Victoria joins disability scheme

The national disability care scheme is a step closer with Victoria agreeing to a full rollout of the plan.

Victoria became the fourth state to sign up to the scheme on Saturday, agreeing to a statewide disability care program by the end of the decade.

The federal government will spend $2.6 billion to establish the scheme, while the state government will contribute $2.5 billion.

Under the deal, Victoria will also receive $244 million a year from 2019-20, to be funded by an increase to the Medicare levy.

Prime Minister Gillard said the deal had been years in the making.

"Every Victorian can feel the peace of mind of knowing that disability care would be there to support them," she told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.

"I want to say thank you to all of those who have argued for disability care for decades now."

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said it was a proud day for the state.

"We are a state who have been very much on the front foot of fighting for a national disability insurance scheme," he said.

The Barwon region will begin a trial of the scheme from July this year, with the rollout across the state to be completed before 2019-20.

Dr Napthine said an estimated 100,000 Victorians would benefit.

The Victorian deal means that all jurisdictions except Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have agreed to be part of the scheme.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said there was enough goodwill across the political divide to ensure the scheme.

"It is going to be an achievement for all sides of politics, for all the people of Australia," he said.

"It will be the sign, the visible institutional sign, of our decency and compassion as a country."

National Disability Services chief executive Dr Ken Baker said both governments should be proud of the agreement.

"The national disability insurance scheme will deliver unquestionable social benefits but it will also provide a boost to the economy," he said.