Anglicare Australia network 41 organisations – 36 members across every state and territory of Australia including Epic Assist. – 5 associate members in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Singapore 20,455 staff and volunteers Budget/income of almost $1 Billion 601,908 clients Services in disability, mental health, children, aged care, housing and homelessness, refugee services, social enterprise, employment.

Disability in Australia Estimate from one in ten people with mild disability to 400,000 people eligible for the NDIS (Australian population approximately 24 million) currently supported by a mixture of organisations offering a variety of services, and a government disability support pension.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Major government report and enquiry held, findings published in 2011 Government commitment in 2011 Began roll out through trial sites in 2013 Full roll out by 2016

Enabling environment Bi partisan support History of taxation for extra supported payments (Medicare levy) Wide acceptance of insurance style scheme for life's unexpected events. Disability viewed as "deserving poor"

Features of the scheme Ages Payment made to individual not bulk funding to an organisation. Individual "purchases" the support they need It is individually tailored. Trial sites have each trailed different aspects.

Challenges Creating a market for services where one hasn't existed previously. Adaptation of organisations How do we know what people want? Potential entry of private organisations. Maintenance of professional standards

Lessons for Slovakia to learn from Budget blow out! Keeping brokers and providers separate Give institutions time to change Educate people with disability and their families Use trial sites Keep watching Australia, New Zealand and others.