National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2440
Inquiry: The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Committee Members,
I am an NDIS participant living in , Queensland. As a person living in a regional and remote area, I already face significant barriers in accessing disability supports. Although I am an NDIS participant, many of my support needs are not currently being fully met because there are limited providers available locally. Compared with participants living in metropolitan areas, I already have substantially less choice and control over who provides my supports and what services are available to me.
I am concerned that the proposed changes contained in this Bill may further reduce participant choice and control. In areas such as mine, there is often only one provider available for a particular service, and sometimes no provider at all. Any move towards greater restrictions, commissioned services, provider panels, or reduced flexibility in how supports can be accessed is likely to have a much greater impact on people living in regional and remote communities than on those living in cities. I am worried that these reforms will leave me with even fewer options than I currently have.
I am also concerned about provisions that would allow Ministers to reduce funding for categories of supports through legislative instruments rather than through full parliamentary debate. As a participant who already struggles to access adequate supports, I fear that reductions in funding for community participation, daily living supports or other categories could further isolate people with disability living in remote areas. These supports are not luxuries. They are essential for maintaining independence, participating in the community and avoiding social isolation.
I am concerned about proposed changes to eligibility and support needs assessments. People with disability living in regional and remote areas already face long waiting periods and significant costs when trying to access specialists, assessments and treatments. Any requirement to undertake further treatments or obtain additional evidence before accessing supports may place an unfair burden on people who do not have the same access to services as those living in major cities.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2440
Finally, I am concerned that this legislation is being considered within a very limited consultation timeframe. The Bill contains significant changes to the operation of the NDIS, yet participants, families and disability organisations have been given only a short period to understand the reforms and provide feedback. People whose lives will be directly affected by these changes deserve a genuine opportunity to participate in the process.
I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the impact these reforms may have on NDIS participants living in regional and remote Australia and to ensure that any changes strengthen, rather than diminish, our ability to access the supports we need.
Yours faithfully,
, QLD