Submission 318 - Attachment 1 77
Appendix One: Plain English Survey Full Report
SWAN Submission to Senate Inquiry into NDIS Bill 2026
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Q1 Which of the following best describes you? (Please tick all that apply)
Answered: 1,385 Skipped: 2
Person with disability
Parent/carer
of person with disability Family member of person with disability
Allied Health
Professional
Disability
Advocate
Support Worker
or other Service…
Support
Coordinator
Plan Manager
Other (please specify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Person with disability 41.08% 569
Parent/carer of person with disability 45.78% 634
Family member of person with disability 15.88% 220
Allied Health Professional 21.30% 295
Disability Advocate 6.28% 87
Support Worker or other Service Provider 8.88% 123
Support Coordinator 4.12% 57
Plan Manager 0.65% 9
Other (please specify) 3.32% 46Total Respondents: 1,385
# OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY) DATE
1 Provider 5/25/2026 6:15 PM
2 Disappointed voter 5/24/2026 4:26 PM
3 Ex employee 5/24/2026 3:04 PM
4 Service Coordinator for 18 years in the disability sector 5/24/2026 8:44 AMPage 78 1 / 347
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5 Friend of family who has a person with a disability 5/24/2026 6:44 AM
6 Admin at allied health provider 5/22/2026 8:09 PM
7 Certified Behaviour Analyst and behaviour therapist 5/22/2026 1:23 PM
8 Doctor who works with children with disabilities 5/22/2026 9:05 AM
9 Doctor who works with children with disabilities. 5/22/2026 9:00 AM
10 Doctor who works with children with disabilities 5/22/2026 8:49 AM
11 Practice Manager at Allied health clinic 5/22/2026 7:00 AM
12 Friend of a person with a disability 5/21/2026 10:37 PM
13 volunteer at Riding for the disabled who supports other participants. 5/21/2026 5:05 PM
14 Close friend of a person with a disability 5/21/2026 8:23 AM
15 Friend of person on NDIS 5/21/2026 5:43 AM
16 Friend of a mum with 2 x daughters with autism 5/20/2026 7:24 PM
17 I work for a Festival that provides artistic, cultural and participatory opportunities to Disabled 5/20/2026 4:24 PMpeople
18 Nursing Student 5/20/2026 12:24 PM
19 Peer worker 5/20/2026 8:53 AM
20 Customer service at Allied health clinic 5/20/2026 6:42 AM
21 Teacher 5/20/2026 5:37 AM
22 Person with disability applying to be on the NDIS 5/19/2026 6:58 PM
23 Residential out of home care coordinator 5/19/2026 6:39 PM
24 I also self-manage my daughter's NDIS plan 5/19/2026 12:17 PM
25 I am mother and I self manage her NDIS plan 5/19/2026 12:10 PM
26 Have three adults with disability 5/19/2026 9:32 AM27 Academic- 5/19/2026 6:43 AM
28 Medical worker 5/18/2026 8:49 PM
29 Nurse 5/18/2026 7:51 PM
30 Work in primary schools 5/18/2026 7:28 PM
31 Sector professional 5/18/2026 7:27 PM
32 A decent human 5/18/2026 7:05 PM
33 Not on NDIS though 5/18/2026 5:12 PM
34 Parent of adult with disability 5/18/2026 3:08 PM
35 President of non profit org providing services for my son 5/18/2026 2:46 PM
36 Aunt of two people with disabilities 5/18/2026 2:33 PM
37 Person with a disability and adult children with disabilities 5/18/2026 2:06 PM
38 Guardian 5/18/2026 1:36 PM
39 Parent/carer of adult child with disabilities 5/18/2026 1:33 PM
40 Psychotherapist 5/18/2026 1:27 PM
41 Ndis staff member 5/18/2026 1:22 PM
42 Registered Nurse with a Disability 5/18/2026 1:05 PM
43 Family member of an adult with disability 5/18/2026 12:50 PM
44 Person working with people with disability and their families 5/18/2026 12:44 PMPage 79 2 / 347
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45 GP 5/18/2026 11:26 AM
46 parent of an Adult with disabilities 5/18/2026 11:15 AMPage 80 3 / 347
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Q2 Which state or territory do you live in?
Answered: 1,383 Skipped: 4
Western
Australia
Northern
Territory
South Australia
Queensland
New South Wales
Australian
Capital
Territory
Victoria
Tasmania
0% 10% 20% 30%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Western Australia 29.14% 403
Northern Territory 0.51% 7
South Australia 4.05% 56
Queensland 16.78% 232
New South Wales 24.58% 340
Australian Capital Territory 2.68% 37
Victoria 20.97% 290
Tasmania 1.30% 18TOTAL 1,383
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Q3 Where do you live?
Answered: 1,378 Skipped: 9
Metropolitan
Regional
Remote
Very Remote
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Metropolitan 56.75% 782
Regional 39.26% 541
Remote 3.56% 49
Very Remote 0.44% 6TOTAL 1,378
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Q4 Do you identify as part of any of the following groups?
Answered: 1,273 Skipped: 114
First Nations
Culturally and
Linguistically
Diverse (CaLD)
LGBTQIASB+
Low-income
household
Not applicable
Other (please specify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
First Nations 3.30% 42
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) 6.13% 78
LGBTQIASB+ 18.22% 232
Low-income household 37.63% 479
Not applicable 48.47% 617
Other (please specify) 2.67% 34Total Respondents: 1,273
# OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY) DATE
1 Convict 5/24/2026 5:08 PM
2 single parent house hold 5/24/2026 1:31 PM
3 Retired, caring for two disabled children 5/24/2026 11:18 AM
4 Disability peny 5/23/2026 8:17 PM
5 Living with multiple chronic health conditions 5/23/2026 1:12 PM
6 50+ years tax payers 5/23/2026 8:01 AM
7 Disability Pension 5/23/2026 5:30 AM
8 No idea what this is 5/22/2026 5:28 PM
9 Son is first nations and has a disability. 5/22/2026 12:33 PM
10 Blended family 5/22/2026 12:23 PM
11 Middle Income 5/22/2026 9:13 AMPage 83 6 / 347
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12 Sole parent 5/21/2026 9:01 PM
13 single parent household 5/21/2026 5:05 PM
14 Neurodiverse 5/21/2026 3:30 PM
15 Single mother with disability 5/21/2026 12:13 AM
16 Disability Pension 5/20/2026 4:14 PM
17 Single parent 5/20/2026 2:41 PM
18 Religious minority 5/20/2026 12:26 PM
19 Sole parent 5/20/2026 5:08 AM
20 Older single woman 5/20/2026 12:34 AM
21 That is person with disability 5/19/2026 8:17 PM
22 Vaccine injured 5/19/2026 6:38 PM
23 neurodivergent 5/19/2026 3:12 PM
24 Ageing carers 5/19/2026 2:40 PM
25 I am also Autistic with ADHD. However, I do not receive any support and I am not an NDIS 5/19/2026 12:17 PMparticipant myself
26 Also disabled but I am not an NDIS participant 5/19/2026 12:10 PM
27 Single parent 5/19/2026 6:18 AM
28 Single parent family 5/19/2026 12:32 AM
29 Single parent 5/18/2026 11:19 PM
30 Multiple youth on ndis 5/18/2026 6:46 PM
31 No 5/18/2026 6:05 PM
32 low income earner 5/18/2026 5:45 PM
33 Single parent family 5/18/2026 4:34 PM
34 Farmers/living on the land. 5/18/2026 1:05 PMPage 84 7 / 347
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Q5 Do any of these apply to you or the person you mainly support? (Choose as many as apply)
Answered: 1,320 Skipped: 67
Autistic person
Intellectual
disability
Psychosocial
disability
Physical
disability
Neurological
condition (eg. Multiple…
Sensory
Disability (eg. Blind, visio…
Multiple
disabilities
Complex
support needs
Other (please specify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Autistic person 74.62% 985
Intellectual disability 36.67% 484
[Psychosocial disability](/foi-library/releases/9a06807716a8-foi-23-24-1328-document-disclosure-log/document-002__guide-psychosocial-disability/) 39.77% 525
Physical disability 40.98% 541
Neurological condition (eg. Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, brain injury etc) 34.85% 460
Sensory Disability (eg. Blind, vision impaired, deaf, hearing loss, deafblind) 19.39% 256
Multiple disabilities 41.29% 545
Complex support needs 38.79% 512
Other (please specify) 8.79% 116Total Respondents: 1,320
# OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY) DATE
1 PTSD 5/25/2026 6:10 PM
2 Neurodivergent - ADHD 5/25/2026 3:07 PM
3 EDS 5/25/2026 2:32 PMPage 85 8 / 347
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4 ADHD 5/25/2026 2:04 PM
5 Domestic violence victims 5/25/2026 12:13 PM
6 ADHD 5/25/2026 10:57 AM
7 ADHD CPTSD 5/24/2026 10:14 PM
8 Dysphagia, OSTEOARTHRITIS, HYPERMOBILITY, DURAL ECTASIA 5/24/2026 4:28 PM
9 Adhd 5/24/2026 12:52 PM
10 Adhd 5/24/2026 11:35 AM
11 Cognitive/ learning impairment 5/24/2026 9:47 AM
12 Cognitive/ learning impairment 5/24/2026 9:39 AM
13 Depression, anxiety 5/24/2026 9:36 AM
14 Tourette’s, adhd 5/23/2026 8:14 PM
15 Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Dyspraxia 5/23/2026 6:48 PM
16 Angelman Syndrome 5/23/2026 3:13 PM
17 Praderwilli syndrome 5/23/2026 3:04 PM
18 Many disabilities not supported or acknowledged 5/23/2026 1:12 PM
19 Down syndrome 5/23/2026 8:01 AM
20 ADHD 5/23/2026 6:39 AM
21 not applicable as i am an allied health professional. i work with children who have 5/23/2026 6:37 AMintellectual, sensory or multiple disabilities
22 ADHD (combined type) 5/23/2026 12:52 AM
23 We are a paediatric clinic 5/22/2026 8:09 PM
24 Adhd 5/22/2026 7:06 PM
25 Diwn Syndrome 5/22/2026 6:29 PM
26 Myalgic Encephomyelitis 5/22/2026 6:28 PM
27 My son has no diagnosed disability. I deal with school and social refusal with my son. He 5/22/2026 4:30 PMrefuses to ever leave the house. We receive no benefits for him and he just stays at home and has done for past two years.
28 Language delay and monitoring for CP and ADHD 5/22/2026 2:19 PM
29 Down syndrome 5/22/2026 1:41 PM
30 asd/adhd 5/22/2026 1:07 PM
31 ADHD 5/22/2026 1:00 PM
32 genetic condition 5/22/2026 12:12 PM
33 Pathological Demand Avoidance and Development coordination disorder 5/22/2026 9:38 AM
34 Developmental language disorder, severe speech disorders 5/22/2026 5:44 AM
35 2x kids. 1 ASD general anxiety & separation anxiety. The other AUDHD 5/22/2026 5:04 AM
36 CPTSD ADHD 5/21/2026 8:58 PM
37 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 5/21/2026 5:44 PM
38 ADHD 5/21/2026 3:30 PM
39 ADHD. Language delay. Dyspraxia Dyslexia Developmental delay 5/21/2026 12:41 PM
40 Chronic health conditions, joint hypermobility syndrome 5/21/2026 11:25 AM
41 Speech disability 5/21/2026 10:59 AM
42 Cognitive impairments 5/21/2026 10:38 AMPage 86 9 / 347
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43 Congenital verbal and motor dyspraxia 5/21/2026 10:34 AM
44 ADHD 5/21/2026 10:30 AM
45 Elhers Danlos 5/21/2026 10:24 AM
46 Chronic illness resulting in physical and cognitive disability 5/21/2026 10:09 AM
47 Many undiagnosed, due to costs, cost of living and lack of services 5/21/2026 5:41 AM
48 I work with many kids. A lot have autism and some have ID 5/20/2026 8:25 PM
49 Complex medical needs, multiply neurodivergent 5/20/2026 7:55 PM
50 Aged care 5/20/2026 5:45 PM
51 Auto immune diseases 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
52 PDA, ADHD, SPD, Anxiety, Sleep Disorder 5/20/2026 4:36 PM
53 Low SES 5/20/2026 3:19 PM
54 Down Syndrome 5/20/2026 1:40 PM
55 Autoimmune disease and long covid 5/20/2026 12:54 PM
56 Compounding disabilities - lack of supports put me at risk of more disabilities 5/20/2026 12:26 PM
57 neuro-divergent 5/20/2026 11:56 AM
58 Elhers Danlos 5/20/2026 11:06 AM
59 ADHD 5/20/2026 10:54 AM
60 Severe ME/CFS 5/20/2026 7:13 AM
61 Complex PTSD 5/20/2026 6:02 AM
62 Complex communication needs 5/19/2026 9:54 PM
63 Stroke victim 5/19/2026 9:04 PM
64 Autoimmune, post viral 5/19/2026 8:17 PM
65 Chronic/Invisible disabilities 5/19/2026 6:58 PM
66 ADHD, CPTSD 5/19/2026 6:39 PM
67 ME/CFS 5/19/2026 6:33 PM
68 Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 5/19/2026 6:07 PM
69 Many comorbidities 5/19/2026 6:04 PM
70 chronic illness 5/19/2026 5:22 PM
71 Nil 5/19/2026 5:01 PM
72 Patent of neurodivergent child 5/19/2026 2:58 PM
73 Mental illness (paranoid schizophrenic) 5/19/2026 2:29 PM
74 Balance issues 5/19/2026 11:15 AM
75 CFS, EDS, POTS, Tourette’s 5/19/2026 9:48 AM
76 Neurological condition which is degenerative. 5/19/2026 8:18 AM
77 Down Syndrome, ADHD, Hypermobile 5/19/2026 7:48 AM
78 Behaviours of concer 5/19/2026 7:40 AM
79 ME/CFS 5/19/2026 7:04 AM
80 Young onset dementia 5/19/2026 6:28 AM
81 Narcolepsy, Autistic, Schizoaffective 5/19/2026 5:34 AM
82 Apraxia of speech 5/19/2026 5:30 AM
83 Genetic condition life long 5/19/2026 4:02 AMPage 87 10 / 347
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84 ADHD, CPTSD 5/19/2026 3:52 AM
85 Multiple Chronic health conditions and functional neurological disorder 5/19/2026 2:37 AM
86 ADHD pda 5/18/2026 11:19 PM
87 Werdnig Hoffman’s with of course no intellectual impairment. All physical. 5/18/2026 8:39 PM
88 Rheumatoid arthritis 5/18/2026 8:03 PM
89 Bipolar, ADHD and PTSD plus Larsen Syndrome 5/18/2026 7:00 PM
90 OCD 5/18/2026 6:04 PM
91 OAVS 5/18/2026 6:01 PM
92 All of the above but apparently ndis only recognise one but how do you know when you 5/18/2026 6:01 PMcan’t dissect yourself you come with everything so going for one disability just does not make sense when everything effects you
93 Invisible disability and resulting limitations to functional capacity related to me/cfs, pots, 5/18/2026 5:55 PMeds, mcas
94 Behaviour of consern 5/18/2026 5:46 PM
95 ADHD 5/18/2026 5:29 PM
96 Adhd 5/18/2026 5:23 PM
97 Behaviours of concern 5/18/2026 5:10 PM
98 Energy limiting disability 5/18/2026 4:47 PM
99 Learning disabilities, mental health conditions 5/18/2026 4:34 PM
100 Chronic health conditions, joint hypermobility syndrome 5/18/2026 4:31 PM
101 Epilepsy 5/18/2026 3:08 PM
102 PraderWilli Syndrome 5/18/2026 3:08 PM
103 ADHD 5/18/2026 2:32 PM
104 POTS 5/18/2026 2:29 PM
105 Immune comprimised 5/18/2026 2:21 PM
106 Chronic Illness - Long Covid and ME/CFS 5/18/2026 1:51 PM
107 Multiple conic health conditions including POTS, PMDD, MCAS, EDS, 5/18/2026 1:28 PMHYPOTHYROIDISM, PMOS
108 PTSD 5/18/2026 1:27 PM
109 Neurological condition: Chronic Vestibular Migraines 5/18/2026 1:05 PM
110 My family member has Down Syndrome. I support people with all kinds of disability in my 5/18/2026 12:50 PMSupport Coordinator role.
