National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1725
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Dear Senate Committee, Re: NDIS Bill - Social and Community Supports I am writing on behalf of Brain Injury Matters, a Victorian organization run by and for individuals who have Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), to express grave concerns about proposed cuts to Social and Community Supports within the NDIS Bill. Brain Injury Matters has worked hard to build and sustain strong networks of peer support groups across Victoria that cater specifically towards those affected by brain injury. Currently supporting eleven such groups located both metropolitan areas and regional communities which meet weekly or bi-weekly; these are led directly from lived experience with ABI providing far more than mere social connections—offering opportunities not just limited but skill-building mutual support information sharing confidence empowerment while significantly reducing profound isolation experienced post-brain-injury incident. The benefits derived through peer support among people living disabilities mental health challenges well-established research specific toward ABI also demonstrates clear positive outcomes Attached summary findings conducted at The University Melbourne co-designed alongside Brain Injury Matters highlights significant advantages associated direct participation in peer group activities. Social isolation loneliness remain most pressing issues faced community members suffering ABI over past five years consistently identified combating this issue as highest priority annual needs survey undertaken annually By many our members their only regular non-clinical activity they participate attendance often possible because participants can access support workers
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1725
Brain Injury Matters
and NDIS funding through Social and Community Supports. Cuts to this funding will directly reduce participation, increase isolation,and remove one of the few meaningful forms ofcommunityconnection available topeoplelivingwithABI. Oneofourmembersrecentlysaid tome,“Peer supportis lifesupport” .Thisreflectstheexperienceofmanyofthemorethan200peopelwhobenefitregularfromBrainInjuryMatters’ peersupportprogram.Peer supportisanoptionalextra.Itispactical,cost-effective waytohelp peoplewithABIREmainconnected,buildconfidence ,developskillsandlevel meaningfullivesintheircommunities.Whenpeopleloseaccess topair connection anda nd communityparticipation,the result isoftendecliningmentalhealth,crisis presentations,a n dgreaterlong-termpressureon healtha nddisabilitysystems.Reducing accesstosocialanda ndCommunitySupportswillunderminetheseresultsandfurthermarginalise peoplewhohavealreadyface significantbarriersto partipation.I urgeyou ensure thatproposed changes tontheNDISdonotreduce accessto social a ndCommunit ySupp ort sfor people with ABI.Yours sincerely,C ol BrokenshireChairperson