Joint Media Release: A quarter of a million Australians now benefitting from NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has reached a major milestone with more than 250,000 Australians now receiving support under the world-leading Scheme.

This includes approximately 78,000 people receiving life-changing support for the first time under the NDIS. 

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said the NDIS is having a real impact on the lives of people with a disability.

“The NDIS is one of the most important social reforms in Australian history,” said Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher.

“We have been driving hard to get the NDIS rolled out across Australia.  Reaching this milestone means that a quarter of million Australians with a disability are now being empowered to live their best life and achieve their goals.“

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, said more Australians with a disability are receiving supports for the first time because of the NDIS.

“Almost than one-in-three Australians receiving supports under the NDIS are receiving support for the very first time,” Ms Henderson said.

For many people, the NDIS is providing genuine choice and control over their lives.

In a recent survey of NDIS participants aged 25 and over, 75 per cent stated that the NDIS had helped them exercise more choice and control.

As of January 1, 2019, the NDIS is available to people with a disability across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Australian Capital Territory, with ongoing roll-out in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

By 2020, the NDIS will provide $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 460,000 people with disability – and contribute to the creation of around 90,000 jobs in the disability sector across Australia.

For more information visit www.ndis.gov.au