NDIA Accountability Project

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NDIS participant's experience of accessing supports for employment, education, and mobility (Participant experience)

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Submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill 2026

I request that my name be withheld if this submission is published.

I am comfortable with my submission being made public and stand by views expressed; however it contains information relating to health, support needs & lived experiences which should remain private online.

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

Submission 1980

Before the NDIS, I could not afford the services I needed. I was on waiting lists simply to access waiting lists for state-based disability services. During this period, my mobility was steadily deteriorating. Although my disability is not degenerative, it felt as though I was watching my physical capacity decline year after year. Several medical professionals told me that I would need to choose between completing my degree and maintaining my mobility. At the time, that felt like an impossible choice. Then the NDIS happened. For the first time, I was able to access the supports and therapies I needed. I was also able to choose supports that suited me and that I genuinely engaged with. Today, I have completed my degree, work in a profession that I love, and have better mobility than I did in my twenties. Medical professionals regularly tell me that they cannot believe I am still walking. My response is simple: “Yeah, that’s what happens when you can access support.” The NDIS has enabled employment directly through transport funding allowing reliable travel; training opportunities are critical here too! The NDIs has also allowed participation fully conferences classes professional events rather online limited by accessing support workers while traveling engaging alongside peers person one most important outcomes of Scheme allowed pursue education maintain ability walk level independence possible without Community Participation Social Inclusion: NDIS enables meaningful activities individual interests goals generic group programs reflect core strengths recognising should be individualised never go bowling again people don’t know will soon.

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

Submission 1980

For example, I studied Auslan (self funded) and with the help of support workers have been able to attend Auslan-only meet-ups. These opportunities have allowed me to build skills, connect with others, and participate in communities that are important to me.

For me, social inclusion is not about being placed in an activity because it is available. It is on having the same opportunity as everyone else to pursue things that genuinely interest e.me. I would not describe myself as a sporty person. During school, physical education classes were often spent in the library because nobody knew how to include me. Through the NDIS,, however, I have been able to discover activities that I genuinely enjoy, including yoga and dance. Crucially, with NDIS support and support workers, I have been able to participate inclassesandbuildfriendshipsratherthanbeinglimitedtoone-on-oneservices.Ihavealso discovereda loveofhandcyclingandreclment cycling.Accessophysiotherapy,supportworkers,and appropriate assistance has enabled metosafelybuilmy strengthparticipateintheseactivities.These experiences demonstrate thatsocialcommunity participation supportsarenot optional extras.Theyarethefverysupportsthathelppeople buildeconfidencemaintain healthdeveloprelationshipsand participatemeaningfullyinsociety.The concerns outlined below relate specifically toprovisionstheBilldealingwith ministerial powersparticipantplanningreassessmentprocessesfunctional capacity assessmentsreview rightssocial community participation supportsadministrative claiming requirements participant compliance obligations.My comments are based onhow these proposed changeswould affectmepersonallyandhow believe they may effect future participantsThe opportunitiesIdescribeearlierinthissubmission weremade possibleby aflexible individualised schemeiam concernedthatapects of this Billmay make it harder forfutureparticipantsachievesimilaroutcomes.

Concerns Regarding the Proposed Amendments 1.Ministerial Powers Require Stronger OversightI amconcernedaboutthisBillsproposed expansionministerialpowersdeterminesupporcategoriesmake significant decisions through delegated legislation with limited parliamentary oversight.Reductions in funding to support categories will have substantial impactson participants’ lives.Decisionsofthenatureshould betransparent evidence-based and subjecttoappropriate scrutiny.

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

Submission 1980

Recommendations

  • Major changes to support categories should be subject to parliamentary oversight.
  • Participants and disability organisations should be consulted using genuine co-design principles before significant changes are implemented.
  • Decisions affecting broad categories of support should remain reviewable.

Individualised Supports Must Remain Central to the NDIS

The original vision of the NDIS recognised that disability affects people differently and that supports should be tailored to individual needs and goals. The concern is with placing greater emphasis on standardised categories, funding caps, administrative controls, and functional assessments than on individual circumstances and participant goals through proposed planning and assessment framework under this legislation which may lead to successful outcomes but also recognises two individuals can require entirely different supports even if they have same condition; therefore it’s essential not just fit them into narrow category as well as protect social community participation activities which build skills independence etc.,

Recommendations:

Maintain individualized support principle within legislative structure, Ensure participants’ goal & circumstance central in decision making process, Avoid rigid rules preventing consideration towards individual need, Assessments must consider real world environment rather than solely focusing capacity alone, Protecting social – community participation activity.

Support Decision Should Remained Reviewable

Participants retain access meaningful mechanism when decisions affect their supports or fundings. This right promotes fairness accountability confidence in NDIS.

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

Submission 1980

I am concerned about provisions of the Bill that may result in more decisions becoming effectively non-reviewable or more difficult for participants to challenge.

