Wollongong mother Jan May says the national disability insurance scheme will help her plan for her intellectually disabled son's future without her.
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The 71-year-old hopes that the federal government scheme - which will tailor support to best meet individual needs - will take over Mark's care when she is no longer able to do so.
"My whole life, since Mark was diagnosed with a severe intellectual disability at the age of five, I've worked to make him as independent from me as possible," she said.
"My husband and I didn't want a situation where Mark, now 47, was still living at the family home and we died and he was then forced to move in with strangers.
"So we've been gradually weaning him off his dependence on us over the years and he's now been living at a group home for 10 years and has been working for the Flagstaff group since he left school.
"However, for 30 years I've been fighting for a scheme like this that really tailors the care to meet the needs of the individual. Now I'm getting older I'm really excited that it's finally here."
The government started the long-awaited introduction of the scheme known as DisabilityCare at trial sites - including the Hunter in NSW - this week.
The multibillion-dollar program is set to expand across the nation in coming years towards a full implementation by 2018-19.
"While I was initially disappointed that Wollongong was not one of the trial sites, on reflection I hope that we can learn from the mistakes that will inevitably be made in other areas - we have to get it right," Mrs May said.
The Disability Trust information and advocacy services manager Sean O'Neill said the scheme constituted a "seismic shift" in the way services were provided to the disabled.
"I think it's a vitally important piece of infrastructure that will really make Australia more inclusive," he said.
"Generally there will be more funding around for disability services, while the way it's provided will change dramatically.
"It's all about personalised funding so instead of block funding going to a particular service, funding will go to the person with a disability or their families or carers and they choose what sort of care and support they need."
Mr O'Neill said organisations like The Disability Trust would have to completely change.
"Organisations are going to have to change their mindsets, which will be a challenge, but most are excited about it," he said.
"We know that the one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work - with this system there will be far more flexibility and far more choice for individuals."
The scheme will be part funded by a rise in the universal Medicare levy to 2 per cent, from 1.5 per cent, from next year.
