The National Disability Insurance Scheme will roll out across New South Wales between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018.

The New South Wales and Commonwealth Governments have signed an agreement that outlines how and when the NDIS will roll out.

When and how people access the scheme will be based on three factors:

1. Where they live.
2. What supports, if any, they currently receive.
3. Their need for support if they don’t currently receive any.

People wishing to access the NDIS should check that they meet the access requirements, which are available on the national NDIS website.

When will the NDIS be available?

With so many people coming into the scheme in such a short time it is important that there is a planned approach to how they access the NDIS.

People with disability living in the local government areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland can already access the NDIS though the Hunter trial.

From 1 July 2015, the NDIS has also become available to eligible participants aged between 0-17 in the Nepean and Blue Mountains area, a full year ahead of schedule.

From 1 July 2016, people living in the Hunter New England, Southern New South Wales, Central Coast, Northern Sydney, South Western Sydney, Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains districts will be able to access the NDIS.

From 1 July 2017, the NDIS will be in place across the rest of NSW, and people living in Northern New South Wales, Mid North Coast, Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Murrumbidgee, Western New South Wales and Far West NSW will be able to access the NDIS.