Submission
Submission: 2282
Introduction
My name is [redacted], a registered occupational therapist. Since graduating from university (in Australia) on June 5th, [year]… until now, I’ve been working within various sectors:
- Community disability sector since graduation year… in Western Australia;
- Working under different funding models such as CAEP, WANDIS; later transitioning into the National Disability Insurance Scheme ( during its early years). The introduction phase was challenging due to limited resources, such as staff shortages or lack thereof. However, over time this has improved significantly thanks largely to better resourcing and support provided through NDIS programs. This shift towards greater inclusion has allowed more people who were previously excluded because of their disabilities, going back home after treatment sessions at hospitals, or those living alone without family nearby—now they can participate fully again! I am passionate about ensuring that everyone gets what they need so we all thrive together.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2282
Schedule 1: Access and Planning - Changing the Definition of Functional Capacity.
Assessing functional capacity without consideration of the person’s environment and support systems does not provide an accurate picture of capacity and the impact of impairments on daily function. It neglects the globally accepted interaction between person, environment and occupation as outlined in the ICF framework from the WHO. Neglecting these factors will have a disproportionate impact on persons with disability who come from a low-income background and have limited informal supports.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2282
My recommendation: Maintain the existing definition of functional capacity. Streamline assessment using one standard form used across agencies.
- Recognize differences among impairments while acknowledging interactions;
- Acknowledge multiple disabilities affecting functionality.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2282 Of all possible treatment options. Further to this, the evidence required to demonstrate access to these interventions is difficult to access for many, and may no longer exist for those who have been living with their disability for a long time. it would be my recommendation to remove this proposed change, to maintain current definitions. Plan re-assessment powers: The proposed extension decision timeframe for those requesting reviews places these people significantly in danger. lack adequate support increases burden on unpaid persons supporting them; it also raises risks associated with admission into hospitals due lack timely intervention, thereby straining healthcare systems further; it’s recommended creating pathways urgently needed.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment
Submission 2282
A timely assessment of participant’s funding must ensure decisions can be received in an appropriate timeframe so as to protect individual safety, well-being (physical/mental), and respect.
Current procedures need maintaining; each request will have its own decision process tailored accordingly,
Suggesting plans’ suspension if contacts cannot reach participants poses risks especially among individuals facing communication challenges since such requests aren’t always honored.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment
Submission 2282
Methods are utilized and recorded to demonstrate that an agency has done due diligence in contacting individuals before suspending their access to the NDIS. -Funding cuts and ministerial powers: The ability to reduce funding specifically groups is insufficient as they do not account for each participant’s needs or risks associated with reduced support services leading potentially catastrophic harms among those affected directly through these cutbacks while failing simultaneously address fundamental requirements necessary for all involved parties’ well-being.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2282
Schedule 3: Governance - Pricing Powers
The ability for the minister to set maximum NDIS prices may result in federal budget reduction being prioritized over participant needs and sector sustainability.
The last two price guide releases have led to a growing number of closures among major providers within Australia’s disability services industry, suggesting that these organizations are already experiencing considerable stress due to financial constraints imposed on them through government policy decisions.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2282 capitalists. Capping of home modifications and avisitive technology payments may also result in reduced access to these supports, or require co-payments from individuals with limited income due to lack thereof. it’s crucially important than home modification and avivice technology should be evaluated individually because different products offer varying benefits depending upon each participant’s specific requirements at any given time; some instances might see increased independence through higher expenditures while others might lead towards diminished dependency levels; pricing must accommodate flexibility allowing one-time costs so as not just improve short-term results but also account future financial implications.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2282
result.
As therapists we don’t aim to recommend equipment with pointless features or the most expensive item, buth ratherwhatwillbemostsuitableto achievethegoalsoftheparticipant.Itis essentialthatthestaffprofessional recommendationsoftheadlihealth communityberecognisedassuch.Pricingsdecisionswithinthen DISshould no bemadewithpoliticalagendas,and thereforeremaininthecurrent format.-### Automationanddecisionmaking.Automationofsyste msusedforfunctional capacityassesment,eligibilitydecisions,reasse ssdeterminationandsupport needsdecisionsandfundingallocation createssignificantriskforthedis ability community.Snapshotassessments typicallydonotcapturefluctuatings disabilit yenvironments,cumulative
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment
Submission 2282
Impairments, and many other factors well. This results in inaccurate assessments, And causes inappropriate supports being provided.Italso doesnotprovide opportunityforprofessionaljudgement andallothealthevidencetosupportthearsementofcomplexneeds ominimize iskofcomplexneedsbearing under-recognitionandunderfundings. AutomationwithinthenDisshouldbestrictlymonitoredandonappliedtoudfundingcapacitydecisions.AnyAutomationshouldbeableoverwrittenbyindividualsintothesystembasedonrecommendationfromallothealhealthprofessionals.
Schedule\u003cspan class=“redacted” data-redaction-type=“irrelevant-text”>4:Newframeworkplanning-
Theproposedchangesintheplannig processdonotcapturecomplex disabilities,cumulativeimpactofof
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill
Submission: 2282
- impairments, or-the-interaction-between-disabilities-and-places-participants-at-significant-risk-of-inappropriate-funding-allocation.
- Focus-on-expenditure-control-should-not-come-at-consequence-of-poor-participant-outcomes-including-possible-death-for-participants-who-do-not-have-access-to-appropriate-supports.-New-framework-planning-requires-further-trial-and-allowance-to-be-used-in-conjunction-with-other-reports-toensure-an-accurate-representation-of-individual-function-isachieved.
Any-proposed-reforms-to-the-NDIS-legislation-should-seek-strengthening-access-dignity,-participation-safety-equality-personsWith-a-disability-The-proposed-changes-to-the-legislation-do-opposite.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill
Submission: 2282
As an Allied Health Practitioner Working within the NDIS:
as-an-allied-health-practitioner-working-in-the-ndis-i-recognise-that-changes-need-to-be-made-in-order-to-sustainably-develop-the-next-generation-of-disabled-persons-many-allied-professionals-have-strategically-implemented-processes-and-reduced-costs-without-compromising-positive-outcomes-for-those-with-disabilities. The-proposed-amendments-limit-the-capacity-of-the-scheme-to-meet-its-intended-goal.-Some-of-the-reform-efforts-seemingly-work-towards-nullifying-certain-beneficial-effects,-such-as-expanding-access-to-wider-communities-for-individuals-with-disabilities.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill
Submission: 2282
The scheme amendment bill aims at being both sustainable AND effective. Please take some time listening carefully: to recommendations from sector leaders such as OTA, Physiotherapists Australia and OTSi, since they truly care more about ALL Australians’ needs—not just those who are physically fit—so please consider their views seriously.