National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1055
Submission against the proposed Bill regarding changes to the NDIS
I am writing to you as a more mature member of the community, who has the role of being the official and informal carer for my two immediate family members – My wife and our 30-year-old severely autistic (level 3) son – he is non-verbal, has high anxieties and has very limited understanding of society. The NDIS has been life-changing for both, especially for our child.
Whilst I accept that the cost blowouts to the NDIS are eye-watering and need some form of rectification, the proposed budget changes to the NDIS are, in my opinion, a retrograde step for not only the disabled in our community, but for society in general. The proposed Bill as it stands cannot go through as it would affect not just the Disability Community, but everyone to an extent. Workers, allied health professionals, local businesses who rely on people coming into their shops, businesses and cafes, and the economy in general.
One way the NDIS has helped us enormously is the fact that, with the current funding, we are able to privately hire workers to assist our son in integrating him into society. We did try him in a group setting (1:2), but all the provider did was, every day, give him a sudoku book or let him play on a computer, with no social interaction and very limited public outings. Being non-verbal, he was unable to tell us what was happening – we would often pop in unannounced, and this way we would see what was happening. Other providers in our area are similar. Our private workers, vetted and supervised by us with the guidance of the professionals in his support Team, take him out into the community daily, expending boundless energy and teaching him how to integrate into society. He is now able to order his meals by himself (under the workers’ supervision) and walks proudly amongst the community. He still needs 1:1 supervision, as he is easily distracted and can run off in his own world, putting his own safety in danger. He, like so many like him is vulnerable and could easily be hurt or placed in situations where he would not understand if he was doing something wrong. Our son responds best with a familiar face – someone he knows and knows him. If he loses choice and control as to who will support him, this would be devastating and probably a cause for regression.
The Bill will, in my view, rip away what has been achieved by so many so far. The NDIS was put together to give the disability community voice, choice and control – these are all at risk now. We are once again stripping away from a vulnerable community. Do we no longer care about humanity? Do we now no longer care about quality of life?
I also find the decision to remove participant’s right of appeal for contentious determinations unjust. Could this lead to numerous appeals to the Human Rights Commission or other like bodies? A very expensive and time-consuming exercise, not to mention the negative media and community backlash.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1055
One possible solution – raise the Medicare levy by 0.5% to pay for the NDIS (or whatever percentage is recommended by treasury). Alternatively, raise the levy by 1% and make available to ALL Australians the ability to obtain a free full medical check-up from their local GP (with all tests covered) on the month of their birth every 2 years (annually for the elderly and chronically ill). The medical costs would, in my opinion, be covered by health issues being discovered and treated early, easing the burden on our overworked health system.
They say prevention is better than cure. And we also need to remember that not all disabilities are from birth – a large number are acquired at any stage in life (accidents happen), so anyone can be affected at any time by changes to the NDIS.
Respectfully