National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1393
Introduction
As an NDIS participant with complex disabilities as well as being an Australian citizen directly affected by the outcome of this bill, I submit my document. Noting expertise or legal knowledge but rather shaped fundamentally through access to the NDIS; believing lived experience must be part especially when legislation before you could cause profound irreversible harm people like me; as such request full reading submission given genuine weight human reality represents committees deliberation.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1393
The proposed changes to the NDIS Act are not, for me, an abstract matter of legislative design. They represent a direct threat to the life I have built. I have read the available public materials, followed the ministerial statements, and attempted to understand what this Bill will mean for me effectively specific. And weeks after the announcement, I remain genuinely uncertain about my future under the proposed framework. That uncertainty is not a minor administrative inconvenience. For a person with complex disabilities who depends on funded supports function daily lives ,it profound psychological distress .
I do feel these changes been explained clearly enough address concern below . Concerns Regarding The Bill
- Inadequate explanation Proposed Changes I wish place record that do not feel proposals contained within Bill adequately explained participants broader public Announced at National Press Club April significant scope implications yet information provided participants practical terms their individual plans eligibility day-to-day lives deeply insufficient Participants deserve clear plain-language communication how these changes affect them Parliamentary process moves pace currently proposed legislation intended pass June does allow adequate time communicate nor disability community meaningfully engage respond proposed This reasonable timeline magnitude Australia’s most vulnerable citizens
Concerns regarding bill
(a) inadequate explanation proposal changes
Wish make record propose changes in Bill inadequately communicated participant or general public Announcement made National Press Club 20 was significant its scope implication yet information given participants change means practical terms their individual plan eligible day-today life has been profoundly insufficien Participant deserves clear language individualised communication about impact of those changes They should be informed what will happen to their support needs and access services they rely upon Parliament must move quickly through this legislative process so sufficient time available for consultation between government stakeholders affected individuals
Communication gap: Insufficient clarity, lack transparency on impacts specific people with disabilities. Lack engagement from key stakeholder groups.
Participants need more detailed explanations about the new rules, especially concerning permanence definition under NDIS Act . The current framework considers permanent if likely lifelong Under Proposed Changes ,participants required attempt all treatments before considered scheme Critically treatment deemed available even unaffordable accessible geographic area I want direct about mean it me.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1393
My disability is complex. - The suggestion that “I” or anyone else with similar circumstances would need to exhaust treatments financially unaffordable where they live before eligibility consideration, is deeply unjust; it places an undue burden on those already navigating difficult systems while managing more complicated lives than most people do.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1393
However, I do not accept that disabled Australians are the appropriate group to bear the primary burden of fiscal repair. I respectfully urge the committee to examine whether the burden of sustainability has been distributed fairly, and whether the choices made in this Bill reflect the values this parliament claims to hold regarding the rights and dignity of disabled Australians. 5. What these changes would mean for me, my community, and the people around me The impact of these proposed changes would not be mine alone to bear. Disability does not exist in isolation, and neither does the loss of support.The people in my life, including those who care about me and those who have watched me rebuild a meaningful existence and flourish over the course of my time on the Scheme, would bear witness to my regression. The informal care burden that would fall on the people closest to me if my formal supports were reduced would be significant. People who love someone with a complex disability do not simply watch that person struggle.They step in often at great personal cost absorbing responsibilities that formal supports currently manage.T he reduction of my funded supports would not affect only me.It would ripple outward into the lives of thosearoundme.Beyondmypersonalcircle,Iampartofabroaderdisabilitycommunity,a communitythatis already frightenedalready feelingthe weightofofuncertaintyand alreadylosingtrustinascheme thate wasbuiltonapromiseodignityando choice.Thedamagebeingdonetothatis bythisannouncement,beforeasinglechangehasevenbeenlegislated,isrealands itissignificant 6.WhatwouldhappenifymysocialandcommunitiesupportswereReducedor removed If mysocialand communitiesuppor ts werereducedorremoved,would loseconnectiontotheworldoutsidehome.This isnot ametaphor.BeforethenDISI didnothave that connection.I livedalifeoprofound isolation unabletongoosewithmymycom munityunabletoaccessemployment,andunable tobuilttherelationshipsandroutines thatmostAustralians takefor granted My social and communit y participation suppo rts are what allow metoleavethehouse, to engage wit h others,tomaintain them ommunityconnections thatsustainemymentalhealthansenseofs elf ,an dtoparticipateth in employmentstudyt hatgivemylie direction an dpurpose Withoutthem I woul dr eturnisolation. Ireturntolifethatsmallermorepainful,mordegrading than theoneiamlivingnow.Wou ldloseparttimeemploy mentcurrently hold W ouldlos eabilityengagemeaningfully withmydegreeW ou ldl os ethecomm unity Ihavedworkedsowhardbecome partof
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1393
That is not a risk. That is a certainty. I know this because I have lived it. 7. What would happen if my capacity building supports were reduced or removed My capacity building supports are what have made growth possible. They are not simply supports that maintain my current level of functioning. They are the mechanism through which I can been able develop real lasting capability over time Critically Capacity Building has meant access vital therapies genuinely changed what can do in world Those Therapies addressed barriers could overcome alone they make me join work study connect live life meaning direction take away terrifying Not complacent dependent precisely before these therapies part It If had never accessed capacity building first place Life described submission would exist still house invisible person realistic pathway employment education community participation Capacity building optional extra people complex disabilities Mechanism with which ND fulfils foundational promise just support as but invest who become reduce remove capacity abandoning entire What Would Happen if Lost Access to The NDIS I am frightened returning previous life NDIS vague theoretical sense immediate physical daily precise knows terrified return cut off society unable meaningful contribution within four walls disconnected from purpose any future thought prospect profound loss suffering regression And know disability across Australia frightened People worked hard build lives independence connection lying awake night wondering those taken committee urge currently drafted timeline causing harm Recommendations
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1393
Recommendations:
- That passage delay until comprehensive plain-language information provided.
- To all current participants about specific impact proposed changes on their individual plans eligibility.
That revised definition permanence withdrawn or substantially revise developed consultation participant disability advocates medical allied health professionals.
No reductions legislated participant supports funded operational alternative supports demonstrably place every category being reduced.
The committee receive substantive evidence representative cross-section NDLS participants real lived impact proposals deliberation complete its.
Nothing us without principle slogan binding standard legislation development amended implemented treated not as but is.
Conclusion: The NDIS gave me back my life It community employment education future I working toward genuine purpose hope better more connected contributing member Australian society because scheme exists asking parliament take away asking you slow down listen consult genuinely ensure person disability country loses support before something real accessible replace it sustainable cannot come cost people independence dignity lives willing appear if assistance would be of.
Submission 1393
28 May 2026