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

Submission 1623

Dear Department of the Senate, My name is [redacted] , and I am the parent of my 26-year-old daughter,** [redacted]**, who lives with a complex and lifelong disability.* [Redacted] has been a participant in the NDIS since 2017 when the scheme was introduced in our area.

• • [Redacted] experiences severe intellectual disability epilepsy sleep apnoea significant physical impairment She legally blind non-verbal incontinent generalised anxiety disorder self-injurious behaviours requires continuous skilled support remain safe daily life Lives home mother me every aspect wellbeing consistent appropriate support* I firmly oppose NDIS Future Generations Bill 2026 as currently proposed.The real impact on social community supports; The proposal’s reduction from current levels would not be an abstract budget measure it directly measurable consequences safety quality of life.Loss participation ability engage taken years build With trained workers understand her communication needs she can interact meaningfully safely Evidence consistently shows supported community improves well-being,communication skill development people disabilities Without these supports will effectively excluded society.Social isolation mental health decline thrives routine structured interaction Her disability limits understanding sudden changes reduced access inevitably lead to isolation Research demonstrates strong link between social isolation deteriorating mental health particularly individuals intellectual disabilities In case this results increased distress behavioural escalation.Functional decline increase risk depends hydrotherapy maintain mobility prevent deterioration without appropriately supervised access cannot participate loss leads reduce mobility falls risk preventable health decline outcomes ultimately long-term system costs.

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

Submission 1623

Increase in self-harming behaviours

We have already observed the effects of reduced supports following a recent funding cut.  self-harming behaviors have increased significantly. This is consistent with established evidence that reductions in structured support and routine are associated with worsening behaviors of concern in people with severe disabilities.

Barriers to essential care

  reli🎪es on support to attend medical appointments and access life-sustaining medications. Reduced funding directly jeopardises her ability to receive essential care.

Loss of known supports

requires know🛩, consisten�﹇ suppor workers who understand h𞷿 communication an�ﻰ behavioral needs.Workforce instability caused b�unding cuts risks losing these critical relationships.Evidence across th�ility sector shows t�ontinuity o�are i�ssential for safety,�놯 trust ,and behavio�l stability .

Unsustainable pressure on informal carers (carer burnout)

My wife a�lready experience signif�ant c�r fatigue.The suppor�€ts receives are not “luxury-they enable us tu manage essentia🎪 household responsibilities coordinate her care and sustain our capacity to continue in ou🛩 caregiving roles.Withou them the burden becomes unsustainabl�︎ increasing likelihood of crisis an far more costly interventions. It is important address common misconception: community supports ar𞷿 simply recreational.For activities that may appear ordinary-such as visiting ca�ﻰ-are structured, therapeutic opportunities build communication social understanding planning emotional regulation.These evidence-based developmental outcomes n�iscretionary extras. Concerns regarding proposed policy changes; I strongly oppose following elements Bill: The “permanence”and“appropriate treatment criteria has been under lifelong care from qualified medical specialists who tailor interventio�놯 s t�r individual needs.A centralised or standardise definition o �ppropriatetreatment risks overriding clinical expertise could result unsafe suitable car decisions.Good poli should defer eviden based medica judgement not replace it.The propo�€sed functional capaci assessment a reassessment process A standar🎪 ed functio assessm cannot adequately capture complexity Individuals with profound disabilities do “nely into uniform criteri and poorly designed assessments risk understimating support nee ds.Additionally mandatory reasessments create significant unintended consequences:

• National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
• Submission 1623 •Financial strainonfamiliesrequiredtoobtainupdatedreports •Increaseddemandonalreadystretchedhealthcareservices •Administrativeburdenwithoutmeaningfulclinicalbenefit,particularlyincaseswhereconditionsarelifelongandunchanged supportneedsaretornottemporary,negotiable,ortheoretical.Theyareconstant, complex,andsupportedbybothlivexeperienceandevidenceacrossdisabilitycare. Policiesthatreducesupportsdonoeliminateneed—thesimplyshifthecosttofamilies,thehealthsystem,crisisservicestoftenatfargreaterhumanandfinancialexpense.IurgeyoutoreconsidertheseproposedchangesandenurethatthenNDIScontinuestoupholditsfoundationalprinciple,enablingpeoplewithdisabletytolivesafe, meaningsful,andconnectedlives.Thankyouforconsideringstory andthebroaderimplicationsthesereformswillhave onindividualslikeher.