National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2811
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Via community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
Submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the
NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
To the committee,
My name is . I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed amendments to the NDIS.
I am a volunteer for an art therapy group. There are less artists that started out as part of this art therapy group than we began with. We have lost members due to individuals lacking money to participate, having access to their support workers denied and in one case an artist, member and friend of mine has died. These cuts to the NDIS kill.
It is hard to feel optimistic when the group is almost always anxious that this program will be taken away from them. Art and mental health support are both severely underfunded areas. Support programs like art therapy are crucial to help those in the community feel less isolated and allow individuals opportunities to express themselves. This all leads to positive outcomes, as we know the positive impact of art therapy on individuals’ mental health.
It stresses me out to know that these artists are always living in constant worry that their access to creative outlets, self expression and disability support workers may be taken from them. This causes these individuals to believe that they have no quality of life that they deserve. Heartbreakingly, in some cases, individuals feel like they have nowhere to turn to. It breaks my heart that these artists feel as if the government does not care for their wellbeing and wants to take away access to being connected, healthy, creative and supported.
I am writing that you consider that cuts to the NDIS are harmful and my artist friends I have made through volunteering at The Art Group deserve dignity and feel the positive impact of connecting with others through art. The first organisation I volunteered with does not exist any more, as there was funding cuts to the art therapy group as the government does not believe it is beneficial. I hope The Art Group does not end the same way.
I have seen with my own eyes through volunteering at these groups that group art therapy positively impacts disabled people’s lives significantly and are crucial to our community. As somebody living with mental illness who cannot work, I believe it is crucial that we support and protect the NDIS as I know how isolating illness and being disabled can feel.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2811
Thank you for your time.