The Australian Government is making it easier for eligible National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants to access high quality housing following a range of reforms to build confidence in the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) market.
Speaking at the Access 2019 conference in Sydney today, Minister for the National Disability Scheme, Stuart Robert, said the government was committed to cutting red tape and ensuring timely advice is provided to the market about participant eligibility and housing type and location.
'SDA is a life-changing support that empowers participants through greater control, independence, privacy and opportunities to maintain and grow personal relationships,' Mr Robert said.
'This year, the Government has implemented a range of reforms to build confidence in the SDA market including the establishment of the SDA panel, SDA Reference Group, the announcement of the Younger Persons in Residential Aged Care action plan, and continuing updates to rules, policies and pricing and payment settings.
Mr Robert's address to the conference comes as the latest NDIS Quarterly Report for 1 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 was released, demonstrating the growing transformative impact of the NDIS, including SDA.
'I'm deeply encouraged by the reported growth of SDA providers entering the market-an increase of 12 per cent to 977, while the number of enrolled dwellings also grew by 9.5 per cent in the quarter.
'There are around 13,300 NDIS participants now with SDA in their plans, so we are seeing more accommodation options for more people.
'With our access and planning prioritisation for young people in residential aged care, the number of people receiving NDIS supports grew by 1,600 in the last year. This number includes 600 younger participants living in aged care entering the NDIS in the June quarter, who now have the individual funding they need to source alternative accommodation, if this is their choice.'
See the latest Quarterly Report.
