Managing DisabilityCare Australia

Keeping costs in check

Governments want to make sure that the funding invested in DisabilityCare Australia is subject to rigorous financial controls, so that the costs of the scheme are well managed and DisabilityCare Australia is sustainable into the future.

A number of checks and balances are included in the design of the scheme.

• Access criteria: there are rigorous criteria around who can access funded supports.
• Upfront investment to reduce the costs of the scheme: early investments, including upfront expenditure on home or vehicle modifications that improve independence, will also save care costs over the long-term.
• Reasonable and necessary support: only those supports that meet the reasonable and necessary test will be funded. Supports must be value for money, effective and beneficial.

The senior management and Board of DisabilityCare Australia will actively manage the scheme's long-term liabilities within a rigorous governance framework. Legislation requires that the Board include members with financial management and corporate governance skills.