Supporting Tasmanians with disability

26 August 2021

Sarah Courtney MP

Minister for Disability Services

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is helping more Tasmanians with disability to access the support they need through the 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget.

This Budget sees us deliver on our strong election commitments which include $1.2 million over four years to establish the first ever Tasmanian Disability Services Commissioner.

A Disability Services Commissioner will help ensure people with disability and their families receive the inclusive and accessible supports and services they need, including those supported through mainstream services.

We are continuing to consult with key stakeholders and Tasmanians with disability on this important role, and will listen closely to their feedback.

The Budget also includes $1.4 million over four years to boost the Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service, which will deliver three additional assessors to meet demand and help support more Tasmanians to access necessary services.

We will continue our investment of more than $1 million in annual funding for independent advocacy organisations such as Speakout Advocacy, Advocacy Tas and the Association for Children with Disability.

Importantly, this Budget will also provide funding certainty for National Disability Services, with more than $660,000 over the next four years to support their work as the peak body for local disability providers.

Finally, the Budget continues our strong investment into the NDIS, with over $1 billion committed over the next four years.

There are now more than 10,900 Tasmanians benefitting from the NDIS, including more than 6,000 who are receiving supports for the first time.