111 ADHD 5/18/2026 12:37 PM
112 Epilepsy 5/18/2026 12:26 PM
113 Praderwilli syndrome 5/18/2026 11:35 AM
114 learning disorder 5/18/2026 11:30 AM
115 ADHD 5/18/2026 11:26 AM
116 ADHD 5/18/2026 11:15 AMPage 88 11 / 347
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Q6 The Government wants to use a standard tool to measure how much a disability affects daily life (functional capacity), and base access on this instead of diagnosis or functional capacity. Do you think this is a good idea?
Answered: 1,233 Skipped: 154
Yes - mostly a good idea
Mixed - some good, some bad
No - mostly a bad idea
Unsure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes - mostly a good idea 4.22% 52
Mixed - some good, some bad 22.71% 280
No - mostly a bad idea 70.07% 864
Unsure 3.00% 37TOTAL 1,233
# OPTIONAL COMMENT: DATE
1 Everyone is different and a lot of people are not as simple as needing a "standard" tool. 5/26/2026 7:27 AM
2 An FCE is only one part of a persons profile, so much more needs to be taken into account 5/25/2026 9:13 PMwhen assessing someone’s need for supports, every time we submitted one to the NDIS it was never read or the needs that arose from the FCE taken into consideration
3 Very scarey 5/25/2026 6:10 PM
4 There are already many standard tools that are in use 5/25/2026 6:08 PM
5 every disabled person and their families has different level of functional capacity and having 5/25/2026 6:05 PMa set standard tool to determine access is not feasible. This is no different to getting AI to process plan requests so government can cut cost to hiring actual humans to approve these plans.
6 How much a disability affects daily life should be based on the diagnosis and tailored 5/25/2026 5:44 PMclinical assessment.
7 More information needed 5/25/2026 4:38 PM
8 How is an individual’s functional capacity meant to be accurately reflected with a "standard 5/25/2026 3:25 PMPage 89 12 / 347
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90 tool“, likely conducted by a person that does not have the appropriate training or understanding to do so, that completely separates a person from their disability?! Isn’t this the primary reasoning as to why the participants are accessing the NDIS is due to their disability and diagnosis?
9 The same condition can effect a person's individual functional capacity completely 5/25/2026 2:52 PMdifferently.
10 Many of us already have to prove our significantly reduced functional capacity, but I'm 5/25/2026 2:13 PMworried this standard tool that we don’t know much about might not capture functional capacity very well, especially in the case of complex or “invisible” disabilities. Also, the A and B lists are there to reduce administration as professionals have already established that people with those conditions have permanent disabilities and significantly reduced functional capacity. That’s unlikely to change, but will the new tool consistently recognise this?
11 Humans are unique from one another. A standard tool cannot accurately reflect how much a 5/25/2026 1:30 PMdisability affects each human. A diagnostic measure can. Diagnostic assessments engage with the person, to understand their specific needs, to understand their disability in the context of their home/living environment and psychosocial wellbeing.
12 A participants needs cannot be assessed with adequate individuality and consideration of 5/25/2026 1:02 PMtheir own circumstances by AI. Those best placed to provide detailed thorough and essential information towards assessing a clients needs is the family and the therapist that support the client and their family and carers. The AI generated tool does not take into consideration personal circumstances nor environmental factors which is a key component of the ICF model of supporting those with a disability which is a world accepted model for people with disabilities. This model should be the cornerstone of assessing a participants needs. The AI generator assessment does not assess and view a person with a disability in this way.
13 No. It won't take into account unique aspects of a person's disability that affects functional 5/25/2026 12:23 PMcapacity.
14 As a data scientist, with a background in psychology and professional experience in 5/25/2026 11:48 AMcommercial data science and AI projects, I am well aware of the ways in which systems like this can be set up in a biased direction -deliberately or accidentally. The outlier nature of disabled people and their needs means that skewed assessment frameworks that are not defined by public health professionals is an unfair approach to determining access or funding for NDIS participants. The way forward should be public allied health led design, not just in consultation, with public facing transparency on how the system works, to keep the NDIS accountable.
15 Standardized tests are reliable only for the group it was devised and standardized for. A test 5/25/2026 11:22 AMcan’t be then used for other groups. Disable citizens have diverse needs and do not have stable impairments , one day may look different to another. Snapshot testing by someone who had no proffsion in allied health, using an instrument not designed for the disabled population is ludicrous, I reliable, not supportive, inaccurate. possibly might cause harm, including injury, trauma, and death.
16 I think there needs to be more consistency and reliability about how decisions are made. I 5/25/2026 10:08 AMam genuinely concerned however that the proposed standardised measures will not be sufficient to cover the breadth and depth of people’s disabilities and experiences to help people feel seen and help planners understand their strengths and needs. I am also concerned that such standardised assessment will be very face valid, leading everyone reporting on such a measure to describe a person on their worst day rather than a representative day of functioning in order to try and qualify for funding - something we saw in the early days of NDIS. This will likely become a protective measure as it has been reported the algorithm will make a final decision that cannot be appealed against.
17 A measure of functional capacity is not bad in itself, but it does need to be assessed by a 5/25/2026 7:42 AMqualified practitioner like a trained OT not by a clerical officer using a newly devised ‘checklist’ who will likely niot have training to communicate well with sometimes non speaking participants.
18 Disability can not be standardized. 5/25/2026 6:19 AM
19 Reports are made to substantiate the level of a persons functioning capacity determining 5/25/2026 3:25 AMthe amount of hours for daily support which is imperative for
20 It doesn’t make any sense. There is nothing standard about anyone persons disability. 5/24/2026 10:36 PM
21 No one tool is designed for this and requires complex understanding of disability to make 5/24/2026 10:16 PMinformed desicions.
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22 This is an absurd idea. A standard tool cannot measure accurately how much a disability 5/24/2026 9:36 PMaffects daily life.
23 How is it possible to capture the nuances of people’s disability and their support needs 5/24/2026 7:48 PMusing one standardised test and convert it into a suitable budget. Any experience professional would tell you this is not possible
24 No disability is the same. Each disability needs to be assessed on the person not what their 5/24/2026 7:46 PMdisability is
25 Disabilities are so diverse, how can there be merely one standard for testing? You can’t use 5/24/2026 7:21 PMthe same tool to assess both hearing and vision, so how can you have one tool for measuring such a diverse spectrum of disabilities?
26 My daughter is high masking and flew under the radar for many years. I worry that the high 5/24/2026 7:08 PMmasking best day gives zero insight into our every single day of meltdowns and disregulation after a day of masking. And cannot represent her worst days where she was unable to do anything. The fact these are less often is the result of years of work from Speech and OT and psychologists
27 Its a terrifying idea for complex high needs people with a disability 5/24/2026 6:45 PM
28 However the reporting is flawed. The funded time for it doesn't allow for the OT to observe 5/24/2026 6:37 PMand thus understand the total deficits.It has to be written in the NDIA language, is only valid for a year or disregarded rudely
29 The holistic approach needs to still apply. 5/24/2026 6:31 PM
30 Whilst I believe that an appropriate functional assessment tool is necessary tool, I do not 5/24/2026 6:31 PMagree with a standard tool that is not broad in design nor adequately measures multiple disabilities. I also believe that an appropriate functional assessment tool needs to be designed by qualified allied health workers who have experience in the areas of disability that will be assessed. I believe it is a mistake for the federal government to overhaul access based on diagnosis. Diagnosis is often the cornerstone of how we make sense of a disability and without it the building blocks necessary to measure appropriate supports if futile. Furthermore the above statement is contradictory as it states “a standard tool to measure how much a disability affects daily life (functional capacity)” and then in the next breath state that access should be based solely on the tool and not “diagnosis or functional capacity”. So what is this standard tool supposed to measure if not ones functional capacity and how that affects their daily life?
31 Good for it to be based on function, not disability on a “list” 5/24/2026 6:14 PM
32 People can not be broken down into separate parts. A person's functional capacity is 5/24/2026 6:13 PMinfluenced by a number of things like how various diagnoses interact, their environment and personal circumstances.
33 This is not likely to be a true indicator of a persons daily functioning and would not be 5/24/2026 6:05 PMindividualised
34 This will be a disaster for participants and just shift costs to others areas :( 5/24/2026 5:58 PM
35 People are individuals 5/24/2026 5:42 PM
36 Agreed that one size doesn't fit all just because they have a diagnosis - however some 5/24/2026 4:32 PMdiagnoses represent spectrum disorders that can show up dramatically differently depending on the setting.
37 This will cause more harm than good, the focus needs to be on fixing the broken system 5/24/2026 4:31 PMand the fraud NOT removing innocent participants who have done NOTHING wrong from the scheme. It is and never was our fault its theirs for letting it get out of control.
38 Look at the mess in Aged Care. People are dying 5/24/2026 4:26 PM
39 I agree with the development of an appropriate functional capacity tool but one which is 5/24/2026 4:18 PMbroadly designed to look at multiple disabilities. This tool needs to be designed and delivered by allied health workers who understand the disabilities being assessed. I don’t agree with the statement above as it states that this tool would be used instead of diagnosis or functional capacity. Firstly a diagnosis is the cornerstone of any person with a disability and secondly the statement states that “instead of disability or functional capacity”; isn’t this tool supposed to assess a person’s functional capacity as this affects one’s daily life? This statement is not clear in intent.
40 Using a standard tool to measure functional capacity is fine if the tool is broad enough to 5/24/2026 3:45 PMencompass multiple disabilities. I think there is a question of adequate design and whether
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92 one tool is capable of making such assessments. I would also suggest that that the Functional Assessment Tool needs to be administered by someone with adequate knowledge and training in allied health pertaining to the participants diagnosis. Furthermore, I disagree about disregarding diagnosis as this is the premise of one’s disability and needs to be considered within the process of assessing one’s functional capacity.
41 This question contradicts itself. ..base access on this (functional capacity) instead of 5/24/2026 2:09 PMdiagnosis OR functional capacity
42 Assessments only capture a snippet and are subjective to what the assessor sees at that 5/24/2026 1:40 PMtime. Also, the descriptions provided by parents and assessors is depenedent on their ability to articulate and describe adequately. This opens up the risk of missing kids that might mask intensively, or parents who are over whelmed and don’t know how to addequately describe what they’re experienceing and observing.
43 Still need to take health specialist reports into consideration 5/24/2026 1:40 PM
44 Yes, this might be a fair option, *as long as* the diagnosis is considered, in so far as the 5/24/2026 1:36 PMcondition may be progressive or stable (ie, Multiple Sclerosis is progressive, whereas paraplegia is stable) and whether the sufferer has ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days or every day feels the same. And the assessment is completely objective (such as a score or timed) and not at all subjective (such as an opinion, and the assessor(s) are experienced physiotherapists or other allied health professionals
45 Environmental impacts, particularly for youth, are highly relevant to disability burden. 5/24/2026 1:00 PMRemoving environmental and comorbidity impacts places those already facing significant vulnerabilities at severe risk and significantly decreases their opportunity for positive outcomes in adulthood.
46 It would be a good idea if the people reviewing actually thoroughly look at how its impacting 5/24/2026 12:53 PMthe disabled person and their family and carers quality of life!
47 Every person with a disability is different 5/24/2026 12:52 PM
48 There are too many people who don’t have functional limitations and just want 5/24/2026 12:42 PMcompanionship. The NDIS should be for only significant and permanent disabilities.
49 Robots aren’t people. They can’t accurately reflect function (or lack of function) 5/24/2026 12:41 PM
50 A standardised tool is never going to adequately assess to suitability of a person with 5/24/2026 12:27 PMlimited functional capacity. Within a single diagnosis, there is a huge variation of needs that can be identified. How can a standard tool adequately reflect this?
51 Standardised tools with no alternatives does not fit all needs for participants 5/24/2026 12:26 PM
52 Not needing formal diagnosis is good but standardised wont work case by case only 5/24/2026 12:25 PM
53 It should not be the governments choice who is considered dissabled enough for support 5/24/2026 12:15 PMand who is not, this should be the responsibility of the doctors who are already responsible for diagnosis and support. If you have a diagnosis that should be enough to qualify, having unqualified people judge your condition and make choices about your life is downright insulting.
54 It is impossible to design a single assessment tool to suit every individual 5/24/2026 12:00 PM
55 Functional capacity for an autistic person varies wildly depending on the situation 5/24/2026 11:53 AM
56 The appropriate standardised solution would be a functional capacity assessment by the 5/24/2026 11:51 AMparticipants chosen OT who should in turn toake into account reports from other specialists and allied health professionals.
57 Standard tool is not reliable or verified for multiple disabilities. 5/24/2026 11:42 AM
58 Absolutely no faith that whatever tool will be used will be used by qualified professionals 5/24/2026 11:33 AMtrained and skills maintained to use it. Point in time assessment has been the challenge for pwd since the dawn of time. It has no basis in evidence. Another attempt to deprofessionalise disability sector and to blantantly save money at the expense of pwd
59 It will be inherently bias towards fluctuating disabilities not reflect the true depth and breadth 5/24/2026 11:30 AMof how disability impacts someone’s life.
60 I can’t see how a standardised tool can capture the impairment in each applicant without a 5/24/2026 11:28 AMpersonal interview of the individual and/or the people who care for them. Allied health professionals are trained in this. Why replace them with a tool that is unable to capture the nuances of every participants challenges?
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61 All dis ability devlop different from each individual. How the tool going to measesure this 5/24/2026 11:25 AMvariant?
62 All assessments, continued funding and re-assessments need to be individually by humans 5/24/2026 11:19 AMwith expertise in the area of disability care with first hand experience of what daily life looks like for participants.
63 One size does not fit most or all 5/24/2026 11:06 AM
64 A person with a disability or psychosocial disability may not know the depth of their 5/24/2026 10:32 AMdiagnosis or may be psychologically in denial of their diagnosis or not have the capacity to understand this, and so a person with a disability who is independent with how they live may say that they can do certain things such as daily living activities and tick yes to being able to do everything, but then they will struggle to do these things and tasks but be indenial that they need help. And so their answer to FCA may be low needs when it’s not. And this will base how much funding they will get, and if a person needs help and doesn’t have the funding, they will be at risk of not getting the right support they need due to low funding
65 May not be sensitive to less visible impairments such as auditory processing, specific 5/24/2026 9:57 AMcognitive/learning impairment & fatigue impsirment
66 Most of the people who are in charge of making these decisions have no concept of the 5/24/2026 9:53 AMlevel of impact an individual’s disability has on their day-to-day lives. I feel those with worked/lived experience should be a part of the decision-making process to bring about a realistic improvement in the lives of those who are truly affected by the disability.
67 Most disabilities won’t fit into a standard Ticky box system. People fight with everything 5/24/2026 9:35 AMthey have even when on the NDIS to get the supports we desperately need and were originally promised. Stop messing with it.
68 Some people's disabilities are invisible and hard to measure 5/24/2026 9:06 AM
69 For many young children and children with ASD they don’t have such strong functional 5/24/2026 8:52 AMdisabilities because their parents/carers compensate and do so much for them. This would preclude them from early intervention. Then there is significant issues and difficulties as academic and social demands increase as they did not build foundation skills earlier.
70 Disabled Australians are not budget tools. These legislation changes dehumanise this 5/24/2026 8:33 AMpopulation and place their wellbeing at the mercy of an AI robot that cannot possibly understand the intricicies and nuance of daily life for a person with a dynamic disability.
71 Being in rural NSW and Vic we struggle to engage with allied health professionals to access 5/24/2026 8:15 AMa FCA. Although great when we do.
72 There are varying degrees & types of disability that can affect a person’s function in varying 5/24/2026 6:49 AMways, a standard tool is going to leave gaps in identifying all issues a person may have
73 There are some diagnosies that should be automatically accepted - the process to apply for 5/24/2026 6:40 AMthe NDIS is already difficult for those with disabilities. An option simplifying and making functional capacity testing more accessible would be good, however depending on how the standard tool is designed to test functional capacity it could either make that process faster and simpler or much harder and exclusionary.
74 No tool can capture someone’s functional capacity. Even in the right hands people with 5/24/2026 6:35 AMdegrees and extensive training in functional capacity and disability are the only suitable option here.
75 This is terrible for any PWD let alone complex needs 5/24/2026 5:42 AM
76 we need individual assessments done by trained allied health professionals! 5/24/2026 12:30 AM
77 My concern is the standard part, becasue ther are so many ways to have disability, and 5/23/2026 9:33 PMoften it is the environment that disables
78 - disability is not a one size fits all; how has this tool being validated for populations like 5/23/2026 9:17 PMpeople who use AAC or using Auslan.
