Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Williams, for the question. The last quarter's report for the National Disability Insurance Scheme was released today, and it contains good news. There are now 17,300 participants in the NDIS who have support plans in place, and $952 million has been committed to people with disability so that they can choose the services that are best for them. This represents 94 per cent of the bilateral agreements with the jurisdictions, which is up from 85 per cent since the last quarterly report. I can also report that the cost of average packages, excluding residents in large institutions, is $33,597. This is lower than the last quarterly average of $34,907 and remains below the expected full scheme average of $36,750, so the scheme is operating within its funding envelope. I can also advise colleagues that satisfaction levels amongst participants in the scheme are high—the experience of participants is good and the scheme is making a difference in the lives of individuals. And the good news is that those individuals are now at the centre and in control of the supports that they receive.