The boom to the economy has been repeatedly forecast in earlier reports from the Productivity Commission and other academics and reinforced again in this report commissioned by Every Australian Counts and National Disability Services. 

The report says that in NSW the NDIS will:

• Support between 7,800 and 12,400 people with disability to find work
• Support approximately 10,700 carers to return to the workforce
• Create an employment boom in NSW with 37,400-46,400 jobs created as a consequence
• Create approximately 25,000 jobs in the NSW disability service sector
• Add up to $7.3B annually to NSW’s Gross State Product 

Every Australian Counts Campaign Director, John Della Bosca said the forecasts were welcome.

“We have always known the NDIS is the right direction for our nation,” he said. BDUEGT

“This report proves the NDIS is not just a socially responsible scheme, it’s what Australia needs. The economic benefits cannot be denied.

“The NDIS will not only make a huge difference to the lives of 460,000 Australians with permanent and significant disability but will repay the taxpayer many times over. 

“Once fully implemented the NDIS has the potential to increase GDP by $22billion. We’ve heard a lot recently about potential budget blowout but this report shows again that the NDIS could actually be our golden ticket.”

The modelling is based on an ABS survey of over 75,000 people with disability and their carers. At about one 300th of the Australian population, this makes it the largest sample survey conducted by the ABS in this area.

Manager of State Operations for National Disability Services, Tony Pooley said the report confirmed the appetite many people with disability have to join the workforce.  

“There are thousands of people with disability across Australia eager to work and thousands more carers who cannot wait for the chance to get back into the workforce,” Mr Pooley said. 

“What this report tells us is that the NDIS can’t come soon enough – soon enough for people to find work and soon enough for huge economic benefit to be seen in NSW.

“The NSW Government has been a leader in regard to the NDIS and in investing in a strong disability service sector. Their investment in the NDIS will be rewarded through these terrific gains.”

Every Australian Counts and National Disability Services are working to model the economic benefits of the NDIS in each state and territory. Stay tuned as others are released.

You can read the full report here: NDIS Economic Benefits NSW