79 I like the fact a functional capacity will be standard rather than left to someone's opinion but 5/23/2026 9:16 PMthe facilitator doing the FCA has to understand a lot in order to capture our wide ranges of complex needs from many different disabilities and how the intertwine
80 One does not fit all 5/23/2026 8:13 PM
81 Not all disabilities are equal and should be treated as an individual case, not pigeon holed to 5/23/2026 7:46 PMthe closest description.
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82 It will require participants to undergo unnecessary additional assessments. For example, a 5/23/2026 7:11 PMchild with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy with a GMFCS Level of 4 or 5 should automatically be eligible for the NDIS because we know they will have significant life long needs.
83 Standardised tools are designed to capture norms or averages. People are not these things 5/23/2026 7:10 PMContext, nuance and detail matter. Every person matters.
84 It’s so difficult to take a one size fits all approach when dealing with disability. 5/23/2026 7:00 PM
85 Very difficult to have one or two standard tools that measure a very large range of 5/23/2026 6:14 PMdisabilities and circumstances.
86 There are disabilities that don’t fit into this standard tool. The tool disadvantage certain 5/23/2026 4:25 PMpeople with disabilities to access NDIS.
87 How can you measure a persons disability by using a tool that puts people into a box, 5/23/2026 4:13 PMindividuals have fluctuating needs on a daily basis and a snapshot could be detrimental for a family. As a single parent we have good days and bad days, on our good days you wouldn’t think I need support and on our bad days that can last for weeks, months, years on end and I didn’t have supports in place it would break me to the point of a mental health crisis. I’m in burnout already, please don’t try to put us under subheadings and burn me out completely, there is no one else to look after my children with additional needs
88 The i can is only one type of assessment, it makes up a toolkit of assessments, and you 5/23/2026 4:13 PMwould only choose it if it was the right fit for the person being assessed. Assessments are not a one size all
89 ICAN does not capture the whole picture. For example, my daughter can cook, she can 5/23/2026 3:12 PMcatch public transport but in reality she can not because Praderwilli diet has to be carefully managed. As they never feel full they food seeking constantly. Obesity related disorders are the main cause of death in PWS. She cooks she sneaks and staches food even when being observed, she catches public transport independently she gets off at stations with shops to access food
90 It would only work if completed by someone like an OT and with experience in the persons 5/23/2026 1:51 PMspecific disabilities. For me it would not work due to my communication difficulties, masking, and energy limiting condition. I would not be able to sit a long test and it would have to be broken up into chunks. I also am not always reliable with my answers as I might not understand what is asked or minimise things
91 Standardised tools rarely capture psychosocial or multiple conditions causing disability nor 5/23/2026 1:18 PMdo the capture the barriers pwd face
92 A standard tool selected by the minister is not inline with best clinical practice. An accurate 5/23/2026 12:59 PMassessment of a person’s functional capacity requires appropriate clinical knowledge, a the time to understand a person’s daily life. Also, this tool will be selected by the minister who has a vested interest in kicking people off the scheme, and so will not be interested in selecting an appropriate tool for accurately exploring participant’s capacity. Also, a single tool across such a wide range of disabilities is completely inappropriate.
93 A "standard tool" does not cover all areas and not all people can answer such questions 5/23/2026 12:01 PManyway. Some are unable to adequately express themselves, others may be delusional etc.
94 Both diagnoses and functional capacity should be used. 5/23/2026 10:32 AM
95 A standard tool will be ill-suited to measure fluctuating capacity. 5/23/2026 9:42 AM
96 People’s diagnosis matters and it must continue to include BOTH diagnosis and functional 5/23/2026 9:29 AMcapacity.
97 How can we approve something we know nothing about? 5/23/2026 8:27 AM
98 No, this is a terrible idea 5/23/2026 8:17 AM
99 Many people already have their support needs identified and just need a continuing plan 5/23/2026 6:09 AMunless a change of circumstances requires a plan change. Assessing for the sake of trying to cut funding is likely to have a negative impact on PWD.
100 Will not capture fluctuating conditions 5/23/2026 5:11 AM
101 People with disabilities are unique and so are the symptoms of their condition/s. This may 5/23/2026 4:54 AMcause harm to someone who would hugely benefit from support, futhermore, a tailored assessment takes into consideration all aspects of their life such as parents/carers. It can’t be an accurate assessment of the criteria is standardized.
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102 I can't imagine the tool can cover the diverse range of needs of people with disabilities. 5/22/2026 10:09 PM
103 A standardised tool implemented by unqualified assessors is not appropriate 5/22/2026 9:04 PM
104 These changes are deadly to many of us with complex needs and multiple disabilities 5/22/2026 8:11 PM
105 Using a standard tool, is never a good thing as everyone is SO unique and individual. 5/22/2026 8:09 PMNothing is standard in this world and it will not measure accurately
106 Having access based on a diagnosis doesn’t accurately record or capture someone’s 5/22/2026 8:04 PMfunctional capacity.
107 Functional capacity assessments must be conducted by allied health practitioners and take 5/22/2026 7:19 PMinto account the fluctuating nature of many disabilities as well as changing support requirements depending on the environment.
108 Already have various neurological & functional capacity reports done. 5/22/2026 6:09 PM
109 Everyone is different, you cannot use a standard tool to measure a persons disability 5/22/2026 6:08 PM
110 Too much writing for me to comprehend 5/22/2026 5:30 PM
111 This should not be in isolation additional supporting evidence such as therapy reports, 5/22/2026 4:07 PMenvironment and the combined impact of all diagnosed disabilities regardless of whether NDIS has accepted those disabilities and their affect on the persons functional capacity
112 On paper, a child may be able to complete a task but their ability to perform that task 5/22/2026 3:48 PMfunctionally everyday would not be captured by this assessment.
113 Gives OTs too much power and doesn't reflect the needs 5/22/2026 3:41 PM
114 There is no such thing as a standard human being, a standard form of disability even within 5/22/2026 3:30 PMa diagnostic category, so there can be no standard tool that fits most people.
115 Capacity changes over a lifespan & getting in early with individuals deemed to have lower 5/22/2026 3:29 PMneeds may mean they have no needs in future - but intervention with skilled professionals is still warranted
116 These tools will be completed by trained non-professionals thst do not have a lived 5/22/2026 2:57 PMexperience of disability or knowledge that a health professional would have. Participants wouldn’t be able to capture the variation in their skills from day to day.
117 Terrible idea 5/22/2026 2:34 PM
118 Not all disabilities are the same and there is multiple layers. Using one standard tool will not 5/22/2026 2:28 PMcover the impact or needs of the individual or family
119 AI standard assessment tools, non-allied health assessors, mean that the individual's 5/22/2026 1:24 PMfunctional capacity can not be accurately measured, and discounts the complex interactions of multiple disabilities, or even a single disability if the individuals living situation and functional capacity is not assessed and reported on by the appropriate allied health, medical or other professional.
120 Disabilities and how they affect us are not standard, so using any kind of standardised tool 5/22/2026 1:16 PMwould be unfair, unreasonable and wouldn’t be able to accurately describe everyone’s needs.
121 Extremely bad idea! 5/22/2026 1:15 PM
122 functional capacity is essential to assess; many disabilities result in fluctuating capacity 5/22/2026 12:39 PMday by day, a single assessment will not take this into account and will leave many without essential supports
123 I have ME/CFS, I tried to do the enrol in the trial and even for that, the conditions prevented 5/22/2026 11:28 AMme from doing it, the would not allow question in writing or chat to even give me time to think.
124 Disabilities are complex, varied and nuanced. No single tool can adequately capture the 5/22/2026 10:51 AMneeds of such a diverse group of people
125 A standard tool will likely miss the complexity of function and be unable to tailor need. No 5/22/2026 10:32 AMdisability presents the same and this poses many risks
126 Government Official - please ensure you make the right decision and do the right thing. 5/22/2026 10:30 AMMaking changes will have a substantial impact on people’s lives. This includes participants and providers who employ hundreds of people.
127 No. This change only exists to deny disabled people access to NDIS. It wouldn't even save 5/22/2026 10:17 AMPage 95 18 / 347
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96 money like they’re probably hoping it would
128 My child can’t complete an FCA. One single FCA that covers all disabilities and measures 5/22/2026 9:57 AMagainst the same standards could present many problems. Different disabilities present different challenges and all challenges need to be considered even if a person is competent in one area doesn’t mean they don’t need significant support in another. I also think the disabled community should have a say in the FCA . If done correctly with consideration of different needs it could be okay but serious work needs to be done to ensure it is fair to all applicants and when you have a child like mine who outright refuses to engage in many tasks with the FCA what does that mean? Their disability is preventing them from engaging
129 Our child's disability is always present, but varies in severity from day to day, so NDIS 5/22/2026 9:40 AMfunding would be used for physio and Osteo to strengthen his body and treat ongoing injuries occured. Also, ZEBRA is a private allied health group necessary to match our child’s disability. After the initial 5 Goverment rebates, there is no ongoing medicare funding for this specialised group who are essential for our son’s particular condition. In this case there is a gap in financial support that only NDIS funds can meet.
130 Providing a standardised tool to make the functional capacity assessment could help 5/22/2026 9:27 AMassess the client’s support needs, however asking someone to perform for a test, is not equivalent to their functional capacity in real life situations because environmental factors may not be replicated in the standardised assessment. Therefore the client might appear to perform better in the functional capacity test situation than in real life situations that involve more complex cognitive processing of environmental factors. Furthermore Functional Capacity Assessments are very expensive and the financial cost is a barrier for clients to access it.
131 I think this needs to be very different for children and adults with ASD and MUST be 5/22/2026 9:07 AMconducted by a skilled practitioner with an allied health background and years of experience
132 The idea that young autistic participants and participants with developmental delays and 5/22/2026 8:12 AMintellectual disabilities be removed because of their diagnosis is extremely concerning. Just because they make up the majority of the participants currently accessing NDIS supports does not mean they should be moved to other supports. The thriving kids program is not prepared or equipped to provide the level of support that this vulnerable children and families need. Early intervention is evidence based and by removing so many supports because of their diagnosis is detrimental to their development and future as well as their future contributions to society
133 A standardised tool for functional assessments is not necessarily a bad thing if it is 5/22/2026 8:10 AMperformed by appropriate trained allied health workers who have knowledge of the condition/s they are assessing. I think dumping diagnosis is not helpful as that provides context around a participants disability. I don’t agree with it being put through AI for automated decision making and this really need clinical experience.
134 Must include capacity for review by clinicians 5/22/2026 7:29 AM
135 People are not 'standard' so this needs to be carefully considered, but there is so much 5/22/2026 7:07 AMnuance to disability and functional capacity regardless of diagnosis so diagnosis should not be the be all, end all to decide someones care needs.
136 Ridiculous idea 5/22/2026 5:50 AM
137 Very difficult to find a standard tool that can be applied in pediatrics. 5/22/2026 5:34 AM
138 They completely ignored two FCAs, one which I paid $900 and one which they then funded. 5/22/2026 3:12 AM
139 Need more information in order to comment on how this would work 5/21/2026 11:58 PM
140 I don't trust the government that this tool will be a good idea because it will be designed to 5/21/2026 9:06 PMbuy them to not be to disable people’s benefit
141 The same condition can affect different people differently. Additionally, people with multiple 5/21/2026 8:02 PMconditions may be minimally impacted by each minimally, but the total impact of multiple conditions combined can be large.
142 lack of clarity as to who will administer them. A tool is only as good as the person 5/21/2026 8:00 PMassessing. Without properly trained people in disability and assessment tools, it will be unlikely that the tool can capture their real needs of the person with disability
143 The proposed functional capacity assessment is based off WHO-ICF however they have not 5/21/2026 7:00 PMincluded participation measures. This is a blatant disregard for WHO and all disabled people who’s disability impacts their ability to participate in every day life.
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144 This automates responses and has no nuance 5/21/2026 6:06 PM
145 A TAG of hand picked people to design the tool is dangerous and could be biased. The only 5/21/2026 5:13 PMpeople who should be performing testing is the participants own allied health teams. not some NDIA pen pusher who has had in house training and no qualifications. It should not be put out to tender either kpi’s to meet certain goals could be applied
146 Terrible idea. AI taking over and again no accountability or understanding of disability 5/21/2026 4:51 PM
147 Not all standardised assessments are completed as they are intended and doesn't allow for 5/21/2026 4:36 PMnuances and more individualised information
148 If the right professionals are involved it could work but there needs to be specific training 5/21/2026 3:23 PMand skills
149 It needs to be based on the person function and supports around them 5/21/2026 12:29 PM
150 It depends on the assessment and whether it takes into account the complexity that is 5/21/2026 12:08 PMinvolved in a person’s support needs
151 Functional capacity isn't static and it is impossible to standardise 5/21/2026 11:59 AM
152 Does not account for people as individuals together with their circumstances and their 5/21/2026 11:56 AMenvironment.
153 How do they plan to assess people with severe difficulty in speaking to unfamiliar people, 5/21/2026 11:56 AMparticularly those who have zero informal supports? Same question for people who understate their disability and needs due to internal shame, fears etc
154 This tool appears to have major flaws, including reducing everyone's function to a one size 5/21/2026 11:43 AMfits all. It may also be biased against certain conditions including psychosocial and autism. I have concerns about the length - there is no way I could complete this in one three-hour sitting- and the possibility that I might be forced to express myself on the spot by speaking, with no alternative method of communication allowed.
155 this could help some people with me/cfs for example, to access the scheme. Though it 5/21/2026 11:39 AMcould harm people who are currently doing well with their ndis supports, but risk decline (like those with mild me/cfs or other conditions) if left unsupported. Preventative care is real, otherwise more people will develop more severe disabilities.
156 As long as they base it per person and not just generalise, as a parent/carer with 3 children 5/21/2026 11:26 AMall with same level autism diagnosis plus other disabilities not one of my kids is the same or have the same needs as each other.
157 I don't believe a standard tool can take into account a person's ability to communicate 5/21/2026 11:08 AMthereby potentially affecting the outcomes
158 This will mean qualified professionals who know me and my disability can't be involved in 5/21/2026 11:07 AMmy assessment, and it will automate something complicated.
159 Standardised tools cannot assess individuals. 5/21/2026 10:57 AM
160 I am very concerned that it will not accurately apply to all disabilities. 5/21/2026 10:50 AM
161 Not all discourse fit into neat boxes. It’s fine if it takes into account by all and is validated 5/21/2026 10:42 AMby allied health sector and disabled but otherwise no
162 My disabilities and functional impairments only make sense if you understand the 5/21/2026 10:38 AMconditions that cause the impairments.
163 Standardised proformas / word limited or price limited FCA models to improve consistency 5/21/2026 10:37 AMmay be possible, but what is proposed is not this. Essential these assessments remain completed by an individual’s therapist and not NDIA/NDIA contracted companies.
164 It needs to be completed by a trained professional with ability to override the system if it 5/21/2026 10:29 AMgives something inappropriate. Needs to include information from those who care for, support and work with the person
165 Diagnosis needs to also be taken into consideration - especially when people often have 5/21/2026 10:26 AMmultiple/complex conditions. Each person needs to be looked at individually, they can’t have a standard test for all as it won’t cover all needs
166 They should be a standard tool that runs alongside the functional reports that participants 5/21/2026 10:25 AMalready have
167 This is not mostly a bad idea. It is a terrible idea. This is dehumanising even more. We 5/21/2026 10:16 AMPage 97 20 / 347
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98 need steps forward. Not neck around the rope being dragged backwards
168 Terrible design. A screening tool is fine but access must be based on need as determined 5/21/2026 10:13 AMby a multidisciplinary team of professionals not a delegate alone.
169 You can be functional in daily life ie walk around, attend school, but have 0 participation in 5/21/2026 10:13 AManything or communicate in anyone. What does “functioning in daily life” mean?
170 This will discriminate against multiple people - fluctuating conditions, neurodivergent, for 5/21/2026 10:09 AMexample.
171 Agree that standardising is required for equity. However, standards needs to be formulated 5/21/2026 8:50 AMbased on agreed empirical data AND consultation with grass roots participants to provide qualitative evidence
172 Capacity for many people varies from day to day. For people with complex needs, these 5/21/2026 8:34 AMtools are not good at understanding the person’s actual needs
173 My therapy team who have known me for years know my complex needs. A standardised 5/21/2026 7:38 AMassessment isn’t capable of this.
174 Access does need to be reviewed but the ones administering the tool MUST be allied health 5/21/2026 7:36 AMtrained and able to probe appropriately. Many people with significant complex needs and less visible disabilities minimise the impact of their disability and without non judgemental, skilled screening the wrong info could be collected.
