A better future for children and young adults

Early intervention

DisabilityCare Australia will provide people with disability with the right supports at the right time to maximise their long‑term wellbeing and independence. The scheme will make early investments that improve long-term outcomes for people, reduce lifetime costs and delay or mitigate the deterioration in a person's functional capacity.

Children with disability will be a particular focus of early intervention.

Launch areas focusing on children and young adults

South Australia's launch will cover children and focus on early interventions with the greatest potential for making a difference throughout a child's life.

Tasmania's launch will provide young adults with disability with improved supports to help them move from school to further education, vocational training, employment, and become more independent.

Complementing mainstream services

DisabilityCare Australia will complement, but not replace, the mainstream services to which all Australians are entitled — such as health services, education and public transport.

Early intervention to maximise the potential of children with disability

John is 4 years old, lives in South Australia, and has Autism Spectrum Disorder. His paediatrician refers his family to DisabilityCare Australia to access early intervention support for John.

Under the current system, John's parents would have needed to work with multiple agencies to find support for John's various needs.

Under the new system, DisabilityCare Australia meets with John and his parents at their home to talk about his support needs and the family's goals for him, such as improving his capacity for learning through early intervention.

John's agreed plan includes therapies focused on motor skills, communication and social interaction to help him to learn, play and express himself.

Working with DisabilityCare Australia, John's parents receive information and learn techniques to support John's development at home, and are connected to a local support group, which puts them in touch with families in similar circumstances.