National Disability Insurance Scheme trials earn tick from disabled

More than 17,000 Australians are participating in trials of the ­National Disability Insurance Scheme.

More than 17,000 Australians are participating in trials of the ­National Disability Insurance Scheme and 95 per cent have rated their experience as “good” or “very good”.

With just one year of the trial phase remaining, the number of people taking part has exceeded expectations in every state and territory except NSW, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The National Disability Insurance Agency sustainability report for the June quarter shows 19,817 participants were eligible for the scheme across the country, up from 16,649 in March, and 17,303 had an NDIS-approved plan in place.

The NT had the lowest take-up rate, with only 45 per cent of expected participants deemed to be qualified and participating in the trial. In WA this figure stood at 85 per cent and in NSW at 99 per cent.

“There are certainly bumps on the way and lessons are still being learnt, but adjustments and finetuning will be an ongoing process through the transition to the full scheme,” Assistant Social Ser­vices Minister Mitch Fifield told The Australian.

The trials were agreed to by the commonwealth and state and territory governments, with the first beginning in July 2013.

They cover sites in the Hunter region (NSW), Barwon (Vic­toria), South Australia, Tasmania, Barkly (NT), Perth Hills (WA) and the ACT.

Participants of the trials had received $952.8 million in support as of June 30 — in line with initial cost projections — and the average annual package costs were approximately $38,423.

Labor is pressuring the Abbott government to sign agreements with the states to finalise the full rollout of the NDIS.

Senator Fifield said negoti­ations with all states and terri­tories were going well and several of them were close to conclusion.

“The negotiations have been characterised by tremendous goodwill by all governments and, while the opposition and others may feel the need to commentate on occasion, I’m just keeping my focus on landing agreements and delivering the full NDIS,” he said.

Opposition disability reform spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said the federal government could not afford to delay the signings, which were due to be ticked off earlier this week.