The Liberal Government has secured certainty for South Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme participants who use the SA Transport Subsidy Scheme, ensuring it continues in South Australia until longer term transport funding is resolved by the NDIS.
Following yesterday’s COAG Disability Reform Council meeting in Sydney, the longstanding nation-wide issue was resolved. The Federal Government agreed to fund the continuation of the State Government’s SA Transport Subsidy Scheme until 31 October 2021.
The Transport Subsidy Scheme provides a subsidy of up to 75 per cent on taxi fares for people with permanent and severe disabilities that limits their ability to use public transport independently.
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said she had been a strong advocate for NDIS participants to have the appropriate amount of transport support in their plans.
“Today is a substantial win for South Australians with disability who are significant users of our SA Transport Subsidy Scheme,” said Minister Lensink.
“The scheme was extended to the end of this year as transport was included under NDIS plans and today it was acknowledged that longer term transport funding arrangements needs to be resolved by the NDIS.
“I’d like to stress that current NDIS participants who access the scheme will see no change to their taxi vouchers until their plans are fully reviewed from mid-next year.
“Today’s decision ensures NDIS participants will be able to continue to access the taxi vouchers for the months to come, until they have a full review of their NDIS plan to assess their overall NDIS needs.
“In the meantime, I am really pleased that the Federal Government support will allow our South Australian NDIS participants to continue to access their taxi vouchers.
“It’s worth noting that while SA Labor have tried to alarm people living with disability about transport issues – they agreed to cash it out into the NDIS without a plan in place, leading to the current uncertainty.”
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said: “The Marshall Liberal Government has been working hard to deliver this long-term solution”.
“We will always look after South Australia’s most vulnerable and we have now reached an agreement that will secure this scheme going forward.
“We said we wouldn’t leave our most vulnerable in the lurch and we’ve delivered on the promise.”
