NDIS rolling out in Mackay

31 OCTOBER 2016: The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will roll out to Mackay residents from tomorrow, improving the lives of more North Queenslanders with disability and generating hundreds of jobs in the region. While people living with disabilities will be the primary beneficiaries, the NDIS will also deliver a social, economic and jobs dividend for North Queensland.The NDIS is the largest and most important change to the delivery of support for people with disability this country has ever seen. It gives families of people with permanent and significant disability peace of mind that their loved one will get the support they need. The NDIS is now a reality for local people with disability, their family and carers.According to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the number of people receiving disability support in Mackay is predicted to double to 3100 in 2019 so tomorrow is an historic day for the people of Mackay. The NDIS will generate jobs and local investment, ensuring people with disability have the assistance they need to help them achieve their goals. More than 450 new jobs will be created in Mackay over the coming years and an additional $80 million will be injected in to the local economy. The NDIS will boost the Queensland economy by $2.5 billion and double the disability services workforce.The NDIS began to roll out across Queensland earlier this year. From 1 November, the Scheme will be available to people under the age of 65 with permanent and significant disability in the local government areas of Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday. Over the next three years the NDIS will transform the lives of 91,000 Queenslanders living with permanent and significant disability, as well as their families, carers and communities.For more information, visit www.ndis.gov.au.