Hunter trial commences
The trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) commenced on Monday, 1 July 2013. In NSW this trial will be in the Hunter region, across the three Local Government Areas (LGA) of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland.
The trial is being run by the Hunter Launch Agency, a private agency owned by the Federal government under the title of Disability Care Australia.
All employees of this organisation are employed through private contract under Fair Work Australia.
What is the NDIS?
NDIS is a Federal plan to coordinate and fund Disability services nationwide. It involves individual packages to people based on assessment of their disability.
The idea of the NDIS is to properly fund a service which has traditionally been severely underfunded for years.
The Association supports the goals and ideals behind the NDIS.
What does this mean for you?
The Association has been active in the Hunter region since March, protecting the rights of members through the transition process.
However, even in the trial area the vast majority of staff will continue to do their job in exactly the same way they have for years to come.
Members who currently perform Information, Referral and Intake tasks (IRI) will be reassigned to other duties. Members in Accommodation & Respite, Home Care and all other streams will continue to provide services to their current clients.
The full NDIS is not due to commence until 1 July 2018. This is obviously dependent on the full funding for this system being found and maintained by changing Federal governments between now and 2018. Even then, the roll out is likely to take years to be completed.
Where to from here?
The Association will be negotiating with the Federal government on how this process occurs and to protect the rights and entitlements of its members.
The NDIS will become a greater part of your lives in the next five years. The Association will continue to represent members to protect your rights at work.
More bulletins will be forthcoming as the NDIS continues to evolve.
ADHC NDIS Bulletin 2 – July 2013(PDF)