Submission related: National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment
Concerns about proposed changes impacting current participants.
As someone who has worked since 2006 with families supporting children diagnosed as intellectually disabled or autistic at NSW Schools Specific Purposes (SSP), I am concerned some proposals will have catastrophic impacts.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1592
participant’s personal circumstances, they must also meet criteria that there has been an unanticipated, significant and ongoing change in their:
- living arrangements; or
- education arrangements; or
- work arrangements; or
- network for informal support. Does this mean that the matters to which the CEO must have regard for the Reassessment of participant’s plan, as currently listed in the legislative instrument National Disability Insurance Scheme (Variation and Reassessments of Participants’ Plans) Rules 2025 - specifically ’a major life stage change or transition, including starting or leaving school’ will no longer be considered as a reason for Plan Reassessment, because the profoundly impactful transition of leaving school is not unanticipated? hp://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00280/latest/text Page 17 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations)* Bill 2026 states: ‘Unscheduled plan reassessments are key driver of plan whole-of-Scheme inflation’, however appears assumption plans built with adequate supports first place. it assumes consideration planned length approval may impact pending major life stages changes transitions However often case For example Participant Year May have their plan re-assessed approved (without participant nominee being given chance negotiate plan length), absolutely considering post-school supports when structure ends just one year later That new five-year-plan has not considered any post-school related funding If unscheduled plan reassessment can only significant changes to person circumstances unanticipated theoretically rules out approval for an unscheduled plan reassessment request purposes supporting someone following genuine ongoing change in support needs due major life stage change transitioning leave school This mean young adults funded essential reasonable necessary supports they need facilitate social economic participation prevent skill regression undue unreasonable expectations informal supports risks profound levels isolation Recommended Alternatives:
- Remove “unanticipated” qualifier requesting participant’s unscheduled plan reassessment because a significant change personal circumstances.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1592
- Provide varied options for unscheduled reassessment pathways across different priority areas – as the current Bill treats all unscheduled reassessments the same, and for some people, their changes in personal circumstances may be urgent. The current scheme has no statutory fast-track pathway for these participants, and the Bill does not create one. It should. Related suggestion: Insert into s48A a separate emergency reassessment pathway to provide an additional option within section 37(1)(a), which allows for expedited reviews when there is evidence that a participant’s needs have changed significantly or if they are facing immediate risks related to safety, housing stability, behavioral health issues, or support breakdowns due to unforeseen events such as natural disasters affecting their living conditions.