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

Submission 2005

Dear Committee Members,

I am writing as a practising occupational therapist to express my serious concerns about the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

Who I Am

• An occupational therapist working directly with NDIS participants, including children adults with degenerative conditions individuals complex high needs daily assess functional capacity safety enable meaningful participation everyday life So My Concerns How They Link To The Bill If you’re doing My concerns relate to parts of this that would:

• Reduce capacity building activity supports to reduce social civic community participatons restrict plan reassessments exceptional circumstances Raise eligibility thresholds in ways narrow access scheme Occupational therapy assessments are not administrative processes they clinical investigations explore individual’s real-world funcational capacity saftey risks ability live meaningfull life This bill replaces professional judgement standardised tools ministerial rules complexity individul need Of particular concern is failure account participant insight into their own abilities limitations Many people unable accurately self-report what can and cannot do safely Without qualified conducting thorough assessment funding decisions based inaccurate information resulting support does actual needs many cases placing them at risk harm death Also deeply concerned impact families carers burden carried by supporting individuals already crisis point Many carers experiencing severe mental health deterioration inadequate support This bill acknowledges extraordinary nature caring role further harms entire family units For clients degenarative condition restriction unscheduled reassessment particularly dangerous Their needs will increase over time Limiting access review means plans become misaligned function status leaving without the required safe also broad powers introduced bill could used future restrict supports including therapy transparent or decision-making processes Real world example I single mother raising four children twins autism spectrum disorder intellectual disability One twin regularly absconds home other attempted set fire home Due diagnoses neither child understands actions consequences Family leave home acces

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

Submission 2005

community.

• The mother is unable to shower or use the toilet whilst her children are home, without placing them at serious risk.-The two siblings with disabilities are now medicatedfor severe anxiety as a direct result of stress due to lack of household support.The broader pictureNDIS supports have allowed many clients build their capacity enter employmentand participate communities.Cuts building participation will reverse progress increasing long-term costs government through increased unemployment reliance on crisis services avoidable hospitalisations.I also wish raise occupation therapists not received pay increase since NDIs began despite significant increases cost living.Sustainable reform essential maintain qualified allied healthcare capable delivering assessments Supports scheme depends uponWhat I am asking Parliament doI urge Parliament: Remove substantially constrain proposed reductions capacity community Retain accessible pathways plan reassessment review reflect reality fluctuating degenerative conditionsEnsure all eligibility funding decisions based assessment conducted appropriately qualified health professionals including occupational therapistsProhibit fully automated algorithmic decision-making without qualified human oversightReject any provisions classify complex disability needs ordinary parental responsibilityAddress sustainable pricing workforceEncourage Committee adopt Occupational Therapy Australia’s recommendations recognise critical role ensuring safe individualised clinically appropriate outcomesThank you opportunity contribute this inquiryYours sincerely, ,Occupational Therapist.