175 I’m worried it will not understand complex needs as they do not fit neatly into boxes 5/21/2026 7:03 AM
176 A standard tool may be insufficient to capture the nuance of functioning for clients of 5/21/2026 7:02 AMdifferent ages and in multiple settings.
177 Hard with younger children who need early intervention 5/21/2026 7:01 AM
178 My sons primary disability is autism so his secondary vision impairment and developmental 5/21/2026 6:21 AMcoordination disorders don’t get funding at all - not even for a Physio assessment to show the need.
179 I am concerned the current system is inaccessible for people who cannot afford reports to 5/21/2026 6:16 AMprovide evidence of their disability and functional capacity. However I am concerned that there will be no specialists involved in assessing someone’s eligibility, nor anyone familiar with the person.
180 This gets rid of individualised needs and disregards cost of living 5/21/2026 6:15 AM
181 The system just needs to be fully regulated and all providers registered. That will stop all 5/21/2026 6:01 AMthe private workers doing all the 1:1 supports when there are participants that would benefit from being in group supports and building real connections with peers rather than going to the movies, theme parks and for coffee week in week out
182 Most people with family members or disabilities themselves live truly below the poverty line 5/21/2026 5:51 AMremoving supports because they can not afford the testing is disgusting.
183 I have concerns about the tool. It would be good for some people without a diagnosis to be 5/21/2026 4:14 AMable to access to support. However, my concern is that the tool will not capture all challenges that people face. I want to know more about the standard tool and how it assesses people.
184 This cannot be assessed generically, each individual is different 5/21/2026 3:09 AM
185 This is not an objective assessment and assumes validity and specificity 5/21/2026 1:17 AM
186 Dangerous and life endangering 5/21/2026 12:25 AM
187 Not all disabilities are black-and-white and the same 5/20/2026 11:47 PM
188 Not everybody’s disability present the same so it’s a very bad idea 5/20/2026 11:36 PM
189 It depends who is assessing using this tool. Do they have a good understanding of 5/20/2026 11:08 PMdisabilities beyond what’s on paper? What does functional every day life look like for that person that’s being assessed.
190 I am deeply worried this tool will be inadequate and dangerous towards people with 5/20/2026 10:26 PMpsychosocial disability.
191 Mark Butler does not understand the complexities of disability enough to be choosing a 5/20/2026 8:28 PMteam. A standard commission should be developed, where candidates apply based on merit, expertise and proven fundamental disability knowledge. Parliamentarians are Page 98 21 / 347
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99 renowned for selecting lobbyists and/or colleagues and this impartiality is why the current systems fail. 90 days for anything in the NDIS is too long, these are peoples lives, not applicants for a rental property. Anyone that is currently a participant, carer, family member or support provider knows it extends far beyond 90 days, yet allows only 28 days to appeal any or all decisions? There are thousands of staff members with ample access to reports, why does it require 90 days for anything? In regards to alternative systems, most were abolished at the the introductory of the NDIS. Recouping funds is fine and well, but work cover and transport accident cases usually take years! Who’s to say if compensation will even be granted? And even if that compensation would cover an accumulation of debt raised, whilst waiting for a case outcome. Why aren’t the reports provided by allied health used? If a Dr told you, you had reduced lung capacity and needed to see a specialist, no one would ever question that? So why are reports ignored? It is the gross mishandling of the NDIA that amplifies why automated systems are so widely questioned. At this stage, with a large majority of the general public realising that it is rogue providers causing the over expenditure, no amount of cuts will make a difference. It will just cost lives and continue to increase in expenditure.
192 If done well, it could mean more equitable funding for clients of similar presentations (e.g. all 5/20/2026 8:08 PMASD L2 gets $x, all ASD L3 gets $y) but this should be as a STARTING point and still assess for external factors impacting the client (e.g. location of services, family/carer level of support and capacity, number of individuals in same household receiving NDIS supports)
193 No - COMPLETELY horrific, uneducated, and ableist idea (not to mention against basic 5/20/2026 8:05 PMhuman rights laws)
194 I honestly find this really concerning. A standard tool might work for some people, but 5/20/2026 6:52 PMdisability isn’t one-size-fits-all. Functional capacity can change day to day, especially with conditions like MS, fatigue, pain, cognitive issues, or fluctuating illnesses that aren’t always obvious in a short assessment. I worry people will end up being reduced to a score on a form instead of being properly listened to as individuals. Diagnosis alone shouldn’t decide support, but neither should a rigid assessment tool that may miss the real impact disability has on someone’s daily life.
195 If the tool & people applying it are able to accurately determine someone's functional 5/20/2026 6:18 PMcapacity & support needs then it could be a welcome, cost effective way to plan supports. The fear is that these assessments won’t be accurate & people won’t get the support they need & that it will be very difficult to have the assessment properly reviewed. We are assuming that the aim of this assessment & the changes to planning are focused on minimising support & the support provided won’t be sufficient, which will add more stress to people who are already struggling.
196 The worst idea ever. This will harm and kill people. It’s about cutting costs. 5/20/2026 5:45 PM
197 It is like the old Pre NDIS system that didn't work. 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
198 I'm uncertain how they'll enforce needing to exhaust all treatments if the diagnosis isnt 5/20/2026 5:02 PMneeded.
199 Already getting and providing a FCA every 12 months to the NDIS, for it to be blatantly 5/20/2026 5:02 PMignored and never implemented by unqualified specialists i.e. NDIS public servants
200 Disability and people are not standardised. Individuals need and deserve individualised 5/20/2026 2:16 PMsupport plans.
201 The person should have a qualified OT functional capacity test. Not a goverment offical. 5/20/2026 1:54 PMPeople present diffrent at diffrent times and settings. An overal knowelge of what that person needs to live a quality of life.
202 Concerning as to the qualifications of the assessor- tick a box checklist with no clinical 5/20/2026 1:32 PMqualifications
203 I have trialled the new assessment. It is grossly inadequate. 5/20/2026 1:04 PM
204 AI, developed by non-professionals, cannot replace diagnosis and functional capacity 5/20/2026 12:34 PMmeasured by professionals and this will lead to deaths.
205 They are people. Humans. You can’t fit them in a box. Medically, I can have the same 5/20/2026 12:31 PMdisease as another person and yet we will need different treatment. It will NOT work.
206 I think both should be considered. 5/20/2026 12:31 PM
207 we don't want robodebt 2. standardised tools not tested for valdity with First Nations peoples 5/20/2026 12:29 PMare invalid
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208 Standard tools do not have room for nuance 5/20/2026 11:47 AM
209 Any time a singular tool is applied to the complexity of human experience, important nuance 5/20/2026 11:43 AMcan be missed.
210 It needs to be a humanised protocol, each person is different, one size does not fit all. A 5/20/2026 11:38 AMstandardised tool may completely miss a persons individualised support needs, as disabilities like Autism have various subtle nuances. Disabled people are not “standard” so the way our needs are assessed should be person centered and tailored to our specific differences. Many people with disabilities such as myself have co-existing disabilities such as ADHD and Autism and Anxiety, these diagnoses have different traits that can overlap and create unique dynamics which may appear contradictory - eg I love concerts but I strongly dislike crowds. I sensory seek but can sometimes not realise when I’m overstimulated and need downtime. My body language and non-verbal communication differs greatly from even other autistic people. I do not believe that a standarised tool would be at all appropriate or equipped to assess anyone’s eligibility to access the NDIS. Doctors and therapists undergo years of training - we should be trusting them with such critical decisions, not a tool. I wouldn’t at all feel safe putting my life and future in the hands of a tool, rather than a human.
211 This is a terrible idea because people can straight up lie, at least with diagnoses it will be 5/20/2026 11:16 AMlegally in writing
212 There has never been a tool that can be accurate to all 5/20/2026 10:52 AM
213 No — not on its own. Measuring functional capacity can be helpful, but using a single 5/20/2026 10:41 AMstandardised tool as the main gatekeeper for support is really concerning. Disability is complex and context-dependent. Two people can score similarly on a tool but have completely different support needs in real life. A short assessment often misses things like:
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fluctuating capacity * masking/camouflaging * sensory and emotional regulation challenges * cumulative fatigue * support already provided by families * environmental barriers * safety risks * the difference between “can do once” vs “can sustain consistently” As an OT, I think functional capacity absolutely matters — but it should be explored through multiple sources: * clinical observation * reports from therapists * family and school input * lived experience * longitudinal understanding over time * diagnosis and disability-specific knowledge * real-world participation impacts A standardised tool can support decision making, but it should never replace clinical reasoning or lived experience. There’s also a huge risk that people who are articulate, who mask, or who have episodic/invisible disabilities will appear “less impaired” during a structured assessment and lose access to support they genuinely need. Early intervention is another major concern — waiting until someone is significantly functionally impaired before they qualify can lead to worse long term outcomes and greater pressure on families, schools, hospitals, and crisis systems. Different disabilities also present very differently. A single tool is unlikely to fairly capture the needs of: * autistic people * people with psychosocial disability * intellectual disability * neurological conditions * chronic illness * degenerative conditions * people with high support needs who rely heavily on co-regulation and environmental support The fear many people have is that “standardisation” can become a way to reduce access rather than improve fairness. A better approach would probably be: * flexible, multidisciplinary assessment * combining diagnosis + functional impact + contextual factors * recognising fluctuating and hidden disability * genuine co-design with disabled people * allowing professional judgement and evidence from treating clinicians * ongoing review processes that are accessible and fair A tool should inform support — not decide someone’s worthiness for it.
214 Standardised assessment falls into the medical model and not the social model of disability. 5/20/2026 10:39 AM
It does not allow for varied capacity and abilities of ppl with disability. Also who is delivering this assessment? Some paper pusher or someone who has years of experience working with ppl with disability?
215 Functional assessments are helpful, but I'm concerned with how the tool is developed and 5/20/2026 10:06 AMwho it might leave out
216 Disability and its impact on a person's daily life is so varied. No standard tool can truly 5/20/2026 9:56 AMcapture the diversification of the functional impact of a disability on a person’s daily life. Do not bring in the standard tool. Leave existing eligibility criteria as is.
217 assessing daily functional impact requires professional level training and skills - not 5/20/2026 9:21 AMsomething a non allied health professional can be quickly trained in or worse for an algorithm to be used - this is deeply disturbing and a retrograde step in the rights of those with disabilities
218 It doesn’t account for fluctuations in ability. 5/20/2026 8:49 AM
219 It depends so much on who creates the tool and how they identify how things affect daily 5/20/2026 8:40 AMPage 100 23 / 347
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101 life. I think communication is something that’s really missed in functional capacity assessments at the moment
220 All people are different, and disabilities affect them differently. Just because one person 5/20/2026 8:40 AMneeds a 3mm hex key doesn’t mean someone else gets any use from it
221 Everyone’s circumstances and ability to cope are not standardised. Support from informal 5/20/2026 8:23 AMcarers is also not standardised
222 Every persons experience is vastly different and requires a personalise functional capacity 5/20/2026 8:14 AMassessment
223 Depending on what the standard tool is 5/20/2026 8:07 AM
224 How they measure functional capacity is already flawed. 5/20/2026 7:15 AM
225 Not knowing how comprehensive the proposed test will be bothers me, though emotionally 5/20/2026 6:43 AMconfronting i was required to supply a WHODAS to assist my application after genetic testing and specialist neurologist letter confirming my diagnosis and disability.
226 Disabled people are individuals and using a standardised tool is not going to factor in the 5/20/2026 6:07 AMindividual differences and needs of people. Functional capacity assessment needs to be contextualised, factoring in environmental and personal circumstances. This assessment needs to be conducted by experienced professionals who are trained to complete such assessments. The outcome of this assessment should help guide funding requirements.
227 All bad. Not one good idea in this legislation 5/20/2026 6:03 AM
228 Disability is not standard its individual 5/20/2026 5:57 AM
229 If it is designed and implemented by trained allied health professionals 5/20/2026 5:37 AM
230 You will kill is with this bill 5/20/2026 5:11 AM
231 We haven't been given enough informative about the details of this to be able to make an 5/20/2026 12:41 AMinformed decision
232 Untrained assessors using an assessment tool that's not been validated scientifically or by 5/19/2026 10:26 PMthe disabled community will clearly lead to incorrect decisions here
233 A standard tool only captures the data in the moment. Assessing functional capacity takes 5/19/2026 9:44 PMtime and observation in real life contexts. OTs are trained to do this. Barely qualified NDIA staff are not trained with a 4+ year degree and clinical placements/work experience to do this
234 Functional capacity is individual and funding should be participant based not diagnosis 5/19/2026 8:47 PMbased
235 There is a lot of uncertainty around functional capacity and core aspects need to be 5/19/2026 8:22 PMincluded in the actual legislation so as to be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Must account for intersectional experiences, complex and overlapping conditions. Capturing real human experiences, low threshold, allow input of evidence of personal with disability and have appeal rights retained
236 Disability is unique to every person and cant be quantified by a calculation. The same as 5/19/2026 8:16 PMmedical care is tailored to the individual, disability care will only ever work if it is specific to the persons needs. Anything generic will leave everyone with serious unmet needs
237 we are all individual with unique disability requirements and a standard tool cannot capture 5/19/2026 8:10 PMthat for everyone. This needs to be done by reports by qualified professionals in the field of the disability
238 I am concerned with how ‘functional capacity’ will be assessed and measured, who will 5/19/2026 7:31 PMcomplete the assessment and what will be in place for transparency.
239 We don’t fit into boxes, every person is unique 5/19/2026 7:05 PM
240 My child has a rare condition, not well understood, has intellectual disability and physical 5/19/2026 7:00 PMdisabilities. It is difficult to understand how a general tool will work for him.
241 Depends on the tool.if it’s ICAN, then it discriminates against people with non-physical 5/19/2026 6:59 PMdisabilities.
242 Does the Government think that I will suddenly not be disabled 5/19/2026 6:39 PM
243 I’m not sure that there is an appropriate tool that would work for a range of disabilities 5/19/2026 6:27 PMPage 101 24 / 347
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244 The last time the government used an algorithm we had Robodebt and people died. In the 5/19/2026 6:27 PMNDIS space a lot more people are going to be injured or lose their lives all because they have a disability and the government has most Australian convinced that every participant is ripping off the NDIS. Whereas most of the fraud is coming from big business
245 There is no tool that does this or we would be using it already. It doesn't listen to any of the 5/19/2026 6:27 PMexisting evidence in the literature about how to assess function.
246 I prefer to use our allied health professional reports based upon the whole person 5/19/2026 6:12 PM
247 I can is not meant to be administered by non therapists 5/19/2026 6:07 PM
248 Tool would need to be VERY good and codesgined to ensure it captures multiple disabilities 5/19/2026 5:28 PMand fluctuating function but overall bad idea, standardised tools always mean some people will not be accurately captured with the nuance required for them to have right supports
249 A one size fits all approach cannot possibly suit all people. Functional capacity assessment 5/19/2026 5:26 PMare a good tool currently.
250 A terrible idea. They don’t understand complexity and they set up assessments so only 5/19/2026 5:20 PMcapable people can advocate for themselves. They’ll butcher whatever tool they use
251 This is just like the Autism umbrella term. there are so many different conditions out there 5/19/2026 5:13 PMbut calling them all “autism” allows the government to cheap out on much needed supports. One size does not fit all.
252 The model presented does not take into consideration assistive technology or care required 5/19/2026 5:07 PMto complete tasks
253 In other schemes a combination of a confirmed diagnosis and a standardised assessment 5/19/2026 4:58 PMof impairment is used and is effective. The choice of assessment is key.
254 There should be a combination 5/19/2026 4:24 PM
255 This is a good change, as some conditions the medical profession can’t / won’t formally 5/19/2026 4:22 PMdiagnose until adulthood / post skeletal formation. But the functional need is the same regardless of the name
256 Better than on diagnosis alone, but needs to be a very good assessment tool 5/19/2026 4:09 PM
257 I believe this is an entirely bad idea considering a very small portion of Australia's with 5/19/2026 4:05 PMdisabilities are even on NDIS in the first place
258 A standard tool cannot possibly fairly assess the myriad of possible effects all the 5/19/2026 3:36 PMnumerous disabilities can cause.
259 No single tool can facilitate this measurement. It requires allied health input. 5/19/2026 3:26 PM
260 My sister has poor functional capacity across all aspects of daily life due to her intellectual 5/19/2026 3:24 PMdisability. However, my son, functions well physically but lacks higher order functioning skills ie planning, budgeting, consequence of actions etc. Both present very differently so would require different approaches to decide their support needs.
