Submission re proposed NDIS legislative changes

May 2026 I am the mother of a woman currently receiving NDIS support. My daughter has lived with severe psychosocial disability and chronic mental illness since she was fifteen years old. She is now almost thirty-seven. Over the years she has received numerous diagnoses. The labels, in and of themselves, do not matter. What does matter is the reality of how profoundly her conditions affect her daily functioning and capacity to live independently. My daughter is intellectually very bright. She is thoughtful, kind, perceptive and deeply sensitive. However, despite her intelligence, she finds everyday life extraordinarily difficult to manage and is therefore unable to commit to paid employment. She lives with persistent depression and significant emotional distress. Tasks most people take for granted are often overwhelming for her. At times, even having a shower is beyond her emotional capacity. Leaving the house can feel unbearable and so she usually does not. Managing meals, cleaning, organisation appointments self-care and social connection are not simple lifestyle matters for her; they are major functional challenges directly connected to her disability. The support she currently receives through the NDIS is not excessive. In truth it already inadequate for her level of need however supports she does receive make an important difference to her quality of life stability safety Iamdeeplyconcerned that someofthe proposed legislative changes will seriously impact her wellbeingandfunctioning.In particularI am concerned about proposals or interpretationsthat may reduce:—psychologysupports—meal preparationdaily living assistance —supportforcleaningself careorganisation —socialcommunitycapacity building supports transportassistance day programs activities Forpeoplewith psychosocialdisability these supportsarenotluxuriesor conveniences Theyoftenthediifferencebetween basic functioning complete collapse A reduction in my daughter’sNDIS supportwill nosuddenly makemore independent Ratherit risks worseninghers mental health increasing here hospitalisations deepening hersocialisolation Suchcuts willmost likelyresultinbecomingmore isolated more

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

Submission 1416

• overwhelmed and more unwell and therefore placing even greater pressure on our
  • overstretched health systems.

as-a-retired-old-woman-with-my-own-health-the-pressure-and-responsibility-to-support and-care-for-here-is-simply-beyond-my-capacity-financially-emotionally-and-physically.-Psychosocial-disability-is-real-even-though-it-is-largely-invisible-and-often-misunderstood-A-person-like-my-daughter-can-be-articulate-and-intelligent-yet-be-profoundly-disabled-in-their-capacity-to-cope-with-ordinary-daily-life-The-reality-of-psychosocial-disability-is-that-it-can-fluctuate-from-day-to-day.A-person-mayappear-capable-for-brief-periods-yet-still-be-profoundly-impaired-in-their-ability-to-function-consistently-and-independently-over-time-Severely-reducing-or-removing-NDIS-supports-will-not-create-independence;it-will-onlycreate-degeneration,-crisis-and-far-greater-long-term-costs—not-only-to-individualsandtheir-families-but-also-to-society-and-government-I.ask-that-the-Senate-carefully-consider-the-lived-reality-of-people-with-severe-psychosocialdisability-when-reviewing-these-proposed-changes- My daughter’s quality of life is already extremely poor. The limited supports she currentlyreceives help her survive with some dignity, structure and connection to the world aroundher. I.am.genuinely.frightened.about.what.will.happen.if.those.supports.are.further.reduced.orremoved.-Yes,the.NDIS.should.be.properly.scrutinised.and.funding.carefully.monitored.However, efforts.to.reduce.costs.must.not.com.at.the.expense.of.vulnerable.people.in.ourcommunity.If.we.are.to.see.ourselves.as.a.mature,.compassionate.and.responsible.society.then.any.reforms.must.not.create.harm.or.unintended.consequences.for.current.or.future NDIS.participants.I.urge.the.committee.to.ensure.that.people.living.with.severe.psychosocial.disability.are.notoverlooked-underestimated-or-unintentionally-harmed.by.theselegislative.changes.