Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submitted anonymously I welcome the opportunity to make a submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

I am making this submission anonymously because I am afraid of the consequences of speaking openly. I am both an NDIS participant and the parent of a participant. While I am prepared to advocate for myself, I am deeply concerned about possible impacts on my son if I publicly criticise the system. No parent should feel afraid that speaking up for their child could place their supports at risk. The Bill being presented as reform but from lived experience it seems like people disability families are asked carry burden saving”system reduced support narrower eligibility fewer rights These will not just affect budgets They impact safety mental health participation relationships dignity lives.

Parliamentary Scrutiny Transparency

Am under immense pressure caring self son had reduce work three days two resulting significant loss income affects every aspect life including housing security cost living ability participate ordinary community activities. Experience burnout mental struggles emotional dysregulation repeated meltdowns This impacts relationship with son he internalises what is happening believes cause distress He withdraws emotionally becomes isolated disengages We become isolated everyday activities overwhelming trying engage major reforms already surviving level incredibly difficult People deserve consultation processes accessible trauma-informed realistic.

Key Decisions Left Ministerial Instruments Not Law One most concerning aspects bill Ministers make major changes eligibility funding through instruments without full parliamentary scrutiny NDIA feels unpredictable inconsistent Expanding these powers stronger accountability creates enormous fear uncertainty.

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

Submission 1577 disability should not have to live wondering whether the supports they rely on could suddenly disappear because of a policy instrument signed without proper debate or oversight.

Existing Participants Face Narrower Criteria and Fewer Rights to Challenge Decisions

The proposal to reduce review rights and restrict reassessment pathways is terrifying. During one reassessment process, a planner refused to hold a proper conversation and simply stated that the plan had already been completed and they would tell me what was in it. I was left completely distressed and inconsolable after that interaction. It reinforced how powerless participants can feel within the system. Our previous reassessment resulted in a worse outcome than the plan we had before. Based on that experience, we honestly felt we would have been better off not requesting reassessment at all. The idea that reassessment requests could become even harder under unclear criteria, while review rights are removed, creates real fear and hopelessness. There must be safeguards against arbitrary or uninformed decision-making. Without review rights, participants will have no meaningful recourse when decisions place them at risk. These are not abstract concerns. When people lose support, lose hope and feel trapped without options, there is a genuine risk of severe mental health deterioration and suicide. Decision-makers need to understand the seriousness of what is being proposed.

Unreviewable Ministerial Power to Cut Funding Across Support Categories

We have never been in a position where we could save large amounts of unspent funding because our supports have always been tightly constrained. My son’s community participation funding is already extremely limited. At school he had structured opportunities for social connection. As an adult, he now relies on funded supports to recreate those opportunities and maintain relationships and confidence in the community. Their plan included only one hour per week for social and community participation and three hours for group activities. When we explored local day programs, many environments were overwhelming and unsuitable for his needs. Minimal funding creates exclusion. Providers prioritise participants who can attend full days because that is financially sustainable. People with smaller allocations become unintentionally excluded from programs and social opportunities.

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

Submission 1577

If funding is reduced further, people who currently attend programs several times a week may only be able to attend once every fortnight or not at all. That means losing friendships, structure, confidence and connection to community. This will deepen isolation and reduce quality of life for many people with disability.

Requirement to Exhaust Treatment Options Before Eligibility

The proposal requiring people to exhaust treatment options before accessing support is deeply concerning. Disability is not simple or linear. Many people live with trauma, psychosocial disability, autism, fluctuating conditions and multiple overlapping impairments.The current system already fails to understand this complexity. Initially we provideda diagnostic letter from paediatrician which was rejected because were told diagnosis needed come neurologist We then followed direction obtained neurologists letter confirming diagnosis that also beenrejected condition FND considered unstable due functional nature.Even when exactly requested another reason found reject it feels like goalposts constantly move This creates enormous stress uncertainty families trying access in good faith Italso demonstrates how nuanced inconsistent rules are yetthis bill would give even broader powers change eligibility assessment criteria fund decisions without proper scrutiny.Removing whole person assessment make worse People cannot separated into neat boxes Someone verbal but still require psychological supports emotional regulation trauma shutdowns I personally experience periods mutism related distress difficulties psychology supported denied despite reports documenting interconnected needs.System currently funds such as speech therapy occupationaltherapy while excluding essential functioning participation.That approach ignores reality.People human beings have connected needs reducing single impairment category inevitably lead harm.Unvalidated Functional Capacity Assessment Tool Risks Misidentifying NeedI serious concerns regarding proposed ICAN assessment tool.

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

Submission 1577

A checklist or point-in-time assessment cannot accurately capture the complexity of disability, especially for people with fluctuating, episodic or trauma-related conditions. Question wording matters. Assessor skill matters. The ability to probe, rephrase and understand context matters. Many people can appear capable in a brief assessment setting while struggling significantly in daily life. A rigid checklist approach risks underestimating support needs because it does not capture exhaustion, masking, shutdowns, trauma responses, variability or worst-day functioning. Occupational therapists often understand this nuance and adapt questioning styles to gather accurate information. By contrast, assessors who simply read questions and tick boxes may entirely miss critical aspects of a person’s disability.The proposed approach also raises concerns regarding cultural safety and appropriateness for First Nations people and other communities whose communication styles and lived experiences may not align with rigid assessment frameworks.If assessments fail to identify the full functional impact of disability, participants may be found ineligible or receive plans that do not reflect reality. The consequences of under-identification are severe because people are then left without the supports required to live safely and participate in society.SUPPORTS CUT BEFORE REPLACEMENT SYSTEMS EXISTThe proposed reduction in community participation and daily living supports before Foundational Supports are operational will be devastating.Without supports, my son would likely isolate himself completely and remain in his room.Motivation and confidence would disappear.At one point, a planner proudly allocated employment support hours while failing to provide adequate daily living supports such as assistance with showering, dressing and preparing for the day.WITHOUT THOSE FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT BECOMES MEANINGLESS Community participation and daily living supports are not luxuries.They allow people to build confidence communicate socialise learn workplace skills and participate in society.Removing these supports removes people’s opportunity to become fully participating members of thecommunity.Italso underminesemployment outcomesforpeoplewhoarealreadyworkingand contributing.In previous work withindisabilityemploymentservices I saw firsthandthatpeopledisabledcan gainmaintain long-term employement when appropriatesupports available.

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

Submission 1577

If funding and training for supports decline, those opportunities will disappear.

Final Comments

How much blood are you prepared to have on your hands if this goes through?