Introduction

Sporting Dreams is a disability sports organization that supports Australians living with disabilities through their involvement in community sporting activities as well as pathways leading up until elite competition both priorly during its existence.

Our board consists entirely out disabled people, family members or carers led our founder president Paralympian Marayke Jonkers who competed at three paralimpic games swimming winning medals and was Australia’s first female para tri athlete medal world championships when she won bronze Budapest year of 10/2010.

Experience spans grassroots participation athletes development inclusion practical realities faced individuals families attempting access opportunities.

We welcome opportunity provide this submission senate inquiry into National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Securing Future Generations Bill 26.

This focuses likely impact proposed reforms participation life evidence informed decades direct experience supporting overcome barriers achieve outcomes benefit individual families communities broader Australian economy.

Executive Summary

Sports Dream opposes National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing NDIS for Future Generations) Bill urges Senate pass substantially amended consultation people disability sector.

As an organisation operated before NDIS Sporting Dreams has seen firsthand difference made to Australians with disability Before NDIS participation sport often depended on wealth informal support networks charity Talent determination effort were not enough.

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

Submission 1735

Before the NDIS,

participation in sport often depended on whether a person had a wealthy class=family,, or access to charity. in practice., this meant:

• Many athletes could not participate in sport because there was nobody available to help them get training, equipment, personal care, navigate inaccessible environments. Children adults were forced use poorly fitting second-hand increasing pain fatigue injury risk. families carried overwhelming burden sacrifice education wellbeing. participation frequently depends fundraising sponsorship luck rather than need. had strong family support excluded entirely. many people with disability experienced social isolation poorer outcomes limited opportunities develop confidence skills relationships that can provide. The changed that. australians gained access workers allied professionals assistive technology individualised allowed community life employment and sport. is risks reversing those gains. of ministerial powers reduced review rights cuts participation restrictive assessment processes future reductions funding categories legislation threatens move away from individualized back towards system where opportunity resources charity circumstance. billions of dollars preparing Brisbane Olympic Paralympic Games yet this removes very supports foundation paralymrians train compete connected sporting pathways is issue it participatio issue it an employme issue housing issue transport health peer sustainability informal capacity-building issues.

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

Submission 1735

It is an investment issue because investing in sporting participation and individualised supports enabling it costs much less than attempting to achieve similar outcomes through funding models proposed under [this] Bill or inadequately funded foundational ecosystem which lacks modelling evidence substantiating equivalent results. And when these fail, a national sporting performance crisis arises: dreams cannot come true if fundamental needs like grassroots sports are cut from the NDIS unless fully-funded alternatives exist elsewhere; quantifying impacts requires ensuring such replacements cover all aspects adequately supported within current schemes; hence we have no confidence other solutions will meet requirements outside NDIs. Any additional measures must be designed collaboratively between athletes/disabled individuals who ensure they’re suitable/funded properly, sporting dreams rejects argument sustainability can solely stem reduced participant support levels. central concern about this bill shifting away core principles of individualisation/choice/control/social/economic inclusion could undermine gains since scheme introduction. government collaboration with disability community should address valid concerns/recommendations made previously. in elite sport championships aren’t won via cutting training hours/coaches/removing equipment but targeted investments/smart decision-making focusing resources delivering maximum returns similarly applies here. bill risks reducing Australia’s future Paralympic medal tally consequences extend beyond just sport greater risk for disabled Australians losing opportunities education employment family life communities Sporting Dreams therefore recommends that not proceed in its current form and any reform agenda co-designed by people disabilities informed Disability Royal Commission aligned National Disability Strategy focused achieving sustainability without causing harm.

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

Submission 1735

The Importance of Sport and Community Participation

Sport is often incorrectly viewed as an optional or recreational activity. For many people with disability, participation in sport is a critical pathway to health, independence, social connection, education and employment. Research consistently demonstrates that participation in physical activity improves physical health, mental wellbeing, confidence, resilience and community engagement. For people with disability, these benefits can be even more significant because sport provides opportunities to build skills, reduce isolation and develop unpaid peer support networks that support broader life outcomes. Participation in sport frequently requires supports that extend beyond the sporting activity itself. Athletes may require assistance with transport, personal care, communication, equipment management, orientation, behavioural support or specialised coaching arrangements. These supports are often the difference between participation and exclusion. The NDIS has enabled many participants to access these supports for the first time. As a result, Sporting Dreams has witnessed substantial increases in participation rates, athlete retention, volunteer engagement and progression into leadership and employment roles. Any reform that reduces access to these supports must therefore be assessed not only in terms of immediate budget impacts but also in terms of its broader social, health and economic consequences.

