Submission 1862
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1862
the same way, cope the same way, or require the same level of support. Every child deserves an dividualized plan based on their actual day-to-day functioning and support needs, not a broad category. It is frightening to think that children could miss out on vital early intervention during the most important developmental years of their lives due to changes in funding or eligibility. I also currently have a 2½-year-old son who has been identified as autistic, and we are now going through the incredibly stressful and expensive process of obtaining a formal diagnosis.There is little financial support available for families during this process, and we expect to spend over $4,000 on assessments and appointments alone.What is especially distressing is knowing that if my son is assessed as “Level 1†autistic, hemaynotreceiveadequatesupportundertheproposedchanges.Familiesshouldnotinfeelasthoughtheyneedtheirchildtobeconsidereda’more disabled†inordertoaccessessential therapiesandsupports.Earlyinterventionshouldbebasedonneed,nottowheathera childfitsintoanarrowfundingcategory.The possibilitythatImaysoonhave twoautisticchildrenreceivingsupportthroughtwo completelydifferentsystemsisdeeplyunsettling.Onecouldcontinue toreceive individualised NDIS funding whiletheothermayreceivesignificantlyless supportsdespitealsoneedingtherapiesandinterventionsduringcriticaldevelopmentalyears.Parentsofchildrenwithdisabilitiesalreadyspendenormousamountsoftimeadvocatingfor their children. We manageassessments,referals,paediatricians, therapists,schoolmeetings ,medications,behaviouralchallenges,e motionalregulation,anddailycareneeds,oftenwhile beingjudgedpublicl yforeourchildren’sb ehaviours.Itisexhaustinge motionallyphysically anda ndfinancially. Atthesametime,the cost of living continues to rise Families are already struggling with increasing costs offoodfuelhousing andmedical care.Reducing access ton dividualizedsupports will not reduce the need for therapy itwill simply shiftthefinancialburdenonto familieswhoalreadycannotaffordit.In my opinion thee issue isnotfamilyss receivingtoomuch support Theissueisth eincreasing costofterapyandservices themselves.Providersareabletoc hargeextremelyhighprices because servicesarel inkedton DIDSfunding.Familiesshouldnotinlosesupportbecause ofsystem-widepricingissues thatares outsideoft heircontrol.Ifmyson weretoloseaccessto hiscurrent therapiesandsupportteam Igenuinelydo no tbelievehe wouldcopeinscho ol.Withoutthose supportsIwouldlikelybeforcedtohomeschool himdespiteknowinghowdifficultthatwoul dbethatforbothofus.He wou ldl osessocialinteraction emotionalsupportsandthe progress hehasworkedsohardtomake.I fearweend up backwhere westartedyearsago isolated overwhelmed burnt ou tandstrugglingjusttog et through each day.The NDIS has givenmy childopportunities confidence connectionandsupporthathave genuinelychangedhisfuture. Istrongly believeeverychild deservesaccess to individualised,
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1862
- appropriate support based on their unique needs, regardless of whether they are considered
“mild,“moderate,or `` “severe. - Families need clarity, reassurance, and genuine consultation before such significant changes are made.
- No child should be left behind because they do:not: not-fit:neatly:into:a:funding:category.
Sincerely,