DisabilityCare Australia
The Government is delivering DisabilityCare Australia — Australia's most fundamental social policy reform since Medicare. DisabilityCare Australia will transform the provision of support for people with significant and permanent disability.
DisabilityCare Australia
The Australian Government will provide $19.3 billion over seven years from 2012‑13 to roll out DisabilityCare Australia across the country. This brings this Government's total new investment in DisabilityCare Australia to $14.3 billion over the period.
This investment in DisabilityCare will ensure all Australians with significant and permanent disability get the support they need. This is compared to the current approach where limited funds are rationed and people who get funding often have to accept a one‑size‑fits all approach.
Rigorous assessments will be conducted to ensure funds are targeted where they are needed most.
Core principles
DisabilityCare Australia will look beyond immediate need, and will focus on what is required across a person's lifetime. At its core will be:
A Lifetime approach — as funding is long term and sustainable, people with disability will have peace of mind that the individualised support they receive will change as their needs change;
Choice and control — people choose how they get support and have control over when, where and how they receive it, including the option of managing their supports themselves;
Social and economic participation — overall life goals for participation will be a central focus of supports; and
Focus on early intervention —# the scheme will invest in people to maximise their independence.
Sustainable funding
From 1 July 2014 the Government will raise the Medicare levy by half a percentage point to provide a strong and enduring funding stream for DisabilityCare Australia.
This will raise $20.4 billion between 2014‑15 and 2018‑19, to be spent on DisabilityCare Australia. The States and Territories will also contribute to DisabilityCare Australia, and will be allocated $9.7 billion over ten years from the increase in Medicare levy revenue.
DisabilityCare Australia will be fully funded.
| Feature | Current system | DisabilityCare Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Varies from state to state | Consistent nationally, set out in legislation |
| Choice and control | Varies state by state and most people have little say over the supports they receive | Individual has control over the type and mix of supports, delivery and how funding is managed |
| Access | Capped—people may be eligible but can spend years on waiting lists | Demand driven—people with disability get the support they need, when they need it |
| Funding | Multiple programs within and across governments | Single funding pool (pooling contributions from Commonwealth and States and Territories) to be administered by DisabilityCare Australia |
How things will change as we move to DisabilityCare Australia