Occupational therapist raises concerns about reductions to capacity building supports

To the Community Affairs Legislation Committee,

I am an occupational therapist and small regional provider working with neurodivergent children and families on the NSW Mid North Coast. I provide assessment, therapy and functional support services for children accessing the NDIS, Medicare and private services. I have more than 30 years experience so I have seen the positive impact of NDIS on the clients I work with.

I am writing to express concern regarding aspects of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

My concerns relate particularly to proposed reductions to capacity building and participation supports, increased use of standardised assessment frameworks and automation in decision-making, restrictions on reassessment, and broader ministerial powers to reduce categories of support.

In my clinical work, occupational therapy and capacity building supports are often the difference between a child remaining engaged in preschool or school, developing independence in daily living skills, participating safely in the community, and reducing family stress, and develop feelings of safety and confidence over time to engage with others for help. These supports are not “extras†; they are preventative and developmental supports that reduce long-term support needs and improve participation outcomes.

I am particularly concerned that greater reliance on standardised tools, algorithms or framework-based decision-making may fail to capture the complexity and variability of children’s functional needs. Many neurodivergent children, children with psychosocial disability, and children with fluctuating support needs do not fit neatly within “tick-box†systems. High-quality functional assessment by appropriately qualified allied health professionals is essential to understanding how disability impacts a child’s participation across home, school and community environments.

I am also concerned about restrictions on reassessment being limited to “exceptional circumstances†. Children’s developmental needs can change rapidly, particularly during key transitions such as starting school, changes in family circumstances, escalating behavioural or emotional challenges, or increasing academic and social demands. Flexible reassessment pathways are essential to ensure supports remain safe, responsive and appropriate.

In regional communities, access to allied health services is already limited. Reductions to pricing, therapy supports or capacity building budgets risk further reducing workforce sustainability and access for rural and regional families.

I urge Parliament to:

- protect access to occupational therapy, capacity building and participation supports;