261 the tool is only validated when used by a qualified trained allied helath professional. to think 5/19/2026 3:22 PMthey can “train” public servants or contractors without these qualifications id dangerous and renders the data unusable.
262 These tools are inherently flawed and miss nuances of individuals 5/19/2026 3:00 PM
263 Depends on whether the standardised tool is evidence-based and appropriately norm 5/19/2026 2:41 PMreferenced.
264 Standardized assessments are generally standardized to certain populations and often don't 5/19/2026 2:11 PMconsider disability in their testing. For people with disabilities. One shoe definitely doesn’t fit all and a clinical approach is required to determine which assessment/s may best capture their support needs across days and environments
265 Standard tools do not account for individual complexity 5/19/2026 12:38 PM
266 diagnosis is just as relevant an functional capacity and both need to be considered based 5/19/2026 12:29 PMon the whole person
267 A person may have the functional capacity to feed and clothe themselves but be 5/19/2026 12:14 PMdevelopmentally a child and unable to live and provide for themselves
268 There is a reason no one single tool exists to assess function of all PWDs. Because it is an 5/19/2026 12:06 PMimpossible task. The idea that a TAG could create a tool & verify its psychometric Page 102 25 / 347
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103 properties & train non-allied health staff to administer it within 12 months is a total utter fantasy complete fantasy.
269 These tests are unsitable for and unfairly disadvantage people with my disabilities 5/19/2026 12:00 PM
270 If it was a fit for purpose test delivered by qualified allied health professionals 5/19/2026 11:13 AM
271 Reports need to be read to be useful. People making decisions should meet the person or 5/19/2026 10:54 AMsee video or READ reports prepared by other. At the beginning we wnent to meet the planner in person.
272 Functional impacts of invisible disabilities like psychosocial disorders are going to be hard 5/19/2026 10:51 AMto establish
273 My concern is people like myself with good days and bad days. How is that measured and 5/19/2026 10:45 AMwhat will support be based on?
274 Terrible idea one size does not fit all. Disability is too complex to fit into a box. 5/19/2026 10:40 AM
275 Is subjective not objective (as an OT report is). It’s a concern as ‘early intervention’ is much 5/19/2026 9:41 AMless likely to be included. Participants will need to wait until they deteriorate before gaining supports. This will result in worse long term outcomes.
276 The use of a standard tool used by non specialist peopleis the problem, since no such tool 5/19/2026 9:15 AMhas any tested validity and can’t hope to capture the full picture.
277 I think functional capacity assesesments are useful for some d0isabiities but degenrative 5/19/2026 9:14 AMones are not good for that and the assessments need to be conducted by people who understand the conditions, preferably OTs with experience in the specific disability
278 No each individual depending on their disability has different needs. This may be physical/ 5/19/2026 8:49 AMintellectual. You cant compare a Blinds persons needs to one with Autism for example. Totally different categories.
279 This will not give an accurate picture of the person 5/19/2026 8:38 AM
280 In some respects hopefully it will take out biases of the person using the tool but in other 5/19/2026 8:32 AMrespects it can’t pick up the nuances of disability and how disabilities affect us
281 If the new changes are so efficient why do ndis need 90dys to make a decision? Just 5/19/2026 8:31 AMbecause a scheme is available in NSW doesn’t mean I can access it in Qld, this is a return to tge broken State system where those lucky enough to live in certain states have better suppprt - it’s promoting inequality. Plus, my disability prohibits me accessing most other schemes as they do nit accommodate my disability needs (temperature, chemicals/fragrance, light and noise impairments). I will be a boat left adrift.
282 The tool may not be appropriate and it won't be disability professionals applying it. Surely 5/19/2026 8:25 AMthis means incorrect assessments?
283 Does not cater for cultural and linguistic or some disabilities due to limited scope of 5/19/2026 8:09 AMquestioning and frameworks being proposed
284 The proposed tools (I-CAN) are not valid of reliable for many disabilities and are planned to 5/19/2026 7:54 AMbe done by unqualified APS 6 staff. This is unsafe, unfair, and will not capture functional capacity in daily life for most people. Functional capacity should be assessed by qualified professionals who know and understand the person they are prescribing supports for.
285 Each individual is different so diagnosis and functional capacity should be taken in 5/19/2026 7:53 AM
286 A terrible idea, with a one size fits all approach, along with the failure to review the 5/19/2026 7:44 AMextensive information treating specialists have on NDIS participants. Taking 90 days for an access decision means more people stuck in hospital. Standardised tools fail to get an appreciation of the intricacies of lesser known disabilities. There is absolutely no guidance around what “exhausting all treatment options” looks like. Do we have to consult with a witch doctor too? Also, no appreciation for the right to medical autonomy, and the right to decline treatments based on unknown long term side effects.
287 I support functional capacity determining eligibility but I don't think the new tool will fairly 5/19/2026 7:40 AMassess it because it won’t be adminstered by suitably qualified people
288 Why would you need to retest participants with complex disability or spinal cord injury 5/19/2026 7:25 AM
289 This would not accurately show the impact for individuals. As it is also self report it will also 5/19/2026 7:18 AMimpact various cohorts differently making it inequitable.
290 Disability & functional capacity are complex and can not be assessed by a standard tool. 5/19/2026 7:18 AMPage 103 26 / 347
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291 It depends on the tool and how it is implemented, current proposed tool not suitable for all 5/19/2026 7:09 AMdisabilities
292 No single tool is capable of doing this across all disabilities, especially in the hands of staff 5/19/2026 7:05 AMthat are not allied health and therefore not adequately trained to understand the impacts across disabilities. Those of us with so called invisible disabilities will be particularly impacted. There is already a high level of ableism working against us from people that just don’t have the right level of qualification to understand.
293 I don’t see the need to reassess everyone 5/19/2026 6:50 AM
294 We are ALL different.so hard to use a standard test.. 5/19/2026 6:50 AM
295 It’s dangerous box ticking by unqualified (not allied health professionals) public servants to 5/19/2026 6:44 AMcategorise people for funding bands. It’s totally lost the important individualising approach that was key to the intention of the NDIS
296 Both diagnosis and functional capacity should be considered, especially when the agency 5/19/2026 6:43 AMhas a documented history of not referring to functional capacity assessments.
297 I don't trust the NDIS to understand me as a whole person when they already don't read or 5/19/2026 6:39 AMunderstand reports from my trusted medical/support team
298 What about intellectual disability who cannot answer questions also not looking at the whole 5/19/2026 6:38 AMfunctional person with multiply disabilities
299 People should always be assessed on an individual basis. Some disabilities are dynamic, 5/19/2026 6:26 AMwith periods of extreme loss of function are periods of being more able bodied. How can you assess functional capacity in this cohort? You can’t just take an average. We are people not sheep.
300 I believe the assessment process will involve cherry picking to exclude anything that 5/19/2026 5:46 AMdoesn’t fit the agency/government agenda
301 We already send in functional capacity reports that cost thousands done by allied health 5/19/2026 5:09 AMand they are ignored and not read. This new tool will be too restricted
302 As it might be designed to discriminate against psycho social disability or Autism 5/19/2026 2:44 AM
303 I think measuring functional capacity can be useful as part of the NDIS assessment 5/19/2026 2:11 AMprocess, because diagnosis alone does not always reflect how much support a person actually needs in daily life. Two people with the same diagnosis can function very differently, so looking at real-world impact is important. However, I am very concerned about relying too heavily on a single “standard” assessment tool to determine access to the NDIS or support levels. Disability is complex and highly individual. Many conditions, particularly autism, psychosocial disability, intellectual disability, neurological conditions, chronic illness, and fluctuating disabilities, do not fit neatly into standardised scoring systems. A person’s functioning can vary dramatically depending on environment, stress, sensory load, communication supports, mental health, fatigue, trauma, or the presence of familiar carers. My concern is that standardised tools often capture how someone presents during a short assessment, not how they function consistently in real life over time. Many people “mask” difficulties, especially autistic people, children, and people who have spent years trying to cope without support. Others may appear capable in structured settings but struggle significantly at home, school, work, or in the community. I am also worried that functional assessments may become primarily a gatekeeping tool designed to reduce access rather than genuinely understand support needs. If funding pressures influence how assessments are interpreted, people with genuine disability-related impairments may be excluded because they do not score “high enough” in narrow categories. Another concern is that standardised tools can unintentionally disadvantage: * people with fluctuating conditions, * people from culturally diverse backgrounds, * First Nations participants, * people with communication difficulties, * and children whose needs may change rapidly over development. Functional capacity should absolutely be considered, but it should be assessed holistically using multiple sources of evidence, including reports from treating professionals, carers, schools, therapists, and the participant themselves, not reduced to a single standardised score. Ultimately, any assessment process should focus on understanding the whole person and the supports they genuinely need to participate safely and meaningfully in everyday life.
304 The tools they've proposed (I-Can) are not suitable for use by people with no understanding 5/19/2026 1:26 AMof disability (i.e. the NDIA planning teams)
305 Would be ok if it was a Vineland or not something created specific for the ndis and only if 5/19/2026 12:40 AMtested by a qualified allied health provider known to the participant
306 I was originally ambivalent about this - as long as reports from medical and allied health 5/18/2026 11:07 PMPage 104 27 / 347
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105 practitioners were taken into account it might have worked. But they have been clear that this will not be the case. I was also a part of the original I-CAN testing and training phase, and what was in my I-CAN summary was utter nonsense. Riddled with inaccuracies and provided nothing that a plan could be built off. It was shockingly erroneous
307 A standard tool may measure whether someone 'can' do a task, but miss whether they can 5/18/2026 10:16 PMdo it safely, repeatedly, consistently, independently, and without significant distress or exhaustion.
308 Standard tools created by someone who doesn’t understand disability are not going to 5/18/2026 10:15 PMcapture the information required to truly understand the impact of the disability! These measures will not allow for the clinical judgement of a professional using comprehensive qualitative and quantitative information.
309 Disability is too complex for 1 government questionnaire. 5/18/2026 10:06 PM
310 Standardised testing doesn't work. We are people, individuals and have individual needs 5/18/2026 8:57 PM
311 They cant quantify or understand the various disabilities as it stands.. There is no point in 5/18/2026 8:48 PMthis.. It would be better if they actually read the paperwork and had training in reading medical documents
312 Mostly not really applicable 5/18/2026 8:48 PM
313 “A standard tool” is not an evidenced based tool hence PWDs will be used as crash-test- 5/18/2026 8:43 PMdummies for a non validated tool.
314 How will the measure be taken? One day? By a stranger? 5/18/2026 8:42 PM
315 Appalling pathetically bad idea 5/18/2026 8:42 PM
316 So many varied disabilities hard to capture in a tool 5/18/2026 8:40 PM
317 Everyone's needs differ 5/18/2026 8:07 PM
318 Given all the myths and outright lies they've been spreading about autism and psychosocial 5/18/2026 8:05 PMdisabilities in recent years I wouldn’t be surprised if this is deliberately designed to discriminate against people with “invisible” disabilities
319 How can a standardized test understand nuances of a person 5/18/2026 7:50 PM
320 Depends on the tool, how it has been validated and who will be administering the 5/18/2026 7:33 PMassessment
321 Under the current rules I've seen people who are functionally impaired declined for having a 5/18/2026 7:33 PMdiagnosis that doesn’t fit, so maybe this will benefit them
322 Participants and applicants go through lengthy and expensive processes to provide reports 5/18/2026 7:32 PMfrom qualified professionals to determine eligibility for NDIS.
323 Standardisation testing for disability functioning is a terrible idea as each person's 5/18/2026 7:20 PMdisabilities and support needs vary individually.
324 Every persons needs are different 5/18/2026 6:59 PM
325 No two people are the same and this would hurt a lot of people to be “standardized” by a tool 5/18/2026 6:49 PM
326 It is not good to reassess existing participants. Their rights should be protected. 5/18/2026 6:48 PM
327 It's a terrible idea putting all participants in a box and having only one tool will lead to people 5/18/2026 6:36 PMbeing misrepresented
328 A FCA is about functional capability, NDIA said to be unnecessary 5/18/2026 6:32 PM
329 I think the government should have been looking more at FCA but they should also consider 5/18/2026 6:18 PMthe diagnosis as well.
330 As someone with multiple unrecognised conditions, I am currently uneligible for NDIS 5/18/2026 5:55 PMsupport despite my functional capacity having been severely limited by the combined impact of these for nearly 10 years, leaving me unable to work or independently care for myself or my family. If eligibility and funding allocations are decided by qualified and competent assessors, this change could help others like me to access support to function.
331 You cannot paint all disabilities with the same brush!! 5/18/2026 5:50 PM
332 Functionality fluctuates.. 5/18/2026 5:48 PM
333 Good if it prevents people needing to pay for both fca and diagnosis before applying, 5/18/2026 5:47 PMPage 105 28 / 347
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106 however very concerned about the took to be used, whether it can be accurate across disability types and being administered by public servants rather than medical or allied health professionals
334 Disability is complex and concerned it wont recognise the complexities 5/18/2026 5:28 PM
335 Unsure/Mixed – People with the same diagnosis can have very different functional capacity. 5/18/2026 5:23 PMFunctional capacity can also change over time due to early intervention, supports and individual circumstances, so any assessment tool should be flexible and not rely on a single measure.
336 It depends on how this is applied and what is included in "daily life", i.e. social, community 5/18/2026 5:12 PMand work participation should be part of daily life.
337 The tool does not account for all conditions, it does not account for under researched 5/18/2026 4:51 PMconditions, and unknown conditions. It does not account for PEM (post exertional malaise) and other “invisible” or non immediate impacts of disability in daily life
338 hard to say when do you see what the tool is (guidelines) 5/18/2026 4:34 PM
339 I have many behaviours of concern that make me at risk of hurting myself and others, I 5/18/2026 4:19 PMdon’t think standard assessments will be able to pick up on this.
340 If it resolves the problems with the current system which favours people who have the 5/18/2026 4:15 PMmoney, time and knowledge to shop around for private diagnosticians who interpret diagnostic criteria more loosely, and therapists who know how to reframe indications for therapy so as to fit the NDIS criteria.
341 It determines that a disability is based on stereotypes not ability to function which can 5/18/2026 4:14 PMchange daily. The functional idea goes on the standard what abled bodied people believe
342 FCAs need to be done by a qualified professional. And the measure used needs to be 5/18/2026 4:12 PMscientifically valid and reliable. If you use people who are not qualified professionals then even the best assessment tool will be flawed and therefore wrong.
343 The tool may miss isolated people that are vulnerable. The tool which is not tested may 5/18/2026 4:06 PMallow for more people to access the scheme without adequate filters. I don’t believe everyone should be reassessed. I believe ndis should start reassessment from January 2020 this is when autism diagnosis started to skyrocket.
344 Terrible idea 5/18/2026 3:32 PM
345 Each day i have different capacity to function each day 5/18/2026 3:23 PM
346 If this is the ICAN assessment it would not capture thr true level of functionality. For 5/18/2026 3:23 PMexample my daughter has Praderwilli syndrome where the leading cause of death is obesity related disorders. Her food intake has to be monitored closely and she food seeks constantly. So theoretically she can cook, she can catch public transport but we cant let her leave house or cook without support as she would access food, hide and store food and shoplift.
347 This test would not be accurate for my child and I disagree that those who implement the 5/18/2026 3:22 PMtest are unqualified
348 It is impossible to accurately capture complexity in a standardised tool 5/18/2026 3:13 PM
349 Standardised tools fail to capture the subtleties and context of disability. For some people, 5/18/2026 3:00 PMsuch tools fail to see the full extent of disability.
350 It is imperative that each case is assessed individually and all relevant documents and 5/18/2026 2:59 PMdiagnostic records be referred to in order to assess on a case by case basis. The alternative may me detrimental to to future wellbeing of myself and so many others!
351 In my experience in special education, along with lived experience with my son and others I 5/18/2026 2:46 PMhave supported, there is no tool that can readily, or effectively assess a person’s needs. Especially if their needs are complex.
352 who is writing this tool? who is putting together the questions? the power of this tool is in 5/18/2026 2:44 PMwhat is written and how the information is percieved
353 Computer Assessments have totally failed in Aged Care. 5/18/2026 2:40 PM
354 Every person is different. I don’t trust shortcuts which will affect everyone’s funding. 5/18/2026 2:32 PM
355 This doesn’t consider the ability for those unable to engage and answer questions 5/18/2026 2:32 PMappropriately non verbal, disengaged, emotionally fragile people won’t answer with practical
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107 honesty due to their disability
356 If created properly it could make accessing necessary supports quicker and easier, but I'm 5/18/2026 2:32 PMworried it will be used to easily bar people from supports.
