National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2443
Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill
Name:
I am a: Family member
My main concern about this Bill is:
I am concerned about the lack of meaningful consultation around these proposed changes, the increasing use of automated decision-making, and the reduction of funding for supports that help people participate in their communities and maintain their wellbeing.
While I understand the need to ensure the NDIS remains sustainable, I am worried that these changes risk reducing supports that can have a significant positive impact on a person’s quality of life and long-term health.
This Bill may affect me / people I support because:
-
Community participation and social connection are important parts of a person’s overall wellbeing.
-
Supports that help people get out, engage with others and participate in everyday life can reduce isolation and improve mental health.
-
Automated or highly standardised processes may not properly reflect a person’s individual circumstances and support needs.
-
Changes introduced without sufficient consultation risk overlooking the practical realities faced by participants, families and carers.
-
Reducing preventative and community-based supports may lead to greater reliance on more intensive services in the future.
One example from my experience:
My mother has benefited greatly from supports that allow her to spend time in the community rather than focusing solely on medical appointments and treatment.
Since receiving better support to get out, see people and participate in activities, her wellbeing has noticeably improved. She appears happier, more engaged and more connected to the world around her. As her overall wellbeing has improved, she has actually needed fewer medical appointments and interventions than before.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2443
This experience has shown me that community participation is not separate from health and wellbeing. In many cases it is an important part of maintaining both.
What I want the committee to understand is:
The value of the NDIS should not be measured only by how efficiently funding can be reduced. Some of the most effective supports are the ones that help people remain connected to their communities, maintain relationships and live independently.
I am also concerned that the focus of reform appears to be falling heavily on participants and their supports rather than on the systems and providers delivering services.
Through conversations in the community, I have heard concerns about providers and workers recommending unnecessary products or services, or finding ways to maximise claims from the scheme. While I cannot comment on how widespread these practices may be, I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen provider oversight and accountability before reducing supports for participants.
If the goal is to improve the long-term sustainability of the NDIS, efforts should focus on reducing waste, improving provider accountability and addressing misuse of the system where it occurs. Cutting supports that help people stay healthy, connected and independent may save money in the short term but could lead to greater costs elsewhere in the health and support system.
I am also concerned that people with disability, their families and carers have not been adequately consulted on changes that will have a significant impact on their lives. Reforms of this scale should be developed with the people who rely on the NDIS, not simply implemented for them.
My position on this Bill:
☐ I support it ☐ I do not support it ☒ I have serious concerns
Because: I do not believe there has been enough consultation with the disability community, and I am concerned that increased automation and reductions to community participation supports will negatively affect people’s wellbeing and independence. Based on my experience supporting my mother, I have seen how community engagement can improve quality of life and reduce reliance on more intensive health services. I also believe greater attention should be given to provider accountability and oversight before reducing supports for participants.