Submission 2509
SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES ON COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS
Inquiry into the provisions of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submitted by
Stand Up Now Australia
July 2026
Executive Summary
Stand Up Now Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee regarding the National Disability
Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
Stand Up Now Australia supports the long-term sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and recognises Parliament’s responsibility to ensure that the Scheme remains available to Australians living with permanent and significant disability, both now and into the future.
The need for reform is widely recognised. The NDIS now costs approximately $50 billion annually1, participant numbers continue to grow, and the Independent NDIS Review concluded2 that the Scheme has become increasingly complex, administratively burdensome and financially unsustainable in its current form. Sustainable reform is therefore both necessary and appropriate.
This submission does not oppose measures that ensure support is directed to those who genuinely qualify under the legislation. Public confidence depends upon the integrity of publicly funded programs, and periodic review of eligibility is a legitimate component of responsible administration.
However, the sustainability of the NDIS depends upon more than participant eligibility alone.
This submission proposes that long-term sustainability rests upon three equally important principles:
1. ensuring support reaches Australians who genuinely qualify;
1 NDIA, QuarterlyReporttoDisabilityMinisters, Q3 2025–26. 2 NDIS Review, WorkingTogethertoDelivertheNDIS (2023)
Submission 2509
2. ensuring every taxpayer dollar is administered efficiently, transparently and with strong governance; and 3. understanding the factors driving increasing demand for disability supports, particularly among children, and investing in measures that reduce preventable future demand wherever possible.
The Bill gives significant attention to the first of these principles. This submission respectfully suggests that comparatively less attention is directed towards the second and third.
The Australian Government exercises direct control over the administration of the Scheme through the National Disability Insurance Agency, including governance arrangements, procurement, planning systems, compliance activities, fraud prevention, internal decision-making and administrative performance. These functions warrant the same level of scrutiny as participant eligibility if Parliament is to achieve its objective of securing the NDIS for future generations.
This submission recommends that the Committee consider whether reforms to participant access should be accompanied by stronger measures directed towards administrative efficiency, governance, transparency, fraud prevention and long-term demand reduction. A sustainable NDIS will be achieved not only by ensuring support reaches those who need it, but also by ensuring the Scheme itself is administered as effectively and efficiently as possible.
- Introduction The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of Australia’s most significant public policy reforms. It reflects a national commitment to ensuring Australians living with permanent and significant disability receive the supports they require to participate in community life with dignity, independence and opportunity.
Stand Up Now Australia supports that objective.
We also recognise that Parliament has a responsibility to ensure the Scheme remains financially sustainable3, well governed and capable of serving future generations of Australians. Public confidence in the NDIS depends not only upon the quality of supports provided to participants, but also upon the effective stewardship of the substantial public funds entrusted to the Scheme.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for
Future Generations) Bill 2026 seeks to contribute to that objective through reforms to participant eligibility, planning and Scheme administration. This submission acknowledges the importance of those reforms while respectfully suggesting that long-term sustainability requires a broader approach.
3 National Disability Insurance Agency, AnnualReport2024–25.
Submission 2509
The central proposition of this submission is that sustainable reform should be balanced. While it is appropriate to examine participant eligibility and access, equal attention should be given to the administration of the Scheme itself, including governance, procurement, compliance, fraud prevention, administrative efficiency and the broader drivers of increasing demand.
- A Sustainable NDIS Requires Three Principles The stated objective of the Bill is to secure the NDIS for future generations. Achieving that objective requires more than controlling expenditure. It requires a governance framework that promotes efficiency, accountability and public confidence while ensuring Australians with genuine disability continue to receive appropriate support.
This submission proposes that the long-term sustainability of the NDIS rests upon three equally important principles.
Principle One – Support should reach Australians who genuinely qualify.
Stand Up Now Australia supports measures that ensure the NDIS remains available to Australians living with permanent and significant disability.
Publicly funded schemes rely upon community confidence. That confidence is strengthened when eligibility criteria are applied consistently, planning decisions are made fairly and supports are directed towards those who meet the legislative requirements4.
Periodic review of participant eligibility is therefore a legitimate component of responsible public administration.
The measures contained within the Bill that seek to improve consistency and integrity in participant access should be considered within this context.
Principle Two – Every taxpayer dollar should be administered efficiently, transparently and accountably.
The sustainability of the NDIS cannot be measured solely by participant numbers or Scheme expenditure.
