National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission: Submission 1574
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
Submitted By:
redacted
NDIS Support Coordinator and Parent Advocate
####### Regional South Australia I am submitting this response both as an experienced NDIS Support Coordinator working in regional South Australia and as a mother advocating for her adult son and a grandmother raising grandchildren with disability. Through both my professional and personal experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the increasing complexity, inconsistency, and gaps within the NDIS system. I am deeply concerned that the proposed changes will further isolate vulnerable people with disability, reduce meaningful participation in community life, and increase confusion around responsibility between the NDIA, State systems, and service providers. Ministerial Powers and Lack of Safeguards: oneofmygreatestconcernsistheincreasingpowerbeinggiventotheministertomakechangestosupportsandcategorieswithoutsufficienttransparencyconsultationorsafeguardss. thesedecisionshavedirectimpactsonthedailyliveshealthdignityandhumanrightsofpeoplewithdisability.Suchsignificantpowersshouldnotsitwitonoftenewithoutstrongeraccountabilitypolicydecisionsmadecanberradirecctlyaffectwhethervulnerablepeopleteproperleavetheirhomesaccesshealthishcaremaintainrelationshipesorremainsafe.
Concerns Regarding Changes to Social and Community Participation Funding:
iamextremelyconcerndabouttheproposedrestrictionsannarrowingofsocialcommunityparticipationsupports.thecurrentlanguageandproposeinterpretationsfailtorecognisetheralityoedisabiltysupporstplayinpreventingisolatdeclineandmentalhealthdegenerationthereappeartobeamisunderstandingwhatthesupporthactuallyinvolve.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill
Submission 1574: Securing the NDLS for Future Generations
For many participants:
- having a support worker assist with medical appointments, grocery shopping,banking,and accessing services. to attend community activities or receive assistance in self-employment are fundamental daily living needs allowing individuals safe participation society.These should viewed social and community access but essential independence wellbeing routine physical connection broader reducing will increase isolation decline burnout hospital presentations homelessness risks crisis interventions.Belonging meaningful participation connecting basic human rights employment volunteering community access inclusion give purpose identity value deeply concerning treated discretionary rather than essential Thin Markets Lack Alternative Services A major issue ignored complete lack alternative available fill gaps if NDIS reduced Historically programs such Personal Helpers Mentors (PHaMs) provided vital psychosocialandcommunity-basedsupports.Governments transition responsibilities into system.However once occurred disappeared The problem now people cannot access through NDIS often have no services help particular regions.In fact they turn away from hospitalsmental health services.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill
Submission 1574
community programs, non-government organisations,and state-funded supports,because they are considered an “NDIS responsibility.” The result is that vulnerable people fall directly into the gaps between systems while agencies argue over responsibility. This is one of the biggest systemic failures I have witnessed both professionally and personally.
Lack of Accountability and Communication Within the NDIA
Another significant issue is the inability to obtain clear, consistent, and timely guidance from the NDIA.Support Coordinationstheir Support Coordinatorssupport coordinatorsparticipantsfamiliesare routinely unable to speakeven simple issues.Instead:people call centresreceive inconsistent adviceare transferred repeatedlyand often receive no resolution.This creates enormous stress for participants families who already overwhelmed.Concerns Regarding the Role of Local Area Coordinators (LACs) In my experiencethe current model ineffectivecreates additional bureaucracy rather thanmeaningful support.Participants frequently told by NDIAspeak their LACwhile LACs advise contact direct because do not authority decisionprovidemeaningful guidance.Duplication this causes:
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1574 delays, confusion, frustration, and a lack of accountability. Many participants and families believe they are receiving support from the NDIA through the LACsystem,wheninrealityLACSoftenhavelimitedabilitytoinfuenceoutcomes.Thismodelrequiresurgentreview.TheNDISwascreatedtointrovetheirlivesofpeoplewithdisabilitypethroughchoicecontrol,inclusion,andmeaningfulparticipation.IamdeeplyconcernedthattheproposedchangesmovewayfromthoseprinciplesandriskcreatingasystemfocusedmoreoncostcontainmentthanhumanoutcomessPeople with disability deserve more than survival.Theydeservemconnection,dignity,purpose,safety,and meaningful participation in their communities.Reducing supports without ensuring genuine alternative systems existwillonlyincrease harmisolationanda crisisIurgettheCommitteetocarefullyconsidertherealworldimpactsthesereformswillhave onparticipantsfamiliesandanfrontlineservicesparticularlyinerregionalandthinmarketcommunities.-