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

Submission 2231 May 29th, Community Affairs Legislation Committee

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission: Submission-2231

In speaking to the above proposed amendments, make them utterly rife for abuse of power and too wide discretion as they propose what functional or non-functional means without considering an individual’s environment personal circumstances which impacts their capacity in a range of ways. If assessing someone’s functionality under such criteria leads us outside factors (b), it does so inaccurately reflecting true capability due to unpredictable nature especially psychosocial disabilities; assessors may misunderstand daily showering needs despite occasional manageable showers once per month being possible even when having two functioning limbs—unfairly deeming ‘functional’. The NDIS employs lawyers call centres insurance company workers who currently assess similarly but these changes neither fix nor address existing issues entrenching problems instead. Clarifying if (b) implies no support equals inability would fit yet remains unclear within open-to-interpreted amendment text leading likely more appeals money spent time trauma repeal harm caused from discretionary use. Subsection phrasing gives NDIs significant authority changing deemed function at any moment making it unlawful unfair. Further UN introduced disability care system rating tool countries against supporting people with disabilities available here: hitps://www.ohchr.org/en/publications/policy-and-methodological-publications/disability-care-and-support-systems-country I wonder where Australia sits on this assessment particularly post-NDIS reforms regarding social community supports, speaking lived experience lacking them prevents leaving house years needed supported still required should government proceed cut severely disadvantaged deteriorating others like myself find themselves.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill

Submission: 2231

I would sincerely urge the government and those who are deciding upon such matters to consider again some fundamental principles regarding discrimination against people living with disabilities which include ‘the right to dignify’, an entitlement towards having access to services providing them their own quality-of-life, freedom from unwanted treatment or intervention (refusal), along with the ability to have full agency over one’s choices and actions (autonomy/self determination) including equality. The current state of affairs has been highlighted during previous royal commissions into Australia’s national disability insurance scheme (NDIS). It remains unclear whether any improvements can come about should these proposed changes that solely aim at reducing costs pass through. Thanking everyone involved, Kind Regards