National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1959
I am the father of a 25-year-old woman who has Angelman Syndrome. She is an NDIS participant who, due to her disability, requires support 24 hours a day. she cannot speak read write walk up stairswalk unsupported without trip-risk sleep through t he night do most self-care functions daily life maintain own safety.
Why this bill matters: The NDIS Future Generations Bill, if passed with its current provisions intact, could significantly harm participants like my daughter. This amendment proposes substantial cuts across various areas including social & community services which have been crucially important since she was young:
- In October 3 years ago, her plan drastically reduced from providing full-time care down just $6 per week in these vital services. Without them I would need to give up work entirely to ensure her continuous engagement within society and relationships;
- Her case went before AAT where it took nine months of hearings involving external lawyers representing NDIA; eventually restored funding allowing us to continue supporting her fully integrated into our family’s activities while maintaining independence outside home environment;
- If such drastic reductions were implemented now we’d be forced out of our homes immediately applying for Home Living Support Funding costing around $10k annually plus additional Community Participation funds ensuring she doesn’t sit idle at group living facilities but remains active socially.
I strongly urge against passing the NDIS Amendment unless significant amendments are made, particularly regarding safeguarding critical support systems that underpin participant well-being.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1959
I am also deeply concerned about :
- The Minister’s new power to cut funding without appeal (€34A). This seems to give the Minister god-like powers, no and avenue of appealforparticipantsortheircarers.
- Thenewfunctionalcapacitytestandthe proposed€28onwardsreassessmentof everyone, susing a newtoolandaudministeredby minimallytrainedofficers - nota professionallyqualified OT .
- Thetougherunscheduled reassessmentrules andthelossofreviewrights.
- Automateddecisionsandalgorithmswithnoindividualappeal.
- Changes so thatthewritten amount offunding in thoplan willnotaccuratelyrepresent thererealamountof reducedfundingallocatedtospend.
- Theministers ability toreducefundingforall supportorgroup ofsupportsbyas pecifiedpercentage throughaninstrumentthatcannotbechallenged(SchedulePart Part). This applies across all budgetcategories. Unspent fundswill no longer carrying over at plan renewal (Schedulepart part ). How these affect participants: A participant’s social & community participation, capacity building or assistive technology funding could becutwithoutwarningandanynightorevall. Participants who save unspent fundssaveunspentsfundscrossplanperiods for high-cost items will lose thatability entirely.
I also strongly recommend the NDIA DO NOT proceed with I-CAN as them functional capability assessment tool unless it has been demonstrably validated to identify theneedsallo people withe disability including those withepisodicorfluctuatingdisabilit y. If this information is published please only use my first name. Cheers