The Federal Government has announced that it will start work immediately with states and territories on measures that will build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, following the release of the Productivity Commission's final report into the matter.

 

The Productivity Commission examined reform of disability support services, making the following main recommendations:

:

  • A National Disability Insurance Scheme should be created to provide all Australians with insurance for the costs of support if they or a family member acquire a disability.  The scheme will provide individually tailored care and support to around 410 000 people with significant disabilities.
  • A National Injury Insurance Scheme should be created to provide no fault insurance for anyone who suffers a catastrophic injury.

 

The Productivity Commission's report finds that it would take at least seven years to transform disability services, with further policy work including:

  • development of common assessment tools to determine eligibility for support;
  • development of service and quality standards so that people with disability can expect high quality support irrespective of what disability they have or how they acquired it;
  • development of a national pricing structure;
  • building the capacity of the disability sector; and
  • building workforce capacity.

 

 The Federal  Government has announce that, with the States and Territories, work will begin immediately on building the foundations for reform. This includes:

providing an immediate, additional $10 million, consistent with the PC recommendations, to support technical policy work;

  • Establishment of a COAG Select Council of Ministers from the Commonwealth, States and Territories to lead reform in this area at COAG next month;
  • Take steps to establish an Advisory Group to the Select Council, led by Dr Jeff Harmer, to provide expert advice on delivering the foundations for reform and preparation for launch.

The Commonwealth will nominate national disability advocates Mr Bruce Bonyhady  and Dr Rhonda Galbally  to this Advisory Group.

 

Suggestions for additional nominees to this group have also been sought from the states and territories.

 

For a copy of the Productivity Commission report visit http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/disability-support/report