National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1202
Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
26 May 2026
I am writing as the sister of a carer and the aunty of a 22-year-old man living with Autism and significant mental health challenges. My submission is based on many years of observing the realities of caring for a family member with complex disability support needs and the important role the NDIS plays in supporting both participants and their families.
I am concerned that aspects of the proposed changes may reduce the independence, social participation, wellbeing, and future opportunities of people living with disability, while also increasing pressure on unpaid family carers.
Key Concerns
- Reduced Certainty and Security for Participants and Families
I am concerned about proposed powers that may allow participant plans to be reduced or altered with insufficient safeguards, transparency, or certainty for participants and families.
Families caring for people with significant disabilities already experience ongoing stress, uncertainty, and exhaustion. Stable and reliable supports are critical not only for participants, but also for carers who structure their lives around these supports.
Recommendation: Ensure that any changes to participant plans involve transparent decision-making processes, clear review rights, and meaningful consultation with participants and families.
- Impact of Reductions to Social and Community Participation Supports
I am deeply concerned about the proposed reduction of social and community supports.
For my nephew, these supports are not optional extras. They are essential to his wellbeing, confidence, independence, and social connection. These activities give him opportunities to build friendships, participate in the community, and work toward his goal of eventually living more independently from his parents.
Without these supports, his world will become smaller, more isolated, and more dependent on ageing family carers.
Recommendation: Protect funding for social and community participation supports that reduce isolation and build independence and community inclusion.
- Increased Pressure on Families and Unpaid Carers
My sister has had to reduce her work hours and give up full-time employment to care for her son, despite the support currently provided through the NDIS.
Caring for a person with complex needs is a 24-hour responsibility that impacts every aspect of family life, including employment, finances, emotional wellbeing, and long-term security.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1202
These pressures became even greater while my sister was also caring for our mother during her battle with dementia.
I am concerned that reducing disability supports will shift even greater responsibilities back onto families, particularly women, many of whom are already experiencing exhaustion, burnout, and financial hardship due to unpaid caring responsibilities.
Recommendation: Ensure that reforms do not increase reliance on unpaid family care or reduce the sustainability of long- term caring arrangements.
- Lack of Meaningful Consultation
I am concerned that participants, carers, families, and disability service providers have not been adequately consulted regarding the practical impacts of these proposed changes.
People with lived experience are best placed to explain how these supports affect daily life, independence, safety, and long-term outcomes.
Recommendation: Undertake broader consultation with participants, carers, and disability organisations before implementing significant reforms.
- Long-Term Social and Economic Consequences
I am concerned that reducing access to early intervention and preventative supports may create greater long-term costs for governments and the broader community.
The support needs of people with disability do not disappear when services are reduced. Instead, unmet needs may later present through increased demand on hospitals, mental health services, housing systems, crisis services, and justice systems.
Early intervention and community-based supports are not only compassionate and socially responsible — they are also economically responsible investments.
Recommendation: Maintain investment in early intervention and preventative supports to reduce long-term social and economic costs.
Conclusion
The NDIS plays a vital role in helping people with disability live dignified, connected, and independent lives within the community.
From observing my sister and nephew’s experience, I believe the proposed changes risk increasing family strain, reducing independence, and creating greater long-term pressures on both families and public systems.
I urge the Committee to carefully consider the lived experiences of participants and carers when assessing these proposed reforms.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Kind regards,