New and Improved NDIS Website

CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 11 -- The Australian Department of Social Services' Minister for Families and Social Services issued the following news release:

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) today released a test version of a new NDIS website to help people access information about the world leading Scheme.

The new website https://beta.ndis.gov.au/, aims to improve the NDIS user experience and will be trialled for a six week period to allow time for community feedback on the design, structure, accessibility and layout of the new site.

The existing NDIS website will continue to be available during this period to ensure the new site is meeting user needs before it permanently replaces the existing site in the New Year.

The NDIA will continue to improve the test site during the six-week period in response to user feedback.

Minister for Social Services, Paul Fletcher said the test website has been developed following extensive consultation and user testing with participants, families, carers, providers and sector representatives.

"The release of the test version of the NDIS website today is expected to lead to a better experience for people online, with a more accessible and easier to navigate site," Mr Fletcher said.

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Sarah Henderson, said the release of the beta website is the latest in a series of significant improvements to be delivered for the NDIS.

"The Government is working with the NDIA to improve the experience of NDIS participants, their families and carers, and providers," Ms Henderson said.

"Website users can provide feedback on the website, https://beta.ndis.gov.au/ or via a dedicated email address websitefeedback@ndis.gov.au.

"It's important to remember this is a test website that is still undergoing final feedback before its official release in 2019.

"Releasing a test site allows the NDIA to gather further feedback on how people use the NDIS website and continue to improve functionality.

"I encourage people with disability, their families, carers and NDIS providers to take the opportunity to provide feedback on the site during the trial period to ensure we are meeting your needs."

The new website features:

* a simplified structure aligned to the new participant pathway

* a new and adaptable design making is easier to access the site on mobile devices

* improved search functionality, making it easier to find local information including partner and NDIA office locations and roll out details

* new inbuilt accessibility features such as contrast and font resizing to ensure everyone can engage with the NDIS

* clearer layout of information to explain key NDIS information and processes.

Until the transition to the new site is complete, the existing www.ndis.gov.au site remains the primary source of information.

Throughout the trial, users are encouraged to visit the site regularly and keep an eye on social media to find out more about ongoing improvements to https://beta.ndis.gov.au/

Important user information

Functionality like the 'contact us' form will not be live on the trial site during this period. Users should use the 'contact us' form on www.ndis.gov.au

Websites that link to www.ndis.gov.au should not link to the test site as URLs will change once it is officially released. We will work with sites who refer to the site following the testing phase.

For further information on the new site please go to www.ndis.gov.au.