National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1723
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing as the sole parent and full-time carer of my son to explain the level of support he requires and the impact this legislation may have on families like ours.
My son has a diagnosis of Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder, severe intellectual disability, and is non-verbal, requiring constant supervision and support throughout the day and night. He is unable to safely manage daily living tasks independently and relies on me for personal care, communication support, emotional regulation, safety monitoring, appointments, and day to day functioning.
My son requires a very high level of supervision and support in home and when accessing the community. He has severe separation anxiety from me as a result of having no formal or informal supports and struggles significantly in unfamiliar or overstimulating environments. Due to limited opportunities for safe community participation and minimal support networks outside of myself, he has become highly dependent on me as his sole source of security and regulation.
When in public settings, he is at risk of absconding unexpectedly, which creates serious safety concerns both for himself and for others around him, including his younger sister, aged 3. I am often required to maintain constant physical supervision to prevent him from running into unsafe situations, including roads, crowded areas, or away from safe supervision.
He can also become extremely distressed and dysregulated when overwhelmed or separated from me, which may result in aggressive behaviours, self-injury, or behaviours that place others at risk. These situations are not deliberate acts of misconduct but are directly connected to his disability, anxiety, communication difficulties, lack of community exposure and involvement and inability to safely self-regulate without appropriate support.
Managing these behaviours while also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of my 3 yr old daughter places enormous pressure on our family. Accessing the community safely often requires detailed planning, constant vigilance, and additional support that is currently difficult to obtain consistently.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1723
Without appropriate disability supports, community access becomes extremely limited and isolating for our family, which further reinforces his anxiety, dependence, and difficulty developing independence and social connection.
Caring for him is not occasional or part-time, it is ongoing, intensive, and essential. His needs affect every aspect of our family’s life, including employment, financial stability, mental health, and our ability to participate in the community.
I am concerned that changes proposed in this bill may reduce access to necessary supports or make it harder for families to receive consistent assistance. For families like ours, support services are not a luxury; they are what allow our children to live safely and with dignity.
In addition, my son relies on intensive weekly therapy in speech, occupational therapy, and behavior support. These therapies are not optional nor are they a luxury, they are essential to his progress in communication and daily self-help skills. If his NDIS funding for these services were to be reduced or lost, he would be at immediate risk of stagnation. His main challenges, developing communication and daily living skills, depend on this consistent, specialized intervention. Without it, he risks falling further behind, and the progress he’s made would be in jeopardy.
I ask that the lived experiences of carers and people with disabilities be properly considered when assessing this legislation. Decisions made through this process will have direct and lasting consequences for vulnerable people and the families who support them every day.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Sincerely,