South West disability advocates have voiced their concerns following the announcement that WA would join the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The agreement replaces My Way and WA NDIS, which were trialled by the previous state government.
It is reported the state government will save $1.3 billion over the next ten years from joining the federal plan.
Disability advocate Enable WA chief executive officer Rob Holmes said he was concerned the scheme was a move away from local decision making.
“In terms of there being individualised services, that will continue, there will still be choice and control for participants,” he said.
“We don’t know at this stage what will happen for things like transportation, housing and accommodation – we are very unsure about that.”
NDIS will be fully rolled out across Western Australia by 2020.
Mr Holmes said it was important a decision was made so the disability sector could move forward.
“Whether it’s a client, family member or provider, they now have at least an understanding of direction and something to begin to work with,” he said.
“The question is now what’s the detail going to look like and how will the transition be managed from state administered to federally administered.”
People already taking part in the WA NDIS will transfer to the nationally delivered scheme in a phased approach commencing in April 2018 which will be concluded by December 2018.
Mr Holmes said he was also concerned about the speed of the transition.
“The lower South West is set to transition from July 1 and by December 31 everyone will have a new plan – it is a lot of work done in a short time,” he said.
Vasse MP Libby Mettam said the decision to adopt the federal government coordinated NDIS meant individuals with disabilities, and their families, would be forced to negotiate their way forward by phone with a team of people based in Victoria, rather than a coordinator based locally.
She backed WA NDIS My Way, which was trialled in the South West.
“We had made great gain in the lower South West with the WA NDIS My Way trial which had provided a unique perspective of an already very successful program,” she said.
“The WA NDIS model was able to meet the needs of all West Australians, no matter where they lived.”
Disability Services minister Stephen Dawson said the state-operated NDIS could not match the capacity and resourcing that could be achieved a national scheme.
“Western Australians with disability need and deserve that certainty,” he said.
“I also believe that Western Australia would be better placed to influence the future direction of the NDIS as part of a national approach, rather than as an outsider.
“We will share the learnings gained from our local approach to support the continuous improvement of the NDIS into the future, for all Australians.”
Have your say, email s.elliott@fairfaxmedia.com.au.