National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1032
NDIS – SUPPORTER SUBMISSION
My name is Poppy Krallidis and I am the Founder and Director of PK Counselling Support & Education. I live in Sydney, New South Wales, and I work as a counsellor and educator in the mental health sector. Through my professional role, I support several people who are participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In addition, I have a close family member who has been an NDIS participant for the last five years, as well as friends who rely heavily on the Scheme for their daily support, independence, and wellbeing.
I am writing this submission to strongly oppose the proposed changes contained in the new NDIS Bill. In my professional and personal experience, the current Bill places vulnerable people at significant risk of losing vital supports that allow them to live safely, independently, and with dignity. I believe the proposed changes will have serious negative impacts on people with disability, their families, carers, and support networks.
The people I support through my work, and the person I care for within my own family, have already gone through extensive assessments and medical processes to establish their disabilities and eligibility for the Scheme. The NDIS is not a luxury for these individuals; it is an essential support system that enables them to participate in everyday life and maintain their mental and physical wellbeing.
For the family member I support, the NDIS has been life changing. It has provided her with a level of independence that would not otherwise be possible. Through funded supports, she has been able to develop confidence, life skills, and routines that allow her to live more independently and make decisions about her own life. This has greatly improved her self- esteem and overall quality of life.
The NDIS has also enabled her to gain and maintain employment. Without support workers, assistance with transport, and the stability provided through the Scheme, she would not have been able to consistently participate in the workforce. Employment has given her not only financial contribution and routine, but also a sense of purpose, belonging, and pride.
Importantly, the NDIS has allowed her to become an active member of the community. She is able to attend social activities, appointments, programs, and community events that reduce isolation and support positive mental health. These supports help her build meaningful relationships and remain connected to society rather than becoming isolated within the home.
The Scheme has also reduced her reliance on family members to meet all of her daily support needs. Without the NDIS, the responsibility would once again fall heavily on family carers, creating emotional, physical, and financial strain. Families should not have to carry this burden alone when appropriate disability supports are available through the Scheme.
From a professional perspective, I am deeply concerned about what these proposed changes will mean for the people I support. Many of my clients rely on support workers to leave their homes, attend appointments, access the community, maintain social connections, and complete everyday activities safely. If these supports are reduced or removed, many individuals will experience increased isolation, declining mental health, worsening physical health, and a loss of independence.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1032
I am particularly concerned about participants losing access to trusted support workers. For people living with psychosocial disability, trauma, anxiety, autism, or intellectual disability, consistency and trust are critical. Being forced to frequently change workers, justify supports repeatedly, or lose established relationships can be extremely distressing and destabilising. Trusted support workers often play a key role in maintaining emotional regulation, safety, confidence, and participation in the community.
I am also worried that the proposed changes place too much emphasis on cost reduction rather than the long-term wellbeing and human rights of people with disability. Reducing supports may create greater pressure on already overwhelmed systems such as emergency departments, mental health services, hospitals, carers, and homelessness services. Preventative support through the NDIS is far more effective and humane than crisis intervention after supports have been removed.
The current Bill creates uncertainty, fear, and distress for many participants and their families. The people I support are already anxious about whether they will lose services that are essential to their daily functioning and wellbeing. This uncertainty alone is having a harmful impact on mental health.
I strongly believe that the Bill, in its current form, is harmful and should not be passed by Parliament. The proposed changes risk undermining the purpose of the NDIS and will negatively impact some of the most vulnerable people in our community. People with disability deserve stability, dignity, independence, and meaningful access to support — not further barriers, uncertainty, and disadvantage.
I urge Parliament to reconsider the Bill and to genuinely consult with people with disability, families, carers, and frontline professionals before implementing reforms that may cause significant harm.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Poppy Krallidis
PK Counselling Support & Education