National Disability Insurance Scheme
Update
22 April 2023
Following a review of New Zealanders rights in Australia the Albanese Labor Government announced that non-protected Special Category Visa-holders who have resided in Australia for at least the past four years can apply directly for citizenship from the 1 July 2023 without needing to apply for a permanent visa.
Once granted Australian citizenship you can access NDIS services.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
July 2019
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing support for Australians with a significant and permanent disability, their families and carers. From 1 July 2014 the Medicare levy increased by 0.5% to fund the NDIS.
NDIS services were first trialled July 2013, and then phased in across Australia.
NDIS levy increase
On 9 May 2017 the Government announced that from 1 July 2019, the Medicare levy will increase from 2% to 2.5% to ensure that the National Disability Insurance Scheme is fully funded.
Are SCV New Zealanders eligible for NDIS?
NDIS services are restricted to Australian citizens, permanent residents and Protected Special Category Visa-holders (PSCVs). New Zealanders residing in Australia as non-protected Special Category Visa-holders (SCVs) are temporary residents under the Migration Act. You can look up your visa status.
Approximately 250,000 to 350,000 New Zealanders, residing in Australia, are denied access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), despite being required to pay the NDIS levy. Find out if you are eligible to access the NDIS.
Children born in Australia before 1 July 2022, to two non-protected SCV New Zealand citizen parents, are not granted Australian citizenship at birth. They are denied any care required under the NDIS until they reach the age of ten, when they will be eligible for Australian citizenship.
Residents of NSW
Some non-protected SCV holders residing in New South Wales may still become participants in the NDIS if they are clients of specified NSW disability programs.
Related
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Check your eligibility for NDIS services
Look up your visa status.