The Albanese and Cook Governments are delivering for Western Australians living with a disability by signing the state's NDIS Full Scheme Bilateral Agreement.
There are over 62,000 NDIS participants in WA who receive life-changing supports.
Under the agreement, WA is committed to paying fixed contributions from the commencement of the full scheme arrangement on 1 July 2025, securing long-term funding arrangements.
Governance will be strengthened through the establishment of a WA Community Advisory Council for the NDIS to advise on improving participants' NDIS experience.
The new landmark agreement reflects the shared responsibility of both governments to deliver a sustainable and effective NDIS. It provides long-term certainty for the scheme and the participants it supports in WA.
Both Governments have also committed to working together to improve access to NDIS supports in regional and remote Western Australia.
It will build on the success of the Alternative Approaches to Commissioning For Remote and First Nations Communities initiative trial site launched in Katanning in 2024, which is helping to develop community-driven solutions to address service gaps in the region.
Since the implementation of the NDIS in WA, the number of people accessing the NDIS has grown rapidly, with a continually increasing number of people with disability receiving support under the scheme.
In the 2023-24 financial year, the total NDIS participant supports costs in WA were $3.6 billion, of which the Australian Government contributed approximately $2.3 billion and the Western Australian Government $1.3 billion as part of our commitment to supporting people who have permanent and significant disability to reach their goals.
This agreement ensures the future of the scheme in WA as all governments progress NDIS reforms, putting people with disability at the centre of the scheme.
Finalisation of the agreement also includes a reimbursement payment to WA for expenditure incurred in relation to the NDIS over the 10-year transition period to 20 June 2024 through the DisabilityCare Australia Fund. This ensures WA participants will continue to receive the services they require.
Reaching enduring arrangements for the NDIS in WA means all jurisdictions now have full scheme agreements in place.
As stated by Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Mark Butler:
"Our Government is supporting West Australians living with a disability.
"There are over 62,000 NDIS participants currently in WA and they can now be assured the future of the Scheme is secured.
"The WA Government has committed to make fixed, upfront funding contributions each year, with the Commonwealth paying the balance of Scheme costs in WA.
"The agreement also includes a payment of $842.9 million this financial year to WA to finalise the DisabilityCare Australia Fund."
As stated by WA Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley:
"This is a significant milestone for the NDIS in Western Australia, which has fundamentally changed the landscape of the disability support ecosystem and improved the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.
"This Agreement provides certainty to people with disability in WA, their families and carers, that the NDIS is here to stay and will continue to support them.
"The establishment of the WA Community Advisory Council for the NDIS, with representatives with lived experience, advocacy and sector backgrounds, will play a crucial governance role in advising and advocating for participants to ensure the Scheme is working well.
"I welcome the Commonwealth's commitment to working with us to improve the operation of the NDIS in Western Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas to ensure people in these communities have access to the support they need."
