National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1188
Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill
Name: Natalie Vucica
I am a: ☐ Disabled person
- Family member / supporter ☐ Clinician ☐ Other: ___________________
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My connection to this issue My connection to this issue is deeply personal as my son, Avery, is 4 years old and is currently on the wait list for an ASD assessment. Avery is non-verbal and lives with global developmental delay, seizures, Central Precocious Puberty, and brain abnormalities, which means he requires significant support across many areas of daily life and development. Navigating assessments, therapies, medical appointments, and support systems has shown me how essential the NDIS is for families like ours. Delays, uncertainty, and changes to the scheme can have a direct impact on a child’s access to early intervention and vital supports during critical developmental years. As a parent and advocate for my son, I want to ensure that the NDIS remains accessible, fair, and centred on the real needs of children with complex disabilities and their families.
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My overall view of this Bill I do not support this Bill in its current form because I do not believe the people it will affect the most those living with disabilities and their families are being properly considered or genuinely listened to. I am concerned that decisions are being made without enough consultation with people who rely on the NDIS every day, and that the changes could create further barriers for vulnerable participants needing essential supports and services.
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My main concerns ☒ Communication and accessibility What my concern is: I believe people living with disabilities and their families are not being properly consulted or included in decisions about these changes. Why it matters to me: The people most affected by these reforms should have a meaningful voice in shaping them. Families with lived experience understand the realities of navigating the NDIS and should be listened to before major decisions are made.
☒ Children / families / early intervention What my concern is: I am worried that children and families may face more delays and barriers in accessing early intervention services and support. Why it matters to me: Early intervention is critical during childhood, and delays can affect a child’s long-term development and ability to thrive.
☒ Eligibility or assessment changes What my concern is: I am concerned that changes to eligibility and assessment processes may make it harder for children with complex needs to access the NDIS. Why it matters to me: Families are already required to provide extensive evidence and
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1188
attend multiple appointments to prove their child’s needs. Additional barriers or stricter criteria could prevent vulnerable children from receiving the support they genuinely need.
- What this looks like in real life In real life, this means living with constant uncertainty, exhaustion, and worry about whether my child will continue to receive the supports he needs. It looks like managing multiple meltdowns a day because he becomes overwhelmed and overstimulated, while trying to keep him safe and calm. It means never hearing your child’s voice, never fully knowing when they are in pain or understanding what their wants and needs are, and facing the heartbreaking possibility that you may never hear the words “I love you” from your child.
It also means sitting quietly at the park watching other parents laugh, talk, and play with their children, while your own child sits alone rubbing sticks together and struggling to connect with the world around him. Families like mine already face enormous emotional, financial, and physical pressures every day, and access to support through the NDIS can make the difference between coping and completely falling apart.
- What I want the committee to understand I want the committee to understand that behind every policy change are real families and children whose lives are directly affected. Children like my son are not numbers or budgets they are human beings who deserve the opportunity to access the supports, therapies, and early intervention they need to live safely and reach their full potential. Families caring for children with complex disabilities are already carrying enormous emotional, financial, and physical responsibilities every day. We need a system that listens to people with lived experience, supports families rather than creating more barriers, and recognises how critical early intervention and ongoing support truly are.
I also believe there needs to be greater investigation into support services charging extremely high prices through the NDIS. Families like mine work full-time and earn no more than around $35 an hour, yet services such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech Therapy can charge very high rates, with some providers billing for a full hour when sessions only last 30 minutes. At the same time, many support workers who provide hands-on care and assist people with disabilities every single day are often paid relatively low wages despite the important and demanding work they do. People living with disabilities should not suffer, lose supports, or face stricter restrictions because of providers taking advantage of the system. The focus should remain on ensuring participants receive fair, quality, and accessible support.