NDIA Accountability Project

Mother's concerns regarding autistic son's risk of harm due to NDIS funding cuts

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

Submission 2117

Dear Committee Secretary,

My name is , and I am the mother of a 26-year-old autistic NDIS participant. I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the proposed Future Generations Bill that will soon enter Parliament.

As a full-time carer, the uncertainty surrounding these changes is causing enormous stress, fear, and anxiety for families like mine. Parents and carers already carry significant emotional, physical, and financial responsibilities every single day. Many of us have sacrificed careers, financial security, personal relationships, social lives, and even our own health in order to care for our loved ones with disability.

MY family and others rely on consistent NDIS funding to maintain stability, routine, safety, and quality of life for our loved ones. Any sudden changes, funding reductions, or barriers to accessing supports would place overwhelming pressure on unpaid carers and lead to emotional exhaustion, financial strain, and burnout.

My son requires 24/7 one-to-one care, as he has no concept of time, money, or personal safety. The proposed changes to the Bill—particularly the reported 50% reduction in funding for social and community participation—would place him at significant risk of harm. Due to his disability, he cannot safely manage daily activities independently and requires ongoing supervision and support to ensure his wellbeing and safety.

If essential supports are reduced or removed, vulnerable participants may face serious risks including injury, neglect, isolation, declining mental health, hospitalisation, or crisis situations. Families may also be placed in impossible circumstances where they are expected to provide levels of care that are physically, emotionally, and financially unsustainable.

For many families, the NDIS has been life-changing, promoting independence, social connection, community participation, and communication. I fear these proposed reforms could reverse years of progress and leave people isolated, unsupported, and excluded from society.

The Future Generations Bill also appears to undermine one of the fundamental principles the NDIS was built upon—choice and control. Participants are individuals with unique needs and circumstances, yet the proposed assessment processes and algorithms risk placing people into rigid categories that fail to recognise the complexity of their disabilities and daily lives.

I am also deeply concerned about the removal or restriction of appeal rights. Every Australian should have the right to challenge decisions that significantly affect their life, health, safety, and wellbeing. Under these proposed changes, participants could face substantial funding reductions without a genuine opportunity to appeal or seek

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

Submission 2117

Independent review. This would make it increasingly difficult for vulnerable people and their families to challenge decisions that may dramatically impact their lives.

Vulnerable Australians deserve compassion, fairness, proper individual consideration, and systems that recognise the human being behind every assessment.

I am a 56-year-old single mother who works full-time to keep a roof over our heads and provide stability for my son. If these funding cuts proceed, our lives will be impacted in ways that may force me to leave my job in order to care for him full-time.

I respectfully ask that you:

  • Reject this Bill and vote no until there has been meaningful consultation with NDIS participants, families, carers, and the disability community.
  • Ensure protection for participants with high and complex support needs.
  • Guarantee that no participant loses essential supports that keep them safe and well.
  • Maintain genuine choice and control for NDIS participants.
  • Protect the right to appeal decisions that affect participants’ lives and wellbeing.
  • Provide clear, transparent information about how these reforms will affect existing participants and families.

I urge you to carefully consider the real-life impact these changes may have on vulnerable Australians and their families. The Future Generations Bill risks undermining the core philosophies of choice and control, transparency, and person-centred care.

People living with disability deserve security, dignity, fairness, safety, and the opportunity to live meaningful lives within their communities. Families and carers deserve to be heard, respected, and properly supported—not left fearing for the future of their loved ones.

Thank you for taking the time to consider these concerns and the very real impact this Bill may have on some of the most vulnerable members of our community. I sincerely hope you will read this letter with compassion and understanding, stand with families like mine, and call for greater consultation before this Bill is passed.