disability clients.

Jane Prentice, the Assistant Minister for Disability Services, said the roll out of the NDIS in Rockhampton – ahead of schedule – was an important milestone for people with disability, their families, carers and the broader community.

“I am pleased to announce the continued rollout of the NDIS in Queensland and I welcome existing state clients in Rockhampton into the Scheme,” Mrs Prentice said.

“The NDIS is one of the largest social reforms in Australia’s history, it is already empowering more than 7000 Queenslanders with disability, helping them fulfil their goals and participate in community life. I encourage people to prepare for their NDIS plan and think about the goals they want to achieve and the supports needed to achieve them.”

“Other eligible residents will not have long to wait as all remaining eligible people in Rockhampton will be able to enter the NDIS from January 2018.”

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Market Position Statement for Queensland estimates the number of people receiving disability support in the Rockhampton region is forecast to grow from 2500 to 4900 by 2019.

“The NDIS will 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 $130 million will be injected into the Rockhampton economy as a result of the NDIS.”

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.

In Rockhampton, BUSHkids will deliver ECEI services to children aged zero to six and Carers Queensland Incorporated will deliver LAC services.

Once fully implemented in 2019, the NDIS is expected to support about 91,000 people with disability in Queensland and 460,000 people nationally.

The NDIS is expected to boost the state’s economy by $2.5 billion and double the disability services workforce.

The region of Rockhampton, Gladstone and west to the borders covers the local government areas of:

  • Banana 

  • Barcaldine         

  • Barcall                              

  • Blackall Tambo

  • Central Highlands

  • Diamantina

  • Gladstone

  • Livingstone

  • Longreach

  • Rockhamptoh

  • Winton

  • Woorabinda

People living in these areas are encouraged to visit the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au to find out how to get NDIS Ready.