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

Submission 1773

My name is [redacted]. I am a 52-year-old parent and carer of 3 autistic children (one of whom is now a young adult) ages 19, 15, 12. Myself and my partner (and mother of our children) share caring duties. All three of our children are NDIS participants. Since leaving the work force in 2023 due to difficulty with caring responsibilities at home, we have received minimal carer payments which feel like all options left us but neglecting family needs.

Up until recently hope was given through NDIs ability to help navigate challenges ahead; however recent discourse about reducing costs associated directly impacting supports provided has me extremely concerned as it feels financially difficult without adequate care. The main supports currently from this scheme include Occupational Therapy & Psychology:

• Occupational therapy particularly useful helping youngest child understand sensory needs and strategies coping; Psychology invaluable allowing time space thinking impacts disability considering specific needs addressing anxiety caused autism interactions society built around neurotypical people supporting direct need their condition creates. Modern life challenging families raising Autistic kids everyday activities such shopping can be very hard. With three autistic children logistics daily living complex especially schooling unable attend varying degrees autism lack flexibility education system. Youngest two stopped attending entirely start year 24 seismic impact on whole family normal lives upended staying home homeschooling situation continues no potential for change soon schools inaccessible psychological effects inability school attendance real concerning psychology sessions helping them address feelings failure performing same tasks meeting social norms expected peers concern future access support services denied mental health plans DO NOT adequately provide ongoing support rather fix problem return norm discussion moving NDIS Thriving Kids generic service environments institutions involved? Schools showed almost complete lack of ability flexible providing accessible spaces children strategies actions taken relied adapting the system creating an environment individuals Supports individualised specifically needed current long way away able provide

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

Submission 1773

The supports we have received through the NDIS will not ‘cure’ our children of autism. It is a lifelong disability. However, they can empower them to live with their disability and navigate society more effectively. It can be a slow process. Necessary supports are not always available, or participants may not be ready to access a particular support. That does not mean there will never be a NEED for that support. Funding for supports must be available when the participant is ready for the support – not the other way around. I am worried that in the process of ‘streamlining’ and making the NDIS ‘sustainable’, that the system will become less flexible and less reactive to the needs of the participants.

despite The ndis now being crucial part lives initial funding proposal youngest child was woefully inadequate application subsequent review appeal process traumatic involved lengthy process fighting highly paid NDIA lawyers However ultimately were able make case receive appropriate supports Without right Review challenge original decision would have been stuck inappropriate insufficient funding Given right Appeal decisions under threat proposed bill families like ours left sufficient supports any support at all no means remedy situation this unacceptable Assumes System will not mistakes know true This alone setup ndis cause harm Families need Support request senate committee demand major amendments Bill time allocated review changes NdIs as Needs based social construct preserved Social advancement Society should commit full envisioned Everyone anyone anytime may need service it provides Priorities NDis highest priority reflects entire society Budgetary controls on NDis careful considered made without impacting quality life Participants Specifically;

• Decisions still reviewed recourse challenge decisions applicants.

The NDis restrictions placed services provided Participant numbers determined by budgetary goals It needs Based Any cuts solid evidence services adversely affected. Where alternative programs cost replace services currently delivered through NDis must be Evidence fully developed trialled ready provide immediately when participants moved them. Yours in trust, redacted