The backlog for children with disability accessing Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) support has been slashed in the last six months.
NDIS Minister Stuart Robert, said the COAG NDIS Quarterly Report (October 1 to December 31, 2019) revealed that the average wait time for children aged 0-6 years to meet NDIS access has been reduced to less than three days, and for children awaiting a plan to 44 days, while the average wait time for children from meeting NDIS access to receiving an NDIS approved plan is down to 54 days.
The data also showed the NDIS continued to support children in increasing numbers, with 35 per cent of new participants this past quarter in the 0-6 age group, bringing the total of children aged 0-6 in the scheme to more than 50,000.
“There has been a significant amount of work done in ensuring all families and children can access the NDIS as soon as possible, it is reassuring to see this sustained progress,” the minister said.
“Last month we released the Tune Review of the NDIS Act that recommended participants across all ages waited less than 70 days from having their access confirmed to having a plan approved from July 1, 2020 and no more than 56 days from July 1, 2021.”
While acknowledging there is more work to be done, current average wait times in the ECEI pathway are already less than these Tune Review recommendations, he said.
The COAG NDIS Quarterly Report is available at: www.ndis.gov.au.
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