National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1436
Re: Senate Inquiry into proposed changes to the NDIS
My 24 year old son lives with autism and ADHD and has been on the NDIS for 2 years. His plan is relatively modest but it has made a huge difference to his life. My main concerns about the proposed changes to the NDIS are:
- Cuts to funding for Social Economic and Community Participation. This category has made the single biggest difference to my son’s life. As an autistic man with few social skills, living in a country town, his previously spending most of time in his room on his computer. Since getting an NDIS plan he has been attending weekly group for neurodivergent young adults, as well having a support worker for hour or two each week and whole demeanour has improved markedly. We have seen confidence grow and anxiety lessen. These improvements have flowed into other aspects of his life including work. He only works few hours per week packing shelves at supermarket where used to regularly come home sick occasionally have panic attack not make it to work all now consistently shows up completes shift No anxiety attacks no throwing up extended toilet breaks due being unable cope. He also taking more responsibility for own “life admin”, such shopping making attending appointments etc. While also regular occupational therapy was seeing psychologist under capacity building support its social community participation support that has made biggest difference (I can say that with confidence we had paid fortune psychologists since
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1436
was in year 10 and none of it helped him like this has.) Social Economic and Community participation is not a luxury that can be taken over by parents and friends! It is an important support that enables people like my son to get out into the community. I would prefer that other aspects of his NDIS package be cut if it means that he can keep this one. The blanket cut to this category of support flies in the face of the personalised plans the NDIS is supposed to provide.
- I suspect that my son, being on the NDIS because he has autism, is one of those who will be exited from the scheme in future. This would be ok if there continues to be similar programs run elsewhere but I am very concerned that that will not happen. We have heard a lot about the proposed Thriving Kids program, but autism does not go away after a person turns 9. What will happen to the adults? The NSW premier has already said that the state government won’t be able to afford to provide programs to the same level as the NDIS. I fear that without the modest supports he currently receives, my son will revert back to having no social interaction at all.
I urge the government to reconsider these proposed changes to the NDIS. Yes the scheme is expensive but the government has the power, if not the political will, to make changes to help pay for it. For example, in addition to properly taxing gas and other mining companies, cut the diesel subsidy to miners!
Regards
28/05/2026