Submission to the Senate Committee – NDIS Bill

My name is redacted: , 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 childrenand limitour voices being heardTheproposed50%cuttoSocialandCommunityParticipationfundingisespeciallyconcerning.Accessingtocommunityisanotluxury—itessentialforqualityoflife,mentalhealthdevelopmentofskills,andinclusion.Reducingthisfundingsrisksincreasingisolation,worseningmentalhealth,reducingdependenceandleadingtoadeclineinovertalwellbeing.ItisdifculttounderstandhowthesecutsalignwithbasichumanrightsandalntentoftheNDIS.TherearealsootheraspectsoftheBillthatIfindconcerningunjustOverallitfeelslikepeoplewiddisability—oneoftthemostvulnerablegroupsoncommunitynoneatbeingadequatelysupportedAustraliaisawealthycountry.InsteadreducingeessentialsupportsthereshouldbeastrongerfocusonalternativewaysfunctheNDISsuchasaddressingcorporatetaxavoidanceorreviewingmajorspendingareasFamiliescarersneedmoresupportnotlessManyunpaidcarersalreadyexperiencesignificantburnoutfinancialhardshipandsocialisolationswhilesavingthegovernmentmillionsdollarsthroughcaretheyprovide.

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

Submission 1663

I ask that the Committee carefully consider the real-life impact these changes will have on people with disability and their families, and that the Bill be reconsidered in its current form. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this submission.