THE federal government has begun the roll-out of its national disability insurance scheme with the Newcastle launch of trial sites in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd travelled to the Hunter Region on Monday to formally open a new office for DisabilityCare in Charlestown where a three-year trial site will operate.
Trial sites have also begun in Geelong, where Disability Australia is headquartered, South Australia and Tasmania.
‘‘It’s really a special time,’’ federal Disability Minister Jenny Macklin told ABC local radio.
‘‘People with disability will be able to choose when they get care, the sort of care and support they receive.’’
In its initial stage, the scheme will cover only a few hundred people.
The program is set to expand across the nation in coming years toward a full roll-out by 2018/19.
‘‘We’re expecting to double the size of disability support and care across our country over that seven-year period,’’ Ms Macklin said.
Some $19.3 billion of federal money has been committed over seven years to roll out the scheme by 2018/19, after which the government will provide more funds and the states will put up the rest.
The scheme will be part funded by a rise in the universal Medicare levy to two per cent, from 1.5 per cent, from next year.
DisabilityCare covers Australians in the event of significant disability and will fund the long-term care and support to about 410,000 people aged under 65.
NDIS trial raises hope
LIFE will start to change for 3000 people with a disability in Newcastle when the National Disability Insurance Scheme starts in the Hunter.
The first of 10,000 people to take part in the Hunter trial of the national scheme will be able to sign up to receive "person-centred" support.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Federal Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin are expected to be in the Hunter Monday to open a DisabilityCare office.
Former prime minister Julia Gillard was tipped to open the office, before her ousting last week.
In the next 12 months, 3000 people from the Newcastle local government area will be able to join the scheme, including 2600 existing state government disability clients.
For those who do not join the scheme, their present arrangements will remain.
For taxpayers in general, the fee-for-service scheme means they will be charged an extra .05 per cent on the Medicare Levy.
The Hunter is one of only four launch sites around the country.
Disability advocates have warned the scheme will not be a panacea to the challenges people with a disability face.
Problems getting public transport, housing, education, legal representation and social acceptance won't necessarily be fixed.
Only a slim group of people with profound disability will be eligible for support.
Disability Advocacy Service NSW Hunter chief executive Mark Grierson warned DisabilityCare is a trial in the Hunter and there will be teething problems.
"We've still got to get to grips with it," Mr Grierson said.
"We're worried about people's expectations being so high."
Mr Grierson said he hoped the scheme would drive acceptance in the community, particularly in relation to hiring people who have a disability.
"One of the really good things about this scheme it puts people with a disability front and centre," he said.
"[It will create] an understanding that anyone can have a disability, whether they are born with or acquire it."
Linda Hughes from Community Disability Alliance Hunter said DisabilityCare turns the current disability support system on its head, and gives gives people with disability choice and control over their lives.
"There is a lot of excitement in the community about the NDIS, particularly among people with disability who are not getting adequate support and those who want a good life - like most people - but haven't had access to the resources they need to live it."
