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

Submission 182

Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs

Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (

(Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill)

From: redacted Address: redacted Date: Saturday, 23 May 2026

Summary

I support reforming the NDIS but strongly oppose major elements of this bill. The bill is fundamentally unsafe for disabled people will cause widespread harm unless significantly amended. My key concerns:

• The cut Social & Community Participation from October 2026 cut funding without appeal s34A decision-making The economic damage caused cutting a workforce that supports half million people Instead government should strengthen NDIS workforce training improve provider regulation, improve provider regulation fixed invoice auditing which would save billions without harming participants. About Me My name is redacted I am years old live in Inner West Sydney have been an NDIS participant since complex disabilities including right hemiplegic cerebral palsy related executive dysfunction post-traumatic stress disorder childhood domestic violence culture preconceived perceptions disability affect daily functioning safety independence previously worked nearly three decades NSW Department Education Communities Software Licensing Team Leader role requiring rigorous auditing compliance fraud detection systems oversight understand how large system fails poor governance creates waste proper training verification processes prevent misuse This does not fix real

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission 182 My Concerns About the Bill

• The 50% cut to Social & Community Participation (SCP) As someone who relies on SCP to maintain social connection, mental health, and community engagement, this cut is devastating. In my experience: SCP is not a luxury. It is the difference between isolation and participation. It keeps people stable, connected, and out of crisis services. Cutting it in half will push thousands into mental health decline, homelessness risk, hospitalisation — all which costs government far more than SCP ever has.* The new functional capacity test & mandatory reassessments* The proposed test focuses impairment rather disability context. This contradicts Royal Commission Convention Rights Persons Disabilities. In my experience:* My fluctuates days can manage tasks; other cannot rigid test capture reality Reassessing every participant from onwards tougher rules fewer appeal rights will push scheme because their improved but designed exclude These changes could mean I repeatedly “prove” disability retraumatised assessments potentially removed supports keep safe Minsterial power cut funding without appeal s34A* This dangerous parts bill In working systems: No system should allow unilateral decision-making transparent review Removing appeal rights efficiency breach administrative fairness Changes could mean Participants like me lose essential overnight with recourse incompatible human obligations rule-of-law principles Reduced self-management increased algorithmic decisions Self management successful cost-effective NDIS Algorithms understand nuance context lived experience Experience Automated only good data fed fail constantly applied to complexity Disabled subjected opaque unreviewable algorithmic decisions Could means Supports by computer explanation transparency accountability

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

Submission 182

Section: Economic cost of cutting NDLSI workforce

The economic impact:

• Supports over 500 participants.
• Operates across every suburb/region.
• Drives training & allied health services; community support; small business growth; is one fastest-growing sectors Australia. Cutting participant funds shrinks this sector, reduces employment harming broader economy. The Parliamentary Joint Committee has repeatedly emphasized these points about workforce planning:

• Workforce shortages,
• Need national workforce planning,
• Sector’s importance economically. Instead government should focus on improving service delivery rather than reducing supports:
• Increase workforce training,
• Strengthen provider accreditation systems,
• Improve audit practices,
• Remove rogue providers from system,
• Build a fraud-prevention unit nation-wide,
• Require mandatory qualifications for all workers providing direct care or assistance in their role. This would save billions without hurting those receiving help directly. as someone with decades experience auditing compliance can say confidently waste not coming from recipients but poor oversight by authorities managing program.

Recommendations to Senate Standing Committee:

Recommendation #1 Reject current form bill.

Recommendation #2 Amend as follows:

o Reduce SCP cut (specifically the 50% reduction). o Eliminate functional capacity test requirement. o Abolish mandatory reassessments. o Limit ministerial power to reduce funding appeals. o Restrict self-management rights of participants unnecessarily. o Prevent algorithmic decision-making without human review.

Recommendation #3 Restart reform process involving genuine consultation disabled people carers disability organizations involved.

Recommendation #4 Invest resources into developing support worker skills and expertise, not cutting numbers of clients served.

Recommendation #5 Implement strong regulation over third-party services invoicing procedures ensure no fraudulent activity occurs within NDIS ecosystem.

Recommendation #6 Ensure reforms align CRPD principles Royal Commission recommendations on best practice implementation model.

NDIS Submission: to Senate Standing Committee, Page: of, Number: redacted

Submission 182