National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1234
Submission Regarding Proposed Changes to the NDIS Act
What does the NDIS mean for you right now?
Through my work in disability support and previous experience as a Support Coordinator, I have seen firsthand how life-changing the NDIS can be.
For many participants, the NDIS is not about “extra” services — it is about basic functioning, safety, and independence.
I have supported autistic clients whose lives significantly improved after receiving consistent supports. Before support, many struggled with basic daily tasks such as hygiene, eating meals, drinking water, attending appointments, or leaving the house safely. With the right supports, many became more involved in their communities, began volunteering, attended social activities, and experienced less burnout and isolation.
The NDIS has created opportunities for independence, dignity, and choice that many people with disabilities previously did not have access to.
How do you feel about the proposed changes to the NDIS Act?
The proposed changes are causing significant fear and uncertainty throughout the disability community.
While I understand the need to reduce spending and improve sustainability, broad funding cuts will cause serious harm to vulnerable people. I have personally seen the impact when participants lose supports — increased burnout, isolation, mental health decline, and inability to manage daily living tasks.
Reducing supports does not remove “extras.” It removes the foundations that allow many people to function safely and participate in society.
Do you feel these changes have been explained clearly enough?
No.
Participants, families, carers, and workers are confused about what these changes will actually mean in practice. There is very little clarity around eligibility, reassessments, funding reductions, and the proposed changes to the definition of “permanence.”
This lack of clear communication is creating anxiety across the community.
What would these changes mean for you, your family, friends, carers, or community?
These changes would affect entire support networks, not just participants themselves.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1234
Families and unpaid carers would face increased stress, burnout, and financial pressure if supports are reduced. Community participation would also decline significantly, with many people losing access to work, volunteering, education, and social activities.
I currently work for a provider delivering community access supports, and for some participants, their support workers are their only regular social connection.
Reducing these services risks pushing people back into isolation and more restrictive care models with less independence and choice.
What would happen if your social and community supports were reduced or removed?
For many participants, social and community supports are essential.
Without them, many individuals would become isolated, disconnected, and unable to participate meaningfully in their communities. This would likely increase depression, anxiety, burnout, and crisis presentations.
These supports build confidence, routine, independence, and quality of life.
What would happen if your capacity building supports were reduced or removed — or if you never had access to them in the first place?
Capacity building supports help people develop skills for greater independence and long-term stability.
Without these supports, many participants would struggle to build routines, improve daily functioning, access education or employment, or engage safely in the community.
Removing these supports may reduce short-term spending, but it will likely create greater long- term pressure on health, housing, and crisis services.
What would these changes to the definition of permanence mean for you?
The proposed changes to the definition of “permanence” are deeply concerning.
Expecting people to attempt every possible treatment before accessing support is unrealistic when many treatments are unaffordable, inaccessible, or unavailable in regional areas.
A stricter definition may reduce spending, but it will also leave many people with genuine support needs without access to help.
If eligibility becomes stricter, there must also be clear alternative supports and community programs available so people are not left without assistance entirely.
Closing Statement
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1234
The NDIS has improved independence, dignity, safety, and community inclusion for many Australians with disabilities.
While reform may be necessary, changes must not come at the expense of essential supports for vulnerable people.
Policy decisions should be guided by lived experience and the real-world consequences these changes will have on participants, families, carers, and communities.