National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2051
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submitted by: redacted Residence: redacted Date: Monday 1 June 2026
Introduction
I am a 45-year-old NDIS participant who joined the scheme less than two years ago. My access was granted based on the combined impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and monocular vision loss (permanent vision loss in one eye). Individually, these conditions did not meet the access criteria at the time of my application; it was their interaction which qualified me.
I write this letter with profound fear about how I will be removed from the program within next few years due to changes proposed under Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Act No.78/2023. As an existing participant awaiting additional assessments funded through NDIS, including Speech Pathology assessment recommending therapy hours per week), I worry that necessary supports may be denied without consideration or they could quickly be withdrawn before year end leaving no support until late-2029.
Permanence & All Appropriate Treatment
The new definition of permanency is directly threatening continued participation daily activities such as work. The Clause: The bill states impairment isn’t permanent if there’s any other treatment likely improve/reverse/alleviate its effects. My Risk ASD has various therapies via Mental Health Care Plans but only alleviates some symptoms; Trap: Under Bill a delegate can argue mainstream therapeutic options are still available even insufficient manage complex needs demanding exhausting unnamed options while removing reasonable/necessary ones required by participants. Reality ASD cannot cured permanently managed strategies vary based on individual traits and needs. Bill fails distinguish between curing lifelong disability setting moving goalpost where all appropriate treatments undefined allowing delegates deny access indefinitely claiming not tried unspecified perhaps irrelevant treatment. What happens when new treatment introduced? Will participants forced off plan exhausted reapply?
Removal Combined Impact Access
Eligibility relies cumulative impact both conditions. Bill’s strict Direct Link requirement (Schedule 1 Part) ignores reality many face.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2051 does not define us all, many of us have multiple disabilities that have a cumulative negative effect on our ability to function independently and successfully in society. The Risk: The Bill requires supports to arise directly from a single eligible impairment. It rejects “contributory” links. My Situation My communication difficulties and social isolation arise from the interaction of my ASD and my vision loss. These disabilities also co-exist with a variety of non-funded conditions including ADHD, ARFID , and several persistent physical ailments . While some ailments can be treated and cured,a combinationofdisabilities makes it unachievable without regular support.The Consequence: Ifa delegate determinesthataspecificneed(e.g.,navigationsupportorsocialcommunication) arisesfromthecombinationofconditionsratherthanASDalone,theycoulddeemitineligible.Thiseffectivelydismantlesthecombinediimpactaccessmodeltha lowedmeto enterthescheme,puttingmeathighriskremoval.Thesimplefactis th atvisionlosshasamplifiedmy AS D,dramaticallyreducingmiconfidenceabilitytodothingsthatIwaspreviouslyabletodowithoutsupports. 4.RemovalOfAppealRights TheBillexplicitlyremovesthetherightto meritsreviewfor“SupportDeterminations”(budgetcuts)(Schedule1,Part 4). TheFlaw :Iftheministercutsmymundingviaalegislativeinstrument,Iwillhavenoirighthotappealto t heAdministrativ eReviewTribunal (ART).The Principle: inAustralianlaw,citizenshavearighttotackleadministrativedecisionstha t affect theirrights.Byclassifyingabudgetcutoffase
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2051
Protect Combined Impact Access: Explicitly recognise that eligibility can be met through the cumulative impact of multiple disabilities, not just a single direct link.
Functional impact assessments must consider ALL impacts of ALL disabilities. If a diagnosis no longer guarantees access, FCAs must be used to look at all the disabilities an individual has, regardless how they are viewed today. Clarify Permanence: define “all appropriate treatment” to exclude mainstream or insufficient treatments, demand specific evidence on untried relevant treatments before denying access. Restore Merits Review: amend The Bill so any decision reducing participant funding undergoes review via Administrative Review Tribunal. Reject Budget Cuts: cancel proposed cuts—Social/Community Participation cut in half & Capacity Building reduced ten percent; note these essential elements ensure safety independence; if funds needed fix PRRT stop subsidising fossil fuels dump AUKUS Punch up don’t down.
Conclusion
I am seeking neither special nor additional benefits but rather adherence from NDIS to principles established decade ago empowering choice control social economic participation and lifetime support We contribute $2\u24 per dollar received Short-sighted budget tightening will have long-term negative effects more people suffer as result This is about dignity rights stripping away I urge Committee reject this legislation.