Better Start Funding Package

From 1 July 2011, eligible children will have access to funding under the Better Start for Children with a Disability (Better Start) initiative. Better Start will be delivered by Carers Australia and the state and territory Carer Associations. Better Start will assist eligible children with developmental disabilities to access funding for early intervention services.

Key facts about the Better Start Funding Package

  • The Government has committed to $122 million in funding over four years for this initiative. It is for all children with one or more of Sight and/or Hearing Impairment, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or Fragile X syndrome.
  • The funding is for up to $12,000 per child (to a maximum of $6,000 per financial year), plus an additional $2,000 if you are from a remote area (the criteria for this has not been released).
  • Parents or carers of eligible children will need to register their child for the Better Start initiative in order to access the Early Intervention funding (see the FaHCSIA website)
  • Children under the age of six can register for access to the funding and families will have until their child turns the age of seven to use the money
  • The funding can be only used on approved Early Intervention assistance
  • In addition to the $12,000 there will also be additional Medicare items that can be used up until 13 or 15 years of age, depending on the items

The Shepherd Centre approach and principles for the Better Start Funding Package 

  • We will provide full support to all children who are in one of our programs, regardless of whether or not they are eligible for Better Start.
  • For the Early Intervention children covered by Better Start, each year we will voluntarily cap our use of the Better Start funds, to ensure that there is enough money for future years and for use with another disability (if required).
  • As a separate measure, we will replace our current Levy (the $2,000 or $400 annual charge for children in early Intervention) with an Early Intervention Membership Program fee, starting 1st July. Applications can be made to reduce this cost based on hardship and individual circumstances, down to zero if appropriate. Please note: the maximum cost of membership has been reduced by more than 50% compared to the current levy. If you have paid the full-year Levy half will be refunded.
  • We will continue to provide all of our services at no additional cost. This requires that (1) your child is paying the monthly fee and (2) you are reclaiming Better Start funds up to the agreed cap each year (if you are eligible for Better Start).

Downloadable Documents

Better Start Registration Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

The Shepherd Centre Early Intervention Membership Application Form

The Shepherd Centre Early Intervention Membership Payment Form

The Shepherd Centre Early Intervention Membership Abatement Form