NDIA Accountability Project

This project is in DRAFT

ILSA concerns regarding NDIS access and support reductions (DRO advocacy)

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

Submission 155

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future generations) Bill 2026 Submitted by FNQ Independent Living Support Association Inc. (Trading as: ILSA) Date: May 27th, Contact: Leanne Denby CEO

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

Submission 155

  • increase Ministerial and Agency discretion without sufficient safeguards;
  • increase downstream impacts on already pressured health systems, including ED presentations , avoidable hospital admissions motor health deterioratiom and crisis escalatior due roo rucing supporrs ;
  • craet uncertainty and distress tor participants families nd providers;\n- place additional administrative and compliance burdens oon small md medium providers \n7 . weaken choice control through commissioning panels or restricted provider arrangements; 8 risk cost shifting to familes carers state systms and community organisations; 9 progress too quickly wthout adequate consultation wit people wi disabiliti annd torganiotions that support them ILSA recommends that the Bll no proceed in its current form without substantial amendment further consultaion clear saefgards protect particpants rights accessto suport continuity of care The NDIS must remain centred n peopel with disability ILSA acknowledges thte NDSI must be financially sustainable We also acknowledge that fraud exploitation must be addressed However these goals must not override the Schemes foundational principles. Thhe NDI is not simply a budget measure It i social insurance scheme recognises that people with dability have right live dignity exercse choic controll participate communit life For many IL SA service users NDIS supports are ot optional extras They difference between isolation participation instability safety dependence independence Supports such as assistance daily living communty access skill development transport personal care and support coordination often prevent crisis family breakdown hospitalisation homelessness avoidable escalation need We concerned Bill appears treat some suppor particularly comunity participat capacity building suppo areas where reductions can made limited consequence In practice these supports central person wellbeing mental health socia inclusion ability build independen Furthermore reducing supports likely place greater pressure already under funded und supported health systems through emergency department presentations motor health deterioration crisi escalatio 4 Concern about reduced acce tighter eligibility ILSA concern proposed changes relating to NDIS access particularl they may narro definition permanence substantially reduce functional capaci interaction other servis system Department stated Bll intended clarify eligibilit nd suppors NDIS funds Howevr clarification must become exclusion Many people disabilit experience significant difficulty gathering evidence navigating complex acces processes understanding NDIA decision making.

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

Submission 155

ILSA

People with psychosocial disability, cognitive disability, autism, acquired brain injury, fluctuating conditions, complex trauma, degenerative conditions or limited formal diagnosis can be particularly disadvantaged due to tighter access requirements. Often times those living with complexities can experience disproportionate impacts from increased administrative complexity and fragmented systems.

ILSA is concerned about any requirement demonstrating treatment exhaustion before other support services are provided; such demands could unfairly bar individuals who face difficulties accessing mainstream health housing education & community systems which might not provide necessary functional supports on a timely basis. Participants must receive practical assistance while system debates responsibility.

ILSA Recommends:*

  • Access provisions need clarity fairness rights based approach.
  • Individuals cannot be excluded because of unavailable delayed unsuitable mainstream systems theoretically exist but in reality do so.
  • Functional impact should remain central when making decisions regarding access.
  • People having complex episodic less visible disabilities must protected against unfair exclusion.
  • Independent advocacy supported decision-making funded available throughout entire process including reassessment steps.

Concern About Reductions To Community Participation And Capacity-Building Supports

ILSA expresses serious concern over proposed powers policy settings that may reduce funding for categories within participants’ plans. DSC’s analysis notes the legislation would give Minister power reducing funds across all types of support among participants’ budgets, as well as announced intentions include reductions social civic participation capacity-building daily activity budget areas respectively. Community engagement isn’t luxury rather core component inclusion wellbeing citizenship especially vital people with disability maintain relationships attend appointments participate recreation volunteer learn skills, reduce isolation build confidence independently overtime. Reduced these resources appear to create short-term savings however risks increasing long term dependence carer stress crisis presentations particularly challenging regional outer regions such Far North Queensland where greater travel time fewer service options careful planning required community involvement often disproportionately impacts those living there communities.