Recommendations

  • Preserve independent review rights.
  • Ensure participants have access to clear and timely appeal processes.
  • Avoid creating categories of decisions that cannot be meaningfully challenged.
  1. Administrative Burden Should Not Increase Many disabilities are permanent and lifelong. Participants should not be required to repeatedly prove their disability or navigate unnecessary administrative requirements. I am concerned about the Bill’s proposed administrative changes, including shorter claiming timeframes, participant compliance obligations and more frequent reassessment processes. These burdens are likely to fall most heavily on people with cognitive, psychosocial, inTELlectual, AND executive functioning impairments. Personally, I value the flexibility currently available within the system.I HAVE never needed THE full period AVAILABLE TO submit claims,BUT knowing THAT flexiBILITY EXISTS IS important WHEN life BECOMES busy,WHEN i AM travelling,O R when i Am recovering FROM surgery. iAm also Concerned ABOUT proposals That COULD RESULT IN Participants losing ACCESS To The Scheme IF they CANNOT Be CONTACTED WITHIN A specified timeframe.MANY participants EXPERIENCE periods OF illness,hospitalisation,trAVEL,fAMILY responsibilities OR OTHER circumstances WHERE responding TO administrATive requests MAY NOT BE THEIR highest priority.

Recommendations

  • Retain longer plan durations where appropriate.
  • Reduce unnecessary reassessments.
  • Ensure administrative requirements remain reasonable and accessible.
  • Ensure participants ARE NOT removed from the scheme SOLELY due to temporary PERIODS of non-response.5. Participants Should Be Able to Obtain Binding Written AdviceOne area Where i believe the scheme could be improved is participant certainty.Many participants struggle to determine WHETHER a support Is eligible for funding.THIS creates anxiety And can discourage PEOPLE From pursuing supports that may benefit them.

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

Submission 1980

Participants should be able to request written advice from the NDIA confirming whether a proposed support is funded. Where a participant relies on that advice in good faith, they should be protected from future disputes or retrospective decisions. I understand that some mechanisms for seeking advice already exist. However, in my own experience I have sought clarification and never received a response. A formal written advice process would improve consistency, reduce disputes, and provide participants with greater confidence when making decisions.

Recommendations

  • Create a formal written advice process.
  • Allow participants to rely on written NDIA guidance.
  • Use the process to improve consistency and reduce disputes.

Looking to the Future

The NDIS has changed my life. Without it, I do not believe I would have finished my degree. I do not believe I would have the career I have today. I certainly do not think I would have the mobility that I have now. Before the NDIS, I was told I would need to choose between my education and my mobility. Thankfully, I never had to make that choice. Today I am a registered psychologist. I work on projects that improve the lives of disabled people. I am active in my community. I have hobbies that I love. I have friends and interests that are important to me. Most importantly, I have choices. I also have the privilege of working with other people with disability and being a role model. Many of the people I work with have been told, directly or indirectly, that their opportunities will be limited because of their disability. I am able to show them something different. I can show them that it is possible to have a job you love. It is possible to be active. It is possible to contribute to your community. It is possible to have goals, interests and ambitions. It is possible to build a life that you are proud of. None of that happened because I tried harder than anyone else. It happened because I had access to the right supports at the right time. The NDIS is often discussed in terms of costs and budgets. Those discussions are important but they should also consider what the Scheme makes possible. it is hard for the media to report on what is not happening.

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

Submission 1980

There is no headline about the hospital bed that was never needed because someone received the right supports early. There is no headline about the person who stayed employed, remained housed, maintained their mobility or avoided a crisis due to access to necessary supports they were provided with. I am one such example:

  • Not occupying any hospital beds;
  • Not isolated at home; not unemployed nor homeless but rather working in my community paying taxes mentoring other people living life without which would be impossible. The outcomes benefit both myself as well broader society these results may not make headlines however matter greatly. Importantly success should interpreted evidence longer require support instead demonstrates what happens when individuals have access appropriate long term supports despite disability remains unchanged NDIS simply enabled me participate more fully within society it removed barriers hopefully will continue doing this. Concern exists future participants might lose same opportunities if scheme moves away from commitment individualised support participant choice and community participation want next generation Australians disabilities enjoy similar opportunity study work build relationships pursue interests live lives choose appreciate governments need consider costs sustainability However sustainability measured only spending achieved. NDIS helped maintain my mobility participated actively communities supported others similarly worried future participants asked prove needs justify frequently fit increasingly rigid systems flexibility helping succeed secured for future generations those future generations must also have chance meaningful independent contributing lives I hope continues making possible for others.

Summary of Recommendations

  1. Strengthen oversight ministerial powers 2 Protecting individualized support principles Ensure that decisions regarding the provision or continuation of services remain reviewable.

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

Submission 1980

  • Reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.
  • Ensure assessments consider participants’ real-world circumstances.
  • Avoid arbitrary caps on supports.
  • Protect social and community participation supports.
  • Establish a binding written advice process for participants.
  • Substantially revise the Bill following genuine consultation and co-design with the disability community before it proceeds.