Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill

My name is (redacted) and I am a Speech Pathologist working in a private practice supporting many NDIS clients. I feel deeply connected to issues within this proposed bill as I have seen the immense benefits that adequate funding can provide, as well as the challenges that both clinicians and families face when trying to work within this system.I live with disabilities not covered by NDIS including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Endometriosis spending thousands of dollars annually on specialists’ medical costs so understand financial burdens having disablement.It’s crucial we continue supporting most vulnerable society.My brother Autistic experienced difference life supported versus lacking at age five attending mainstream school alongside me.He was severely bullied could cope main stream environment due his disabling condition.These led mother finding him attempting suicide aged just five years old.Fortunately moved specific designed support autistic students without intellectual disability extremely rare.Having appropriate supports place schools he went highly volatile violent depressed happy.Such moderate autism likely wouldn’t receive new NDIS support despite significant challenges faced continues facing similar situations numerous clients work see their schools insufficiently resourced enough meet child needs Allied health professionals lifeline parents opportunity directly them children also work schools support there.## My overall view about changes definition permanent disability These appear add additional burden participants family prove lifelong diagnosis still impacts tried all possible treatments What if some available area way inappropriate? Exhausting people constantly needing proving need for support in this manner.

I’m concerned no longer receiving early intervention under Scheme Research evidence shows absolutely vital any kind disability or developmental delay Already seen many miss out early interventions they need extensive waitlists access the NDIS.

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

Submission 1593

Children who are needing speech therapy at 3-years old being on the waitlist until 5- years-old. This dramatically impacts the child’s ability to participate in school and t heir life-long outcomes.I am highly concerned about the lack of clear informat ionabout Thriving Kidsandwhatthiswilllooklike.DuetothefactthatThri vingKidswascreatedtoreducetheamountofmoneythegovernmentspendsonearlyintervention,I suspect that not enough support wil lbe providedunderthescheme. Chil dren withspeechandle gosordersordelays,evenmildones,requir edirect one-on-onetherapybyaspeechpathologisttor e achtheirgoals. Iopposethereduc tionincommunityparticipationsupports.Childrenanda ndultswithdisabilitiesrequiresupporttoc accessther community.Additionally,manymainstreamcomm unityactivitiessuchassports, ar tclassesetcmaynotb ea ccessibleorappropriateforchildrenwith disabilitieswho require specialised workerstha t understand them ,on-e o n-lessonsorsmallergroup lessons.Thes especialised communit y activitiescomeatamuchhighercostduetoincreasedstaffexpertiseindisability,a higher staff-to-child ratio for safety etc.It is absolutely essential th at people wit h disabili tiesarenotin isolatedandsupp ortedaccessthecom munityina waywhichworksfort hem.

I ams alsoconcerned ab outnewplanreview andapplicationprocesssand thelack of clarity about what this will look like.I am concernedaboutthead possibilityo fautomation asRobodebt has shown usthatitistiv alfpeopleto beinvolvedevery stepoftheway.T herapistswhohave workedwit ha childover manyyears havea deep understanding oft heirchallengesandneeds shouldbe involved in assessment process . Myposition onthisBill This Billshouldbewithdrawn an dthegovernmentshoul de ngageinemeaningful consultations withdisabledpeop leanda dvocacygroupsforth egenerationthenew reforms. The government shou ldsrelease signific antlymoredetaile dinformationabouthowthe changeswillb emplementedan dh owtheyw ill affect peopl ebefor ethi s,oran other NDISlegislationispas sed.Forexample,w ho canexpecttoreceivereduced plan funding,andwhatwil betheprocessfor then ewpl areviews.TheNDISs aves lives.Id ah ep concer nsabouttheimpactsont he thousands o fp eo plewhoaregoingtol os esupportsu n derthesenewmeasures.Th ank you for considering my submission.Kind regards,

Submission 1593