Media release: 2017-18 gender lens on the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Analysis released by the National Foundation of Australian Women (NFAW) today highlights that while people with a disability were winners out of the 2017-18, women with disabilities who are less likely to be covered by the NDIS were neglected.

“Of ongoing concern, the allocation of services for women with disabilities continues to be at odds with their numbers or proportion in the population.” Sue Salthouse from the NFAW and Chair of Women With Disabilities ACT, said.

The Budget included important additional initiatives for the implementation of the NDIS, which will benefit people with a disability and their carers:

• Funding certainty through the proposed 0.5 per cent increase in the Medicare Levy
• $868.2 million to expand the NDIS into Western Australia
• $209 million to establish a national regulatory body, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission
• $33.0 million over three years to address workforce shortages for the NDIS in rural, regional and outer suburban areas.

“However, the 90% of people with disabilities who will not be eligible for the NDIS have been largely ignored.” Sue Salthouse said.