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

Submission 1687

I am writing this submission as a social worker who has worked in schools and disability-related support roles for over six years, including direct work with children, young people, and families navigating the NDIS system. Through my work, I regularly see the significant positive impact that appropriate disability Supports Can Have On A Person’s Wellbeing Emotional Regulation Participation Community Life Family Stability And Long-Term Outcomes Also See The Consequences When Supports Are Delayed Reduced Accessible Or Removed Concern About Aspects Proposed Changes To Act Particularly Around Definition “Permanence” Expectation Participants May Need Try All Available Treatments Before Accessing Support Practice Many Families Support Already Exhausted Emotionally Financially Psychologically Attempt Assessments Therapies Interventions Idea That Person May Need Demonstrate They Have Tried Every “Available Treatment Does Not Reflect Realities Faced By Many Australians Especially Those Living Regional Areas Experiencing Hardship Or Struggling Engage Complex Systems Due Disabil Trauma Mental Health Challenges Caring Responsibilities Treatment Being Technically “Available” Does Mean It Is Realistically Accessible Many Interventions Involve Waitlists Significant Out-of-Pocket Costs Travel Requirements Limited Local Providers Requiring Families Continually Pursue Possible Option Before Consider Eligible Risks Creating Further Distress Inequity Another Significant Concern Relates Autonomy Inform Choice Implication People With Disability Required Pursue Exhaust Treatments Before Considerable Eligibility For Support Someone Working Sector Raises Significant Concerns Around Autonomy Equity Informed Choice Without Disabilities Generally Able Make Personal Decisions Medical Treatments, Therapies or Interventions Do Or Not Pursue Risk Basic Support Participation Society Should Be Afforded Same Dignity Right Choice Requiring Individuals Continually Prove They Have Attempted All “Available” Treatments Before Accessing Support Risks Creating System Where People With Disability Less Bodily Autonomy Freedom Decision-Making Others Community Additionally not all treatments appropriate accessible affordable evidence-based culturally safe psychologically Safe for every individual. Disability support should become conditional on compliance with treatments person may want tolerate realistically be able to access Also concerned about potential reduction removal capacity-building social/community supports Professional experience these often misunderstood non-essential reality they are preventative protective Social and Capacity-Building Supports Can:

• reduce social isolation,
• strengthen emotional regulation coping skills, support school engagement

• increase independence,
• reduce family stress and burnout
• prevent escalation into crisis.
• reduce hospitalisation or restrictive practices.