“It is a proud day for the people of NSW,” Mr Constance said.
“The NDIS marks a new era of support for people with disability in NSW and nationally.
“The launch site will see 10,000 people with disability receive support in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland Local Government Areas (LGAs) over the next three years, with 3,000 people supported in Newcastle in the first year alone.”
The NSW Government contribution of $585 million to the Hunter launch is more than 60 per cent of funding towards individual supports.
“NSW’s contribution will go directly towards funding individualised packages, not administration,” Mr Constance said.
“This builds on the NSW Government’s commitments to person centred reforms under Stronger Together 2.
“This is about giving full choice and control to people with disability, putting people with disability in charge of the decision making about the supports they need to live the life they want.”
The NSW Government will continue work to ensure that people with disability living in the launch site transition smoothly to the NDIS and receive the supports they need.
“Ensuring the NDIS responds to what people with disability need to achieve their goals, has been the focus of all the work NSW has done to date,” Mr Constance said.
“The NSW investment in system reform and individualised supports continues for people outside of the launch area which will help people make the transition to the NDIS when the time comes.”
By 2018, 140,000 people with disability will benefit from the full scheme across NSW. For more information about the NDIS and the launch site visit: www.disabilitycareaustralia.gov.au.
