Overview of the NDIS Act 2013
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 is a significant piece of legislation that establishes the framework for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
This Act is designed to fulfil Australia’s commitments to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Its primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for people with disability in Australia by ensuring they have access to the necessary supports and services.
Purpose and Scope of the NDIS
The NDIS is a government-funded initiative aimed at supporting Australians with disability to participate fully in everyday life. Unlike the Disability Support Payment – which provides income support through Centrelink to individuals unable to work due to disability – the NDIS specifically assists with additional expenses related to disability. This means that the NDIS helps people afford the supports they need, beyond what is covered by general income support.
Social Insurance Approach
According to the NDIS’s own website, the Scheme operates as ‘social insurance, not welfare’. As an insurance model, the NDIS adopts a long-term perspective, investing in people with disability early on to help improve their outcomes later in life. This approach is designed to provide consistent and proactive support rather than reactive assistance.
The Role of the NDIA
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the independent body responsible for implementing the NDIS across Australia. In addition to managing the Scheme, the NDIA has broader responsibilities, such as strengthening the overall disability sector and raising public awareness about the social factors that contribute to disability.
Development and Rollout of the NDIS
The legislative journey for the NDIS began when a bill was introduced in Federal Parliament in November 2012 by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The Act was subsequently passed in March 2013. Following its enactment, the NDIS was trialled in several locations across Australia starting in July 2013. Since July 2016, the Scheme has been gradually rolled out nationwide in a staged approach.
It is essential that older people retain control over their own lives. While the NDIS enables some older Australians with disability to exercise this autonomy, there are still gaps in the system. The goal should always be to enhance and expand the support available to older Australians, ensuring it is never diminished or diluted.
For more information on Aged Care and Disability, please visit one of the following: https://cota.org.au/resources/resources-for-individuals/
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care?language=en
It is a significant and positive development that NDIS participants who enter aged care after the age of 65 are not required to relinquish their NDIS services. Additionally, it is encouraging to see recommendations that individuals who are, or have been, part of other disability support schemes – such as the Disability Support for Older Australians program – should have the opportunity to transition to the NDIS. These measures help to ensure that older Australians with disability maintain access to the supports they need as their circumstances change.
As people grow older, the likelihood of acquiring a disability or experiencing an increase in the severity of an existing disability becomes higher. It is therefore crucial that our aged care system and the NDIS are able to work together seamlessly. This collaboration is essential to guarantee that individuals continue to receive the necessary supports as their needs evolve over time.
There is a pressing need to ensure that older Australians with disability experience equity and dignity. This means providing older people with access to supports that are both effective and efficient, and that truly address their specific needs. The NDIS has already made a profound difference in the lives of many Australians with disability, but it is clear that the system as a whole has not always functioned perfectly. For too long, various barriers have prevented many older Australians with disability from accessing the most suitable services, and this situation must be addressed.
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We provide systemic advocacy to uphold the rights and voices of Australia’s physical disability community.
We build community, connection and relationships to support our members and the wider disability community.
We are a leading force working with Government and other Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) in improving the lives and inclusion of people living with disability.
Please be advised that we do not provide individual advocacy support. If you require this, please see the “See Services Link“.
Join us at a PDA hosted events such as our monthly Social Hour and Webinars.
We also encourage members to get involved in one of our committees and organisational groups. Email team@pda.org.au for more information.
Members are also invited to take part in forums and roundtables (including exclusive paid opportunities). Detailed information will be emailed to members as they become available.
Physical Disability Australia (PDA) was established in 1995. Its founding members were people living with physical disability who recognised that they were not being represented within the advocacy space at that time.
Whether you’re living with a disability, know someone who is, or simply believe in equal rights — your voice matters.
Together, we can break barriers and build a more inclusive world.
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