National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2939
Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill
Name: I am a: Family member / supporter
My main concern about this Bill is: I do not support this Bill because I believe the proposed changes may make it harder for people with significant disabilities to access the supports they need, and may increase uncertainty for families who already carry a substantial caring responsibility.
This Bill may affect me / people I support because:
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I am the primary carer for my son, who has significant disability support needs.
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We rely on NDIS-funded supports to help him participate in daily life and access the community.
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Any reduction in supports, increased administrative burden, or delays in decision-making can have a major impact on our family’s wellbeing.
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Families often act as unpaid support coordinators, advocates, and carers, and additional complexity places further pressure on us.
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Changes that reduce flexibility may not reflect the realities of caring for a person with complex and changing needs.
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I am also the sole income earner for our family, and we are survivors of family violence. Balancing full-time work, caregiving responsibilities, advocacy, and recovery from trauma already places enormous pressure on our household.
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Any additional barriers to accessing supports risk increasing carer burnout and reducing the capacity of families like mine to continue providing the level of care that disabled people need.
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I do not support this Bill because I am concerned that it may give participants and families less certainty about what supports will be funded and how decisions will be made.
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Greater restrictions on funding categories, increased review processes, or narrower interpretations of what is considered reasonable and necessary could leave people without the supports they rely on.
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For families already under significant pressure, uncertainty in the system can lead to delays in accessing essential services, interruptions to care, and increased stress.
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I am concerned that the voices and lived experiences of disabled people and their families have not been adequately reflected in these changes.
One example from my experience: There have been times when accessing appropriate supports has already involved lengthy processes, reviews, and significant advocacy. As a parent, sole caregiver, and sole income earner, I have spent countless hours navigating systems to ensure my son receives the assistance he needs while also supporting my family’s safety, stability, and recovery from family violence. The emotional, financial, and practical demands are significant. Any changes that create additional barriers or uncertainty will increase stress on both disabled people and their families and contribute to the growing risk of carer burnout.
What I want the committee to understand is: Families caring for people with disabilities are already managing complex responsibilities every day. Decisions made through this Bill will have real impacts on the lives of disabled people and their carers.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2939
The NDIS should remain focused on providing reasonable and necessary supports that enable people with disabilities to live meaningful lives, participate in their communities, and achieve their goals. Any reforms should improve the system without reducing access to essential supports or shifting more responsibility onto families. For families like mine, where one person is carrying the responsibilities of caregiving, income earning, advocacy, and supporting loved ones who have survived family violence, there is very little capacity left to absorb additional administrative burdens or reductions in support. Policies that increase uncertainty or make supports harder to access will not support disabled people and will place carers at greater risk of burnout. Disabled people and their families need certainty, transparency, and genuine consultation. We need a system that works with us, not one that creates additional barriers to accessing support.
My position on this Bill: I have serious concerns Because: I am concerned that the proposed changes may reduce flexibility, increase administrative burdens, and make it more difficult for disabled people to access the supports they need. I urge the committee to ensure that any amendments protect participant rights, recognise the role of family carers, including those who are sole caregivers and sole income earners, and prioritise the wellbeing and inclusion of people with disabilities while helping to prevent carer burnout.