Edited for online by Rebecca Oakley.

Premier Campbell Newman today signed Queensland up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Mr Newman and Prime Minister Julia Gillard signed the papers at Autism Queensland’s headquarters in Brisbane.

Only Western Australia and the Northern Territory have not joined the program.

Ms Gillard announced the signing of the scheme on Twitter today.

“Great that Queensland has signed today – now almost 90 per cent of Australians will be covered by DisabilityCare,” she tweeted.

DisabilityCare Australia will be fully operational in Queensland in five years.

The rollout is proposed to start in mid-2016 after the state of Queensland meets national benchmarks for the scheme.

‘Historic moment’

Mr Newman says it is an historic moment and has praised Ms Gillard for making the decision to raise the Medicare levy to 2 per cent, from 1.5 per cent, to give $3 billion to the national scheme.

“Thrilled to sign NDIS with the PM after details were agreed,” Mr Newman announced on Twitter.

“A great day for people with disabilities and families.”

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Bruce Milligan says the signing of the scheme brings reassurance to all Queenslanders.

“It gives every Queenslander the peace of mind that they will be supported if they or someone they love is born with, or acquires, a permanent disability,” he says.

However the scheme has received strong criticism from the business sector.

Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes says money spent on the NDIS by taxpayers would otherwise have been spent at his stores.

But Ms Gillard says the scheme will only cost the average worker around $1 per day.

AAP