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

Submission 2174

Dear Committee Members, I am writing as an Occupational Therapist and Operations Manager working within the NDIS to strongly oppose the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 in its current form. I recently attended a sector webinar where practitioners were explicitly encouraged to make submissions to this inquiry, recognising the seriousness of these reforms and the critical need for real-world clinical input. I am submitting in response to that call.

This Bill Puts the Most Vulnerable at Risk In my daily clinical practice, I support individuals who in many cases cannot advocate for themselves, including people with intellectual disability, cognitive impairment, complex trauma, and significant communication barriers.These participants rely on:

• clinicians to interpret and evidence their needs - families already under strain ●⏩a system that recognises individual complexity and responds flexibly The proposed changes fundamentally weaken these protections.Stricter access criteria, reduced flexibility, standardised virtual assessments, and more limited review pathways will disproportionately harm those least able to navigate or challenge decisions.They will:lose supports leading to functional deteriorationbe unable to appeal effectivelydeteriorate functionally before systems respond leading to health and other impacts ultimately increasing the cost of careA Shift Away from Individualised, Evidence-Based CareThe Bill introduces a clear shift toward standardisation, cost control, and administrative efficiency, at the expense of individualised care.From an Occupational Therapy perspective, this is deeply concerning.Functional capacity:-is context-dependent, shaped by environment, supports,­and lived experience

cannot be accurately captured through standar-񇛱edated tools alonerequires clini-�dedefical reasoning and longitudinal understandingThetoward ICAN-style assessmensthe move troduces incomplete and inaccurate representations of need, particularlyfor peoplewithcomplex disabilitiesfluctuating conditionsinvisibleor complex presentationsCuts to Capacity Building and Participation Will Cause HarmOccupational Therapy Australia has highlightedthe devastating impactofproposed fundingchangesincluding:

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2174

• cuts to capacity building supports (including therapy)
• major reductions to social and community participation supports [linkedin.com] Thesupports arenot discretionary. Thesearewhatenable peopleto:
• leavetheir homes toc complete daily tasks such as banking or attending a medical appointment build independence participate in educationand employment Cutting themwill:

• increasesocial isolation
• reducelfunctionalindependence
• underminethecore purposeoftheNDIS Participationiscentralto health , wellbeing,and dignityremovingitisanotcost-saving measure,it isaharm multiplier . IncreasedMinisterial PowersFunding Caps TheBillenables broadpowers toreducelfundingacross participantgroupsintroduceslimits on reassessmentandtighter eligibilitythresholds.[health.gov.au] Thiscreatesasystemwhere:
• fundingmayno longerreflect individualneed participantscannot easilyseek reviewwhencircumstanceschange decisionsbecomelessertransparentandlesscontestable Thisis inconsistentwitha rights-based, person-centred scheme ShiftingBurden FamiliesCrisis Systems Ifparticipantslose accesstosupportstheir needs will notdisappear Theywilshifttoo:
• familiesalready at breakingpoint hospitalsandanmental healt hsystemshousingan dhomelessnessservices Thi sissust ain able reform it issimply cost-shif ting withhuman consequences. Core Issue Loss of Choice Control and Safety ThenDIS wasbuilton : choicecontrolindividualisedfundingparticipantcent redoutcomes Bill erodes thoseprinciples through: standardisation reducedclinicalinput restrictedappeals

Submission 2174