Submission Regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the

NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1410 I am deeply concerned that many of the proposed NDIS reforms risk shifting the burden of systemic failures onto people with disability and their families, rather than addressing the underlying causes of cost blowouts and poor governance within the Scheme. While I acknowledge the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and preventing fraud, I believe the current reform direction risks harming legitimate participants who rely on supports to maintain safety, stability, independence and community participation.The Government has stated that the reforms are intended\nto “clarify eligibility”,“slow rapidcost increases” ,and “fight fraud and stop rorts”. However,manyparticipants \nandfamiliesareconcernedthatthepracticaleffectwillbereducedsupports,tighteraccess,andtheremovalofvulnerablepeoplefromtheschemewithoutadequatealternativesystemsbeingestablishedfirst.A significant concern is thateffectappearstocenterheavilyonrestrictingparticipantaccessandreducingplanbudgetswhileinsufficientattentioniss beinggiventostrengtheningsafeguardsagainstfraudulentorexploitativeproviders.Publicdiscussionaroundthendishasincreasinglyfocusedonorthingbyparticpantsdespitewidespreadevidencethatauthenticityexploitationalsooccuringwithinprovidersystemsandpoorlyregulatedservicemarkets.ManyNDISparticipantsdonothavecapacitycontinuouslyauditinvoicesmonitorcomplexbillingarrangementsorc hallengeproviderwhochargeincorrectlyordishonestly.Participantswithintellectual disabilityautismpsychosocial disabilitycognitive impairmentacquired brain injuryorseverementalillnessareparticularly vulnerable exploitations.Familiescareralreadyoverwhelmednavigationa highly complexsystem.Thereis evidence growing public concerning:• providers billing for services not delivered,• inflated pricing• unregistered operators exploiting participants.• poor oversight and inconsistent safeguards.At the sametimewish to acknowledge that many small independent NDIS provide deliver ethical high qualityand compassionate supports to participant.It importantthatpublic discussion around fraud within thendisdoesnotunfairystigmatise allsmall provider man of whom are genuinely committed improving lives people with disability.Smaller provide often offer flexibility continuity care cultural understanding personal support larger organisations may not always be ableto provid.Diversity inthe provider market isimportant because it givesparticipant greater choice control which foundational principles ndis.

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

Submission 1410

Participant safety and protection from fraud must remain a priority. However, the challenge is to strengthen safeguards without creating barriers that unintentionally disadvantage ethical providers or reduce participant choice. Consideration should also be given to whether the current process for becoming an NDIS registered provider is overly complex, fiscially burdensome, and difficult for legitimate small businesses to navigate. If registration requirements are inaccessible or prohibitively expensive this may discourage ethcal providers from being registered while failing t effectively deter those deliberately engaging i dishonest conduct.A balanced approach is needed — one tht:

• supports strong compliance anti-fraud measures; improves monitoring accountability;protects participants exploitationwhile ensuring ethical smal providers pushed out sector excessive administrative financial barresEffective reform should target harmful practices fraudulent behaviour directly rather than reducing diversity of providers available particpants rely on choic trust continuity care.Rather than reducng suppor disabled people stronger regulatory systems prioritised including:increased auditing complian activitymandatory transparency in prvider billingstronger penalties fradimproved participant protectionseasier reporting pathways proactive monit high-risk providersThe peop causing harm scheme shoul primary target reformat notparticipants who rely suports daily functioning quality life.I am deeply concerned about impact proposed reforms with psychosocial disability.Mental health organisations raised concerns people psycosal disabilit left limbo under reforms Reports indicate significant numbers participants psychosocia ndis despite absence adequately funded alternative sys This occurring context mental healt system already extreme strainAcross Australia public mentahealth services experiencing chronic shortages psychiatric beds workforce shortage long wait times crisis-level demand Psychiatrists hospitals and mental health orgns have repeatedly warned broader mental health syst does currenty capacity absorb additional deman safely.

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

Submission 1410

Removing or reducing supports for people with psychosocial disability before community mental health systems are properly expanded risks:

• increased hospital presentations,
• homelessness,
• family breakdown,
• crisis admissions,
• higher long-term healthcare costs, and poorer health and social outcomes. It is not enough to assume that “mainstream systems” will absorb people exiting the NDIS when those systems are already struggling to meet existing demand.The reforms should not proceed in ways that reduce support for people with psychosocial disability until: accessible and properly funded community mental health services exist; continuity of care is guaranteed; an participants are not placed at risk of deterioration isolationorcrisis.I amalsoconcerned about proposed reductions t osocial a ndcommunityparticipationsupports.Government analysis has reportedly foundthatcutsinthisarea woulddisproportionately affectpeoplewithpsychosocial disabilit yDownsyndrome, an dvisual impairments.Community participation isn otaluxury.For manyparticipantsitise ssentialto:-reduceisolation,-maintainmentalhealth,-build independence ,-preventc r i s i s , -an dp articipate meaningfully insociety.Reducingthesesupportsmaycreatelargerlongtermcostselsewhereinh ealth,housinga n dcrisissystems.Iti alsoimportanttorecognizethattheNDISisanotsolelyandexpenditureitemwithinthefederalBudget. The Schemealsoco nt ributes significantlytot heAustralian economythroughemployment,w orkforcep ar ti c ipation,taxati onrevenue,andlocaleconomicactivity.ND IS funding supports alargework forceincluding disabilitysupportworkersalliedhealt hprofession alsadministrativestafftransportprovidersrespite workersandmany small businessesoperating within local communities.Theseworkerspaytax escontributetoth eeconomy andprovideessential services thatenable people withd isabilitytopartici p more fullyinsoci ety.Inmanycases,N DIS supportsa lsoassistfamilymembersancarerto remain in employment,reducingcarerburnoutandsuppor tingbroaderworkforc ep a rt ic ipation.

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

Submission 1410

While sustainability and accountability are important objectives, discussions about the cost of the NDIS should also acknowledge the economic and social value the Scheme generates, alongside the improved quality of life and independence it provides for participants.

The NDIS absolutely requires reform and stronger safeguards. However, reform should focus on improving accountability, transparency and provider regulation, while protecting the dignity, safety and wellbeing of disabled Australians. The sustainability of the Scheme should not be achieved by increasing hardship for people who are already vulnerable. A truly sustainable NDIS is one that:

• protects participants from exploitation,
• maintains necessary supports, strengthens oversight, and works alongside properly funded health and community systems.I urge the Committee to carefully consider the real-world impacts these reforms may have on participants, families and carers, particularly those living with psychosocial disability and those who are unable to advocate for themselves within an increasingly complex system.