Newcastle/Hunter Region NSW

About the NDIS in Newcastle/Hunter Region NSW

The City of Newcastle is a local government area in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are acknowledged by Council as the traditional custodians of the land and waters of Newcastle.

The Newcastle area is the second most populated area in New South Wales – the area represented extends well beyond both the City of Newcastle and the Newcastle metropolitan area. The area, officially the Newcastle Statistical District, is referred to as Greater Newcastle or the Lower Hunter Region, which includes most parts of the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland and Port Stephens local government areas and, as of 30 June 2009, has an estimated population of 540,796.

The city offers a remarkable and diverse natural environment from coastal headlands and beaches to wetlands, mangrove forests, steep ridges, and rainforest gullies. Council contributes to and advocates for a liveable and welcoming Newcastle, where community places, neighbourhoods and facilities promote health, happiness and wellbeing and contribute to social connectedness. This includes important liveability factors such as housing design, transport access, community recreation and social inclusiveness.

Local NDIS Information – Hunter New England Region

In March 2013 the NDIS legislation was passed and the NDIS Act 2013 was created, along with the Scheme and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). When the NDIS began on 1 July 2013 it started with trial sites in the Hunter area for people up to age 65. The trial period finished in July 2016 and full Scheme began rolling out across Australia.

During 2013 the NDIS was named ‘DisabilityCare Australia’ and after the federal election on 7 September 2013, the incoming Government changed the name back to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The agency responsible for delivering the scheme is known as the National Disability Insurance Agency.

The Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) covers a region of 131,785 square kilometres. It encompasses a major metropolitan centre, regional communities, with a small percentage of people located in remote communities. The estimated resident population is 920,370* people.

The Newcastle local government area (LGA) has a population of 148,531 people (2011) in an area of 214 square kilometres. Newcastle has been on a journey of significant change as it evolves from an industrial to a post-industrial city led predominantly by the knowledge (eg education, health and technology) and service based sectors. Our LGA is expected to continue its growth, with an additional 32,000 people, anticipated by 2036, as part of an additional 133,000 people in the Hunter.

– There are 24,157 participants in service districts of Hunter New England in All Disability Groups and All Age Bands.
– Average annualised committed support budget = $72,000
– There are 1,232 active providers during Jan-Mar 2021 in service district(s) of Hunter New England and All Disability Groups and All Age Bands (2931 Active since the Scheme Started)
– 27% of payments go to the top 10 providers out of 2,767 who provide Capacity Building, Capital, Core support in service district(s) of Hunter New England.

NSW NDIS Statistics as at 31 March 2021
– 144,204 people in New South Wales benefit from the NDIS
– 74,281 people receiving support for the first time
– 5,327 initial plans approved recently

NDIS Plan Management Newcastle Region – Local Contacts

LAC – Local Area Coordinator

The Local Area Coordinator for the Hunter New England Region is Uniting .

For most people aged 7 years and older, a LAC will be their main point of contact for the NDIS. LACs will help people with disability to connect to supports, services and local activities. They also help participants to understand the NDIS, meet with participants to create their plan and explain how to make the most of it.

Uniting have 10 offices in the Hunter New England Area. Newcastle, Cessnock, Armidale, Charlestown,
Inverell, Maitland, Raymond Terrace, Singleton, Tamworth and Taree.

PH: 02 8833 0570
E: lacinfo@uniting.org

ECEI Partner

ECEI employ coordinators who help children aged under 7 with a developmental delay or disability and their families access supports and services that are tailored to the child’s needs. They also help children to connect with community health services, playgroups and other local activities.

The NDIS partner for Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Services in the region is, Northcott

PH: 1800 818 286
E: ecei@northcott.com.au.