National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2193 - Supplementary Submission
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
My name is , and I am writing as the sister and daughter of people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
While I am not an NDIS participant myself, I have seen firsthand how a progressive neurological condition affects not only the individual but also their entire family. MS is unpredictable. Some days are better than others, and over time it can impact mobility, independence, employment and a person’s ability to participate in everyday life.
The NDIS has provided vital support that helps people with disabilities maintain their independence, dignity and connection to their communities. Those supports also have a positive flow-on effect for families, who often provide emotional support, advocacy and informal care alongside formal services.
I am concerned that some of the proposed changes in this Bill could make it more difficult for people with permanent disabilities to access or retain the supports they need. I am worried about changes relating to the assessment of permanent disability and the possibility that people may be expected to pursue treatments that are either unaffordable, unavailable in their local area, or unlikely to alter the long-term nature of their condition.
For people living with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, there is currently no cure. Treatments may help manage symptoms or slow progression, but they do not remove the ongoing need for disability supports. I believe it would be unfair if access to essential supports depended on whether someone had exhausted every possible treatment option, especially when those options may not be realistic or accessible.
I am also concerned about any reduction in capacity-building and community participation supports. These services are not simply optional extras. They help people maintain independence, develop skills, participate in their communities and reduce isolation. Supporting people to remain engaged in their communities can also reduce pressure on families and other government services over the long term.
I understand that governments have a responsibility to ensure the NDIS remains financially sustainable. I support efforts to improve efficiency, reduce waste and prevent misuse of public funding. However, I hope these objectives can be achieved without making it harder for people with genuine, permanent disabilities to access the supports they rely on every day.
I respectfully ask the Committee to carefully consider the practical impact these proposed changes may have on people living with permanent disabilities and on the families who support them. Any reforms to the NDIS should continue to uphold the Scheme’s original purpose: helping Australians with significant disabilities live with dignity, independence and the opportunity to participate fully in their communities.
Thank you for considering my submission.