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

Submission 1663

Submission to the Senate Committee – NDIS Bill

My name is , and I am a full-time carer for two of my children with complex disabilities.

I support the objective of placing the NDIS on a sustainable long-term footing. However, I do not support this Bill in its current form.

The supports provided through the NDIS are essential for my family and me. The proposed changes in this Bill are deeply concerning and create significant fear about the future of support for my children.

One issue that is very important to me is the ability to self-manage my children’s support workers. I have worked with many agencies over the years, and unfortunately, they have not been able to provide workers with the right skills or the right attitudes to support my daughter well. Being able to choose and manage her support workers myself ensures that she receives high-quality care from people who genuinely understand her and have her best interests at heart.

I am also very concerned about the proposed changes to review and reassessment processes. I have had to go to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) twice—once for each of my children—and in both cases, the outcome was more appropriate funding than what was originally approved. The proposed changes, including stricter reassessment rules and reduced review rights, feel unfair and frightening. They reduce our ability to advocate for our children and limit our voices being heard.

The proposed 50% cut to Social and Community Participation funding is especially concerning. Accessing the community is not a luxury—it is essential for quality of life, mental health, development of skills, and inclusion. Reducing this funding risks increasing isolation, worsening mental health, reducing independence, and leading to a decline in overall wellbeing. It is difficult to understand how these cuts align with basic human rights and the intent of the NDIS.

There are also other aspects of the Bill that I find concerning and unjust. Overall, it feels like people with disability—one of the most vulnerable groups in our community—are not being adequately supported.

Australia is a wealthy country. Instead of reducing essential supports, there should be a stronger focus on alternative ways to fund the NDIS, such as addressing corporate tax avoidance or reviewing major spending areas.

Families and carers need more support, not less. Many unpaid carers already experience significant burnout, financial hardship, and social isolation, while saving the government millions of dollars through the care they provide.

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

Submission 1663