National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1267
Good afternoon,
I am the Practice Manager of a Paediatric Occupational Therapy Practice in Lake Macquarie, NSW. Our team works closely with children, families, educators, and communities to build functional capacity, participation, independence, emotional wellbeing, and long-term developmental outcomes through early intervention and family- centred therapy.
My concerns relate to the parts of the bill that would…
1: Risk narrowing access to the scheme Early access to supports is often the determining factor between a child thriving versus requiring significantly higher levels of intervention later in life. Many children seen in paediatric OT settings do not present with “severe” disability in a traditional sense, but still experience substantial functional impairment in everyday life:
inability to participate safely at school emotional dysregulation sensory overwhelm social isolation toileting difficulties inability to engage in community activities high family stress and burnout
Children with ASD Level 1 or 2, developmental delay, trauma histories, or anxiety may appear outwardly capable, however without therapy supports they frequently struggle to access education, friendships, community participation, and emotional safety. Restricting access risks creating a system where children must “fail further” before qualifying for support. Delayed intervention increases long-term costs across:
education mental health child protection crisis services hospital systems family breakdown
In regional and semi-regional communities, access to supports is already limited. Narrowing eligibility criteria would disproportionately impact vulnerable families who cannot privately fund therapy. Functional impairment in childhood is not always visible, measurable, or linear. Early intervention must remain accessible before a child reaches a crisis point.
2: Restrictions on reassessment and review Limiting reassessment opportunities risks:
children losing support during critical developmental windows increased waitlists and crisis referrals later
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1267
reduced ability to tailor supports appropriately families disengaging from systems entirely
Clinical flexibility is essential in paediatric practice. Therapy needs are not static.
Paediatric therapy cannot operate effectively under rigid review or reassessment limitations because:
developmental stages shift quickly school demands change trauma presentations evolve family circumstances fluctuate Children may regress during transitions or stress
3: Impact Capacity building and participation supports - possible human rights implications. Capacity building supports are not “optional extras.” They are foundational preventative interventions. Occupational Therapy helps children build the functional skills required to:
attend school safely participate in family life regulate emotions develop friendships tolerate community environments build independence reduce long-term reliance on services
Community participation often supports children in practicing real-world regulation, communication, confidence, and social connection. For many neurodivergent children, supported participation in activities is the pathway to:
inclusion identity development emotional wellbeing reduced isolation reduced mental health deterioration
Removing or reducing these supports risks unintentionally increasing exclusion and discrimination for disabled children. Families consistently report that capacity building supports reduce parental burnout, improve family functioning, and increase school attendance and community engagement.
Restricting access to participation supports may conflict with principles of inclusion and equal opportunity for children with disabilities. Children with a disability have the right to participate meaningfully in their communities, education, recreation, and social environments. Capacity building supports enable participation rather than dependence.
Without adequate supports, many children become excluded from ordinary childhood experiences.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1267
Parliament must understand that paediatric occupational therapy is not simply about treating disability, it is about enabling children to participate meaningfully in everyday life, preventing escalation of support needs, strengthening families, and improving long-term social and economic outcomes.
Reducing access to early intervention, reassessment flexibility, or capacity building supports may create short-term funding reductions, but risks significantly greater long- term human and economic costs.
Children should not need to reach a crisis point before receiving support.
I strongly encourage the Committee to adopt Occupational Therapy Australia’s recommendations.
Warm Regards,