National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2914
Don’t cut SCCP support for Dowm Syndrome participants I am writing to oppose proposed cuts to the ‘social activities’ category of NDIS funding [referred to as Social, Civic and Community Participation (SCCP)] for Down syndrome people. As a taxpayer and citizen, I never thought I would see the day when funding cuts to Down syndrome participants in the NDIS would be proposed. Down syndrome people have always been the ‘poster people’ in government publicity for the importance of the NDIS’s existence.
As you know, NDIS support is divided into Daily Living and Social, Civic and Community Participation (SCCP). In the case of most Down syndrome people I know, global support inside the home and outside is required, so the artificial distinction between Daily Living and SCCP is meaningless.
As a recent Guardian article (20.5.2026) points out, Down syndrome participants have an average of 28% of their funding in the SCCP category. A report by the Office of Impact Analysis noted ‘the benefits of social activities for giving participants a sense of belonging, increasing confidence, building skills and social networks and reducing isolation.’ In other words, the cut to SCCP funding will increase social isolation. Many Down syndrome participants cannot leave home unassisted, so these cuts will mean they remain isolated in their homes. The impact of the proposed cuts goes far beyond mere ‘socialising’ and means that personal development and necessary skills will suffer enormously.
One of the key foundations of the NDIS was the emphasis on the right of the individual to independence and functional capacity. The outcome of these cuts will lead to more congregate care, which is inconsistent with the principles of the UNCRPD and the findings of the Commonwealth Disability Royal Commission 2023. The proposed cuts are a direct assault on the ability of Down syndrome participants to retain independence.
Given that there are only 9,329 Down syndrome participants of the 774,456 total NDIS participants – or 1.2% of the total – I would ask that global funding of both Daily Living and SCCP be grandfathered in the scheme. The number of Down syndrome people in society is decreasing markedly, and the parents of this cohort are ageing. Grandfathering current types and levels of support will have little economic impact. Not grandfathering current levels of support will have a massive impact on Down syndrome participants.