RE: Inquiry into the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track) Bill

Submission 2214 Dear Senators, I am writing to formally express my deep concerns regarding the proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

I am caring for my adult child with Down Syndrome who is directly impacted by the NDIS. While I am ageing and still trying to work part-time, the daily challenges of caring for my adult child with Down Syndrome are profound, and navigating life with limited support is incredibly difficult. In addition to this, several other family members suffer from serious health issues. After caring for my adult child since birth, I feel burnt out but get some respite when they attend programs funded under the NDIS because disability-specific services alone can meet their needs effectively due to its intensive care requirements that necessitate a full-time commitment within our small household in recent years as multiple family members have faced severe health problems; one even passed away recently.

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

Submission 2214

• undermines trust and strips stability away from vulnerable families.
• Shifting the Burden of Care: The proposed 30% cuts to social

and community supports will inevitably shift the unpaid care burden back onto families—disproportionately impacting womenwho are already stretched to breaking point.My adult child with Down Syndromeneeds professional care due to the level of disability anda thiscannotbe replacedwith no care at all.Itwillresultin mehavingto stop workingtocarefor myadultchild aaithedisability.

• Threat to Local Service Provider Viability: reducingcommunity participation budgets willocausesential, specialisedlocal providers—to lose clientelethreatening their financialviabilityandreducingschoicefoparticipants.Asar esultonlyservices focused on moneywillycontinuean these services oftenon lyaccept people wit h‘mild’ disabilitieswhile there wil l be noprofessional ser vices f or pe ople wi th profound dis abilities .
• Social Isolation:Thesecuts will reduc e participants’ worlds, makingtheir lives smaller a nd more isolated.Eliminatingcommunit y accesscut s outtheveryactivities that fost er joy,friendships,and independenceandr will result in an increase iMental Health issuesrequiring other typesofcare. - Lack Of Meaningful Consultation :This framework is beingadvanced without genuine co-designor thorough consultationwithe veryparticipants carers andfrontline service providersw howil bearthec onssequences.- Undermining Early Intervention :

Reducinge arly intervention supportsis ashort-sighted approachthat will drastically increaselong-term costs.Unmet needs do not disappear; they simplymanifest lateras crisesin health mentalhealth emergencydepartmentsand the justice system.Furthermorestategovernments have explicitly indicatedthey cannot replicateindividualised NDIS serv ices.

• Automated And AI Decision-Making: The implementation ofautomated algorithms to assessa nd monitor plansishighlyalarming.Human functionalneedscannotbe calculatedby ac omputer program.Wesawthedevastatingpsychological

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission 2214

systemic harm caused by Robodebt when automated government systems lack human empathy and oversight.

• Shift Towards a Welfare Model: These changes signal a regressivshiftinhowthegovernmentviewstheNDIS-treatingitlikeacappedincome-supporthorwelfareschemeratherthanahumanrightsbasedsupportsystemdesignedtofostercommunityincluionandindepenentliving. The NDISTwasdesigntoensureequityanddignifyforAustralianswithdisability.IurgettheCommitteetorejectchangesthatcompromisesthesefundamentalvaluesandleplaceunduehardshiponparticipantsandontheirfamilies.Thankyouconsideringsubmission.Kindregards,