A timeline of the National Disability Insurance Agency
Bringing a vision to life
A grassroots campaign was at the heart of the creation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). People with disability, community organisations, advocates and governments worked hard to make disability reform a reality.
The NDIS was legislated in 2013. It moved through trial and transition to full Scheme rollout across Australia by 2020. The NDIS now supports more than half a million adults and children with disability. Many of these people are receiving supports for the first time.
Pre-trial
People with disability, community organisations, advocates and governments worked hard to make disability reform a reality.
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2008
The National Disability Agreement is signed, an important first step towards a new, cooperative approach by Australian governments to support Australians with disability.
Work starts on developing a National Disability Strategy 2010-2020.
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2011
Every Australian Counts launches. This grassroots campaign lobbied to introduce the NDIS.
February
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorses the National Disability Strategy .
July
The Productivity Commission inquiry report into Disability Care and Support is released. It recommends replacing the current system with a new scheme.
August
The Australian Government commits to introducing an NDIS.
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2013
March
Federal parliament passes the NDIS Bill.
Watch some of the key moments that led to this huge milestone for the NDIS
Trial
Starting with 4 sites and growing to 9 by the end of the 3-year trial period, the trial was a chance to ensure the NDIS was sustainable nationwide.
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2013
July
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 comes into effect. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is established. The NDIA launches the first 4 trial sites:
- Hunter area (New South Wales)
- Barwon (Victoria)
- South Australia for 0-to 14-year-olds
- Tasmania for 15-to 24-year-olds.
Fortunate to be born in the right pocket of time. Read Adam’s story
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2014
June
7,285 people are receiving NDIS supports.
July
The NDIA launches 3 more trial sites:
- Australian Capital Territory
- Perth Hills (Western Australia)
- Barkly (Northern Territory).
Joining the NDIS in early days paved Ben’s pathway to paid employment. Read Ben’s story.
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2015
June
17,155 people are receiving NDIS supports.
July
The NDIA launches an additional trial site in New South Wales:
- Nepean Blue Mountains for 0- to 17-year-olds.
Transition
The trial ends on 1 July 2016. This is the start of the NDIS rollout across the country.
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2016
April
The NDIA launches final trial site in Northern Queensland:
- Townsville and Charters Towers for 0- to 17-year-olds, and Palm Island Aboriginal Shire for 0- to 64-year-olds.
June
29,719 people are receiving NDIS supports.
July
The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
September
The pressure has eased for the Coyle family. Read John’s story.
October
The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of Queensland.
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2017
January
The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of South Australia and Northern Territory.
June
89,610 people are receiving NDIS supports, a 200% increase in one year.
August
100,000 people are receiving NDIS supports.
November
Parliament passes legislation to set up the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the Commission).
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2018
April
Christopher’s super-hero progress. Read Christopher’s story.
June
172,333 people are receiving NDIS supports, nearly 55,000 for the first time.
July
The NDIS starts to rollout in other parts of Western Australia.
August
Parents determination to secure life-long support for their son. Read Kaarthik’s story.
September
200,000 people are receiving NDIS supports.
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2019
June
286,015 people are receiving NDIS supports
October
Shania is excited to move into her new accessible share house. Read Shania’s story.
Full Scheme
From 1 July 2020 the National Disability Insurance Scheme is available to all Australians. It is now truly a national Scheme.
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2020
June
391,999 people are receiving NDIS supports.
Ram’s early childhood success. Read Ram’s story.
August
A new Participant Service Charter launches. The Charter explains what participants can expect when they deal with the NDIA. It states overall principles, clear service standards and timeframes.
September
13-year-old Kaylah is on the mend after her stroke. Read Kaylah’s story.
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2021
June
466,619 people are receiving NDIS supports, more than half for the first time.
October
The Australian Government passes the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021 to protect participants from the risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
December
The myNDIS app launches, helping NDIS participants manage their plans on the go.
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2022
February
More than 500,000 people receiving NDIS supports.
May
Carol shakes up fashion industry with inclusive designs at first ever adaptive clothing runway. Read Carol’s story.
June
534,655 people are receiving NDIS supports, more than 300,000 for the first time.
July
Parliament passes changes to The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Act 2022 to improve the NDIS.
Mary Anne is now a teacher and role model in remote Kununurra. Read Mary Anne’s story.
October
A review into the NDIS is announced. The NDIS Review will look at the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS.
November
Alberto’s childhood dream realised in Tokyo Paralympics perfection. Read Alberto’s story.
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2023
January
Priscilla is loving life, work, and her increased independence. Read Priscilla’s story.
April
NDIA Board appointments take the number of people with disability on the Board to 6 out of 12.
Notes on participant numbers:
Reported participant numbers (people receiving NDIS supports) are as at 30 June and include active eligible participants with approved plans and participants with an expired plan who haven’t started a new plan, but haven’t left the Scheme. This excludes children receiving Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) supports.