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

Submission 2311

I wish to make a submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

I am deeply concerned that the proposed changes will have devastating effects on the mental and physical health of current NDIS participants.

On a personal note, I am frightened for my 42-year-old daughter’s future. I am in my mid- 70s, and care for my husband who is becoming increasingly frail with multiple medical conditions. I still provide emotional support for my daughter and visit her regularly.

She has been living with severe ME/CFS (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) for 25 years. Although she has had some short periods of remission during that time, she has been virtually housebound since 2012. She has been on the NDIS for 6½ years, and this has enabled her to live independently, have community support and access to psychology, OT and physio. Her current accommodation is far from ideal, but already options are limited. As well as ME/CFS she has severe anxiety and depression, currently being exacerbated by her living arrangements. We live in a retirement village and do not have the space or ability to care for her. She requires a wheelchair for rare outings, and can walk small distances around the house, but as with all people with her condition, any “normal” expenditure of energy – be it physical or mental - results in post-exertional malaise. She does not need constant care but needs assistancewithallactivitiesofdailyliving.Sheisabright,intelligentwomanwhose dreamtobeanactorwasshatteredbyherdisability.Withoutan individualisedNDISplan–notonewhichiscomputergenerated-shewilldeteriorate.My fearisthatshedothousandslikehershelenduphomelessatworstandinadequatesupport atbest.Shelikelyneedaplaceninanursing homeorhospital. The changes tothisBillarbeingrushedbeforealternativeshavebeenestablishedandle likelytostoptheGovernmentmoreinthefuture.Disabilityisscomplexcannotbe managedbypaformula.Manyconditionsespeciallythatmydaughtervaryfromdaytoday.Iamconcerned thatcomputerassessmentswilbeusedtoprovidethesameanswerfor vastlydifferentconditions.WehaveseenRobodebtandthetheBritishPostOfficeknow thatprogrammers arefallible With theministergiven morepower,and right toappeal removed thereappear tonocheksandbalances We know thent NDIS mustbesustainablebut thisquickfix willonlyresultincost- shiftingas homeless services,mentalhealthcrisiscentresacute hospitals and nursing homes – all of whicharealreadyunderpressuretrydealt withtheslack I urge you toreconsider theproposedchangesuntilgenuine alternativesare in place choice control appeal rightsindividualised support a guaranteed and then Minister whoever they might be is not given absolute power.