357 It's well established practice that one assessment tool is not a valid assessment. From a 5/18/2026 2:31 PMlived experience perspective, my functioning as a person with multiple disabilities, fluctuating functioning, and an Energy Impairment has been extremely difficult to assess. one assessment tool and one assessment is not going to cut it.
358 could be good, also a lot of potential to be abused. ___ 5/18/2026 1:59 PM
359 Each disability/diagnosis and no 2 people are the same with the same diagnosis. ___ 5/18/2026 1:54 PM
360 Encourages consistency and fairness and equity across plans 5/18/2026 1:52 PM
361 There is no one tool that can accurately assess capacity across all disabilities. Any tool 5/18/2026 1:44 PMmust be administered by a professional (eg dr or ot), NOT a public servants OR ai OR a computer
362 It depends on knowledge and understanding of the person administering the standard test 5/18/2026 1:38 PM
363 The tool needs to be used by appropriately qualified staff otherwise it will be unreliable 5/18/2026 1:32 PM
364 There 100% needs reform but it must be consulted and not rushed and people with 5/18/2026 1:26 PMdisabilities must not be demonised
365 There is no one tool that can be used to assess FCA for all disabilities. FCAs need to be 5/18/2026 1:24 PMcarried by suitably qualified professionals to be accurate and reliable.
366 People constantly have to be assessed which is costly and time consuming. People with 5/18/2026 1:08 PMcurrent plans should stay on those plans unless a change is required which would streamline the process and save taxpayer funds.
367 Every person is different even if they have the same diagnosis. Also the needs of a person 5/18/2026 1:05 PMcan fluctuate depending on their age and life stage.
368 Why should we have to justify a disability and reveal private information when an 5/18/2026 12:34 PMassessment has already been in place to get a ndis plan
369 This is already creating stress for no reason other than political posturing. There were 5/18/2026 12:21 PMalready systems in place to deal with the identified problems, this change is unnecessary at best and is likely to be extremely harmful to disabled people who are already vulnerable.
370 It will be used to strike existing participants from NDIS access. 5/18/2026 11:51 AM
371 If theyre talking about ICAN assessment it certainly wouldn't capture a true picture of her 5/18/2026 11:45 AMfunctionality. Theoretically she can do things like cook, catch public transport but she cant because she accesses food if she does these things independently and Praderwilli is all about food monitoring because obesity is the leading cause of death .
372 Need to have a structured approach that is objective 5/18/2026 11:29 AMPage 107 30 I 347
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108
Q7 How worried are you that the new ‘functional capacity’ rules could make it harder for some people to get onto the NDIS?
Answered: 1.233 Skipped: 154
Not worried I
Neutral I
Slightly
worried
Moderately
worried
Very worried
Extremely
worried
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Not worried 1.78% 223.000/o 37Neutral 4.300/o 53Slightly worried
Moderately worried 11.52% 142
Very worried 25.14% 310
Extremely worried 54.26% 669TOTAL 1,233
# OPTIONAL COMME.NT: DATE
1 The people deciding "functional capacity rules" don't have an understanding of disabilities. 5/26/2026 7:27 AM
2 As I mentioned it should be used in conjunction with other reports, the world of disabilities is 5/25/2026 9:13 PMvery complex and there should never just be 1 tool used to determine 1000/o of what supports someone needs or even is allocated to receive.
3 It is extremely worrying as any set standard tool will not be able to fully help the person 5/25/2026 6:05 PMneeding NDIS.
4 More information needed 5/25/2026 4:38 PM
5 The criteria for applying to early interventio~overing everyone from children to seniors- 5/25/2026 3:25 PMare keeps changing constantly, and it’s already chaotic enough! Now you want to add even more roadblocks and rigid criteria they have to “meet”, as if making it harder somehow guarantees fairness?
6 It is already a very difficult and stressful process for a disabled person to apply and meet 5/25/2026 2:52 PMPage 108 31 / 347
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109 access.
7 Functional capacity is complex and we need an individual and human approach to fully 5/25/2026 1:30 PMimprove the lives of people vVith disabilities. The public have not been informed enough about all aspects of the proposed Bill. What happens to the people who vVill not be considered eligible? There vVill be a marked increased in people slipping through the cracks.
8 The new functional capacity rules vVill significantly impact the ability of many people vVith 5/25/2026 1:02 PMdisabilities ability to get onto the NDIS. Persons vVith a disability or ultimately miss out thus changing the path of their future permanently. This vVill not only change the personal circumstances of those vVith disabilities but also the economic impact into the future vVill be significant. What is known to be cost? Cutting now vVill be an absolute cost blowout into the future when participants who have not been supported or able to access the NDIS vVill require increased formal and formal support costing far more into the future. The quality of life and the dignity of people vVith disabilities vVill also be significantly impacted and is a disgrace to the welfare of Australia Australian citizens vVith a disability.
9 This is going to be unfair. Not all ASD levels present the same way (example only) and yet 5/25/2026 12:23 PMplans vVill be built on generalisation
10 It vVill absolutely make it more difficult and has been deliberately ambiguously worded to 5/25/2026 11:48 AMallow for unfair treatment based entirely on ’1inancial sustainability“ goals instead of enabling disabled people to live a decent -not luxurious, life. It is skewed towards short term cost reduction instead of long term longevity and effectiveness.
11 I am concerned that the new rules may not capture people's needs effectively, that there is 5/25/2026 10:08 AMno discussion consultation or recourse planned for decisions made.
12 It vVill be impossible for help and back on to a parent to do everything and not possible so 5/25/2026 9:22 AMback on the hospital and overworked education and allied system
13 It is like robodebt and ignores professional advice from specialists on an individual basis. 5/25/2026 6:19 AM
14 It appears that some participants have "everything whether they genuinely require it or not" 5/25/2026 3:25 AM“it’s not what you know but who you know· while REAL disabled people are left struggling for approval.
15 I don't trust the algorithm they're planning to use to make their decisions _____ 5/24/2026 10:36 PM
16 worried about the criteria and who is designing it, vVill it be objective. 5/24/2026 7:47 PM
17 My daughter is high masking and flew under the radar for many years. I worry that the high 5/24/2026 7:08 PMmasking best day gives zero insight into our every single day of meltdowns and disregulation after a day of masking. And cannot represent her worst days where she was unable to do anything. The fact these are less often is the result of years of work from Speech and OT and psychologists
18 Totally due to the parameters of the determinant shortcomings of the assessments. Lack of 5/24/2026 6:37 PMtime to actually capture the capacity loss. Functional capacity outcomes should never be dependent upon the skill of the assessor which they currently are.
19 People vVith guinue disabilities who urgently need assistance now, are not be accepted vVith 5/24/2026 6:31 PMthe current requirements. I have concerned about the Austim sector who functioning but still require a lot of daily and social support.
20 As a mother of two autistic boys in main stream school I expect to be cut from the service, 5/24/2026 4:32 PMunfortunately I won’t be able to keep them in mainstream vVithout the therapy paid for by NDIS!
21 I feel a lot of autistic people that deserve to be on it vVill be removed due to the ablest 5/24/2026 4:31 PMgovernment . They are taking advantage of vulnerable people and using us as scapegoats to make additional changes instead of just fixing the scheme in the first place
22 Yes, because they aren't looking at the fluidity of functional impairment. ______ 5/24/2026 4:28 PM
23 The level of stress this has caused is huge 5/24/2026 3:55 PM
24 How can an automated test understand the complexity of a person's disability and the 5/24/2026 3:48 PMemotional struggle that accompanies having a disability.
25 A standardised testing system won't cover all complexities. 5/24/2026 3:25 PM
26 While I do think it's a good idea to have a capacity focus, these should be implemented to 5/24/2026 2:52 PMprovide more supports, not take away necessary ones. I know of quite a few individuals who have been denied access to the NDIS who were unfairly deemed by the people assessing
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110 them ·not disabled enough’. This is what it has been like for people before this rule. and I’m terrified that this will exacerbate an existing issue, where people who desperately need them are denied the supports they require to survive.
27 What standard test will be available and how broad will its coverage be of how life is 5/24/2026 1:40 PMimpacted?
28 The thing is. my functional capacity is probably improved and improving since I first 5/24/2026 1:36 PMaccessed the NDIS 6 years ago, because I’m accessing physiotherapy once weekly, riding my horse 3 or 4 times weekly, and getting out and about. chatting and moving with like-minded people, none of which I had the financial or physical capacity to do before the NDIS helped me. This factor is an important consideration for assessment to be a fair process.
29 The NDIS was built to be individualised. It was built to consider an individuals disability 5/24/2026 1:00 PMburden and be funded accordingly so that they may have equal access to participate in their community and live a happy and healthy life. NDIS does not better place these individuals. it assists in slightly evening disadvantage to allow them basic human rights.
30 These are some of the most vulnerable people and their carers being forced to jump through 5/24/2026 12:53 PMmore hoops to have basic human rights and dignity taken away. people die from these sort of decisions!
31 The changes to the NDIS are designed to save money, not people. The government does 5/24/2026 12:41 PMnot care about people with disabilities.
32 As someone who already had an understanding of the NDIS process through working in 5/24/2026 12:27 PMEarly Childhood Education, I am extremely worried that the new functional capacity rules will jeopardise the participants who need these supports without question.
33 I so sick and tired of hearing the words 'high functioning• - there is no such thing! The 5/24/2026 12:00 PMgovernment also stating that people with mild to moderate disabilities will be exited from the scheme - who decides whether the impact of a persons disability is mild or moderate???
34 It seems to intentionally exclude all invisible disability. putting those who already have the 5/24/2026 11:51 AMmost trouble navigating these systems at further risk of neglect.
35 Its not about "getting onto the ndis" its about accurate fair and ethical assessment 5/24/2026 11:33 AM
36 I know this will mean more deaths, increased suffering and fuel the stigma against people 5/24/2026 11:30 AMwith disabilities further fuel the discrimination and disadvantage we face.
37 Some participants are being supported by their families at immense personal, financial and 5/24/2026 11:28 AMsocial costs. This is my situation. I sacrifice so much to support my two autistic children. My sacrifices mean that they appear functionally better than they otherwise would be. However, my input is not sustainable. I am burning myself out. However, if I don’t provide it. my children will suffer. 1 then have to choose between a) removing my supports to prove just how much functional impaired ent they have or b} keep doing what I’m doing to support them and get no or much less funding. A standard tool may not capture my sacrifice or understand a person’s actual impairment.
38 The NDIS is a insurance that helps people with disabilities, but instead of providing 5/24/2026 11:25 AMcoverage and peace, they are reductions fund and implement more processes. I understand that NDIS need regulation and procedures, but in that process I believe people feel more abandoned than supported.
39 Some individuals are looking like they are fine but it is the support and scaffolding around 5/24/2026 11:24 AMthem (NDIS} that is keeping them stable. Without that help the individual will fail .
40 It comes back to the assessment of that capacity. if this is not a thorough process. many 5/24/2026 11:19 AMpeople will slip through the cracks. being seen only from an “ableist” lens on the day. Many people have limited function from ine day to the next we. Needing to spend 3 days in bed after 2 hour “normal” capacity event.
41 I am extremely worried 5/24/2026 10:32 AM
42 Less visible impairments & multiple impairments may be missed looking at a person as a 5/24/2026 9:57 AMwhole
43 My concern is that the other systems that these individuals are supposed to access 5/24/2026 9:53 AMopposed to NDIS are not set up to accommodate the needs and number of participants who will be forced into these other systems, particularly the mental health system which cannot currently support the needs now.
44 It's already re-traumatising many (if not all of us) that go through reviews and have to re- 5/24/2026 9:35 AMPage 110 33 / 347
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111 prove our permanent condition is permanent. Why can’t they understand what the word “permanent” means. All our medical expenses cost wayyyyy more than they should and we get asked to provide thousands of dollars worth of reports every few years just for specialists to write ·yes, they still have their PERMANENT condition“
45 The people I work with need the support to help them live their lives 5/24/2026 9:06 AM
46 Function assessments should be completed for every participant and not by people who are 5/24/2026 8:52 AMknown to the person. I have seen assessments completed with information i know is exaggerated. It is common for participants to be told by providers to think of their worst day and complete forms based on that.
47 I am extremely concerned about the lack of acknov\/ledgement of the therapists that know 5/24/2026 8:33 AMand work with these people day in and day out. These reports will not be taken into consideration, instead a generic “functional capacity” Al tool will make decisions about people’s lives. This entails huge risk. It also raises massive concerns about the accessibility of this tool for people with complex communciation difficulties, sensory disabilities and first nations individuals.
48 These are people, and someone in a fancy office cannot determine what capacity someone 5/24/2026 8:15 AMhas in their everyday.
49 ASD2 being removed from automatic acceptance has already deeply impacted the ability to 5/24/2026 6:40 AMapply for the NDIS for those who need it most. The NDIS is currently incredibly hard to apply for without support for anyone that needs that support.
50 Many people on the NDIS have already been through this process when their diagnosis 5/24/2026 6:35 AMwasn’t listed on one of the lists. The COST of proving the level of functional impairment is what concerns me. People shouldn’t have to pay out of their own pocket for this.
51 As if life wasn't hard enough the government has decided they'd like to make it harder. 5/24/2026 5:42 AM
52 These rules are out of sync with how disabilites exist. ____ 5/24/2026 12:30 AM
53 Especially as there are few other supports people can access at the moment 5/23/2026 9:33 PM
54 What happens for people with conditions that fluctuate or are known to being progressive 5/23/2026 9:17 PMsay MND, MS, Parkinson’s Disease where decline can be rapid or conditions fluctuate. People will die before and because they did not receive timely support. Many people accessing support may have just received diagnosis and experiencing grief and loss and trauma How will a standardised tool capture their ability to convey this information and not further add to their trauma. Especially as it has been stated personal and environmental factors are not being considered.
55 It's already difficult for genuine persons to gain access to NDIS, let's make it easier for 5/23/2026 7:46 PMthese people by actually discussing their specific cases with them. This would also assist in weeding out the dodgy claims.
56 It seems that is the sole reason why the government is introducing this strategy. People 5/23/2026 7:11 PMwith fluctuating capacity or invisible disabilities are likely to receive insufficient supports. The government is also proposing to attempt to consider a persons impairments only, without considering their environment and personal needs. This takes us back more than 30 or 40 years in how we think about disability. It is an archaic concept.
57 They have made it clear their goal is to save money, not just provide more targeted care 5/23/2026 6:14 PMand reduce fraud. So there is a risk people with reasonable plans being well used will also be targeted to be removed or have reduced funding, and people with real needs will be denied access.
58 Govt does what it wants we can't changeTHEM 5/23/2026 5:12 PM
59 It is already very hard to access NDIS. There is NO need to make it tougher for people with 5/23/2026 4:25 PMdisabilities and disadvantages in our society.
60 It is relying on one set of data and is undertaken by a person that is not an allied health 5/23/2026 4:13 PMpractitioner, or even someone that does not actually understand disability and the individual way that disability intersects with every day life for that person. Furthermore, using a computer to determine funding levels after an assessment is completely unethical. Hasn1 the government learnt anything from the robodebt?
61 I don't think the functional measurement will work well across all disabilities. Also the NDIS 5/23/2026 2:42 PMhas so far proved incredibly ignorant about many extremely disabling conditions and I do not trust the service to be able to make reasonable decisions about who deserves their support.
62 The idea that functional capacity can be determined outside of the context of person's life 5/23/2026 12:59 PMPage 111 34 I 347
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112 and circumstances is ludicrous. There’s a level of evil fantasy to this. If a participant, or would-be participant informs the assessor that they are unable to do a certain activity, and then the assessor informs the participant that the NOIA has determined that in some abstract world, the person with disability could or should be able to do this activity, so they will not be supported to do it. This is insane. Basically opens up the potential for the NOIA assessors to say you can because we say you can’. supports are then withheld, the person with disability remains unable to what they have been informed they can do. So they suffer. And, when that person has access to ‘informal supports’ those family and community members take on a greater load. Which means they have to withdraw from paid employment and community. People with disability and carers become more isolated, which we know leads to a raft of physical and mental health issues. This effects then have an knock-on impact on health services. You cannot save money through denying people’s needs. The needs don’t just go away, they worsen, and that worsening exerts pressure on other health and social services.
63 I have been so stressed that I cannot sleep, my functioning has gone down, l'Ve been 5/23/2026 10:35 AMoverusing my therapies and now I have no funding left. It’s affecting my family and loved ones. I’m so stressed I contemplated suicide
64 While currently it seems to be based on a persons functional capacity anyway, I do feel like 5/23/2026 10:32 AMthe changing definitions will see some people who need and deserve support being left behind.