ILSA recommends:

  • No blanket or category-based cuts participant budgets without individual assessment.
  • community participationand capacity-buildingsupports should berecognised asessential to social inclusion,wellbeingandindependence;
  • *any funding changes*must based on individual need,**goals**,risk anda functionalimpact;*

• participants must have clear review & appeal rights where supportis reduced. 6.Concern aboutincreased Ministerial& Agency discretion ILSAconcernsBill appears increase abilityMinisterNDIA broad decisionsaffecting participantfundingproviderarrangements schemeadministration. While government retain appropriate oversight public fundsbroad discretionarypowers can create uncertainty reduce transparency unless accompanied strong safeguards. Participantsprovidersneed know howdecisions made what evidence relied uponhowcan challengedparticularly importantwhere affect access plan fundingsupport categories provider choice or payment approval. ILSArecommends Bill amended ensure: • all major decisionparticipantrights supports transparentreviewable; • legislative instruments rules subject meaningful scrutiny; • participants given reasons for decisions plain language; • automated systemgenerated decisions not used without humanoversight; • people with disability involved design implementation monitoring anydecisionmaking framework. 7.Provider registration, quality and safeguardsa can’t be separated into a single sentence due to the source text structure. The content is related but spread across multiple lines in this document.

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

Submission 155

Recommendations from ILSA:

  • Smaller and regional providers should be specifically considered during implementation design.
  • Compliance obligations must distinguish between fraud, negligence, good-faith administrative error, to ensure clear guidance templates transition time and support;
  • Quality safeguarding reforms shall not unintentionally reduce provider viability participant access.

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

Submission 155

Recommendations from ILSA:

  • The Committee consider real-world impact.

Families & Carers Impact:

  • Increased unpaid care;
  • Reduced workforce participation; carer burnout, crisis placements/hospitalisation/family breakdowns; safety without strong informal networks.

Regional Thin-Market Impacts (

ILSA operates North Queensland where participants face barriers like: wage shortages, transport limitations fewer specialist services provider options longer distances. policy changes in metropolitan areas can have different effects regions reduced funding tighter registration restricted panels additional administrative burdens may significantly reduce available support thin markets. ilsa recommends specific assessment of rural remote communities timelines adjustments thinner market viability considered safeguard against disadvantage due reduced choice availability.

Need Genuine Consultation Co-design(

is concerned about short timeframe submissions scale proposed reforms Senate inquiry referred May with closing May significant implications people disability families providers future scheme. must understand respond shape reforms affecting lives consultation accessible culturally safe trauma-informed plain language Easy Read Auslan community languages ilsa recommend not proceed rushed timeline further co design undertaken persons disabilities representative organisations resourced to support input regional and non-profit providers consulted on implementation impacts staged evaluated adjusted based participant outcomes.

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

Submission 155

Recommendations

ILSA recommends that the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee:

  • Recommend that the Bill not proceed in its current form without substantial amendment and further consultation.
  • Protect access to the NDIS by ensuring eligibility provisions do not unfairly exclude people with complex, episodic, psychosocial, cognitive, developmental or less visible disabilities.
  • Reject blanket reductions to support categories, particularly community participation and capacity-building supports.
  • Ensure all funding decisions remain individualised based on functional need goals risk participant circumstances.
  • Strengthen safeguards around Ministerial Agency powers including transparency review rights human oversight parliamentary scrutiny.
  • Ensure fraud integrity measures are proportionate targeted and do not punish participants good-faith providers administrative complexity.
  • Preserve participant choice control particular in relation plan management coordination home living supports provider selection.
  • Assess regional thin-market impacts before implementing provider registration commissioning or funding changes.
  • Fund independent advocacy supported decision-making so participants can understand respond to access planning review reassessment decisions.

Conclusion

ILSA supports a sustainable safe high-quality NDIS. We support efforts address fraud improve provider quality ensure public funds used appropriately However must be secured strengthening Scheme narrowing access reducing essential supports limiting participant choice increasing uncertainty for disability The exists because have right live ordinary lives needs includes being safe participating building independence maintaining relationships exercising choice over their lives ILSA urges Committee recommend amendments Bill reform developed genuine consultation person disability families carers providers communities future of secure partnership created support Submitted Independent Living Support Association Inc On behalf the Management Committee staff service users.