The Productivity Commission has begun an inquiry into a long-term disability care and support system that will examine the merits of a social no-fault insurance scheme.

In a statement released last week, the commission called for submissions to the inquiry, which will conclude with a final report by July 31 next year.

The Federal Government initiated the inquiry in a bid to provide better outcomes for disabled people and their carers.

While Australia’s social security and universal health care systems provide an entitlement to services based on need, there is currently no equivalent entitlement to disability care and support services.

A long-term disability care scheme would cover those disabled at birth or by an accident or health condition. The Productivity Commission inquiry will cover scheme feasibility, cost and impact.

It will also examine the effect on existing injury insurance provisions.

Assistant Treasurer Nick Sherry says he has directed the commission to include an “examination of a social insurance model on a no-fault basis, reflecting the shared risk of disability across the population”.

“The commission should also examine other options that provide incentives to focus investment on early intervention, as an adjunct to, or substitute for, an insurance model.”