The long-awaited National Disability Insurance Scheme starts rolling out across Australia from Friday for the next three years.
National Disability Insurance Agency chairman Bruce Bonyhady said this would revolutionise disability support and transform the lives of 460,000 disabled Australians, their families and carers.
"This is a historic day for people with disability and the broader Australian community. Today we move away from the old one-size-fits-all approach to a new approach which is based on choice and control for people with disability on a scale not seen anywhere in the world," he said in a statement.
The NDIS has operated at trial sites across the country since July 2013.
From Friday, it will be introduced across Australia, starting at sites in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory and for all young people of particular ages in South Australia and Tasmania.
But in Western Australia, the NDIS trial in Perth Hills will be extended for another year and from January 1, 2017 it will expand to six other towns.
The NDIS aims to provide all disabled Australians under 65 with the support they need to live an ordinary life. That may include personal care, access to the community, therapy services and essential equipment.
Mr Bonyhady said this was the most significant social and economic reform in a generation.
"The scheme provides peace of mind for all Australians that if their child or loved one is born with or acquires a significant disability they will get the support they need," he said.
NDIA chief executive David Bowen said the agency was ready.
"We have successfully delivered the NDIS trial around the country to about 30,000 people. The trial was on time, on budget and importantly, had a participant satisfaction rating of more than 90 per cent," he said.
