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

Submission 1705

Submission Date: 27 May 2026

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

Parent of Adult 31 yo son living with Autism and an intellectual disability

Privacy preference - My submission to be private and confidential

About my adult son

He was diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability when he was 2 years old. These are permanent, lifelong conditions.

He lives at home with me, his father and 2 younger brothers

He struggles to manage sensory input, emotions, and stress responses.

He is non-verbal and not being understood causes huge distress and behaviours of concern

His autism affects flexibility. Changes in routine, new support staff or unexpected events can trigger major distress

Needs support for cooking, budgeting, medical appointments, transport, personal care.

His anxiety and depression is very high.

He works 2 days a week in supported employment, spends 3 days volunteering with 4 organisations, and does monthly short-term respite to prepare for living independently. This is possible with Social and Community Participation Supports

He needs support to travel, understand tasks, and manage sensory overload, to be part of his community, for all daily activities

What this bill will mean for my 31 yo son

The new functional capacity test (Schedule 1, Part 1, Section 9B)

Conflict of interest – As my sons NDIS nominee I may feel assessments are designed to limit his supports rather than accurately capture his needs. This undermines trust in the process.
Loss of independence and choice reduces participant control, which conflicts with the core NDIS principle of “choice and control”.
Risk of standardized, one-size-fits-all approach

If this funding is cut, he will lose:

He will be unable to continue his volunteer placements. These placements are essential to his wellbeing.
Loss of funding would result in isolation, increased behaviours of concern, and regression in his skills. This is a lifelong disability requiring ongoing supports to maintain current functioning.
His routine — without it, his anxiety and dysregulation escalate
Social connection — he has no other way to safely participate in the community
Self-esteem — volunteering gives him identity and purpose beyond his disability
They are what stop him from becoming housebound
Cutting community participation funding is cutting his quality of life