It must also be measured by the quality of government administration.
4 National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.
Submission 2509
The Australian Government exercises direct control5 over the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), including its governance arrangements, procurement practices, planning systems, internal decision-making, compliance capability, fraud prevention activities and administrative performance.
These functions influence both the financial sustainability of the Scheme and the experience of participants.
As with any public institution administering significant taxpayer funds, opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, strengthen governance and improve accountability should be examined continuously.
This submission respectfully suggests that these areas warrant the same level of parliamentary attention as participant eligibility reforms.
Principle Three – Long-term sustainability requires understanding future demand.
The sustainability of the NDIS is not determined solely by who enters the Scheme today.
It is also influenced by how many Australians will require support in the future.
According to the NDIA, approximately 69 per cent of new participants6 entering the Scheme are children under the age of 15. Participation is highest among six-year-old children, with approximately one in seven Australian boys participating in the NDIS. Autism now represents the largest primary disability category within the Scheme7.
These trends raise important public policy questions extending beyond the administration of the NDIS itself.
While the Scheme must continue to provide high-quality support to eligible participants, Parliament should also consider whether sufficient national attention is being directed towards understanding the factors contributing to increasing demand and identifying opportunities to reduce preventable future disability through research, maternal and child health, early intervention and broader public health initiatives.
Long-term sustainability requires attention to both present demand and future demand.
- Assessing the Bill Against These Principles 5 NDIS Act 2013 (functions of the NDIA). 6 NDIA Quarterly Report Q3 2025–26, Participant demographics. 7 NDIA Quarterly Report Q3 2025–26.
Submission 2509
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for
Future Generations) Bill 2026 contains significant reforms directed towards participant eligibility, planning processes and the operation of the Scheme.8
Stand Up Now Australia acknowledges the Government’s objective of improving the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and recognises that participant eligibility forms an important component of that objective.
However, when assessed against the three principles outlined above, the reforms appear to place greater emphasis on participant eligibility and access than on broader questions of administrative efficiency, governance and future demand.
Comparatively less emphasis is placed upon reforms directed towards improving the efficiency, accountability and governance of the administrative systems through which the Scheme is delivered.
Similarly, the Bill contains limited measures addressing the longer-term drivers of increasing participant demand, particularly the significant growth in childhood participation.
This observation is not intended as criticism of the reforms that are included within the Bill. Rather, it suggests that Parliament may wish to consider whether the objective of securing the NDIS9 for future generations would be better served by a broader reform agenda that gives equal attention to all three principles of sustainability.
- Reform Should Begin Where Government Exercises the Greatest Control A fundamental principle of good governance is that reform should begin where decision-makers exercise the greatest responsibility and the greatest capacity to improve outcomes.
In the case of the NDIS, the Australian Government exercises direct control over the legislative framework, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), procurement practices, planning systems, compliance activities, administrative processes and the stewardship of approximately $50 billion in annual public expenditure.
By contrast, government does not control whether an individual is born with a disability, acquires a permanent impairment through illness or injury, or experiences circumstances that give rise to a legitimate need for lifelong support. Government does, however, exercise substantial influence over how efficiently the Scheme
8 National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
9 Explanatory Memorandum,
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
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responds to those circumstances through legislation, administration and regulatory oversight.
This distinction is important.
Participant eligibility should be reviewed where appropriate, and supports should remain available only to those who satisfy the legislative requirements. However, participants do not design the Scheme, determine policy settings, accredit providers, establish administrative processes or manage public expenditure. Those responsibilities rest with government.
For that reason, this submission respectfully suggests that reform should first demonstrate that every reasonable opportunity has been taken to improve the performance of the systems over which government has direct control.
Before Parliament asks whether eligibility settings should become more restrictive, it is reasonable to ask whether the administrative systems supporting the Scheme are operating as efficiently, consistently and transparently as possible.
This principle extends beyond financial efficiency. Administrative performance directly affects the experience of participants, families and providers. Delayed decisions, inconsistent planning outcomes, duplicated administrative processes and avoidable appeals impose costs on both participants and taxpayers.
A reform program that addresses participant eligibility while giving comparatively less attention to administrative performance risks addressing the symptoms of financial pressure without fully examining the systems responsible for administering the Scheme.
The objective of securing the NDIS for future generations is therefore not simply a question of who enters the Scheme. It is also a question of how effectively the Scheme itself is governed.
