National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1062
25/05/2026
Subject: Submission Regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submitted by:
To whom it may concern,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.
My name is , and I am an autistic adult who was diagnosed later in life after years of struggling without recognition, understanding, or support. I am writing this submission not only for myself, but for many disabled people whose experiences are often overlooked in policy discussions.
Concerns About the Proposed Changes
The proposed changes to the NDIS Act create significant fear and uncertainty for me and many others in the disability community. While I understand the importance of making the NDIS sustainable into the future, I do not believe sustainability should come at the expense of vulnerable people losing access to essential supports.
Too often, discussions around the NDIS focus on costs rather than the long-term human and social consequences of inadequate support. Many disabled people already struggle to access education, employment, healthcare, housing, and community participation. Reducing supports will only increase these barriers.
I am particularly concerned about changes that may reduce access to capacity building supports, community participation supports, and supports for neurodivergent people whose needs are often misunderstood or minimised.
Lack of Clear Communication
I do not feel the proposed changes have been explained clearly enough. Many disabled people, families, and carers are confused about what supports may be removed, who may lose eligibility, and how future decisions will be made.
The language used in policy documents is often difficult to understand, especially for people with Autism, intellectual disability, psychosocial disability, cognitive disability, or limited literacy. This lack of clarity creates anxiety and mistrust within a community that already struggles to feel safe within support systems.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1062
My Personal Experience
I grew up without early diagnosis or intervention. Because my needs were not recognised, school became a place of constant failure, overwhelm, and distress. I left school early despite having strong abilities in maths, science, and technology.
I continue to face barriers in employment, healthcare, housing, and social participation because the support I needed was delayed or inaccessible.
The cost of living is now so high that it is impossible for me to afford many essential services out of pocket without NDIS funding. Services such as occupational therapy, psychology, psychiatry, support work, and other disability-related supports are financially out of reach on the Disability Support Pension or limited income. Without NDIS funding, many disabled people are simply left without support entirely.
Before accessing the NDIS, my experience with mainstream community services was extremely disappointing. I was repeatedly told that services did not have the expertise or understanding to support someone with my disability and sensory needs. Many environments were not neuro- affirming and often made my anxiety and overwhelm worse.
In contrast, I found NDIS-funded supports beneficial because the providers had a better understanding of Autism, sensory processing difficulties, executive functioning challenges, and neurodivergent communication styles. Having access to professionals and support workers who understood my disability made a significant difference to my wellbeing, confidence, and ability to participate in daily life.
Impact of Reducing Social and Community Supports
If social and community supports were reduced or removed, the impact would be severe.
Social isolation is already one of the biggest challenges autistic adults face. There are very few meaningful services that help autistic adults build friendships, relationships, confidence, or community connection. Without support, many people become increasingly isolated, anxious, depressed, and disconnected from society.
For neurodivergent people especially, community supports are often the difference between participating in society and becoming completely withdrawn. Without these supports, many people would lose confidence leaving their homes, attending appointments, accessing education or employment, or engaging in their communities.
Isolation affects every part of a person’s life, including mental health, physical health, independence, and safety.
Impact of Reducing Capacity Building Supports
If capacity building supports were reduced or removed — or if I had never had access to them in the first place — the consequences would be devastating.
Capacity building supports are not luxuries. They help disabled people develop skills, improve independence, manage emotional regulation, maintain housing, access healthcare, build routines, and safely participate in the community.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1062
Without support, people do not suddenly become independent. Instead, many become more vulnerable to homelessness, mental health crises, unemployment, hospitalisation, and long- term dependence on emergency systems.
I know firsthand how damaging it is to grow up without proper support. Early intervention and appropriate disability supports could have changed the course of my education, employment opportunities, mental health, and quality of life. I fear these legislative changes may force another generation of disabled children and adults into the same cycle of disadvantage.
The Need for Neurodiversity-Affirming Support
I am also deeply concerned about the ongoing lack of recognition for sensory processing difficulties and neurodivergent support needs within the NDIS system.
Sensory difficulties are a core part of many neurodivergent conditions, yet supports that improve regulation, participation, and safety are often dismissed as non-essential. This demonstrates a lack of understanding about how disability affects everyday life.
Disabled people deserve more than survival. We deserve accessible education, stable housing, inclusive workplaces, affordable healthcare, and support systems that genuinely understand our needs.
Closing Statement
The NDIS should not only aim to keep people alive — it should help people live meaningful, connected, safe, and dignified lives.
I respectfully urge the Government and decision-makers to carefully reconsider any changes that would reduce access to supports, create further barriers, or increase fear and instability for disabled Australians.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my submission.
Sincerely,