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

Submission 220

Submission from a carer and parent of NDIS participants, South Australia

Who I Am

I am a parent and full-time carer living in South Australia. I care for two autistic teenagers — aged 13 and 19 — and my partner, who is also autistic with ADHD. All three are NDIS participants. My children have diagnoses of Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. My youngest also has a learning disorder in written expression and mathematics. My partner has multiple diagnoses of Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Severe Depressive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Spatial Processing Disorder. Our family has been on the NDIS since 2020. The supports we receive psychology, developmental education, and occupational therapy fortnightly—are not a luxury.They stand between our family and crisis.

What These Supports Make Possible

These supports help us manage burnout; they make it possible to feel safe at home or out among others; it reduces self-harming behaviors as well as other dangerous concerns.It creates space where conversations can happen so that support measures may be put into place reducing harm both towards ourselves staff members alike without these services, one cannot function properly speaking generalities but rather sharing personal experiences daily life.

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

Submission 220 the level of support real people receive must be made by real people who are accountable for those decisions. This provision frightens me more than any other in the Bill.

Funding below the total cost of support (⅓4A)

The Bill allows the NDIS to fund a cheaper alternative to a support even if that alternative does not fully address the participant’s needs. People with disability deserve supports that are built for purpose, not just whatever costs the least. My family’s needs are complex and specific. A cheaper, generic substitute is not the same as what works and substituting cheaper alternatives in the past has led to significant mental health issues for them. Funding a lesser support that does not do the job is not a saving – it is a slow withdrawal of care.

Parental presumption ((s↘)(G)-(J))The Bill creates a legal presumption that parents automatically provide substantial care and support, and allows the NDIS to reduce funding on that basis. I want to be honest with the Committee: I am already stretched beyond my limits. I barely sleep.I struggle to leave the house most days. I am deeply depressed. I am doing everything I can for my children and my partner including researching therapy techniques and staying up-to-date relevant information but Iamnot trained psychologist developmental educator or occupational therapist Assumingthatmypresencefillsthesegapsisnotinjustwrong–it isthreatening Carers should not treated free labour substitutes professional support

Transitional protections not guaranteed (Schedule 5)

I also concerned transitional protection people affected by access changes written into bill itself they sit ministerial rule-making window expires within months cannot renewed Protections disappear at all Families mine need certainty month grace period closes without recourse What ReductionorRemovalWouldMeanforMyFamily IneedCommitteetounderstandwhatiamtellingyouhereplainlywithout softening it Ifmypartner’s psychology supports are reduced removed believe he will attempt take own life He has been suicidal past Regular ongoing access Psychology holding him together now Without do think survives. Ifchildren’ssupportsreducedremovedtheywillshutdown Theycannotleavebedrooms manage basic daily living tasks like eating showering self-harm watched happen before know what looks like Also noticing NDIS operates even Bill passed Local Area Coordinator no longer contacts household going plan manager process invoices low-cost assistive technology letters from allied health professionals – text that

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

Submission 220 cost money and take time to obtain, even for small items that were previously funded without question. The system is already pulling back. This Bill will accelerate that.

The Broader Context

I want the Committee to know that I am writing this submission while managing my own declining mental health, significant isolation and the daily weight of caring for three people with complex needs. I do not connect with friends regularly. I am rarely able to leave the house except for necessities. I am worried about the future.

I am also deeply concerned about the growing hostility directed towards people with disability in Australia. This community is already treated poorly. Legislation that makes it harder to access support, that replaces human judgement with algorithms, anthas families can simply absorb the gap, will cause serious harm to real people who are already vulnerable. I say this not as hyperbole but as a statement of what I see every day in my own home.

What I Am Asking the Committee to Do

I am asking the Committee to reject this Bill in its entirety. If the Committee does not reject the Bill, I ask that at minimum the following changes be made:

• Section 59B(4) should be removed entirely. Automated systems must not be permitted to make decisions involving evaluative judgment about a person’s support needs.
• Section 34A should be amended to ensure funding cannot be reduced below required by participant’s needs.
• Sections (1G)-(1J) should be removed Carers must not presumed filling professional roles.
• Schedule transitional protections should written into primary legislation ministerial rules expire and renewed. An independent review meaningful consultation participants’ disabilities carers proceed any part bill proceeds. The Bill will hurt people kill some cases Senators take seriously. Submitted by parentcarerNDIS family member South Australia May 2026