National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
2026 Submission 2210 Page 1 of 6
Introduction
I am a Speech Pathologist with seventeen years of clinical experience across the non-government, public, and private sectors in NSW. Received my Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at University of Sydney date: May 29th , year : 2023 . as member of The Speech Pathology Association Australia Limited(Speech pathology). since 2015 at practice name redacted provides assessment and treatment for communication and swallowing(dysphagia ) difficulties both children adults.I was previously employed by company name redacted and another one name redacted worked as Clinical Educator and speech pathologists at institution name redacted now provide supervision other speech pathologists students routinely attend professional development training areas currently completing PhD at university name redacted where research focus on language disorders childern qualifications experiences given extensive experience individuals complex communication needs including neurodevelopmental conditions disabilities throughout career witnessed transformative impact NDIS had improving access to speech pathology services enabling community participation multidisciplinary support kind person-centred lifelong care did not exist scale prior scheme submission perspective practitioner values wants see it strengthened effective equitable ## Schedule Part Tightening meaning permanence This provision concerned Committee urge carefully Bill proposes tighten definition permanence so that impairment can reduce impacts no longer meet criterion NDIS access reflects fundamental misunderstanding nature disability purpose therapy People have permanent disabling condition still demonstrate meaningful improvement through treatment work clients underlying conditions acquired brain injury cerebral palsy degenerative neurological Down syndrome autism will never resolve Purpose Therapy eradicate these conditions improve persons functional capacity
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2210 Page 2 of 6 Speech pathology services help people communicate more effectively, eat safely, and participate fully in life. A child using an AAC device does not “lose” their disability; similarly, an adult whose swallowing improves through therapy remains disabled but may no longer need as much ongoing care.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill 2026
Submission 2210 Page 3 of 6
Further, this section appears to rely upon an implicit separation between services such as health education community NDIS which does not reflect people’s lived experience. Individuals often require integrated overlapping supports across these domains treating needs compartmentalized risks denying access necessary services failing account interconnected nature functional impairment participation needs. Without clear safeguards provision excludes individuals from accessing NDIS assuming other systems meet their needs circumstances where those are currently equipped with them I recommend Schedule Part be amended include explicit safeguarding decision-makers satisfied alternative services accessible available in practice capable delivering functionally equivalent timely support before denial basis assessment should incorporate perspectives persons disability carers consideration also given historical undersupply services lifespan avoid re-establish known gaps meaningful consultation advocacy organizations unions relevant peak bodies inform development Rules implementation guidance genuine ongoing way.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2210 Page 4 of 6
users) and the rapid rollout of small business compliance and support systems during the COVID-19 pandemic are examples of government operating effectively at scale. There is no reason the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission could not operate a similarly streamlined, low-friction audit system for community participation service providers and indeed all NDIS service providers. I urge the Committee to recommend that quality concerns in this area be addressed through strengthened provider standards and mandatory workforce training rather than restrictions on participant access.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2210 Page 5 of 6
Schedule 2, Part 6 — Registered plan management providers
I recognise that concerns about conflicts of interest in plan management have been raised, and that appropriate safeguards are important. However, personal choice has played a critical role in enabling participant flexibility including allowing participants to access services from non-registered providers It also supported development substantial workforce service ecosystem associated economic benefits Any new requirements should be implemented way maintains accessibility provides Improved regulation auditing can used minimise risks whilst avoiding unnecessary disruption participants’ broader workforce
Conclusion The NDIS delivered lasting benefit Australians professionals communities support them goal securing future generations share best achieved through targeted proportionate measures address genuine fraud quality concerns compliance frameworks drive qualified providers out scheme Most importantly eligibility restrictions misrepresent nature reduce therapeutic community participation life risk undermining core purpose NDIS ask Committee ensure Rules implementation guidance developed under this reflect these realities voices people disability frontline practitioners central to process
Yours sincerely, director senior speech pathologist