Thousands of Brimbank residents living with disabilities will know some time this month when the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be rolled out for them.
NDIS facilitator Jacqui Pierce, who hosted a forum in Sunshine on Monday, had hoped to have clear information this week on when the NDIS will become available.
“All I can say at this stage is the NDIS will start rolling out on July 1 next year and continue to roll out until June 30, 2019,” she said.
“It’s a three-year rollout. We can expect more information on the national schedule this month.
“We’ve had to iron out a few glitches in the system. We had expected some issues, but we’ve had some wonderful outcomes for people with a disability and their families.”
Ms Pierce said the NDIS meant a “paradigm shift” for people needing support.
“We are tipping the system on its head,” she said. “Funding will no longer go to organisations and services but directly to the person.
“Organisations will provide service then get paid for it rather than getting a block of funding from the government.”
A Health and Human Services Department spokesman said recipients did not have to be on the Disability Support Register to be eligible.
“The Victorian government is working closely with the Commonwealth and other states and territories to ensure the strengths of Victoria’s current system of quality and safeguards are retained in the NDIS,” he said.
Specific numbers of eligible Brimbank residents could not be provided, however.
Details: www.ndis.gov.au
