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

Submission 1738

Dear Committee Members,

My name is Amanda Maclean and I am a paediatric occupational therapist working inprivatepracticeinbothNewSouthWalesandVictoria.Ihaveworkedwith children,youngpeopleandfamiliesacrossarangeofdevelopmental,pyschosocialand disabilitypresentationsforover25years. IamwritingtoprovidefeedbackregardingaspectsoftheproposedNDISreforms, particularlythoserelatingtoreassessmentprocesses,functionalcapacityevaluations, earlyintervention,andthe long-term impacts of reduced accesstoalliedhealthsupports. WhileIunderstandandsupporttheneed forsustainablewell-governed ND IS, IAMconcernedthatincreasinglystandardised re assessment processess will not adequatelycapturetherealtiesoffluctu atingandcontextualdis ability.Inpaedi atric practice,a child’sfunctionalcapacity israrelystatic.Manychildren areabletocope in oneenvironmentwhileexperiencingsignificant exhaustion,distressordys regulation elsewhere.Snapshot-style assessments risk overlooking therecumulative impact offunction ing across school,homelandcommunitysettings.\nIAmparticularly concerned about the potential unintended consequences o reducing ordelayinge arly intervention anda inten sive supports.Imyexperience , preventative andrelationship-based supportsa ren oftenwhatallow children to remain engagedatschoolparticipatesocia llyanda void escalationinto more significant mental health,behaviouralandeducationaldifficulties .Whensupportsonleyavailableonceachildreachescrisispoint,outcomesaretypicallypoorerandy farmorecostilyinthelongterm.Thiscancontributeto increased pressureonschoo ls,greaterfamilystress,reducedparentalworkforce participation, andre ducedrelianceonpubliche althandwelfare systems overtime.Ialso believe it is important tore cognise therole thatprivate paediatric alliedhealth providerscurrentlyplaywithinthebroader sup portecosystem.Man y experienced cliniciansnow work within privatepr acticesettingswhichoften provide th e flexibility,supervisionstructuresandenuroaffirmingapproachesneededtoretainskilledstaff withinsectors.Reformsthatunintentionallydestabil iseprivateproviderswill undoubtedly worsene xisting workforce shortagesAndWaitlists,p articularlyforchildren requiringongoingmultidisciplinarysupp ort. Iwouldencouragethecommitteetoco nsiderthere following recommendations:

Maintainflexibilitywithin reassessmentprocesses tobetteraccount for fluctuatingandcontextualfunctionalcapacity.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission Details

Title: Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill 2026 - Submitter ID: 1738

Recommendations:

Ensure reassessment frameworks incorporate information from clinicians, families and educational settings.
Preserve access to early intervention and maintenance supports recognizing their role in preventing more intensive long-term needs;
Support continuity care therapeutic relationships particularly children with complex or psychosocial presentations; Continue consulting closely front line clinician families service providers during implementation reforms. I appreciate opportunity contribute this inquiry hope these practical observations frontline paediatric practice helpful in informing balanced sustainable reform. Kind Regards,AmandaMacLean(sheher)ClinicalDirectorandOccupationalTherapistSydneyClinic: 2/33AlexandraStreet,HuntersHillNSW,2110OfficePhone: 947 ext{ }062Email:sydney@leapfrogtherapycomauWebsite:wwwLeapFrog TherapyComAu