National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1533
May 25, 2026
Dear Senator
I write to you to address grave concerns I hold regarding The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, such as was introduced to parliament on May 14th 2026.
I have four children, all of whom have diagnoses of ASD and ADHD and are current NDIS participants. The NDIS in its present form is wholly imperfect and the extent to which some unscrupulous individuals exploit it is unconscionable. Philosophically, I endorse any amendment which exposes and/or expels such ethically reprehensible conduct from the scheme. But The NDIS Amendment Bill 2026 proposes changes which, potentially, disadvantage the participants who need it most.
In particular:
- Section 34A affords the minister the power to cut the value of plans, by percentage, with a 50% cut to social & community participation funding slated for October 2026. Most importantly, impacted participants have no right of reply or appeal. Suggestion: Plans requiring reduction could be tapered – rather than cut – with participants retaining the right to appeal such diminution.
- Section 34(1AA) stipulates that supports are eligible for funding only if the need arises directly from an eligible impairment; this leaves exposed participants with complex needs, or supports required for co-morbid but ineligible impairments. Suggestion: Funded supports should align to the stated objectives of the participant’s plan.
- Section 50A mandates that plans will renew for 12 months upon expiry but that unused funds are forfeit. The legislation fails to account for supports which are long-term projects, to which funds may be allocated but awaiting transactional completion. It’s noteworthy that funds cannot be restored by variation once forfeited in this manner. Suggestion: Roll unused plan funds over for a limited period (6-12 months) to allow time for transactions to complete and stipulate that funds cannot be drawn from the holdover plan unless initiated prior to the renewal date.
- Sections 40A & 31A permit plan-suspension for uncontactable participants, but fail adequately to define reasonable attempts or a timeframe; these sections also expose participants to financial liability in the form of civil penalties for non-supply of information requested by the agency, even if the participant is uncontactable. Suggestion: As with point 1, plans could be tapered – not cut – for uncooperative participants and the option of self-management withdrawn. Civil penalties should be abolished.
If the goal of the NDIS is to improve the functional capacity and/or quality of life of its participants, then The NDIS Amendment Bill 2026 misses the brief. Regardless of intent, these provisions – and others – within the amendment imbue current and successive governments with powers which are contemporaneously open to abuse and intolerant of scrutiny – historically, a dangerous combination.
I implore you to reject the bill in its current form. The problem it seeks to address is very real but the approach this bill takes is blunt, lazy and more than a touch cynical. It’s not good enough,
Many thanks for your support.