The 2016-17 NSW Budget will commit $1.3 billion to roll out the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across NSW, Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka announced.
More than 40,000 people with disability will be able to access the NDIS in its first year alone, with the life-changing reforms also expected to benefit the disability services sector and the NSW economy.
“Our strong Budget has given us the capability to deliver this once-in-a-generation reform, which will transform the lives of thousands,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In addition to increased support for people with disability and their loved ones, the NDIS will help create tens of thousands of new jobs across the State, which is great news for the economy.”
“The NDIS is truly life-changing – it will give people with disability real choice and control over their own lives for the very first time,” Mr Ajaka said.
“This is the watershed year for the NDIS. In one year, the NDIS will expand rapidly by more than 40,000 participants,” Mr Ajaka said.
“To ensure the sector is ready for such rapid growth, the NSW Government has been investing in sector and workforce development to make sure NSW is NDIS-ready.”
In 2016-17, funding for the NDIS will rise to more than $2 billion, including $1.3 billion from the NSW Government and $740 million from the Commonwealth.
By 2018-19, funding for the NDIS will grow to $6.5 billion, including $3.2 billion from the NSW Government and $3.3 billion from the Commonwealth.
From 1 July 2016, people living in Hunter New England, Southern NSW, Central Coast, Northern Sydney, South Western Sydney, Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains will begin to be able to access the NDIS.
For further information about the NDIS, visit www.ndis.nsw.gov.au
