National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission
Submission 2017 To the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Re: Submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Please accept the below submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme amendment (“Securing the NDIS for Future Generations”) bill. I am an Occupational Therapist with background psychosocial rehabilitation complex disability support community-based practice working people experiencing severe psychiatric illness psycosoical disabilty physical disability neurodivergence trauma related conditions chroni illnes ageing comlex funcional impairement Across my career have work extensively peole whose disabilities are often not immediately visible within standardised systems despite profoundly impacting their ability sustain employmen housing self management relationships commuity participation long term independence Many of I suppor live very close surface vulnerability losing economic participatio stable housin health or commun connection superficially “functional†I deeply concerned that proposed reforms move disability support further toward standardized administrative and financially driven system do no adequately reflect complexity real world functioning particularly people fluctuating invisible multi layered disabilities This is particular relevant to Bills proposed increased use standarized tools automation decision making restrictions reassessment review reductions capacity building partipation supports Occupatinal Therapy fundamentally concern functionality across whole life domains Our role simply identify impairment but understand person actually lives functions copes participates sustains themselves contemporary life sysytems includes understanding interaction between disability psychiatric ilness traum ageing cognition executive function housing employment relatiionships financial stress social exclusion physica health environmental demands Much our involves designing practical sustainable around persons actual functional capaci requires significant clinical reasoning advocacy research education problem solving environmenal modification team coordination capcity buiding create supports realistic susanable responsive changing circumstances For example in recent Functional Capacity Assessment worked woman with Cerebral Palsy signifcant visual impairmnet chronic pain fatigue gastrointestinal conditions increasing agerelated funcional decline who was simultaneously attempting maintain emploment independent hosing caregiving responsibilities
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2017
and community participation. A standardized assessment might identify she can technically shower, dress, work, travel independently, and manage her finances; onetheless, Occupational Therapy assessments reveal that such activities incur enormous effects on both body functions and mental processes—cumulative fatigue from overuse injuries, risk due falls, fragility with employment opportunities—and a significant chance of enduring long-term decline in functionality. The evaluation process necessitates an analysis beyond mere impairment: it must also consider energy expenditure during daily tasks; sustainability across extended periods; environmental accessibility issues like transport limitations as well as challenges related to housing security, cognitive load management, job demands, social isolation, sleep disruption caused aging effects, as well as interactions among multiple health conditions. Consequently recommendations were crafted not just around ‘care needs’, but rather focused upon preserving sustained engagement within society while reducing future system burdens, preventing avoidable deterioration of abilities, maintaining sustainable independence. Capacity building initiatives alongwith active involvement supports should be viewed neither optional nor secondary elements underpinning NDIs framework. From my clinical experience these are often critical components preventing further deteriorative outcomes impacting participants themselves or broader societal structures alike. When individuals possessing complex disabilities do not receive adequate therapeutic interventions coupled practical assistance environmental modifications transportation aid community participation support ongoing capacity development the repercussions tend rarely remain neutral instead we frequently observe progressive functional degradation worsening psychiatric symptoms increased withdrawal tendencies leading towards unemployment homelessness heightened reliance on government benefits carer burnout family systems breakdown addiction maladaptive coping mechanisms repeated visits emergency departments acute mental healthcare facilities and occasionally suicidal ideation many people I collaborate closely with already operate at their maximum limits Their autonomy is usually preserved through meticulously designed frameworks routines supportive measures elementary adaptations enabling them sustain employment manage everyday living maintain connections in communities participate meaningfully throughout societies Without continuous intervention such arrangements typically collapse resulting significantly higher long-term human economic costs Importantly these results aren’t always immediately apparent via standardized approaches A participant may appear superficially “functional” yet privately exhausting all available physical emotional cognitive financial resources merely to preserve basic stability By time decline becomes visible to acute care settings intervention tends occurring later than necessary thereby amplifying personal economical expenses This level reasoning cannot effectively replicated using narrow assessment tools automated decision making broad funding categories Functional
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2017 capacity is dynamic, contextual, and deeply influenced by a person’s environment, support systems, cumulative life demands, and fluctuating health. Without these considerations, we risk losing the very best and original aspiration of the NDIS - the expectation that people with disability can live ordinary lives characterised by social and economic participation, choice and control, dignity, and citizenship. Occupational Therapists play a critical role in translating this aspiration into real-world, sustainable functioning, and without this level of functional understanding and capacity building support, these outcomes become significantly less achievable for many of the people the Scheme was designed to support. I strongly urge Parliament to ensure that functional capacity assessments remain clinician-led and grounded in real-world functional understanding; that reassessment pathways remain flexible for people with fluctuating needs; and that capacity building and participation supports are protected as essential foundations for sustainable independence, economic participation, and meaningful community life. Kind regards, Catherine Phan
GYFT Catherine Phan Occupational Therapist | Co-Founder Phone: redacted Address: redacted Website: www.gyft.online Get Your Future Together Pty Ltd acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders past, present and emerging.Get Your Future Together Pty Ltd believes that the diversity of abilities, genders, sexualities, relationship identities, bodies and cultures in our community enriches us all and should be celebrated, respected, and supported.This email and any attachments are proprietary and confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect or represent those of Get Your Future Together Pty Ltd.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2017
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