The NDIS is a generational reform which will deliver a new system of disability support focused on the needs and choices of people with disability through a partnership between the NSW State and Commonwealth governments.

The NSW Government is the first to enter a historic agreement with the Commonwealth Government for the full implementation of the scheme across the whole of NSW, benefiting around 140,000 people with disability.

The transition to the NDIS will be built on the NSW Government’s disability reform agenda Stronger Together 2. NSW will continue to transform the current system to be NDIS ready, providing person centred disability supports and individual funding arrangements to enable choice and control for people with disability.

To see what the NSW Government has already achieved in the first year of the reforms, building on the previous five years of Stronger Together investment, read the Stronger Together 2 Annual Report 2011-12 (PDF).

NSW’s input into the design of the NDIS nationally has been informed by extensive consultations through Living Life My Way. About 4,000 people and providers told us their dreams and aspirations for how disability supports could be in the future. NSW has directly influenced the national design based on this feedback. 

See the Living Life My Way Outcomes of statewide consultations report for more details on what people told us. NSW used the outcome of that consultation to form its agreement with the Commonwealth Government.

Ultimately, the NDIS will provide people with disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live life their way, to achieve their goals, and participate in social and economic life.

NDIS legislation was passed through Federal Parliament on 21 March 2013. This established the NDIS Launch Transition Agency (NLTA) to deliver the scheme.

• Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and NSW Governments on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (signed PDF) (unsigned DOC)

• Schedule A – Bilateral Agreement for NDIS Launch between the Commonwealth and New South Wales (signed PDF) (unsigned DOC)
• Appendix C – New South Wales Planned Intake of Participants (agreed DOC)
• Appendix D – Balance of Cash and In-Kind Contributions in New South Wales (agreed DOC)

For more information on the NDIS go to www.ndis.gov.au.

Hunter area launch

The NDIS will commence in the Hunter area from July 2013. People with disability living in the three local government areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland will access the scheme gradually to enable a smooth transition from existing arrangements. Once people with disability in those locations have established a plan with the NDIS they will be able to make choices to support their needs. Change is not always necessary, and some people may be happy to keep their current arrangements or add to them.

The NSW Government is working with the NLTA to establish a plan that will allow for the best possible transition of current clients into the scheme. These three LGAs will see around 10,000 people with disability being eligible for the NDIS. It will not be possible to transition every person with disability across these locations from the very first day. Careful planning is needed so that people with disability can be clear about when they might first engage with the NDIS, and have time to get ready for that engagement if they need it.

What the NDIS means for people with disability

The Launch Transition Agency, together with ADHC, will work with people with disability and their current providers to ensure they continue to get their current support during the transition.

For information about how the Launch Transition Agency will work in NSW including Frequently Asked Questions go to www.ndis.gov.au.

Stronger Together 2

The NSW Government will continue to implement its five year commitment under Stronger Together 2, providing growth and improved services for people with disability in NSW, and moving to more person-centred supports across the whole of NSW.

This work is preparing NSW for the state-wide rollout of the NDIS by 2018, and achieving the NSW Government’s commitment under its state plan NSW 2021 that 100 percent of disability service users in NSW will have person-centred supports by 30 June 2019.

Stronger Together 2 will be realigned and strengthened to reflect the NDIS agreement, to ensure our reforms complement rather than duplicate the work being undertaken through the NDIS. Information on these changes will be released shortly.

Ability Links NSW

Ability Links NSW (ALNSW) is a new way to support people with disability, their families and carers as part of the ongoing reforms of the disability service system in NSW. When fully established, a total of 248 Ability Links NSW Coordinators will be in place across the state.

ALNSW is the NSW approach to local area coordination and is a key foundation of Stronger Together 2. ALNSW is an important part of reshaping and improving the way people with disability, their families and carers in NSW are supported by placing them at the centre of decision making. We will establish ALNSW by 1 July 2013 in the Hunter region with the launch of the NDIS, and 1 July 2014 in the remainder of NSW.

As part of the NSW Government’s contribution to the NDIS launch in the Hunter, 14 ALNSW Coordinators will work in conjunction with the NLTA in the launch site from 1 July 2013. This will rise to 16 positions by 1 July 2014. St Vincent de Paul Society will be the provider of Ability Links in the Hunter.

Ability Links NSW Coordinators will assist people with disability to build social, recreational and other connections in their local communities. Coordinators will assist people by working with individuals and families and at the same time working with the wider community to promote a range of opportunities for people with disability to participate in everyday community life. Coordinators will assist people access formal and informal supports as well as other services, such as health and education.

Ability Links NSW Coordinators will provide a first point of contact and information for many people with disability and they will be able to provide information about the NDIS as well as assisting people transitioning to the this new scheme.

Read more about Ability Links NSW.

Beyond the Hunter launch

From 2016, the NDIS will start to expand to a full rollout across NSW. By July 2018, all eligible residents across NSW will be covered by the NDIS.

The NSW Government will be working with the Commonwealth to determine the best approach for the transition.

Around 140,000 NSW people with disability will benefit from the scheme by the end of the transition in 2018.

More information

Further details of the scheme will be provided as they are finalised. For more information visit www.ndis.gov.au. You can sign up for regular updates. Individuals can also call the NDIS Hotline on 1800 800 110.

How to show your support

Show your support for a National Disability Insurance Scheme via the national Every Australian Counts campaign. The campaign is being led by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council and National Disability Services.