$100M TO BE REINVESTED IN DISABILITY SERVICES AFTER NDIS MILESTONE

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has reached a major milestone, with the NSW Government announcing the future operator for Home Care Service NSW.

Home Care has a 70 per cent market share in NSW, helping older people and people with disability to live independently in their own homes as well as providing support to carers.

After an extensive and competitive selection process, mutual provider Australian Unity has been chosen as the successful bidder for Home Care.

Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka said that Australian Unity has a long track record of delivering high quality client-directed home and aged care and is a mutual provider with a growing presence in the disability sector.

“The transfer of this vital service to Australian Unity is good news for Home Care’s clients and the 4,000-strong workforce, who the clients depend on,” Mr Ajaka said.

Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian said the $100 million unlocked by this transaction will be reinvested in the disability sector to help with the transition to the NDIS.

“The good news is, not only will people with disability be in capable hands with Australian Unity as the operator of Home Care, the NSW Government will use the proceeds to establish a Disability Sector Transition Fund to support the NDIS process,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Rohan Mead, Group Managing Director and CEO of Australian Unity said Australian Unity would invest in the development of the business.

“We’re here to stay. We will look after current staff and clients. And we’re here to grow, we want clients to access a continuum of care as their needs change,” Mr Mead said.