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

Submission 2089

I am writing this submission as both a Support Coordinator working within the NDIS and as a mother of three children with disability. While I understand the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS, I am concerned that some of the proposed changes may have unintended consequences to families living in regional and rural Australia. My lived experience has shown me that many assumptions made about family capacityand access to informal supports do not reflect the reality faced by families like mine.As a parent, I have been required to significantly reduce my employment opportunitiesand work from home because there are limited disability-specific services availableinmy area.There is no appropriate vocational care available for my children and whensupports have been available,Ihaveoftenexperienceddifficultiesfindingworkerswiththe skills ,experience anda ndcapacityrequiredtosafelysupportchildrencomplexneeds.Thishasresultedin significantisolationforboth myselfandyfamily.I frequently hear discussions suggestingthat parents should provide additional supportwhere fundedservicesareunavailable .IAskth eCommitteetoconsiderhowthisexpectationimpactsfamiliesfinanciallyemotionalandsocially.Familiesstillneedtopayrentormortgagesbuyfoodpayutilitiesmeeteverydaylivingcosts.Parentsaftenexpectedtoremainintheworkforcewhilesimultaneouslyfilling gapsleftbyservice shortagesworkforceshortagesina nadequate systems.Inruralcommunitiesthesee xpectationscanbecomeimpossible.T hereappearsanincreasingassumptiontha tparentsshouldabsorbimpactofdisabilitysupporthaps. Howeverthereoft enlittlediscussionaboutwheretheresponsibility ofthenDISends wherebroadercommunitygovernmentandsystemicresponsibilitiesbegin.

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

Submission 2089

When supports are unavailable because there are no providers, no trained staff, long waitlists or inadequate services, this should not become the sole responsibility of families. I am also concerned about the ongoing reduction of respite and support options available to families caring for children with significant support needs. Many parents provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For many years I have had little to no opportunity for genuine respite.The reality for many families is chronic exhaustion, social isolation, financial stress and declining mental health.Respite is not a luxury.For many families it is essential in preventing carer burnout, family breakdown, mental health deterioration and crisis presentations.I ask the Committee to consider how proposed changes to reasonable and necessary supports, access pathways and funding decisions may further impact families already struggling to access support.As a Support Coordinator, I also regularly support participants and families experiencing similar challenges.Across regional Victoria and New South Wales I have observed:

• Significant shortages of disability support workers.

• Limited access to experienced and appropriately trained staff.

• Long waiting periods for allied health services.

• Families forced to leave employment or reduce working hours due to caring rresponsibilities.

• Parents experiencing burnout while attempting to bridge gaps in service systems.

• Participants being disadvantaged due to their rural location. The NDIS was designed to support people with disability to participate in their communitiesand improve quality of life.For many rural families, the challengeisnot simply obtainingfunding.Thechallengeisa cessing actualservices capableof deliveringthesupport.I respectfully askth eCommitteeto ensure that implementation this Bill does increaseburdenon familiesthose already carrying significantcaring responsibilitie sI recommendthat Committee: 1.Recognize unique challenges facedbyruralregional famil ie2.Protectaccessrespitecarersustainingsupports3.Ensure familysonotdisadvantagedwhere servic esunavailable4.Considerworkforce shortages when determining participant needs funding5.Improveinvestment regional servicedelivery workforce development6.Ensure participants are not denied supports because anotherservice system is theoretically responsible but unable provide timelysuppor t7.R ecognizethe economicandsocial impact on parents whoforced reducemploymentdueto car ing responsibilities.

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

Submission 2089

Thank you for considering my submission and for the opportunity to share both my professional and lived experience.

Support Coordinator Mother of Three Children with Disability Regional Victoria/New South Wales