National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1327
I am responding to the NDIS review of 2026 stated aims of
An effective NDIS will improve outcomes for:
people with disability and their families and carers, helping them achieve their life goals and participate in social and economic life; and
society, by strengthening communities and reducing avoidable system costs, including social security, employment, health, housing and justice
I am writing to highlight the ways in which these stated purpose of the review are not upheld by reducing community support and funding.
I am a mother to two boys aged 6 and 9. My nine year old son has a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder (level 3) and ADHD. I am his primary carer.We currently receive NDIS funding for OT, speech pathology and occasional psychology sessions. We currently do not access support workers or respite care and have repeatedly been told that it is unlikely that we would be funded for that. We are very grateful for the NDIS funding we do receive.
My son attends a private autism specific school (Aspect) after having a terrible time at mainstream public primary school. We pay a little over $6000 a year for his schooling. There is no OSHC at his school and no vacation care (although we access a private disability specific vacation care which is very expensive around $500 per day). We do not use up public funds for schooling and his cat 8 support that was allocated through the SA public education system – saving the government thousands of dollars. This lack of after school care and very expensive vacation care affects my ability to work and impacts our whole family in juggling working from home/ time off over the holidays.
Whenever I have accessed mental health support services I am repeatedly told – you need more support! Apply for a support worker. I have been suicidal and deeply depressed at times in the last few years. I feel unable to work more than the 2.5 days a week I am employed for now, I feel like my own health and wellbeing suffers and the wellbeing of my youngest child is also severely impacted by our isolation and inability to participate in many community activities. Sometimes my son who is autistic is violent towards other children, he has a severe phobia of dogs, he has no idea about personal space or road safety. He requires supervision constantly and often I am the only adult with both children making something as simple as attending a market impossible, another adult needs to be present if we venture into the community.
I feel that failing to provide support worker funding for families in a position such as ours, has widely spreading ripples in terms of mental health, participation in society, ability to work, superannuation and future reliance on services. I love my kids, I am an active and involved parent, I cannot be more than one person though.