Submission

Reason for making this submission

I am writing as a close friend and long-term ally to individuals who rely on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). I see how vital the scheme is for their independence, safety, and community participation. While I support ensuring the NDIS remains sustainable for future generations, I am deeply concerned about the profound, compounding pressure these changes will place on people with disabilities, and their support networks of family and friends.

Key Areas of Concerns Narrowing the definition of functional capacity The issue: Stricter criteria for assessing functional capacity risk excluding people with complex, fluctuating, or psychosocial conditions.The impact on participants, friends, and family:

When institutional support is taken away, families and friends must step in as unpaid carers. This shifts the financial and emotional burden onto informal networks leading to relationship strain caregiver burnout ,and erosion mutual friendship .The inevitable stra nfamilyfriendswill also increase demand formalcarer support services mainstreammentalhealthcare.Afriendwithpsychosocialfluctuatingconditionmayappearhighlyfunctionalontheir good days but difficultdayscannotleavehouseormanagebasictasks.IfNDSIs assessments narrowedreflectonlytheirbestdayssupporthours cut.Friendsfamil yconstantdropownworkcommitments provideemergencywelfarechecks basic care emotionally exhausting unsustainable.Additionally,worrypeoplewho do not have family friendsupportnetworksthey can rely

Changes available supports budget restrictions Issue Tighterrestrictionsapprovedsupports reduceflexibilityautonomyparticipants Impact families spend hours navigating increased bureaucracy managing appeals filling structural gaps reducescapacity work impacts own mental health changes roles loving friends family members exhausted administrative managers A friend currently usesbudget flexibly hire workers specialising community transport social inclusion would lose this option under strict approved-support lists Their family friends thenhaveprovidetransport essential appointmentssocial activities forcing them lowered capacity for wellbeing Worse yet my may no longer be able access events whichwouldimpact their mental connection.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Submission

Submission ID: 1583

Erosion of independence and community inclusion

The issue: The potential transition toward algorithmic or automated decision-making processes for determining support needs is deeply alarming.

Impact On Participants And Loved Ones:

Stripping away human element creates high systemic errors; abrupt cuts off funding could lead to catastrophic real-world consequences such as severe physical/mental health crises or suicide due to clinical detachment approach affecting vulnerable individuals significantly more than current financial impacts on NDIsS. We do not want repeat robodebt suicides.

The Gendered Nature Of These Reforms

These concerns are unevenly distributed across population, specifically impacting women/girls & gender-diverse disabilities deeper inequalities noted by WWDA which risks excluding those w fluctuating, psychosocial chronic pain-related trauma related conditions disproportionately affect these groups already face delayed diagnosis clinical dismissal barriers evidence within healthcare systems. WWDA identified three compounding risks Committee must consider:

• People may lose access genuine alternatives exist;
• Costs labour care will shift onto families burden falls disproportionate women; Future rules assessment tools frameworks risk reproducing existing bias if designed without proper co-design. I agree Bill proceed until comprehensive gender impact analysis completed public gender-responsive reforms have been co-designed with women girls diverse people disability. Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), “Gendered Risks of the NDIS Amendment Bill 2026,” May 2026. Available at wwda.org.au

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

Submission 1583

I want to acknowledge the Thriving Kids program as a genuinely encouraging and well-intentioned investment. The joint $4 billion commitment from Australian state and territory governments to build earlier identification and support for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism is long needed. Several of my 6-year-old child’s school friends have NDIS support for mild to moderate assessed neurodivergence. Watching these families, I have seen genuine relief - financial and practical –from being able to access supports like occupational therapy. These children are thriving in ways they may not have otherwise. Equally their parents feel less alone Theyhave an expertto collaboratewith on how besttosupporttheirchild both atschoolandathome However,I am deeply concerned aboutthe sequencingofthesereforms ThrivingscheduledtobeginitsrolloutonOctober2026 full national scale expected until January 2028 government has stated that changes tonDISaccessarrangementsare timedtocoincide witheprogramreachingscale but “expected beatscale”isnotthesameastested or shown effective TighteningNDISeligibilitybeforeThrivekidsdemonstrateditcan reliablycatchandsupportchildrenfamilieswhootherwisefallthroughgapdangerous Programthatstillrollingoutsettleddesignsettlingcommunitycannotbe treatedasadequatesafetynetforremovingexisting hardwonNDSIsuppor My cousin took years accessthe NDIsforherchild losing now would devastating all effort time during process I urge the Committee ensure nochangestonDISaccesseffect arrangements take effectuntil ThrivingKidshasbeenindependently evaluatedshown successfully meeting needs of child families itdesigned serve NDIS must remain reliable backstop there clear evidence alternative genuinely functioning Australian Government Department Health Disability Ageing, Thriving Kids Available athttps://health.gov.au/our-work/thriving-kids

Conclusion and recommendations Reducing participant funding restricting access does not eliminate basic human need for support Instead false budget savings achieved by tightening eligibility simply redirected crisis intervention services emergency departments acute mental health facilities when participants fracture under strain IurgetheCommitteeto:

• Halt any moves to automate funding assessments mandate decisions retain comprehensive empathetichuman oversight Acknowledge real limits informal support: sustainability assessmen explicitly account limited capacity friends family absorb extra care hours without facing burnout Retain flexible definitions functionalcapacity that accurately capture fluctuating psychosocial conditionsrealworld environments

• Maintain flexibility in funding budget_s_soparticipants_can_choose_the_supports_that_genuinely_work_for_them.

• **Co-desi gn_all_implementati on:**mandate_that_any_new_rules_or_lists_of_approved_suppor ts_are_developed_directl y_with_people_w ith_disabilities_and_their_advocates.

• **Explicit ly_factor_in_flow_on_costs:account_fo r_the_economic_an d_mental_health_impacts_o f_t hese_amendments_on_i nform al_car ers_a nd_state-f und ed_crisis_services.

Thank_you_for_considering_this_submission.I_ur ge_the_Committee_to_en sure_that_sustainability_measures_do_not_com e_at_the_cost_of_the_rights,_dignity,and_wellbeing_of_N DIS_participants_and_the ir_loved_one s.