NDIA Accountability Project

This project is in DRAFT

Concerns regarding reductions in supports and provider panel selection (Participant experience)

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Submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

(Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission: redacted - s47A Business affairs of an agency Date: May 23rd, Introduction: as a Mother & Grandmother with several NDIS Participants I recognize ensuring long-term sustainability is crucial. The intention—to stabilize costs improve integrity secure future generations—is supported principle-wise. Adult children grandchildren have life-changing benefits from this program despite challenges their disabilities bring them. one grandson has significant disability was finally fully supported moved home independently needed assistance he received his mum daughter her own significant disabilities health problems could no longer support him relief she had knowing he’s OK at home tremendous fear now seeing if bill introduced reduces his supports petrified he’d move back physically unable. significant elements as currently drafted introduce uncertainty, risks potential harm people w/ disabilites daily many reforms shift critical decisions into legislative instruments or design processes without sufficient detail consultation safeguards.

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

Submission 197

The Bill explicitly enables The Minister to reduce funding across groups of supports rather than based on individual need. This fundamentally shifts the Scheme away from person-centred design toward a system-driven allocation model.

Concern:

Participants will lose critical supports without any individual reassessment of need, and without access to review for these changes. These changes will likely cause further distress, increased mental health challenges, increase impact on carers and will inevitably increase costs over the longer term.

Recommendation:• Each reduction requires individualised impact assessments before any reductions take effect• Ensure review rights and safeguards for participants affected by support determinations• Embed UNCRPD principles of choice, control, and participation in all funding changes

Lack of Detail: Commissioned Provider Panel / Plan Management:The Bill proposes a major structural shift by limiting plan management providers to those selected through a commissioned panel arrangement, requiring a deed of arrangement with the Agency.

While aimed at addressing integrity issues, the detail provided is insufficient to understand:

  • How providers will be selected- What criteria will be used How participant choice will be preserved How continuity of relationships will be managed\nThe Bill itself acknowledges a large and fragmented market and intends to significantly reduce provider numbers.
Concern:\This reform risks:- Removing trusted providers Disrupting long-standing relationships Reducing innovation and diversity Concentrating power in a small number of providers###### Recommendation:Mandate transparent selection criteria and public reporting Guarantee participant choice of provider and ability to change Require co-design with participants and providers before implementation

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

Submission 197

  • Provide a , funded, transition plan for participants*

Absence of Clarity: Future Role of Support Coordinators*

The Bill significantly restricts who can request plan reassessments,* removing this function from intermediaries such as support coordinators.* At the same time, it does not clearly define: • The future role of support coordinators - • Whether their functions will be replaced - • How participants will be supported to navigate increased system complexity -

Concern:*Support coordinators are essential for:

• Understanding plan rules - • Connecting with services within the system and mainstream - • Managing risk and safeguarding participants - • Supporting decision-making - • Reporting non-compliance of providers - • Ensuring participants’ needs meet support requirements - Reducing their role without clear alternatives risks a significant decline in integrity. of the system.Recommendation:: • Provide policy direction on supporting coordination’s future - • Ensure continuity during transitions - • Collaborate, especially those complex needs - in designing models with participants, especially those requiring complex care* 4. Pricing Powers Transferred to Ministerial Determinations* The Bill introduces Ministerial pricing determination, transferring final decision- making power over NDIS prices awayfrom an independent Agency to Ministers. While the Agency may provide advice*,the ultimate decision-maker is the Minister.Concern:This removes important independence layers and creates risks such as • Politicization of price decisions - • Reduced transparency - • Uncertainty among service users and suppliers - Instability affecting market conditions - The Bill allows these decisions directly impacting funding levels and what providers can charge, including differentiated arrangements.*

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

Submission 197

Recommendation:

  • Independent oversight and review mechanisms for pricing decisions a requirement
  • Mandate public consultation and publication of rationale
  • Ensure pricing decisions are evidence-based and market-informed

Reset of Participant Budgets (October 2026) – Insufficient Transition Detail

The Bill provides for major planning reforms from October 1st, including: Plan renewals replacing plan continuations Removal of rollover funding Application of funding reductions through legislative instruments

Concern:

There is no clear transition roadmap for participants Limited explanation of how changes will be communicated No detail available regarding support options provided. Participants face sudden cuts with limited preparation or recourse due to these transitions.

Recommendation:

publish a detailed transition plan at least one year ahead provide personalized transition assistance ensure that none fall worse off without thorough reviews and mitigation measures.

Lack of Consultation: Inclusive Communities Fund While referenced as key reform complementing reduced individual funding; design details on replacement community supports not included in this bill or explanatory memorandum The Bill itself notes many elements developed later via rules/consultative processes. Participants asked accept cutbacks while lacking clarity about replacements.

Recommendation:

demand full co-design and public consultations before implementation delay any reduction until new systems operationalize ensure models do not diminish choice and control.

Submission 197

Differentiated Pricing for Unregistered Providers

The Bill enables different pricing arrangements for different types of providers, including based on registration status. Concern: This will likely: - Disadvantage smaller unregistered providers; Reduce service availability in regional areas and thin markets; Increase costs for participants; Undermine participant choice. Many community participation supports are currently delivered by smaller unregistered p Recommendation:\

  • Undertake a comprehensive market impact assessment;-Protect viability of small and regional providers
    Ensure pricing settings do not reduce participant access or choice. Conclusion We believe the NDIS must be sustainable—but sustainability cannot come at the expense \of:- Human rights, Inclusion and participation,- Continuity of care, Participant choice and control.- This Bill introduces sweeping structural changes many which are yet fully designed consulted-on-or safeguarded- The concerns raised represent this submission’s most immediate significant risks to participants families. Key Recommendations Summary
    • Protect participants from blanket funding reductions without individual assessment
    • Provide clarity consultation provider panel arrangements
    • Define and safeguard future role support coordinators * Restore transparency oversightpricing decisions
      • Develop clearparticipant-focused transition planchanges
      • Co-design Inclusive Communities Fund before implementation
      • Assess mitigate market impacts differentiated pricing Final Statement

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

Submission 197 For participants and families, the NDIS is not just a policy—It Is What Makes Everyday Life Possible. Any Reform Must Proceed With Care, Transparency, And Genuine Partnership With The People It Is Designed To Support.