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

Submission 1503

Letter dated: May 28th , Year : 2026

Dear Committee Secretary, I am a parent of an eighteen-year-old young man who participates under the NDIS scheme; henceforth, I oppose this bill titled ‘NDIS Future Generation’s Bill’ which proposes up-to fifty percent reduction concerning social & community engagement support. The aspect that concerns most about it pertains specifically towards section four in said legislation where such proposed cuts would significantly impact people living within communities with disabilities alongwith their families after decades-long struggle to achieve what many take granted - being valued members contributing positively into our society. This proposed cut threatens all those hard-fought advancements made over time. If my son’s participation supports are reduced or eliminated entirely from his life due to these changes then he will be deeply impacted especially at crucial times as he begins post-school journey. Both him alongside family have worked tirelessly across high school years building skills confidence enabling active involvement mainstream community groups activities including volunteering roles etc., witnessing transformation from timid anxious boy before NDIS program into self-assured confident individual because interactions connections supported by NDIS funding. as minimally speaking person having significant sensory movement differences requires one-on-one assistance for safe meaningful integration everyday life if funding is curtailed fear losing acquired skills and confidences achieved through collective efforts. worry broader community inclusive stronger healthier communities possible only when disability present daily lives reducing risks increased isolation loss of confidence declining mental health withdrawal from communal existence. carrying responsibilities ease remain employed part-time thanks to son’s supports, however Part 4 currently drafted provides no protections carers relying participant funds sustain employment caring duties.

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

Submission 1503

If his funding is cut – particularly as he finishes school -this balance will collapse.The impact on my mental health,andthatofmywholefamily,willsbesignificant.Theapportionalfinancialstrainwillalsobeconsiderable. I am also concerned thatthe cuts enabledbyPart4.withoutlegislatedsafeguards.willinpracticeleadtoareturntocongregatedapproaches—groupingpeoplewithdisability togetherforsocialandcommunityactivities inplaceofi ndividuallyfundedparticipationandinclusion.Historydemonstratesthattwneindividualisedsupportsareduced.systemsd efaulttowardcheapercongregatedmodelsratherthan genuine inclusion.I work inthedisabilitysector supporting families of children with disability.Manyofo tfamiliesiworkhavechildrenwho,u nder thisBill,could have their communityparticip ationfundingscutdrasticallyorberemovedfromthen D ISentirely.Theirchildren havelfluctuatingcapacity—andevenwherea dis abilitymayappearlesssevereonpaper, there areperiodsthatrequire supportequal towhatmysoneceives.Iftheyaretot havesupportsignificantlyreduced orremovedwhilstthereison robust safety netoutside o f the NDIStosupporthem.then t he consequences w ill be devastating.My wo rkinearcentyears has focused onsupport ing family members tom eaningfully contribute tocodedesignprocesses. TheUNCRPDrequiresstate parties tol “closelyconsult” withe peoplewithd isabil ity andtheirrepresentativeorganisationsomatters affectingtheirl ives –Article4(3).Thishasnevergenuinelyoccurredwithin then DIS reform process,and manyoftheadcurrentproblemswereforeseenby thedisabilitycommunitylongbefore they emerged.

Thestructureoft his Billcompounds thatfailure.Themost consequentialdetailshav been deferredtop ostpassageMinisterialinstruments.meaningthecommunityisbeingaskedto accept alegislativew rameworkwithoutknowinghowitwilloperate inpracticeandwithout guaranteedmechanismsto challengethoseinstrumentsoncemade.Thisistructurally incompatible withAustralia’sobligationsunderthen UN CR PDwhich Australia ratifiedina n208 . Peoplew ithdisabilit y an d theirfamiliesshouldnotbearconsequences ofpolicyfailures, poormarketregulation ,andsystemicmismanagement.Olony whenpeoplewi th disabilityan df amiliesare genuinelyheard will wegetdecisionsright.The growthpressur es withinthescheme arewelldocumenteda sbeindrivenlargel by providerside inflation,poor market regulation,a ndfraud—notbyparticipantsaccessings ocialanda nd communityparticipationsupports.I urge theCommitteetoredirectintegrity

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

Submission 1503

measures toward provider behaviour and pricing reform, as such measures would address the true cost drivers without stripping participants of the supports they rely on to remain connected and contributing members of their communities. I also urge the Committee to ensure that the proposed $200_millionInclusiveCommunitiesFund is not allowed to become a vehicle for returning peoplewithdisabilitytocongregatedsegregat edprogramming.IfthisFundi stogenuinelysupportsocialandcommunityparticipation,itmustbeco-designedfromtheoutsetwitheoplewithdisabilit yandtheirfamilies—notdesignedforthem.Co-design mustbeembeddedinthefund’sgovernanceasa legalrequirement,nottoffereda goodwill gestureafterdecisionshavealreadybeenmade.Done well,thisFunncouldcomplementindividualparticipant fundingratherthanreplaceit.Donepoorly,i twillrepeattheveryhistorythesesubmissionwarnsagainst. Recommendations

• Remove or substantially amend Part4topreventblanket reductionstocommunity participationfund ing.
• Ensuretheadvised $200 million Inclusiv e Communities Fund cannot replace individualisedsupports with congregatedorsegreg atedmodelsofp articipati o n. Legislate genuine co-des ign requirements consistent wit h Article 4(3)of th e UNCRPD.Focus scheme sustainability reformson provider regulation,pricing oversight,andfraud prevention rather than reducing participant access toc om m unity participa tion supports.I f this Bill passes in its current form,Australia risks repeating many of the failures oft he past—peoplewit hd is abilitybeing“shut out”wi thincreasingsegregation,isolation,c arerstrain hardshipwhilemoving further away from them vision of an inclusive Australia that then D IS was intended to support.Yours sincerely,