National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1855
30/5/2026
I’m writing to share my views on the proposed changes proposed in the “Securing the NDIS for Future Generations” bill of 2026.
I’m writing from the perspective of a physiotherapist who works with the disability population in a small regional town, as well as from the perspective of a friend and family member of participants on the NDIS, as well as from the perspective of a taxpayer who would like my say on where and how my taxes are spent.
Working in the NDIS, I see so many issues each month that feel really unfair and that I would love to see changed. Among these are providers taking advantage of vulnerable participants in their care; providers not fulfilling their role and leaving their participants poorly cared for; waste in so many areas; confusion and participants not being supported to make decisions; among others.
Whilst I have seen many instances of support workers on their phone or not paying attention to their clients, I do not feel that the proposed changes of cutting the community and social funding will do anything to change that. Unfortunately, it will reduce the participants’ capacity for social inclusion and community engagement, whilst doing nothing at all to change the workers’ behaviours.
I firmly support reform of the NDIS to improve the service and reduce waste, however, I strongly believe that that is not the primary objective of this bill, rather it is to save money for political point scoring. Throwing hundreds of thousands of participants off the scheme does not improve their quality of life or safety. Reducing their supports does not improve the quality of care they receive. What is considered an optional luxury for many disabled clients without support is a basic right for those of us not in need.
As a provider, I see the benefit that these participants receive through active and engaged supports and how much it ultimately saves the scheme and public health in the long run by increasing independence in these participants. It also is generally supporting the economy by employing thousands of small Australian businesses, all of which pay tax.
Furthermore, I’ve worked with participants who have had their access to support coordination funding cut, only to then be poring over the contradictory minutiae in the NDIS guidelines to work out what they can spend their funding on. These people are not educated in how to navigate a complex system and become terrified of making a mistake and drawing the attention of the NDIS and end up going without for fear of being labelled a fraud and having to pay back money. Given the Local Area Coordinators refuse to provide guidance on how to spend funding, I see this as so unfair on those participants.
From a taxpayer perspective, I would much prefer to see my tax dollars being directed to supporting those in our society that need help the most, to give them the necessary support to maintain a basic quality of life. I believe in equity and am happy to see these people receive more government support and funding than I personally receive. It frustrates me when I see extra billions of dollars being “invested” in defence spending (much of which
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1855
leaves Australia and Australian businesses, with so little tax paid here), but any extra spending on improving quality of life of those of with disabilities and supporting small Australian businesses is labelled a “cost blowout”. If we as a nation can afford to allow our gas to be given away for free, our wealthier class to receive billions of dollars in tax offsets when hoarding housing and assets, and billions spent on fossil fuel subsidies, then I feel the least we can do is provide our most vulnerable citizens with a basic quality of life, without stigma and fear of being cut off.
Again, I strongly favour changes being made to strengthen the NDIS but am firmly against the proposed changes for the devastating impacts they can have on so many lives, without actually addressing the identified issues.
Regards,
Physiotherapist, family member, friend and Australian taxpayer-