More than 200,000 now in disability scheme

As the number of people being supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme has continued to grow, so too has satisfaction with the program.

Thousands of Australians are being supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Thousands of Australians are being supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Source: AAP

More than 200,000 Australians are now being supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with almost all participants saying their experience has been positive.

The latest quarterly data on the NDIS, released on Sunday, shows 93 per cent of participants rated their experience as good or very good.

That's a five per cent boost from the previous three months.

Almost one third of people in the scheme are receiving disability supports for the first time, the figures show.

The NDIS has also helped 91 per cent of its very young participants who haven't yet gone to school to better communicate their needs, according to their parents or carers.

The data proves efforts to improve the scheme have been paying off, Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher says.

"Rolling out the NDIS is a complex and difficult task but these figures show we're on track and improving the experience for participants, carers and families," he said.

"The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has been working hard to reform the participant pathway and that's coming through."

The number of NDIS participants grew by 14 per cent between the start of July and end of September, bringing the total number to 208,793.

There are now 17,925 providers register to deliver support through the scheme, up by seven per cent from the previous quarter.

"Participants now have more choice than ever before," NDIA chief executive Robert De Luca said.

The NDIS is operating in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia, with its rollout ongoing in the remaining states and territories.

About 460,000 people with disability are expected to be supported through the scheme by 2020-21 when it the rollout is complete.


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Published 18 November 2018 6:18am
Source: AAP

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