65 The NOIS already has a massive problem with NOIA staff not reading reports and arbitrarily 5/23/2026 9:42 AMchecking boxes; this approach will simply compound that problem a hundredfold.
66 I also work as a social worker to assist people to gain access to NOIS. It is already too 5/23/2026 9:29 AMdifficult to get genuine people with disabilities into the scheme.
67 I wouldn't be as worried about this if the capacity was being assessed by someone in the 5/23/2026 8:37 AMmedical or psychiatric field, rather than someone in an office with zero qualifications or lived experience
68 We need to know how the functional capacity tool works. Maybe it will remove the people 5/23/2026 8:27 AMwho shouldn’t have access but what if it removes those who have thrived with the supports the NOIS have provided? our family member with disability (from birth, life-long) is a real contributing person to our community who depends on the current core supports to access his 2 hr job, volunteering and swimming training, etc.
69 I believe the rules are to prevent people from entering the scheme. If CHSP and other state 5/23/2026 6:09 AMservices existed and could support PWD, I wouldn’t be so worried but these have largely disappeared and PWO do not need further barriers to access support.
70 Functional capacity can be affected by multiple issues.eg. an autistic persons functional 5/23/2026 4:54 AMcapacity can change from day to day depending how external factors impact them. Sensory overload, disregulation, overstimulated all impact their functional capacity. This cannot be boxed into a criteria.
71 Without the support my son has received honestly couldn't imagine where we would be. 5/22/2026 8:09 PMEarly intervention has been essential and so beneficial.
72 I believed that functional capacity is hard to standardised and show be informed by allied 5/22/2026 8:04 PMhealth practitioners.
73 This legislation does not provide an adequate definition of functional capacity 5/22/2026 7:19 PM
74 They are not considering the total impact on fictional capacity and recognising that a 5/22/2026 4:07 PMdisability can have varied individual impacts
75 The current review of a functional capacity report isn't being assessed appropriately or able 5/22/2026 4:01 PMto be understood by any one with appropriate qualifications to make an informed decision so why would moving to this as a standard requirement be an improvement.
76 The Government has pushed responsibility to Thriving Kids which sits with kids. Any 5/22/2026 2:28 PMtransition has been poor and will impact those in needs. As recently reported in the media the added impact on families has resulted in unfortunate ending for a family (e.g Western
Sydney DV homicide)
77 A standard assessment, that is administered by a non-allied health professional and that 5/22/2026 1:24 PMdoes not consider the needs of the individual is extremely dangerous. People of all ages will find it extremely difficult or impossible to get onto the NDIS. It is hard enough now for individuals and families to access the NOIS, so people who are maxed out by the challenges of living with a disability or caring for someone with a disability is going to have one shot at applying and if they give the wrong answers based on generic questions that
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113 may have no bearing on their situation, the individual will not get on to the NDIS and will miss out on much needed supports and interventions.
78 Just because a disabled person is "functional" doesn't mean that they don't need help in 5/22/2026 1:18 PMother area that will be needing some significant cost on the therapy aspect.
79 Functional capacity could be part of the conversation but it does not take into account the 5/22/2026 1:16 PMfact that life changes. When life changes that can affect the level or kinds of support a person requires. And unless the 1unctional capacity’ and how it is measured takes into account all health issues and disabilities not just ‘primary diagnosis’ it is not a complete description of the persons’ actual 1unctional capacity’.
80 We don't know if the tool is accurate or that it will capture context and cultural, social, 5/22/2026 12:40 PMeconomic, and environmental differences. Accuracy will be influence by who is administering the tool, their unconscious bias, personal experiences, and knowledge of all disabilities, or who is answering, the person with a disability who will just say they can do things without understanding their own deficits, the parent, grandparent with generational disability, the parent with capacity who understands the system and how to answer accurately according to the true intention of the questions, or the person who just doesn’t. There is too much we don’t know.
81 one size does not fit all, the tool needs to be flexible and accommodating of individual 5/22/2026 12:16 PMcircumstances
82 I am concerned people's fluctuating capacity will not be captured adequately 5/22/2026 10:51 AM
83 This is not a decision to play with. It will have serious impact on participants and providers. 5/22/2026 10:30 AM
84 It would be very easy for a standard functionality test to miss aspects of our disabilities that 5/22/2026 10:17 AMaffect us daily. It is not possible for one test to encompass all presentations of all disabilities
85 As above my son is autistic with PDA profile and DCD is needs are complex and it's really 5/22/2026 9:57 AMhard to get him to complete FCA because he sees the demand then reguses Even trying to base activities around interests and complete the FCA over multiple visits doesn’t help Also FCA is extremely expensive who is paying for this?
86 The functional capacity assessments are artificial not the same as replicating an 5/22/2026 9:27 AMindividual’s support needs in real life circumstances. Furthermore, many families cannot afford the cost to pay for a Functional Capacity Assessment, which is a barrier to accessing help from the NDIS. The NDIS representative who interprets the Functional Capacity Assessment needs training and experience in health care and disability services to interpret the level of support the participant requires accurately, to appreciate the level of support the individual requires and not read from a script. Often the NDIS representatives who read the Functional Capacity Assessments have never met the client and are only judging their support need based on the reports. There should be a process where the NDIS representative does meet the clienUapplicant in person and is involved in the functional capacity assessment, to see for themselves what the individual’s support needs are first hand.
87 I'm worried about the design and implementation of the tool and whether it can pick up on 5/22/2026 8:10 AMthe severity of conditions such as Autism and not be skewed to look predominantly on just physical disability. It needs to be broad enough for all disabilities.
88 Depends on capacity for decision review by humans 5/22/2026 7:29 AM
89 Depends how they test it - but yes functional capacity should be taken into account. Two 5/22/2026 7:07 AMpeople with the same disability do not have the same capacity or goals.
90 I don't have basic allied health services that other people with MS have 5/22/2026 3:12 AM
91 Functonal capacity is continually shifting, sometimes even on a day-to-day basis. If a 5/22/2026 12:07 AMperson is assessed on a ‘good’ day it will not give an accurate reflection of their capacity overall.
92 It was already an extremely traumatic experience trying to get the support that my 2 5/21/2026 9:13 PMdisabled kids need. We had significant violence and safety concerns yet still could not access any support
93 The Ndis will make their own standards for what functional capacity means and what the 5/21/2026 9:06 PMassessed capacity means in terms of giving support. They do this already with a diagnosis and recommendation by a professional not giving 1/5 of the recommended ..
94 It's difficult to show how a condition impacts you in the space of a short meeting, especially 5/21/2026 8:02 PMPage 113 36 I 347
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114 if we’re having a good day. The tests or questions involved may not even be relevant to the way the condition impacts functioning, leaving out part of the picture. It’s also difficult for participants to stand up for themselves or explain themselves in an articulate manner when put on the spot with no preparation time.
95 As above, if the person assessing is not able to support the person with disability to answer 5/21/2026 8:00 PMthe questions/ understand the contexts to which the questions is asking, then it’ll be unlikely that the results capture a good understanding of the functional impact of the person with disability
96 It's hard enough with the old system let alone the new one coming into play 5/21/2026 4:51 PM
97 Lack of consultation with the right stakeholders and trained staff to complete them 5/21/2026 3:23 PM
98 Dynamic disabilities are harder to define with fictional capacity tests as the vary in the day 5/21/2026 3:21 PMand it’s not fair to try make all disabilities quantified in the same way as they’re not all the same!
99 There are already so many barriers for disabled people, adding further barriers to supports 5/21/2026 2:48 PMkills an already vulnerable group
100 They have already stripped me of my needed hourly physio and EP a week to 10 hours a 5/21/2026 2:42 PMyear, my team and doctors are as horrified as I am that these people can give me a plan knowing and having medical documentation of my disabilities and strip me off the very thing to keep me functional.
101 So many people don't know how to access other ways to help themselves, with ndis there 5/21/2026 12:50 PMis direction in how to access and utilise the supports. And many people need the support to get the access. The intricacies of some people’s challenges really limit the ability to live an easily accessible life, like getting a job.
102 The test is flawed. So therefore the results will also be. 5/21/2026 11:56 AM
103 I am also worried that people already on the NDIS will lose access as a result of this, with 5/21/2026 11:43 AMno other appropriate or equivalent supports in place to replace them.
104 Without ndis my kids won't be able to access support or thrive as they have been and I will 5/21/2026 11:10 AMbe left managing everything on my own again. I fear I will burnout again and end up in hospital again
105 I'm worried about how Autistic people will get supports, especially since we know from the 5/21/2026 11:07 AMnational autism strategy how bad things are for our community.
106 People would be being assessed on how they function based on current support, not eithou 5/21/2026 10:57 AMthat support. But that won1 be taken into account.
107 It is concerning for some participants. For example and an adult with autism may simply 5/21/2026 10:50 AMsay they can do everything when that is not at all true. Many don’t recognise their own needs. 1 worry for segments of the population.
108 Functional capacity can only be understood within the context of the PWD's lived 5/21/2026 10:45 AMenvironment, as I understand it the teas will not take environment into consideration
109 With a poorly recognised condition with no advocacy syooort I'm terrified 5/21/2026 10:42 AM
110 People need help and shouldn1 have to jump through hoops to get support. No one chooses 5/21/2026 10:26 AMto have a disability. This will cause strain on other public services such as hospitals
111 I'm worried that the criteria will be designed in such a way as to cut people out 5/21/2026 10:25 AM
112 It is hard enough as it is for families to access NDIS. This will create an unnecessary 5/21/2026 10:13 AMbarrier to supports. There are no appeals or review pathways so you just go around in circles! Make this make sense bureaucrats. The delegates or planners get it wrong alot, thats why the appeals process is required for fair and just processes. Unfortunately not only will the reforms to planning framework get it wrong, you now cant appeal it. Perhaps they will save their money on lawyers now.
113 I would likely be removed again ________________ 5/21/2026 10:09 AM
114 Fluctuating capacity may not be captured. 5/21/2026 8:21 AM
115 Its already a lot harder for people to get onto the ndis but what i worry about is who are they 5/21/2026 7:36 AMgoing to take the info from when administering the tool - is it self reported only? Family report only? A two hour interview is unlikely to show the true picture.
116 Some peoples functional capacity diminished over time. As a carer through dffh the 5/21/2026 7:20 AMPage 114 371347
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115 authority to apply needs to be given to the carer not dffh as we are the ones who live vVith the child vVith disability. Dffh loosecpaper work the becomes outdated then process needs to be started again. Devastating for families. This needs to be looked at in depth.
117 My worry about it is the cost. It's unclear is NOIA are paying for the first functional capacity 5/21/2026 6:42 AMtest or if people vVith less money vVill not be able to access the testing and thus the help needed
118 Staff making decisions about plans, in my experience, have no idea about the day to day 5/21/2026 6:21 AMlife and struggles of those vVith disabilities. Moving onto an automated software program is going to make it impossible for the complexities of disability to be understood.
119 It is already extremely difficult for people vVith disability in desperate need to get supports 5/21/2026 6:15 AMthat would make their life worth living, let alone easing their aspects of their disability
120 Disability is not linear _____ 5/20/2026 11:47 PM
121 I have chronic illness and autism. I'm worried. I'll be kicked off this game. 5/20/2026 11:36 PM
122 Too be honest I'm terrified about the functional capacity rules as I think they are going to 5/20/2026 10:26 PMdiscriminate against people vVith psychosocial disability as we are subjected to constant ableist assumptions about our lives. We may be able to manage practical things like showering or dressing, but struggle to function like others do in terms of daily activities like leaving our homes and interacting in the community.
123 I think that it has been very easy to get onto the NDIS and the criteria need to be tightened 5/20/2026 8:40 PMto ensure the sustainability of funding for the people for whom it was originally intended.
124 It's blatantly clear that whoever developed this whole plan for the NDIS is completely 5/20/2026 8:05 PMuneducated on disability, neurodivergence and functional capacity.
125 This tool vVill not be rigorously validated across disability categories. It is impossible to 5/20/2026 8:03 PMevaluate fluctuating impairment, as for autism, using a tick box method.
126 Honestly, very worried. I understand the idea behind trying to make the system more 5/20/2026 6:52 PMconsistent and fair, but I think there’s a real risk that people vVith complex, fluctuating, neurological or invisible disabilities vVill fall through the cracks. A standard functional capacity tool might capture what someone can do on their “best day” in a short assessment, but not the exhaustion, pain, cognitive issues, recovery time, or unpredictability they live vVith every day. Two people vVith the same diagnosis can function completely differently, and even the same person can vary week to week. The NDIS is already incredibly stressful to navigate. My concern is that these changes could make access even harder for people who genuinely need support but struggle to “prove” their disability in a neat, measurable way.
127 More reports that people can't afford that vVill never get read for money families desperately 5/20/2026 6:45 PMneed that they can’t spend in meaningful ways because reports are black and white and people are not.
128 I am more worried about the lack of support for people who aren't eligible. The NDIS should 5/20/2026 6:18 PMbe for people vVith significant impairments, but the other systems that are meant to be available for people who aren’t on the NDIS aren’t there, aren’t accessible or are failing. I am worried about the increased difficulties that are expected vVith appealing decisions and that people who don’t have the financial, or personal resources to get support vVill increasingly get left behind.
129 As a carer I have seen how long it currently takes for those who need it to get help, so this 5/20/2026 5:54 PMvVill just make it more difficult for those.
130 Functional capacity fluctuates so it is not a good standard to use. 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
131 If the NDIS can't accept and support those who provide comprehensive FCA's already, how 5/20/2026 5:02 PMvVill they support new participants applying that also have and provide FCA’s, as they can’t already to existing participants.
132 An Al system that only looks at maybe '1 hour of a person's life, vVill not show true 5/20/2026 2:55 PM‘functional capacity’ and needs, especially when looking at autism and children’s needs who are high masking.
133 Defining functional capacity vVithout taking into consideration individual environmental 5/20/2026 2:16 PMinfluences and supports is irresponsible and dangerous. Again situations are individualised and can’t be standardised.
134 This could cause loss of life if people that need help can not acess it. Goverment is 5/20/2026 1:54 PMresponsable for these vunriable peoples lives.
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135 The government's arbitrary rules were developed to sidestep utilising professionals and to 5/20/2026 12:34 PMprevent people access to the scheme while allowing them to remove hundreds of thousands of permanently disabled people.
136 You are seeing boxes to tick. Not a human. Completely takes away the point of the NDIS. 5/20/2026 12:31 PM
137 My main disability is autism but I suffer with significant chronic pain and mobility issues 5/20/2026 12:31 PMthat I haven’t been able to get recognised by the NDIS. If I was able to get assistance addressing my pain and mobility, it make it easier to manage my autism. Without being able to address my pain and mobility, I’m unable to effectively manage my autism because of the pain keeps me in a constant state of overwhelm, meaning I am just unable to function either physically or cognitively and my health just continues to decline regardless of the supports I have.
138 our disabilities are already recognised as being significant and permanent. They continue 5/20/2026 11:38 AMreassessing us, and it causes so much anxiety and fear. our lives are at risk here. Without NDIS, I would have no way to take care of myself, get out of bed and do things, manage my pain, manage my diet and meal prep, or get to my paid employment. This would mean my income would drop significantly, and I would no longer be able to afford my rent. I do not have informal supports: therefore, I would become homeless. The idea of new functional capacity rules puts my whole life at risk of collapse. The only reason I can do the things I do in life is BECAUSE I have supports in place through the NDIS. If I were removed from the scheme, 1 would likely regress and require 24/7 psychological support as my Autistic nervous system cannot cope with change, let alone a change this substantial. It would be detrimental, leading to constant panic and hypertension, severe overload, triggering my C PTSD, and could even cause a permanent functional decline. Hospitals are not equipped for Autistic people, and the medical system does not understand how to help Autistic people when they are in burnout, completely non-verbal shutdown states, or having an extreme outward meltdown because they are unable to communicate their needs or do not have a trusted safe person with them to help assist them to regulate or communicate for them. I have had my assistance dog literally taken off me by a nurse when my dog was mid-task, helping lower my heart rate. This caused extreme panic, and I was screaming for her to be returned to me. I was non-verbal, and they had taken my phone, which was my only way to communicate with the app on it to read my words aloud. Hospital staff do not have training or understanding, and can often make things worse by not giving space when Autistic people are clearly distressed. I have undergone countless traumatic experiences with untrained staff (who are medically trained, not disability trained), and this has caused me lasting trauma and effects.
