National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1169
To the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee,
My name is and I have worked in the disability sector for almost 7 years as a disability support worker/Peer Mentor in . Through my role, I support young people living with disabilities such as; psychosocial disability, autism, anxiety, depression who have experienced trauma, school refusal, and complex mental health challenges. In my role I build independence, confidence, emotional regulation, social connection, and participation within their communities.
I want to acknowledged that the short timeframe provided for submissions on the “Securing the NDIS for Future Generations†Bill, has not allowed me to provide the level of detail this legislation deserves. However, I still felt it was important to make a submission because of how deeply concerned I am about the proposed changes and the potential impact they will have on participants, families, and workers across the disability sector.
Over the past 7 years, I have witnessed firsthand the life changing impact the NDIS can have when participants receive the RIGHT supports. I have seen people who were previously isolated begin attending school again, engage in community activities, build friendships, attend appointments independently, develop emotional regulation skills, join the workforce and gain confidence in advocating for themselves. I have also worked closely alongside families who are already overwhelmed and struggling to navigate complex systems while supporting loved ones with significant support needs and most holding employment to keep their families afloat.
One of my biggest concerns within this Bill is the proposed reduction to social and community participation funding and broader capacity building supports. In my experience, these supports are not “extras/luxuries.†Community access and Peer Mentoring are often the very supports that prevent isolation, mental health deterioration, hospital admissions, family breakdown, and long term crisis situations. Many participants I support rely on community based supports to practise independence, maintain routines, regulate emotions, and safely engage with the world around them. Removing or significantly reducing these supports will have serious consequences for participant wellbeing and long term outcomes, if the proposed changes are to be implemented the government would be solely responsible for exposing already vulnerable participants to both physical and mental risks, it sounds dramatic but it is the unfortunate truth.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1169