NDIA Accountability Project

Concerns regarding proposed NDIS changes impacting autistic sons and families

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

Submission 1829

Forwarded from Senior Clerk of Committees Inbox

—–Original Message—– From: Sent: Thursday, 28 May 2026 11:22 To: SeniorClerk, Committee (SEN) SeniorClerk.Committees.Sen@aph.gov.au Subject: Proposed changes to NDIS

Dear Senators, I am writing about the proposed changes to the NDIS. I have two family members who have children with autism. My brother and his partner have a 22 year old son with autism as well as mental health challenges. My niece has a 30 year old son with autism and he is mostly non-verbal and relies on his parents for many of his activities of daily living. They have enormous challenges which make their lives very hard and the lives of their families especially parents. Both families want them to have as normal a life as possible and quality of life that people without a disability take for granted. Even with the current level of support received from the NDIS they still as parents are required to maintain a high level of ongoing support for their sons needs. The NDIS so important for these families and their sons as it gives them small breaks from their caring responsibilities so they can continue caring for their sons. Their experience of caring for someone with a disability makes me worry about them with the proposed changes to the NDIS which are:

  1. That the Minister will have the power to cut participants plans at will, despite plans being approved by the NDIS.
  2. That the 30% proposed cuts to social and community supports will shift more responsibilities and work back onto the families, especially women. This will make their lives so much harder.
  3. That the proposed cuts to these supports will make their son’s lives much more isolated, smaller and less fulfilling. Many social activities which make them happy will be lost with the cuts.
  4. There has not been proper consultation about the proposed changes with the people - participants, carers and service providers- who will be affected. These proposed changes signify that the government now considers the NDIS like an income support scheme rather than as a support system that people with a disability need to live in our communities and lead dignified and independent lives. Thank you for considering my concerns.