Media Release by The Hon Stuart Robert MP

Morrison Government continues rollout of the NDIS in face of Coronavirus

The Morrison Government has continued to deliver the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), despite the emergence of the coronavirus, with new data released today showing around 27,500 people with disability joining the NDIS in the first quarter of 2020.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, said the latest NDIS Quarterly Report highlights the Scheme’s continued support of Australians with disability with $4.3 billion paid for disability supports during the quarter – a 70 per cent increase on the same time last year.

Of most significance, the March quarter also showed a significant reduction in the number of open participant requested reviews from 7,295 at 30 June 2019, to 755 at 31 March 2020, with reviews completed on average in only 13 days.

Minister Robert said the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) had in March started implementing new measures to assist participants and providers during the coronavirus pandemic, whilst driving significant improvements ensuring Australians with disability received timely support from the Scheme.

‘Despite the coronavirus presenting new challenges, it’s important we continue to deliver the rollout of the NDIS and figures released today demonstrate we are doing just that,’ Minister Robert said.

The ongoing growth of the NDIS comes as the Government implements measures ensuring essential supports remain in place for participants, workers and providers through the coronavirus outbreak. The wellbeing and safety of participants has remained paramount.

‘I would like to thank the whole disability community including participants, families and carers, NDIS providers, advocacy groups, the NDIA, its staff and partners for focusing on health and safety of people with disability and ensuring they receive the essential supports they require at this time.’

The Q3 2019-2020 COAG NDIS Quarterly Report and latest information on the response to the coronavirus pandemic is available at www.ndis.gov.au.

Background

Figures as at 31 March 2020 show:

  • 364,879 people with disability are now being supported through the NDIS, including 27,426 people who joined the Scheme this quarter.
  • 154,139 NDIS participants are receiving supports for the first time.
  • Continued support for children, with 30 per cent of new participants this quarter aged 0-6 (8,283 children)
  • A further 5,542 children are receiving initial supports in the ECEI gateway.
  • Wait times to make an access decision remain steady, on average, just three days.
  • The number of people in residential aged care under the age of 65 has continued to decrease.
  • A continued increase in diversity among new participants, with:
    • 11.3 per cent of participants identifying as culturally and linguistically diverse, compared with 8.9 per cent in previous quarters.
    • 7.7 per cent of participants this quarter identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, compared with 6.1 per cent in previous quarters.
    • Participants with psychosocial disability represented 12.6 per cent of participants this quarter, compared to 9.1 per cent in previous quarters.
  • A 4 per cent increase in active providers, with 548 providers active for the first time during the March quarter.