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

Submission: 2353

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Re:

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (‘Securing the NDIS for Future Generations’) Bill —and proposed reduction of Social, Civic Community Participation Supports under Delivering Genuine Social & Community Participation reforms.

As an independent participant who lives at home on their own, this submission expresses strong concerns regarding a proposed cutback in social/civic/community involvement supports as part of the NDIA’s Securing the NDIS for Future generations bill amendment. The concern is that these cuts could lead participants into isolation, reducing independence, worsening health outcomes while increasing reliance upon government-funded care systems over time.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2353

For me, this funding is not discretionary or recreational spending. It is the support that allows me to leave my home, attend appointments, maintain friendships, participate in volunteering, remain physically active and continue living independently. A reduction of this size would remove much of the flexibility that currently allows me to managethe realities of everyday life.It would mean being forced to choose between maintaining my householdand participating inthecommunity.itwouldmeanreducedcapacitytoattendappointments, complete grocery shopping duringemergenciesor take mypestos veterinary appointmentswheurgent situations ariseitwouldeanewithoutactivitiesandsupportsthatareessentialtomaintainingmyqualityoflife,mentalwellbeingandphysicalhealthIt wouleeaning losingopportunities toremain connectedtomycommunitymaintainerelationshipsthathelp preventsocialisolationOne o fthemostsignificantimpactswo uld be myabilitytocontinuevolunteering.Icurrently volunteerin a role thate care deeply about an dthatallowsme help peopleanimals experiencing hardshipduring current housing cost-of-living crisisVolunteerings givesmepurpose,routineconnectionandasensecontributiontosocietyIallowsmegiveback t om y communityrather than simply receive supporfrom itWithoutthesupportsenablemetoparticipatemy mayno longerbe able toc ontineinthistroleThe losso these supports wo udl effectnot only my wellbeingbut also ability contributepositively others The proposed reduc tionalso have significant impact on mysocial relationships and peerconnectionsCommunity participation funding allows me maintain friendships spend time with peerswho livewith the samedisabilitieThese relationshipsp rovideunderstanding, support connection that cannot easily b ereplicated elsewhere Withoutthese opportunities I would face increased social isolation reduced communit inclusion.The impacts extend beyond socia lparticipationaloneMy physical well being depends remaining active engaged inthe community.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2353

Introduction: Community Participation and Independence

I currently work with an exercise physiologist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist to maintain my strength, mobility, physical function and independence. These supports are designed to prevent deterioration and allow me to continue living safely in my own home. However, therapy appointments alone are not enough.The practical ability to leave my home, engage in activities, attend appointments and remain physically active in the community is what allows those therapies to be effective.If my community participation is significantly reduced, I am likely to lose strength, physical function and independence over time.This decline would increase my reliance on others for everyday activities and could eventually place me at risk of requiring more intensive disability supports, supported accommodation or other forms of government-funded care.This would represent a significant personal loss of independence and autonomy.It would also be contrary to the objectives of the NDIS.I am also concerned by assumptions that family members can replace supports currently funded through the NDIS.My mother is elderly and has physical disabilities of her own.My sister works within the disability sector while also maintaining full-time employment and caring for her own family.Neither is reasonably able to replace the supports that currently allow me to live independently.The NDIS was created to support people with disability to live independently and reduce reliance on unpaid family care.Legislative changes should not be based on assumptions that family members can absorb responsibilities currently provided through funded disability supports.Transport is another major concern.Although I have access to a Taxi Subsidy Scheme card, accessible transport remains extremely unreliable.Taxi services frequently take far longer to arrive than they once did, if they arrive at all.Wheelchair-accessible vehicles can be difficult to secure and standard taxis often do not want to pick up wheelchair users.

Submission 2353

Alternative services such as Uber are significantly more expensive, particularly during surge pricing periods, and accessible transport options often require additional costs. As a result, support workers are often the only practical and reliable way for me to attend appointments, complete essential tasks and participate in community life. From a policy perspective, I believe these proposed reductions risk creating greater long-term costs across government systems. The proposed reforms appear to treat Social, Civic and Community Participation supports as less essential than other forms of support. However, for many participants these supports are preventative supports that maintain health, independence, physical function, social connection and community participation. Reducing these supports may generate short-term budget savings, but it is likely to increase costs elsewhere. The likely consequences include greater social isolation, poorer mental health, declining physical capacity, reduced community participation, increased support needs and greater reliance on disability, health, hospital and aged care systems. In my own circumstances, reducing these supports would increase the likelihood of losing independence and requiring more intensive supports in the future. Maintaining independence is significantly less costly than responding to the consequences of losing it. I respectfully urge the Committee to reconsider the proposed reduction of Social, Civic and Community Participation funding under the Delivering Genuine Social and Community Participation reforms associated with the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. These supports are not optional extras. They are essential supports that enable people with disability to maintain health, wellbeing, independence, community connection and quality of life.The NDIS should continue to support participants to live meaningful, connected and independent lives within their communities. Reducing Social, Civic and Community Participation supports by up to 50 per cent risks achieving the opposite outcome by increasing isolation, reducing dependence and creating greater long-term demand on government-funded care and support services.Thank you for considering my submission.