- Administrative Efficiency Is Central to Sustainability The Independent NDIS Review10 concluded that the Scheme has become increasingly complex, difficult to navigate and administratively burdensome. It identified inconsistent planning decisions, duplication, workforce pressures and processes that have become increasingly difficult for participants and administrators alike.
These observations highlight an important aspect of sustainability that receives comparatively less public attention than participant eligibility.
10 Independent NDIS Review Final Report,
Chapter dealing with Scheme operations and administration.
Submission 2509
Administrative efficiency is not merely an operational issue. It is a core component of responsible public administration.
Every unnecessary assessment, duplicated process, avoidable review, inconsistent planning decision or delayed determination consumes resources that could otherwise be directed towards participants requiring support.
Where planning decisions are inconsistent, participants may seek internal review or external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal. While review rights are an essential safeguard, repeated administrative reconsideration also represents a significant cost to the Scheme.
Similarly, where administrative processes become unnecessarily complex, providers, participants and NDIA staff all experience increased regulatory burden. Complexity increases transaction costs, delays decision-making and can reduce public confidence in the consistency of Scheme administration.
The Bill introduces reforms intended to strengthen aspects of participant decision-making and planning. This submission respectfully suggests that Parliament should also consider whether additional reforms directed towards administrative efficiency would further contribute to the stated objective of securing the NDIS for future generations.
Potential areas for ongoing review include:
● administrative decision-making processes; ● planning consistency; ● procurement practices; ● internal performance measurement; ● workforce capability; ● digital systems and process efficiency; ● transparency of administrative expenditure; and ● governance and accountability arrangements.
Public confidence is strengthened when governments demonstrate that they have examined the performance of their own institutions with the same level of rigour expected of participants and providers.
- Fraud, Compliance and System Integrity The integrity of the NDIS is fundamental to maintaining public confidence in the Scheme and ensuring that public funds are available for Australians living with permanent and significant disability.
Stand Up Now Australia supports strong measures to prevent fraud, detect non-compliance and respond appropriately to criminal activity targeting the Scheme.
Submission 2509
Public reporting in recent years has highlighted organised fraud11, provider misconduct and inappropriate claims against the NDIS. These activities undermine confidence in the Scheme and divert resources from participants with genuine support needs.
However, fraud prevention extends beyond participant eligibility.
The effectiveness of compliance systems depends upon robust governance, capable regulatory oversight, provider monitoring, payment controls, data analytics, auditing and timely enforcement. These are primarily administrative responsibilities exercised by government agencies rather than participants.
Accordingly, this submission respectfully suggests that strengthening the integrity of the NDIS requires continued attention to the systems responsible for preventing fraud, detecting inappropriate conduct and ensuring public funds are administered effectively.
The Committee may therefore wish to consider whether the objective of securing the NDIS for future generations would be further supported by ongoing review of administrative controls, provider oversight and compliance capability alongside reforms to participant eligibility.
Maintaining public confidence requires assurance that all elements of the Scheme—including participants, providers and administrators—are subject to appropriate standards of accountability.
- Understanding Future Demand While much public discussion has focused on who should qualify for the NDIS, comparatively less attention has been directed towards why demand for disability supports continues to increase.
The long-term sustainability of the Scheme cannot be separated from the factors driving future participant numbers.
NDIA data indicates that approximately 69 per cent of new participants entering the Scheme are children under the age of 1512. Participation is highest among six-year-old children, and autism now represents the largest primary disability category within the Scheme.
These trends should be regarded as matters of national importance.
11 Joint media releases by the Australian Government and NDIA regarding the Fraud Fusion Taskforce and integrity measures.
12 NDIA Quarterly Report Q3 2025–26.
Submission 2509
Every Australian child requiring lifelong disability support deserves timely access to high-quality services. Equally, Australians should seek to understand the factors contributing to increasing demand so that future generations have the best possible opportunity to enjoy good health and independence.
This submission does not seek to identify the causes of these trends. Establishing causation requires careful scientific research across multiple disciplines and should not be the subject of assumption or speculation.
However, the trends themselves warrant further examination.
The Committee may wish to consider whether the long-term objective of securing the NDIS for future generations would also benefit from greater emphasis on research, prevention13, maternal and child health, early intervention and broader public health strategies aimed at reducing preventable disability wherever possible.
