National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1398

I have worked in the disability sector for a few years now and I am also aunt to a young man who has Down Syndrome. I understand the NDIS both professionally and personally, and I want to be very clear about the consequences of cutting social and community access funding for participants like my nephew.

Like my nephew, many participants cannot be left alone. He cannot work, study, or participate independently in the community. Social and community access funding is the only mechanism he has to fill his days with meaningful activity, connection, and purpose.

Without it, he is housebound. Not figuratively — literally. Apart from his mum’s availability.

My sister is already providing a high level of care around the clock. If my nephew’s community access hours do not cover the times she needs to work, then she simply cannot work. There is no alternative. There is no one else to step in. There is no “informal support network” waiting in the wings. I live hours away myself.

The system cannot simultaneously reduce his supports and expect her to maintain employment.

If the NDIS removes the supports that allow her to work, rest, and function, then she will be pushed back onto welfare –– not by choice but necessity.*

And what about her weekends? Without adequate support, she will be providing full-time care seven days a week, without break, downtime,andno ability to sustain her own wellbeing*.I point out there are also 2 younger children needing care* in this picture.

This isn’t sustainable for any carer*, let alone parent with no extended family available to share load.

Professionally**, you can tell me: When cutting community access**,**you don’t save money. You shift cost oncarers Centrelink crisis services.

Personally***:When cutting community access,**you take away only structure purpose connection my nephew has.

Please reconsider cuts socialcommunityaccess funding For my nephew it’s not optional. For sister difference between employment forcedwelfare fear coping collapse.

We value highly need sustainability but cuts socialcommunityaccess unsustainable for sistersfamily many similar families working together.

Please consider these cuts. Yours sincerely, redacted