Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

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

Introduction

This submission is made in a personal capacity by a parent in Australia raising a child with disability and support needs. It is informed by lived experience of seeking early intervention, navigating childcare and school settings, and seeing firsthand how access to timely practical supports can change a child’s trajectory family stability,

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

Submission 1698

simple question: Will they help children get the right support earlier or delay until needs escalate family functioning deteriorates?

Functional supports should not be treated as optional extras

A narrow approach funded can miss reality disability life Supports child regulate communicate tolerate clothing participate education remain care schools are peripheral They often reason why family keep working Child attend educator teacher include that ordinary settings The bill encourage false divide between core” disability practical makes daily participation possible Legislation subsequent become restrictive likely result cost-shifting Families mainstream systems resourced absorb need increased crisis presentations.

“Future generations“ Should Include future Children Not Only Budgets

The framing securing NDIs future understandable but future served short-term savings reduce developmental support Participation Family stability today Children disabilities adults decisions early may simply move costs forward school exclusion poorer mental health more intensive support needs family workforce withdrawal greater pressure on Health Education Social Systems A focused NDI preserve investment where long term return strongest evidence-informed function-based enable home, care School community setting

Major reform requires More time and clearer consultation

Bill substantial complex sector organisations raised concern speed inquiry limited available meaningful Community response matters because legislation works best shaped disabled people families organizations implement Tight timelines increase risk unintended consequences especially key effects depend later rules operational guidance administrative discretion If Parliament proceeds Bill it do so stronger commitment staged implementation co-design public in accessible formats structured review after commencement.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1698

Recommendations

• Retain clear, workable eligibility pathways for children and young people. Any legislative changes should explicitly avoid creating higher informal thresholds through narrower language or more onerous evidentiary expectations.
• Protect access to early intervention and functional supports.The legislation and subordinate rules should make clear that supports enabling communication, egulation,participation ,transitions,and inclusion remain within scope where linkedto permanentand significant disability .
• Require transparency beforesupport restrictions take effect.Draftrules operational guidance examplesshouldbe publishedin accessible formbefore majorchanges commence so participantsfamilies can understand what will change inp ractice.
• Build independent review monitoring The impact ofthe reformsonchildren rural regionalparticipants culturally linguistically diverse families with psychosocialdisability shoule be reviewedwithin monthsof commencement. Do not rely mainstream systems fill gaps without proof capacity Where policy intent is education health or other systemsshould meet a need implementation contingent those being funded accountable doing otherwise family leftwith theoretical boundary practical void. Address fraud waste in targeted ways do increase friction legitimate participants Integrity measures focus provider misconduct serious non compliance exploitative billing rather than broader administrative barriers already under strain. Extend consultation strengthen co design Given scale Bill Committee recommend either timeconsultation structured post inquiry process test most consequential provisions disabled representative organisations famili es

Conclusion The NDIS doesneed sustainable but sustainability measured by whether Scheme remains reliable fair effective people it exists support For children famil ies timely

supports often prevent higher long term costseducationhealth employmentfamily breakdown Reform protect budget weakening access topractical participation-

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill

Submission: [1698]

Building supports would not secure the NDIS for future generations; it would merely shift cost and pressure. The committee must confirm all changes maintain: early support, direct assistance, clear rights to benefits, and genuine collaboration between users and developers.That’s essential for long-term stability.