Managing expenditure alone cannot ensure sustainability if the number of Australians requiring lifelong support continues to grow.
A truly sustainable approach considers not only how the Scheme responds to demand, but also how Australia might better understand and reduce future demand over time.
- Recommendations Stand Up Now Australia respectfully recommends that the Committee consider the following recommendations in assessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.
Recommendation 1
That the Committee affirm the importance of maintaining an NDIS that continues to provide timely and appropriate support to Australians living with permanent and significant disability who meet the legislative eligibility requirements.
Recommendation 2
That the Committee consider whether reforms directed towards participant eligibility should be accompanied by an independent review of NDIA administrative efficiency, with particular regard to planning processes, decision-making consistency, duplication, internal review processes and administrative performance.
Recommendation 3
13 Independent NDIS Review,
Recommendations regarding foundational supports and early intervention.
Submission 2509
That the Committee consider whether additional measures are required to strengthen governance, procurement, compliance systems, provider oversight and fraud prevention as part of a comprehensive approach to securing the long-term sustainability of the Scheme.
Recommendation 4
That the Committee consider recommending greater public reporting on administrative performance, including measures relating to planning timeframes, review outcomes, administrative costs, operational efficiency and governance.
Recommendation 5
That the Committee consider recommending the development of a national research strategy to better understand the factors contributing to increasing demand for disability supports, particularly among children, so that future policy decisions are informed by robust evidence.
Recommendation 6
That future reforms to the NDIS adopt a balanced approach to sustainability by considering participant eligibility, administrative performance and future demand as complementary components of responsible Scheme governance.
Recommendation 7
That the Australian Government table a post-implementation review within two years of commencement of the Act, evaluating not only participant outcomes but also improvements in administrative efficiency, governance, compliance capability and value for money.14
- Conclusion Stand Up Now Australia supports the objective of securing the National Disability Insurance Scheme for future generations.
The organisation recognises that reform is necessary and that Parliament has an important responsibility to ensure public resources are managed responsibly while protecting Australians who rely upon the Scheme.
This submission also recognises that participant eligibility is an essential component of Scheme integrity. Public confidence depends upon ensuring that supports are directed to those who meet the legislative requirements.
14 Australian National Audit Office (ANAO),
PublicSectorGovernanceBetterPracticeGuide.
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However, participant eligibility represents only one dimension of long-term sustainability.
The Committee may wish to consider whether reforms affecting participants should be accompanied by equally rigorous examination of the administrative systems through which the Scheme is governed.
The Australian Government exercises direct responsibility for the administration of the NDIS through legislation, policy, governance arrangements, procurement, compliance systems, planning processes and stewardship of public expenditure. Continued improvement in these areas has the potential to strengthen both public confidence and the long-term sustainability of the Scheme.
Finally, the significant growth in childhood participation highlights the importance of looking beyond the immediate administration of the Scheme. Understanding the factors contributing to future demand should form part of a comprehensive national approach to disability policy and long-term sustainability.
Securing the NDIS for future generations is not solely a question of determining who enters the Scheme. It is also a question of how effectively the Scheme is governed15, how responsibly public resources are administered, and how successfully Australia addresses the factors that shape future demand.
Stand Up Now Australia respectfully submits that securing the NDIS for future generations will require not only appropriate participant eligibility settings, but equally strong governance, efficient administration and a sustained commitment to understanding the factors driving future demand.
References
Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). PublicSectorGovernanceBetterPractice
Guide.
Explanatory Memorandum. NationalDisabilityInsuranceSchemeAmendment
(SecuringtheNDISforFutureGenerations)Bill2026.
Independent NDIS Review. WorkingTogethertoDelivertheNDIS. 2023.
National Disability Insurance Agency. AnnualReport2024–25.
National Disability Insurance Agency. QuarterlyReporttoDisabilityMinisters,
Quarter32025–26.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth).
Productivity Commission. DisabilityCareandSupport. Report No. 54, 2011.
15 Productivity Commission,
DisabilityCareandSupport (2011).
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About Stand Up Now Australia
Stand Up Now Australia is an Australian public policy and civic engagement organisation committed to promoting informed public debate, accountable government and democratic participation. The organisation undertakes research, public education and engagement on matters of national significance affecting Australian communities.
This submission has been prepared in the interests of contributing constructively to parliamentary consideration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 and reflects the organisation’s commitment to good governance, transparency and evidence-informed public policy.