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

Submission 2340

Submission

to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

About Me

I am the parent of a 14-year-old girl with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 2. My daughter has been an NDIS participant since she was 11 years old. Through the NDIS she receives funding for core supports, occupational therapy and psychology. These supports are essential to her daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, independence and ability to participate in her community. Without NDIS funding, our family would be required to personally fund these supports, which would place significant financial pressure on us and reduce her access to services that are critical to her development and well-being. I am concerned that several provisions within the National Disablity Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 may unintentionally disadvantage participantswith lifelong disabilities such as autism. Functional Capacity Assessments Do Not Adequately Capture Lifelong Support Needs The Bill introduces framework determining access based substantially reduced functional capacity proposes more standardised approach assessing eligibility While consistency decision-making important concern that funcional assessments may not adequately reflect lived reality autistic people particularly children adolescents whose support needs change significantly across different stages life My daughter entered NDIs at age received plan rollovers no changes budget However today very different from when first entered scheme Transition high school brought increased demands areas including executive function organisation social interaction emotion regulation anxiety management challenges were not fully apparent when first entered ndis Functional assessment conducted cannot accurately predict support needs ages or Autism is a lifelion disability but way it impacts person’s

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

Submission 2340

functioning changes over time and in response to different environments and life transitions. I am concerned that standardised assessments may create an overly narrow snapshot of functioning that does not capture the complexity and evolving nature of autism across a person’s lifespan. Recommendation Participants with recognised lifelong disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder should not be required to repeatedly prove that they continue to have a disability. Assessments should focus on identifying changing support needs rather than reassessing the existence of a permanent condition. Progress Should Not Be Used as Evidence That Supports Are No Longer Needed My daughter has developed skills and independence because she has had access to supports funded through the NDIS.There is a risk that functional assessments may interpret improvements in functioning as evidence that support is no longer required. In reality, many gains achieved by autistic participants are maintained only because ongoing therapy and support remain available.Occupational therapy and psychology have helped my daughter develop strategies to manage daily challenges, regulate emotions and participate more successfully in school and community settings.Removing or reducing these supports because she appears to be functioning better would undermine the very progress those supports helped create.Recommendation The legislation should require decision-makers to consider whether a participant’s current functioning is dependent on existing supports and interventions when assessing eligibility and support needs.Concerns Regarding the Definition of Permanence The Bill proposes changes to how permanence is considered, including the introduction of the concept of “all appropriate treatment” when determining whether an impairment is permanent.I am concerned about how this provision may be applied to autistic participants.Autism is not a condition that can be cured or resolved through treatment.Therapies can improve skills, participation and quality of life but they do not remove the underlying disability.Families should not be placed in a position where participation in therapies is used to argue that a disability is no longer permanent or significant.

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

Submission 2340

Recommendation

The legislation should clearly recognise that participation in therapy or intervention does not alter the lifelong nature of autism and should not be used as grounds to question permanence.

Increased Administrative Burden on Families

Families of children with disability already spend considerable time coordinating therapies, attending appointments, supporting education and navigating NDIS processes. Additional requirements for reassessments, reports and evidence create further financial and emotional strain. Specialist assessments are expensive and often involve lengthy waitlists. Requiring repeated evidence for lifelong disabilities places unnecessary burdens on families without improving participant outcomes.

Recommendation

Administrative requirements should be reduced for participants with established lifelong disabilities. Resources should be directed toward delivering supports rather than repeatedly reassessing eligibility.

Protecting Access to Essential Supports

My daughter’s occupational therapy, psychology and community participation supports are essential supports, not optional services. Their support helps my child develop coping strategies which help her build independence participate everyday life maintain mental health I am concerned tighter interpretations what constitutes reasonable necessary may reduce access long-term benefits Early ongoing interventions prevent greater needs later life Restricting these risks increasing pressure systems future

Recommendation

The Bill should protect access to evidence-based supports improve functional capacity independent participations long term outcomes Participants Conclusion The NDIS has had a significant positive impact My daughters Life It enabled her accessible supports that help her participate in her community building adulthood

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

Submission 2340

I support measures that improve the sustainability of the NDIS and dressure fraud within the Scheme. However, sustainability should not be achieved by creating additional barriers for people with lifelondisabilitieswho genuinelyrequire support.

I urge the Committee toreensurethattheBillrecognisthe lifeongnatureofautismavoidunnecessaryreassessmentprocessesprotectsaccesstoessentialtherapiesandacknowledgesthatsupportneeds evolacrossaparticipant’slifespan. Thankyouforconsideringmysubmission.