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

Submission 2125

To: Committee Secretary, Community Affairs, Legislation Committee Re: Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations)

Bill 2026 Dear Committee Secretary, The submission acknowledges and applauds proposed amendments aimed at stopping or reducing price rorting and over-servicing but primarily focuses on concerns about redefining functional capacity. I have a niece who turned forty recently after being diagnosed with Autism around twenty years ago when she lived mostly at home until three years prior. She has been employed part-time throughout most adulthood despite not currently working now due largely because what she could never do before was organize social life which she needed greatly since everyone needs some form thereof even if they are outgoing people like her. The outcome is that as time passed so did increasing withdrawal from society leading up depression. NDIS changed this dynamic significantly through its main service organizing her within groups providing places to hang out go excursions monthly get friends etc…remarkable transformation occurred once these services started. Agency also provided supportive sounding boards helping navigate life establishing own unit assisting encouraging gaining employment all key factors maintaining useful meaningful lives. My fear in defining functionally only physical capacities would see her manage practicalities of existence house money health yet struggle without support to organize social life ongoing mental wellbeing will be severely impacted. While appreciating need contain costs removing assistance would result government paying health budget both herself family distressed seeing withdraw into self again. Please don’t limit definition functionality solely physically for autism individuals struggling relate rest world ability having little mob hangout place where just yourself judgement priceless Removing such service disabling wheelchair removal person disability The NDIS innovative idea please hold original good intent while redesigning rein unnecessary costs over-servicing.