$11.6 million to support multicultural South Australians with disability

2023-02-14

Tahani - pictured with her family and Minister Nat Cook - has a rare genetic condition and is now eligible for the support she needs.

The State Government is committing $11.6 million to support multicultural South Australians with disability and complex needs who are ineligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) due to their residency status.

Filling an important gap in disability support

The State Government will fill this important gap in disability support so migrants and refugees and their children can participate fully in the community.

Under NDIS eligibility requirements, a person who is not an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder or protected Special Category Visa holder is ineligible for NDIS supports. This includes children born in Australia where neither parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

This will be a pathway of last resort, with individuals first needing to exhaust all possible mainstream supports to meet their disability-related needs.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has been providing support, on an ad-hoc basis, to people with disability who do not meet NDIS residency requirements.

A formal commitment

This announcement marks a formal policy and funding commitment to ensure this vital work continues and families can access the support they need. Without it, the health and safety of some people with disability in multicultural communities could be at risk.

Bringing South Australia in line with other Australian jurisdictions

The commitment brings South Australia into line with most jurisdictions in Australia that provide varying levels of support for people ineligible for the NDIS due to residency status.

Consistent with these other jurisdictions, support will be accessible to people who are holders of a:

• Temporary Protection Visa
• Safe Harbour Enterprise Visa
• Non-protected Special Category Visa (New Zealand citizens who arrived after 26 February 2001)
• Bridging Visa
• Temporary Migrant Visa (work or study)

as well as children of temporary migrants born in South Australia.

More information

Please refer to our Exceptional Needs Unit page.