National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2468
Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
Re: NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS) Bill 2026
I am writing as an autistic person living in Queensland. I am submitting this to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs in response to the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS) Bill 2026.
I am writing about Schedule 1 Part 8 of the Bill, which requires that a person demonstrate they have completed all “appropriate treatment” in order to remain eligible for the NDIS. The Bill allows treatment to be considered “appropriate” even if a person cannot afford it or access it where they live.
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition. There is no evidence-based treatment that will reverse, cure or materially remove autism. Therapies such as speech pathology, occupational therapy and psychology support autistic people to build skills and manage daily life. They do not and cannot eliminate the underlying condition.
Due to my Autism and other comorbidities, I am unable to work and currently rely on the Disability Support Pension as my primary source of income. This means I cannot afford private psychology, occupational therapy, or other therapeutic supports without NDIS funding. If my funding is reduced or removed under these changes, I would lose access to essential therapies that support my daily functioning, independence, and wellbeing. Under the proposed “appropriate treatment” requirement, I could effectively be penalised for not accessing treatments that are financially out of reach, despite my disability being permanent and lifelong.
Analysis by Disability Support Consultants of the NDIA’s own consultation documents confirms the Agency has already pre-determined that most autistic children will receive mid-range funding, regardless of individual need. This ‘appropriate treatment’ rule adds a further barrier on top of a system that is already rationing support.
I ask the Committee to amend the Bill so that treatment only counts as ‘appropriate’ if it is genuinely accessible to that person given their location, finances and medical circumstances. I also ask the Committee to explicitly confirm in the legislation that autism is a permanent, lifelong neurological condition for which no curative treatment exists.
Yours sincerely,