National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3041
Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill
I am writing to the senate to urgently withdraw the bill until further amendments are made, in its current form I do not believe it will adequately protect the necessary support people receive from the NDIS or properly address the misuse of the system.
My strongest concern is changes that will affect if or how much support people are able to access due to changes to the definitions of functional capacity, less human review for plans and the strict tightening of support given to be directly linked to the disability that allowed/s access to the NDIS. Functional capacity should include living conditions, existing supports, location and accessibility and other environmental factors. Lacking these it could unfairly and incorrectly remove access for people who will struggle without it. The direct link of access to ability could similarly impact people who have complex needs or changing/uncertain circumstances.
This Bill may affect my family members and friends, some who work as supporters and others who rely on support, by introducing uncertainty and potentially cutting off support for those in need without targeting fraud or misuse. These people are vulnerable but deserve to live a secure and dignified life.
For example my auntie has MS (multiple sclerosis) and has extreme difficulty walking or moving. She relies on an electric wheelchair to travel between rooms and my uncle must help her up stairs if there is no ramp. She also cannot drive and my uncle must help her into and out of the car plus pack up and down the wheelchair for all travel out of the house. He also does all of the house work (cooking, cleaning etc) to maintain a healthy life for them both. They deserve support from the NDIS but if rules become more strict it may be difficult to access or may push them onto already stretched state schemes that are hard to access.
The main problem with the system is the reliance on for-profit, private companies to deliver aid to people. These companies are encouraged to overcharge, over complicate and under deliver to pocket as much profit as possible from a tax funded system. This is made all the easier by targeting people who are in some ways less capable and more in need than those of us who are fortunate enough to have a normally functioning body and mind.
I have serious concerns with the bill in its current form and recommend changes be made to more closely address misuse rather than remove people and restrict access to a lifeline.