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

Submission 1771

I wanted to share my own story with you because I feel that many policy makers are failing to recognise, or understand, the broader human and economic consequences that these changes will have.

My daughter is now 23 years old. She was born prematurely as a twin (at hospital, ), and suffered a brain haemorrhage at three days old. She was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, with both physical and intellectual disabilities.

For many years I was unable to work due to the complexity of ’s care needs, supporting her through multiple surgeries, intensive therapy, and rehabilitation periods. From 2014 onwards I did this as a single mother, while also raising additional children, on a Carers pension, while her father lived in a different state.

When was 15, I made the decision to return to university to retrain to enter the workforce. I had seen first-hand the difference that allied health providers had made to our family, and wanted to be in a position to extend this help to others. Over the following six years I juggled university studies, single parenting, ’s extensive support needs, and the educational needs of all of my children, including managing three different online schooling scenarios during Covid lockdowns. In 2023 I graduated with a Master of Speech Pathology degree.

I was only able to return to the workforce because the NDIS provided support workers to assist . Without that support, my study and subsequent employment would never have been possible.

I have since started my own small business because it is the only way that I can maintain the flexibility required to continue supporting through medical appointments, allied health needs, and periods of instability. My ability to earn an income is constantly impacted by her support requirements. If becomes unwell, support workers cannot attend, and I cannot work. If support workers are unavailable, I cannot work. I do not have an extensive informal support network to fall back on- it’s just me. A traditional NGO role with rigid KPI’s and inflexible scheduling would simply not be sustainable for our circumstances.

My family has lived in financial vulnerability for the last 11 years. We are only just beginning to regain some stability, but even now our situation remains precarious. I also cannot recoup 21 years of lost earnings. We do not have a buffer to protect us from hardship.

The proposed NDIS changes threaten our family from two directions simultaneously.

If ’s funding is reduced, her quality of life, independence, community participation, and ability to develop relationships outside the home will be significantly impacted.

At the same time, if support hours are reduced, I will no longer be able to maintain employment. Quite simply, without disability supports I cannot work and contribute to the economy.

If the proposed changes proceed, I will likely lose my business. That will not only impact my own family, but also the many families who I support through my work as a speech pathologist.

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

Submission 1771

There is no financial capacity within my business to absorb the proposed cuts to allied health pricing. These reductions would force me to work in such a way that it would significantly increase my burnout risk and reduce the quality of care provided to participants on my caseload. I am already functioning at full capacity trying to balance clinical work, business demands, and caring responsibilities.

The impact on my health due to these proposed changes, the uncertainty about our future, and the impact that I see on all of the families who I support, is already significant.

I believe that the government is being incredibly short-sighted in its approach to these reforms.

If I lose the support that allows me to work, I will have no choice but to return to relying on the Carer payment and other government supports. The government will lose:

• the income tax that I pay personally;
• the taxes paid through my business;
• the repayment of my HECS debt;
• the taxes paid by support workers employed in ’s care;
• and the economic activity that is generated through all of the secondary services and industries that are connected to disability supports and small business operation.

I do not believe that the broader economic consequences of these reforms are being adequately considered.

I am also deeply concerned by the narrative surrounding fraud within the NDIS. Small providers such as myself operate transparently and would not be able to easily conceal fraudulent conduct. In contrast, large organisations with high participant volumes are far better positioned to obscure inappropriate billing practices. Yet the current reform direction appears to favour large providers while placing pressure on smaller, community-based clinicians and businesses. To date, every provider who I have personally reported for fraudulent practices has been a large, registered provider and no action against them was ever taken.

Additionally, significant cuts to participant’s plans are already occurring before legislation has even been passed. Therapy allocations are falling below evidence-based recommendations for effective intervention, leaving many participants without meaningful access to supports.

I am also extremely concerned about the rollout of models such as Thriving Kids under the Key Worker framework, where untrained or minimally qualified workers are set to replace clinicians with specialist qualifications and years of clinical experience. This risks significantly reducing the quality, safety, and efficacy of intervention provided to vulnerable children and their families.