In recent years, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has emerged as a beacon of positive change in the lives of individuals with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers. The latest Quarterly Report showcases the profound influence of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), revealing significant strides in fostering community inclusion and participation.
As of the last quarter (to September 30, 2023), the NDIS proudly supports over 630,000 participants, with 23,803 new entrants during this period. The outcomes data underscores the Scheme's success in delivering positive impacts:
1. Greater Choice and Control:
Over three-quarters of participants aged over 15 years reported a sense of greater choice and control in their lives, surpassing the 2023-24 target.
2. Increased Community Engagement:
A notable 42% of participants aged 15 years and older reported heightened participation in community and social activities, marking a relative increase of 7%.
3. Rising Employment Opportunities:
A significant accomplishment is the doubling of participation in work, rising from 10% to 22% for participants aged 15 to 24.
4. Parental Employment Milestone:
Half of all parents and carers are now reporting paid employment, achieving the 2023-24 target of 50%. This reflects a relative increase of over 8% since the last quarter.
Rebecca Falkingham, CEO of the NDIA, acknowledges the ongoing progress of the Scheme and the imperative for continual enhancement through close consultation with the disability community. She emphasizes the significant, everyday impact of the NDIS in enabling individuals with disabilities to participate more actively in their communities, whether through education, work, or daily activities.
The commitment to enhancing the Scheme's experience is evident in encouraging results from recent quarters. Highlights from the latest quarter include:
1. Streamlined Hospital Discharge Timelines:
The NDIA has maintained a high success rate, with 92% of NDIS participants contacted within four days of the NDIA being notified of a participant's admission. This reflects an increase from 89% in the June 2023 quarter.
2. Reduced Waiting Times:
The average days between a participant being medically ready for discharge and the actual discharge have reduced to 24 days in the September 2023 quarter, down from 27 days in June 2023 and 30 days in March 2023.
3. Increased First Nations Participation:
Notably, there's been a surge in First Nations people accessing the Scheme, with 2,378 new participants joining in the last quarter. First Nations peoples now represent 10% of the total number of NDIS participants, up from 9.9% in the last quarter.
4. Resolution of Legacy Cases:
A significant achievement is the resolution of 90% of the 4,501 legacy cases waiting to be heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by May 2022.
This compelling data underscores the NDIA's unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities, steering them toward greater independence, community integration, and fulfilling employment opportunities. The transformative journey continues, and the NDIA remains dedicated to pioneering positive change for a more inclusive and empowered future.
Information source from: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/9705-employment-participation-doubles-young-ndis-participants
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