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

I am a regional pediatric occupational therapy assistant currently studying Occupational therapy at university.

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

Submission 1599

and regional communities are already undertaking extensive unpaid care because appropriate services are unavailable or inaccessible.

I am additionally concerned that strengthening the requirement for supports to arise “directly” from impairments may reduce access to holistic supports that enable participation in education, self-care, emotional regulation and community inclusion. In paediatric occupational therapy, disability impacts are often interconnected and cannot always be separated into isolated functional categories.

I respectfully recommend that the Committee consider:

• Retaining flexibility within access and reassessment processes for children • Ensuring environmental and regional disadvantage are considered in functiona capacity assessments • Protecting access to early intervention and preventative supports • Recognising the unique pressures faced by regional families and providers • Ensuring therapy supports are assessed on long-term functional outcomes, ot short-term cost reduction alone. The NDIS has significantly improved outcomes for children and families in our region.I urge the Committee to ensure future reforms preserve equitableaccess,earlyinterventionparticipant-centred planningfor vulnerablechildren livinginregional Australia.