Landmark NDIS agreement reached for Queensland rollout

Queenslanders with disability have certainty about their futures and how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will roll out across the state, now that the Bilateral Agreement has been signed by the State and Federal Governments

The agreement paves the way for the scheme to roll out in Queensland from July this year, with more than 90,000 Queenslanders with disability expected to benefit and around 13,000 jobs to be created by mid- 2019.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was a historic day for people with disability and all Queenslanders, providing certainty and creating jobs.

“The NDIS empowers people with disability to access the supports they need to reach their goals and live the lives they choose,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“It will also provide a massive boost to Queensland’s economy, injecting more than $4 billion every year and creating up to 13,000 jobs in a diverse and growing disability sector.

“Many of these jobs will be in regional and remote communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which is great news.

“This is a win-win for all Queenslanders, delivering on an election commitment to support transition to the NDIS and creating jobs.”

Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the signing of the agreement provided welcome detail and certainty about the three-year roll out process.

“The NDIS is the biggest social reform in more than 40 years, doubling the number of Queenslanders currently accessing disability services,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This agreement provides certainty for people with disability and their families, as well as service providers and the broader business community, who can plan for their future to maximise opportunities the NDIS will bring.

“Importantly, current service and support arrangements will continue to be delivered to existing Queensland Disability Services clients until they enter the NDIS.”

The Bilateral Agreement details the three-year rollout of the NDIS across the State, including:

July 2016 to June 2017:

• Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, west to Mount Isa, and up to the gulf
• Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays
• Toowoomba and west to the borders;

July 2017 to June 2018:

• Ipswich, Lockyer, Scenic Rim and Somerset
• Bundaberg
• Rockhampton, Gladstone and west to the borders, and

July 2018 to June 2019:

• Logan and Redlands
• Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Croydon, Etheridge, Cape York and Torres Strait
• Brisbane suburbs north of Brisbane River
• Brisbane suburbs south of Brisbane River
• Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and Cherbourg
• Gold Coast and Hinterland
• Moreton Bay including Strathpine and Caboolture
• Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie

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