National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1167
NDIS Senate Submission 2026
Submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
PLEASE NOTE I REQUEST THAT MY NAME BE WITHELD FROM PUBLICATION
Introduction
I am a parent of an adult NDIS participant. This perspective allows me to understand firsthand the impacts of proposed NDIS changes on both participants and the workforce that supports them.
I am deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the NDIS, particularly changes that may exclude Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from eligibility and reduce access to essential supports and therapies.
Key Concerns
- Risk of Removal of Autism from the NDIS
One of my primary concerns is the potential for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be removed or restricted as an eligible condition under the NDIS.
Autism is a lifelong condition and does not disappear over time.
No two individuals with autism are the same; needs vary widely and cannot be standardised.
It is unclear how decision-makers can determine what qualifies as “permanent” or “life-long” given the complexity and variability of ASD.
If ASD is excluded, my child will lose access to critical supports such as occupational therapy and other essential services that enable them to function independently.
- Loss of Essential Supports and Therapies
If funding is cut or eligibility is tightened:
My child will lose access to therapies that are vital for their wellbeing and daily functioning.
I will be forced to pay out of pocket for supports, which is not financially sustainable as I am near retirement age.
The alternative—accessing only five Medicare-subsidised sessions per year—is wholly inadequate for someone with a chronic, lifelong condition.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1167
Additionally, their current NDIS funding already does not fully meet their needs. Further reductions will significantly worsen this gap.
- Increased Reliance on Informal Supports
Without adequate NDIS support:
My child will be forced to rely more heavily on informal supports such as ageing family members and family members who have their own medical issues to manage.
This will place emotional, physical, and financial strain on my family and support network.
This is not sustainable and undermines both participant independence and family wellbeing.
Support workers play a critical role in relieving this burden and enabling participants to live more independently.
- Impact on Mental Health and Community Participation
Support workers have had a profoundly positive impact on my child’s life:
They help my child regulate emotionally.
They help my child manage their daily life and achieve some degree of independence.
Their support reduces strain on my child’s relationships within the community.
They enable my child to leave the house and engage more effectively with others and maintain stability.
They assist in my child in finding suitable employment so they can have a meaningful involvement in the community and achieve partial financial independence
Removing or reducing supports will lead to:
Increased stress and dysregulation
Strained relationships
Reduced community participation
Deterioration in mental health
- Workforce Impact and Industry Instability
As a parent of a dependent adult child with ASD, I am also witnessing the growing uncertainty within the sector:
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1167
Many support workers are considering leaving the industry due to instability and unclear policy direction.
Providers may exit the sector entirely.
This will lead to fewer supports available for participants, even for those who remain eligible. In particular, I am worried that my child will not be able to use trusted support workers.
If participants lose access to supports, workers also lose employment, creating a cycle that harms both groups.
- Secondary Disabilities and Complex Needs
Many participants experience multiple layers of disability:
Secondary conditions often arise alongside primary disabilities like ASD.
These conditions may not be directly recognised under the NDIS but significantly impact overall functioning.
If primary conditions such as ASD are removed:
Secondary disabilities will also go unsupported.
This creates a compounding effect, with negative impacts on my child’s mental and physical health.
- Fragmented System and Lack of Coordination
Currently, government systems do not work well together:
Participants are frequently redirected between services (e.g. NDIS, mental health services, healthcare).
There is little coordination or communication between departments.
This results in a cycle where people are unable to access the support they need.
Reducing NDIS eligibility will only intensify these systemic failures.
Broader Consequences
The proposed changes will not reduce need—they will shift it elsewhere:
Participants will become more unwell without early intervention and consistent support.
Pressure will increase on hospitals, mental health services, and unpaid carers.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1167
Long-term costs to the system will likely increase, not decrease.
People will not stop needing support simply because they are removed from the NDIS.
Conclusion
The NDIS is essential for people like my child to live with dignity, independence and stability. The proposed amendments risk:
Removing critical supports from those who rely on them
Increasing strain on families and communities
Destabilising the disability workforce
Worsening health and social outcomes for participants
Autism is a lifelong condition and individuals with ASD deserve continued access to the supports that enable them to participate fully in society. I believe that the new NDIS Bill is harmful and should not be passed by Parliament.