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

Submission regarding proposed changes to the NDIS Bill

I oppose the proposed changes in the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 because they risk weakening the accuracy of participant assessment and reducing access to essential supports. My concerns relate particularly to sections 31, 34A, and 9B, because these provisions affect how participant needs are assessed, interpreted, and translated into funded supports in practice. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience as an occupational therapist working across crossmentalhealth,intellectualdisability,andautismoverthelifespan,Iamconcernedthatthe proposedchangesmayweakenthequalityandaccuracyassessmentforNDISparticipants.Icurrentlywork providing caretoclientsunderNDISfundingplans.

Why accurate assessment matters

Many of my clients with autism, mental ill-health, anintellectu al disability have limited insightinto how their disabilit y affects daily living may struggle explain support need function safely effectively.The impact disable is broad far-reaching. It can a person’s ability manage home take medications safe maintain adequate nutrition look after health build or sustain supportive connections beyond hom e.Inmyexperience many client also find difficult articulate broader goals including participation community life active visible members rather remain isolated athome.Because assess ment first step determining appropriate suppor package it essentia that captures accurat picture perso nacros homecommunityother key environments.

Risks inadequate su pport

ManypeopleIsupport highly vulnerable when accessing communit do not respond well change uncertainty.These proposed changes already creating significant anxiety participants families about whether future support will be properly recognised.Without adequa funding for com munity access related supports likely consequences include:

• increased isolation
• reduced acces to medical review
• poor medication compliance
• greater behavioural distress and dysfunction
• more frequent presentations local emergency departments
• long-term admission specialist mental healt facilities greater difficulty discharging people because insufficient support

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

Submission: Submission No.

The need for face-to-face clinical assessments

A further concern exists regarding clients’ minimization of their struggles due to shame and stigma which can significantly impact functional accuracy in evaluations conducted through telehealth services alone; hence personalized one-on-one interactions with trained clinicians remain crucially important as a safeguard against such inaccuracies caused primarily from emotional barriers hindering honest disclosure during virtual consultations.