NDIA Accountability Project

Carer outlines impact of funding cuts on daughter with intellectual disability

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

Submission 2238

I welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs about the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

I am referring to:

Supports cut before replacement system is ready

The issue: From 1 October 2026, the government has announced funding for social,civic and community participation supports will be cut by 50 per cent and capacity building daily activities by 10 per cent for all participants, reductions that will be implemented through the ministerial instrument power in Schedule 1 Part 4. The Foundational Supports system intended to fill that gap has no confirmed implementation date and is not yet operational. How this affects participants: Supports that help participants connect with their community, build skills and maintain independence may be cut before anything exists to replace them, leaving carers and families with greater responsibilities and no additional support. These supports are often what help people stay visible, connected and safe.

I am a carer of a family member who has an intellectual disability. My daughter receives 21.5 hours of Social, Economic and Community Participation per week. She works for 9 hours and has 11.5 hours for her exercise and ten pin bowling. Based on a 50% cut in funding she would have to choose between work or her social/community activities. Whichever choice she would have to make, would lead to isolation impacting her physical & mental health. She has 2 hours capacity building per week as she is leaning to be more independent with a view to live independently. Reducing these hours will be detrimental to her goal of independent living.

Recommendation:

Require that no reductions to community participation or capacity building supports take effect until Foundational Supports are fully operational, adequately funded and demonstrably able to meet the needs of those who will lose NDIS supports.

I want to stress the harm this Amendment Bill will cause if it passes Parliament. This Bill is too far-reaching to pass as it stands. I believe the Bill requires further scrutiny and amendment before it proceeds.