Key Concerns with the Bill

Sporting Dreams is concerned that several provisions within the Bill create uncertainty regarding future eligibility, funding and participant rights.

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

Submission 1735

The Bill contains several provisions of particular concern:

• Schedule 1 Parts 8 and 9 allow eligibility rules to be altered through ministerial instruments rather than primary legislation.
• Schedule 1 Part 4 permits broad funding reductions across support categories without participant review rights.
• Schedule 1 Parts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 reduce review and reassessment rights for existing participants.
• Schedule 1 Part 3 replaces whole-of-person assessment with a single eligible impairment approach.
• Schedule 1 Part 8 introduces requirements to exhaust treatment options before eligibility.
• Proposed funding reductions to social and community participation supports risk undermining participation in sport, education, employment and community life before Foundational Supports have been established. The proposed expansion of ministerial powers to define key aspects of eligibility and support categories through legislative instruments reduces parliamentary scrutiny and creates uncertainty for participants planning their futures.The reduction of review rights and reassessment protections may leave participants with limited avenues to challenge decisions that significantly affect their lives.The move toward narrower impairment-based assessments risks overlooking the interaction between disability, environment and support needs. Participation outcomes are rarely determined by impairment alone.They are influenced by a person’s circumstances, available supports and opportunities within their community.Similarly, proposals that restrict social and community participation supports risk disproportionately affecting people whose goals involve sport, recreation, volunteering and community engagement.These activities are not peripheral to the objectives of the NDIS They are central to the Scheme’s purpose of supporting social and economic participation The experiences of Sporting Dreams participants demonstrate the practical consequences of reducing support availability.Many athletes rely on support workers to attend training sessions competitions and community activities Without these supports participation becomes impossible regardless of talent or motivation.Participants with complex disabilities often require specialised assistance that cannot always be provided by family members or volunteers Restricting flexibility in support arrangements may remove access to the very people who possess the skills necessary to facilitate safe participation.We are also concerned that reductions in preventative and capacity-building supports may increase long-term costs Physiotherapy exercise physiology skill development and community participation frequently reduce reliance on more intensive supports over time.Likewise,the proposed evidence hierarchy will have adverse impacts Many effective disability supports do not yet have extensive published peer-reviewed evidence because disability research is underfunded Participants with complex disability are frequently excluded from formal studiesand highly customisedsupportsare difficultto standardise.

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

Submission 1735

It is essential to recognise lived experience evidence and reject provisions which reinforce a culture of low expectation when you cannot see potential or where the priorities, dreams and innovative solutions created by people with disability are devalued rather than formally recognised in legislation. Investment in participation is often investment in independence.

Case Studies In sport no athlete reaches the podium alone Behind every medal is a team of coaches ,support staff,family,equipment specialistsand community networks For athleteswithdisabilityNDIS-fundedsupportsoftenformpartofthatteam When those supportsareremovedtheathleteisnotmerely disadvantaged.Theycanbeforcedoutofsportentirely “Brian’s Story – Why Community Participation Supports Matter” Brianisanyoungswimmerwhoreliesondisability-relatedsupporstoaattendtraining competitionsandaclubactivitiessafely.Thosesupportsincluderelieftransport personalcareequipmentmanagementandanavigatingenvironmentsthatare notfullyaccessible.Withouthatassistancehisparticipationinswimmingisseverallyimited regardlessoftalentcommitm entormotivation. Brain lives on Autistic Spectrum has cerebral palsy anda walking wheelchair user The impacts arising from these experiencesandsuppon needs will n ot be recognized accuratelybythisBill Under this Bill then DIA can choose whetherBrainist reducedtoa physical impairmentOr Autism OrthenDIAcouldrecognizeBrianaasaclasstargetedforremovalfromthe NDIS to Thriving Kids withnowheelchair or help for mobility and toileting if onlyAutism isth e ndicated nohelp that recognizes howAutismancerebralpalsyc reateunique supportneeds potentially harmful ‘support’ whenThrivingKidsfallsshort of Bri an’sneeds This would have nobasis in therealityofBrain s life disabilityorsupponee dsand Br ian hisfuturewould sufferunderThriv ingK idsnotthrive Onpaper theGovernmentw ould call th issuccess PreviousNDISchangestoshortTermAccommodationhavealreadyreduce dBrian’sability tot raveltocompetitionsawayf romhome Whereotherchildreninhisc lubcanrellyon informal suppor torf amilyresources Brianoftenrequiresfunded assistancefortraveland accommodation As those supports hav enarrowed hehashadtomisscompetiti ons reducetrainingopportunitiesmake difficultchoicesaboutwhicheventshecantend.

