The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing individualised support for Australians with disability. The NDIS will provide about 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they require to live an ordinary life. When an NDIS participant turns 65 they will be able to choose either to continue receiving disability supports through the NDIS or to receive supports through the Commonwealth aged care system.
The NDIS is being introduced in stages across the Northern Territory. Territorians will move to the NDIS at different times, depending on where they live. The roll out of the NDIS in the Northern Territory is as follows;
Darwin remote region
On 1 July 2017 the NDIS became available in the Darwin Remote region. The Darwin Remote region consists of the following Local Government Authorities:
- Roper Gulf
- Tiwi Islands
- Victoria-Daly
- West Arnhem
- West Daly Region
Katherine region
On 1 July 2017 the NDIS became available in the Katherine region. The Katherine region consists of the Katherine Local Government Authority.
Darwin Urban region
From 1 July 2018 the NDIS will begin to be available in the Darwin Urban region. The Darwin Urban region consists of the following Local Government Authorities:
- Belyuen
- Coomalie
- Darwin
- Litchfield
- Palmerston
- Wagait
Central Australia region
From 1 July 2018 the NDIS will begin to be available in the Central Australia region. The Central Australia region consists of the following Local Government Authorities:
- Alice Springs
- Central Desert
- MacDonnell