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

Submission 1939

I am writing as a disability support worker who works alongside four teenage clients. All clients have significant motor and communication disabilities that affects their mobility, communication, independence and daily life.

Through my work supporting this young people I have seen firsthand both the challenges they face and the positive impact that appropriate NDIS supports can have. Funded supports have allowed these young people to access therapy, participate in the community, attend social activities, and work towards a more sustainable and meaningful future after school.

I have also seen the immense pressure placed on their families, particularly the mothers, who carry a significant caring responsibility every single day. The current proposed changes to the NDIS have already caused enormous stress and uncertainty for these families. They are anxious, exhausted and fearful about what the future may look like if supports are reduced.

In my role, I know how essential 1:1 and 2:1 supports can be for a young people with complex physical and communication needs. These supports are not excessive — they are necessary for safety, dignity, communication access and participation in everyday life. They are also critical when training and upskilling new support workers. Due to the nature of disability support work, staff turnover can be high, and new workers require ongoing guidance and supervision to safely support participants with complex needs.

Without appropriate supports in place, families are left trying to manage impossible demands on their own. Parents are expected to coordinate personal care, feeding, toileting, transport, thearapies, medical appointments and school attendance while also attempting to maintain employment and care for the rest of their family.

I am also deeply concerned about the proposed reduction or removal of social and community supports. I have personally supported these young people to attend youth groups, birthday parties and community activities alongside peers. These are not “extras” or luxuries. They are essential opportunities for social connection, inclusion, independence and wellbeing.

Like any teenager, they deserve the chance to spend time with friends, develop their identity and participate in their communities. These supports also provide families and carers with essential respite and the opportunity to maintain their own wellbeing and relationships.

I am particularly concerned about proposed changes relating to how the NDIA defines “permanence” in disability. Requiring families to attempt all possible treatments before accessing support fails to reflect the realities faced by many people with disability, especially those living in regional Queensland where services may be unaffordable, unavailable or inaccessible.

As a support worker, I see the real-world impact these systems and policies have on people’s lives. These proposed changes create fear, instability and uncertainty for people who already face significant daily challenges.

I urge the Senate Committee to carefully consider the human impact these changes will have on people with disability, their carers, support workers and families, particularly those living in regional communities.