National NDIS approval rises

The latest quarterly data for the National Disability Insurance Scheme released today shows that 93 per cent of participants now rate their experience as 'Very Good' or 'Good' – its highest level since the trial phase.

Some 91 per cent of parents and carers of children under school-age say the NDIS has helped their child better communicate their needs.

And almost one-in-three Australians in the NDIS are receiving disability supports for the first time.

The data comes from the latest COAG NDIS Quarterly Report covering the period 1 July 2018 to 30 September 2018.

"Rolling out the NDIS is a complex and difficult task but these figures show we're making progress and improving the experience for participants, carers and families," said Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher.

"NDIS is now supporting 208,793 Australians which is an increase of 14 per cent on the previous quarter.

"The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has been working hard to reform the participant pathway and I think that is an important reason we are seeing satisfaction with approved plans increase by five per cent since the last quarter."

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, said it shows improvements to outcomes as participants spend more time in the Scheme.

"For child participants not yet at school, 91 per cent of parents and carers thought the NDIS has helped increase their child's ability to communicate what they want, compared to 87 per cent in their first year," Ms Henderson said.

"For school-age children 14 and under, 69 per cent of parents and carers felt their child has become more independent in their second year of participation, compared to 54 per cent in their first year.

"Sixty-three per cent of participants aged 15-24 say the NDIS had helped them with daily living activities in their second year of participation, compared to 61 per cent in their first year.

"And three-quarters of participants aged 25 years and over say the NDIS had helped them to exercise more choice and control over their lives during their second year of participation, compared to 71 per cent in their first year."

The report also identifies a significant increase in participants with Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) support in their plans, as well as rapid growth in the provider market.

"Currently, 9,536 participants have SDA in their plans, representing an increase of 56 per cent in the year to 30 September 2018," Mr Fletcher said.

"In the year ended 30 September 2018, the number of registered SDA providers more than doubled from 372 to 754, and the number of enrolled SDA dwellings increased by just under 200% from 764 to 2,243.

"The Government and the NDIA will continue to work to provide greater market certainty to providers and potential SDA investors."

The latest report shows the NDIS continues to be delivered within budget, and is projected to remain within budget for the financial year.