The consequences are not limited to sport Reduced participation means weaker peer relationships fewer opportunities tob uild confidenceandindependence,anda greater risk o f social isolation ItmeansBrain’ sfamilyisexpectedtocovertheshortfall whetherinthereasonableexpectationsplaced oninformal supp orttheyprovideortheextra

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

Submission 1735 disability-related cost of paying for support workers familiar with Brian’s needs (and their travel, food and accommodation costs to provide support for events). All the other kids are supervised by the coach and do not need to travel with another adult. If the family budget is already strained, Brian misses out. Brian’s experience illustrates how cuts to community participation supports do not simply reduce recreation; they reduce childhood opportunities, community belonging and future pathways to education, employment and elite sport.

George’s Story – Why Capacity Building Matters and Why Historical Compensation Recipients Must Be Protected

George sustained a spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident in the 1970s, long before the establishment of the NDIS and before the creation of modern lifetime care schemes such as the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland and other state-based accident compensation systems. Following years of legal proceedings, George received a compensation settlement.However, much of that settlement was used to repay government agencies and services that had funded his care and support during the lengthy court process, including Medicare Centrelink and state-funded disability support systems.The remaining funds were used responsibly to secure his future.George built a wheelchair-accessible home where he continues to live today,and invested in education and training opportunities that enabled him to pursue disability-friendly employment.Like many Australians injured decades ago,Geroge no longer has detailed records showinghow compensation funds were allocated between future care costs loss of earnings painand suffering and other heads of damage.Courts were not required to retain such recordsindefinitely and many documents no longer exist.For many years George lived independently butthe long-term impacts of spinal cord injurigradually took their toll.He developed significant overuse injuries fromdecadesofwheelchair useandexperienced recurrent pressureinjuriesthat resulted intenlghthospitalstays anda prolonged periods confinedto bed.His physical condition deteriorated topointwherehe believedhis active lifewasover.Before entering then DISGGeorgehadlargely accepted thate wouldno langer participate

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

Submission 1735

extended well beyond physical health. George’s mental health improved; his community involvement increased. George regained purposeful enjoyment he had missed many years ago, supports reduced reliance more costly interventions; investment physiotherapy exercise appropriate assistive technology helped avoid further deterioration, decreased pressure system enhanced independence. George demonstrates why must continue capacity-building crises responses rather than focusing solely on crisis responses. His story highlights serious risk created proposed legislation: person who once received compensation yet covered any ongoing accident scheme funds decades spent legitimate related housing education Without NDIS alternative funding essential daily activities such as getting out bed showering dressing managing personal care If proceeds without specific protections people like George fall through gap historical systems modern disability support arrangements lose access despite significant needs remaining compensation no source assistance Sporting Dreams believes this outcome would fundamentally unfair inconsistent objectives of ndis We therefore recommend that process passing bill slowed down Grandfather situation George injured motor vehicle long records defend against removal from ndis and have other access to schemes their needs Look all might fall cracks systems not in George’s scenario but about leave nDis support does exist Sarah Story Why Flexible Support Arrangements Must Be Preserved Sarah cyclist vision impairment participates tandem bicycle train compete safely requires person act only Disability support worker also capable cycling pilot guide This highly specialised form depends trust shared experience sport-specific skill Under flexible arrangements has been able identify supports matches both her

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Conclusion

The NDIS has been life-changing for many Australians with disability, including those who seek to participate in sport, community life, education and employment. It has enabled many people to move beyond survival towards independence, connection demonstrates participant choice often essential safety and long-term outcomes. The NDIS has been life-changing for many Australians with disability seeking participation sports, community life educational employment It enables many people survive independent connection contribution sporting dreams deeply concerned bill risks reversing gains alternative systems broader reform commitments delivered For these reasons Sporting Dreams recommends proceed if it does proceed The requires extensive amendment co-designed disability aligned policy focused sustainability measures reduce waste improve without causing harm Yours sincerely Marayke Jonkers President Founder On behalf Sportings Board # ProposedAmendment 1 If Bill proceeds must slowed down Grandfather situation such George injured Motor Vehicle Accident long ago support needs other system TAC Victorian NIISQ current duplications supports current future needs related historical compensation impairments