Around 6,200 young people aged under 65 years are living in residential aged care (RAC). These young people experience extreme social isolation with 44% receiving a visit from family or friends less than once per year.
The most common reason for young people to enter RAC is that the disability system has failed them through inadequate levels of support or services that do not meet their needs.
The NDIS presents a significant opportunity to assist young people to exit RAC and to reduce new entries into RAC. Our evidence suggests that almost all young people in RAC will be eligible for the NDIS.
This position statement details five actions we recommend the NDIS undertakes to ensure it lives up to its ambition of fully supporting young people in RAC.
