The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has reached a significant milestone, with the latest data in the NDIS Quarterly Report showing over 530,000 participants are now receiving individualised funding packages for disability-related supports.
Acting CEO of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Dr Lisa Studdert, said the latest data demonstrates the Agency’s progress in working with participants, their support networks and the disability sector to overcome challenges and support participants across all aspects of their NDIS experience.
“I’m pleased today’s NDIS Quarterly Report shows the NDIS is supporting 534,655 participants,” Dr Studdert said.
“It highlights the important work the NDIA is doing to continuously improve the experience for participants.”
In the past quarter, the NDIA has worked across government to support participants, providers, staff and partners, as the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt.
This included supporting participants and disability workers to get vaccinated, work to distribute Rapid Antigen Tests, and additional measures to assist providers to maintain continuity of support in the face of workforce disruption.
“Amid the challenges posed by COVID-19, the NDIA and partners worked alongside disability support organisations and support workers to provide essential care to participants affected by floods across Queensland and New South Wales,” Dr Studdert said.
The June quarter also saw the NDIA strengthen its engagement and co-design work. The Co-design Advisory group continued to meet and provide advice to the NDIA, including on plans to develop a framework to evaluate co-design projects.
“The NDIA remains committed to working closely with participants, their families and carers to co-design improvements to the NDIS. This commitment is now enshrined in legislation through recent amendments to the NDIS Act,” Dr Studdert said.
Today’s report also highlights the Scheme’s continued growth, with 19,291 new participants joining the NDIS this quarter.
Of the new participants who joined:
- 44% (8,419) were children, meaning there are now 82,863 NDIS participants aged under 7 in the Scheme.
- 9.1% (1,762) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, meaning there are now 38,846 participants representing this cohort in the Scheme.
- 9.3% (1,792) identified as being from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community, meaning there are now 49,201 participants representing this cohort in the Scheme.
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