Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill

I am an occupational therapist who sees clients through their NDIS funding mostly in the early childhood intervention space and with a few adolescent clients.

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

Submission 2178

Automating process and decision again will likely overlook how complex disabilities are and the needs of the disabled community. Lastly, access to therapy, support workers, early intervention,funding for communityand social partipation is life changingfor manny.Byreducingthis funding weare limiting whatthoseinthe disability communitycan do andachieve.Funding forthetherapy allows childrenandaladults alikewithdisabilitytolearn newskills thus,increasingtheir independenceanda bilitytoparticipate in theircommunty.Withaccessto fundingbeing removed,wewill seea reductioninindependencechoiceandocontrolandanccesstocommunity.Raisingachildewith adisabilitypoftencomeswitllotsadditionalcostsincludingforthetherapy,timemandamounto fcare provided.Throughproviding therapy, families learnhow to better support theirchildren’s nees,itincreasescapacity toprovidethesupporrequiredalsoleadstolong lastingandpositive change which may have not occurred ifsupport wasnot accessed. Therapybuildsindividualsskills tocommunicateto participatei nwork,schoolplayoran individual’sdesired occupation.Iit builds ability accesscom munitygoout forcoffee buy grocerieslookafter themselves or others including developing self care skills whether this istogroomingtaskordomestic task such as cleaningorkooking.Access tot herapy earlyintervention ,supporth workers and community changes lives.It increases participation insoursocietyhelpsc ontributeour economy has longlasting positive impacton peopleslives ultimately reducesstrain crisis services hospitalswhich are less relied when sustainable holistic suppo isprovided.

I am asking the committee toreally consider whatthis bill meansfor those withinthe disabledcommunity an dthepact it willhave ont heirfamilies.By providing necessary andreasonable suporttothose accessingthenDIS I haveseen lots ofmeaningfulchanges occurin individuals’ l ives,increasess inskills improved mental health wellbeing anda ccesstocommunities.Automating NDIS plans,tighteningeligibility criteriasimplementing cri sisnoncontact rules, reducingaccess totherapy socialparticipation capacity building supportswillhavedetrimentalimpact many.Imple you listendisabled voices therapistsand thosewith lived experience matter they be ones livingwith consequences cuts.