139 Taking level 1 AND 2 autism off the list makes NDIS completely inaccessible to so many 5/20/2026 11:16 AMpeople, leaving it to such a small demographic. How it is supposed to help the people who need it if they can’t even access it.
140 Perceived capacity by someone who does not understand the nuances of disability and 5/20/2026 10:50 AMmasking etc I the person does not feel comfortable sharing intimate details will be barriers.
141 Extremely worried - particularly for people whose disability is less visible, fluctuating, 5/20/2026 10:41 AMmasked or heavily supported by others. A lot of clinicians and disability advocates are concerned about a potential “one-size-fits-all” model. The people I’d be most worried about include: autistic people who mask or appear “capable” in short assessments people with psychosocial disability people with chronic illness or fluctuating conditions children whose support needs become clearer over time people with strong family support masking the true level of need people who can technically complete a task once, but cannot do it safely, independently, consistently or sustainably A huge issue is that functional capacity is not static. Someone might: hold it together for a 2-hour assessment script socially push through exhaustion rely on huge amounts of invisible support at home crash afterwards … but still need substantial support to participate in everyday life. There’s also concern about early intervention. If the threshold becomes “prove severe functional impairment first,” some children may miss supports during the period where intervention is most protective and effective. Many professionals are worried this simply shifts pressure onto: families schools hospitals mental health systems child protection emergency departments rather than reducing need overall. I do think the current system has problems and inconsistencies. But many people are worried the reforms are being driven more by cost containment than by improving disability support outcomes.
142 It may exclude ppl if they are assessed on a 'good day' but no allow for when they are 5/20/2026 10:39 AMhaving a ‘bad day’.
143 Particularly with invisible disabilities or neurodivergence. My concern is how internal 5/20/2026 10:06 AMexperiences are measured against assessment criteria and how people’s communication skills are relied on to gather information
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144 Precious time needed to get help will be wasted jumping through bureaucratic hoops to 5/20/2026 9:56 AMprove what they can1 do.
145 how this is to be measured (as above) and what it includes needs to be completed in 5/20/2026 9:21 AMconsultation from the disability community and the health professional community
146 There is no one box fits all. 5/20/2026 9:07 AM
147 Extremely worried for most. But slightly hopefully for people with other disabling chronic 5/20/2026 8:50 AMhealth conditions it might get easier (EDS, POTS, CFS/ME etc)
148 The government will, by design, make this tool insensitive to disability and therefore make 5/20/2026 8:02 AMpeople appear to have more functional skills than the reality
149 The system is not capable of understanding functional capacity in dynamic disabilities. 5/20/2026 7:15 AM
150 Waiting for crisis team for 3 days. What a joke hey? 5/20/2026 5:11 AM
151 How someone is during short assessment does not indicate their function on their best or 5/19/2026 10:26 PMworst days. People with situational or otherwise variable disabilities will not be assessed correctly as a result.
152 Many people that I work with (psychosocial disability / autism) either do not have the insight 5/19/2026 9:44 PMinto their challenges and impairments, or heavily mask. This would impact on how they are assessed using a standard assessment and non-allied health assessor.
153 If solely based on impairment and functional capacity and not diagnosis it would lead to 5/19/2026 8:47 PMmore people with complex conditions meeting access
154 The devil is in the detail - see above comments - the issues will be with what the threshold 5/19/2026 8:22 PMis and whether it is designed to capture full lived experience
155 supports are already based on functional capacity now. Access and funding are two 5/19/2026 8:16 PMseperate components of the scheme. Functional capacity measure in a way that doesn’t account for cultural and linguistic differences risks making incorrect assumptions rather than accurate recording of capacity
156 I have been waiting 2 years with an ART to just gain access to NDIS. Ample documents 5/19/2026 7:14 PMstating NDIS is wrong and applicant needs disability related supports. This will lead to a foreseeable risk of death.
157 Whether or not a standardised tool helps or hinders access to the NDIS will really depend on 5/19/2026 7:10 PMhow it’s implemented, but since these changes are being made to reduce spending on the scheme, I expect that the functional capacity rules will be designed to make only a narrow selection of people eligible, which is very concerning.
158 Functional capacity can fluctuate and despite capacity support needs are always different 5/19/2026 7:05 PM
159 Don1 know. In some ways I wonder if it's better so that it's more about the individual than 5/19/2026 7:03 PMthe diagnoses
160 It's already hard enough to get on. l'Ve already been rejected three times personally. 5/19/2026 7:02 PM
161 I am worried that people whose disabilities don't fit someone's standard idea will have 5/19/2026 7:02 PMtrouble. I’m also worried about those with fluctuating capacity.
162 Isn't that what we have now? 5/19/2026 7:00 PM
163 Diagnosis should be no. 1. Then Yes 2. Of course how much needs affects plan/funding 5/19/2026 6:46 PM
164 I believe it will be used to block people out 5/19/2026 6:12 PM
165 It took 4 years to get a diagnosis and a lot of trauma for our child and the whole family. And 5/19/2026 5:41 PMthat’s only our youngest getting minimal help. The other 3 children are not getting the help they need because I am burnt out with this difficult process and also cannot work so it affects the whole family emotionally, mentally, financially and our mental health
166 worried I will e assessed only on one disability and kicked off scheme 5/19/2026 5:28 PM
167 As said in my previous comment, one size does not fit all. You cannot judge an amputee by 5/19/2026 5:13 PMtheir ability to run a marathon, any more than you can compare them to someone with an intellectual disability.
168 My daughter's complex disabilities have never been understood or accepted by the NDIA 5/19/2026 4:45 PMand it will only get worse
169 Only worried because I don't know if they will be fair and meet the needs 5/19/2026 4:22 PMPage 117 40 I 347
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170 No two neurodiverse people have the same needs and the needs are varied and cannot be a 5/19/2026 4:10 PMyes/no algorithm.
171 Depends where they draw the line on how low you have to score to get support, but I'm 5/19/2026 4:09 PMguessing they will make it exclude lots of people. If done right it could be good!
172 How have they developed the tool or test? I bet not by consultation with allied health 5/19/2026 3:26 PMworking with people with disability nor with disabled people themselves. One size does not and never will fit all.
173 I am pretty sure my son will be deemed no longer eligible and kicked off the scheme. 5/19/2026 3:24 PM
174 the biggest peoblem is the govt is throwing around these terms, without defining them at all 5/19/2026 3:22 PMand trying to pass legislation that is not properly backed up. cart before the horse
175 Invisible disabilities are already hard enough. Let alone from people who don't know what 5/19/2026 2:11 PMthey’re looking for
176 Functional capacity varies from day-to-day and year-to-year. You cannot get an idea of 5/19/2026 12:38 PMneeds from an average day. An average day does not exist.
177 Example - somebody can (in theory) do a task, but it uses all their energy, which is limited 5/19/2026 12:29 PMdue to their diagnosis. How, do they then do all the other tasks they need to do? How can an Al tool understand the nuances around these situations.
178 could stop people with a high functioning permanent disability to being able to have access 5/19/2026 12:14 PMto NDIS
179 I incredibly worried about this. The government has already decided that autistic people are 5/19/2026 12:06 PMnot disabled enough for access to NDIS. So I have no faith that they would create an assessment that could measure the true level of functional capacity autistic people have. They’Ve already decided they want us out.
180 People with disabilities are being denied the support the NDIS was supposed to provide 5/19/2026 12:00 PMpurely based on how much it costs.
181 People don't fit in boxes. I'm concerned about the ableist preference to understand physical 5/19/2026 11:57 AMcan’t over mental can’t.
182 The proposed model(ICan) is not fit for purpose under intended usage conditions. An 5/19/2026 11:13 AMalgorithmic assessment on top of that and the proposed conditions of assessment will completely fail those most in need
183 Depends if the new rules are deliberately put in place to stop people accessing support or 5/19/2026 10:54 AMnot. Motivation is the key. Is is about identifying support required or about seeking to prevent people from accessing support.
184 How are they measuring functional capacity? What about people with autism and 5/19/2026 10:45 AMdevelopmental delays who can appear more capable than they actually are?
185 I think 'early intervention' for neurological disorders is critical, don't wait until people have 5/19/2026 9:41 AMalready lost valuable functionality - which could have been retained with early intervention
186 This tool will, based on the Ministers public statement, result in hundreds of thousands of 5/19/2026 9:15 AMdisabled people being denied support. This means it will be calibrated to exclude people who need access, as the purpose of the assessment is to reduce participant numbers by a pre planned amount.
187 I think it coudl work out better for some but I don't think the government will let it be like that 5/19/2026 9:14 AMand will use it to wind back more supports
188 I have read the 'i can' assessment tool. You cant take one aspect and make a broad 5/19/2026 8:49 AMjudgement. For example an individual may be able to dress independently but unable to complete any other daily life tasks.
189 Many conditions are degenerative 5/19/2026 8:38 AM
190 I already used my functional capacity in order to be accepted because of my disabilities 5/19/2026 8:32 AMhowever I am concerned about how it will capture disabilities that are not black and white
191 The lean model is heavility weighted to physical impairment and mobility and selfcare. It 5/19/2026 8:31 AMfails to demonstrate eligible impairment and functional loss in individual disability. le we are boxed into pigeon holes whivh may not be appropriate or correct.
192 It's still unclear how most current and future participants will be informed of their own plans 5/19/2026 8:09 AMand access using this proposed framereork. It’s being rushed without proper mandates of
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119 safety.
193 This will give the Agency extraordinary powers to determine who needs supports and will be 5/19/2026 7:54 AMused a lever to lock many people with disabilities out of accessing the Scheme (in my opinion).
194 That is absolutely the whole purpose they are bringing this in. It fails to appreciate the 5/19/2026 7:44 AMintricacies of unique or lesser known disabilities, or the spectrum of well known disabilities. Will not capture all the information about a person, is not person centric, and applies a one size fits all approach. Fails to take into account years of information that may be available from treaties experts already supporting the person with a disability.
195 I don't think the new tool will be adminstered by suitably qualified people and a full functional 5/19/2026 7:40 AMcapacity assessment by an OT (or similar) should carry more weight than a standardised test administered by an unqualified public servant
196 These rules will likely discriminate against people with specific disability types. The biggest 5/19/2026 7:18 AMdifference between Thriving Kids and this reform is that they specified the disability types they intended to impact.
197 Autistic people find it difficult to understand the meaning of standardised questions. Literal 5/19/2026 7:18 AMcommunication means that they answer based on the literal meaning of the question - so if it doesn’t ‘fit’ the lived experience, they answer ‘incorrectly’. Meaning that they may interpret the meaning of the question to not ‘fit’ their lived experience of their disability. A standard tool will not allow for nuances that are a normal reflection of lived experience of disability. It won’t allow for fluctuating capacity. It won’t allow for explanations of how capacity may appear to be ok to an outsider observer, but this is BECAUSE their are good disability supports in place like support workers, or allied health therapists.
198 The tool has not been proven across a range of disabilities. Even where the tool MAY be 5/19/2026 7:05 AMsomewhat reflective of capacity for a particular disability that has only ever been proven to be the case when it is administered by an appropriately experienced allied health professional
199 The main issue is that these standardised rigid systems get things wrong and are highly 5/19/2026 6:44 AMsusceptible to the errors of the unqualified public servants who don’t have the skills to input information in a sound professional manner. It’s just plain dangerous especially when the errors can’t be fixed without going to appeal and getting sent back for reassessment by the same pool of unqualified public servants
200 Invisible disability and those in chronic pain (but who are excellent actors at hiding it) are 5/19/2026 6:43 AMless likely to be believed.
201 Not looking at the whole person with multiply disabilities 5/19/2026 6:38 AM
202 They're changing NDIS from it's original intent so that they can exclude as many disabled 5/19/2026 5:46 AMpeople as possible
203 Invisible disability, fluctuating symptoms, brief window of observation 5/19/2026 5:38 AM
204 one size fits all approach will not work . The proposed definition of functional capacity 5/19/2026 5:09 AMappears to assess people without considering the assistance they receive from support workers, assistive technology, home modifications, or environmental factors. This approach is inconsistent with the social model of disability that underpins both the NDIS and Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I am also extremely concerned that assessments may rely on questionnaires completed by NDIS staff without appropriate medical training or expertise in disability. Disability affects every individual differently, and complex conditions cannot be accurately assessed through a simple standardised process or algorithm. People with disability already spend thousands of dollars obtaining Functional Capacity Assessments from qualified Occupational Therapists and specialists, yet many feel these reports are ignored during plan reviews. I am also concerned about reports that participants may lose access to the scheme if they fail to answer phone calls or respond quickly enough. This unfairly disadvantages people who are deaf, blind, cognitively impaired, intellectually disabled, or otherwise require communication support.
205 Obe example: My child will mask their disability, but then I will have to manage the 5/19/2026 3:57 AMmeltdown after. Her syndrome dx details her impairments without being visible.
206 I feel like people in desperate need of help may be without help or staying in hospital waiting 5/19/2026 2:44 AMfor help.
207 My main concern is that functional capacity assessments can oversimplify disability. Many 5/19/2026 2:11 AMpeople do not present consistently across all settings or on all days. Someone may appear
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120 capable during a short assessment but struggle enormously with daily life once factors like stress, sensory overload, fatigue, anxiety, communication difficulties, or changes in routine are involved. I am especially concerned about: * autistic people who mask or camouflage difficulties, * people with psychosocial disability, * children whose needs change over time, * people with fluctuating or episodic conditions, * and participants with multiple overlapping disabilities. These groups are at real risk of being underestimated if assessors rely too heavily on snapshots or rigid scoring systems. I also worry that the new rules could create a much narrower entry point into the NDIS by setting functional thresholds that many people cannot clearly “prove” despite experiencing significant impairment in real life. In practice, this may mean people are forced to deteriorate further before qualifying for support. Another major concern is that functional capacity can be heavily influenced by the supports a person already has. For example, a child may appear to cope at school only because of constant parental advocacy, reduced hours, informal accommodations, or intensive support at home. If those hidden supports are not recognised, the person’s actual level of disability may be underestimated. There is also a risk that the process becomes adversarial, with participants needing to constantly justify and demonstrate their worst moments to access help. That can be distressing, dehumanising, and particularly difficult for people who struggle with communication or self-advocacy. Functional impact should absolutely be considered, but I do not believe access decisions should rely on rigid or overly standardised interpretations of capacity. The system must recognise the complexity of disability and assess people holistically, fairly, and with an understanding of how disability affects real life over time, not just how someone presents during an assessment.
208 I think if the participant is masking or does not understand the question and it is performed 5/19/2026 12:40 AMby a stranger then it will not be true reflection of their functional capacity
209 Some disabilities are 'invisible'. A person without a disability may think everyone looks and 5/18/2026 10:16 PMacts similar. A person with a disability, for example, is constantly trying to fit in, mask, do it right, adapt, not talk too much, talk just enough to be social, stand right, position arms and hands correctly, wear appropriate clothes, look engaged, predict the environment for stressors, Thats to name a few, and then by the time we get home from ‘looking normal?’ we are in autistic burnout, sensory overload. We cannot have the TV on, it’s too noisy. I cannot cook dinner, I’m too exhausted. I cannot problem solve any little problem that comes up, I’m done.
210 If they are trying to prevent access to the NDIS or reduce it, is the measure going to 5/18/2026 10:15 PMsupport this endeavour - will it truly reflect need?
211 I really worry about the kids with autism. Too many are undiagnosed and not getting help or 5/18/2026 10:06 PMsupport at school. Suicide is a big issue even for primary school children.
212 I think it's less the "functional capacity" rules that I'm worried about, and more the 5/18/2026 9:39 PM“standardised testing/tool”
213 The focus on keeping people off it is going to restrict those that truely need it and at the 5/18/2026 9:10 PMwider capacity of the need. I do agree that there will be those that take advantage, however I hope that participants that truely need the support are not restricted and quality of life reduced all in the hope to save money. I also hope that the the government puts more emphasis on providers of both services and equipment get a bigger overhaul for the price gouging, especially carers with no qualifications charging excessive hourly rates.
214 They already dont understand functional capacity at all. I am severely disabled .. I look 5/18/2026 8:48 PMfunctional because I push myself so hard that I trash my body.
215 My daughter is fine because she can't do anything at all physically. But I worry for others. 5/18/2026 8:48 PM
216 Even though my son has profound physical and intellectual disabilities it took nearly four 5/18/2026 8:43 PMyears to get adequate funding.
217 What criteria have to met? Who decides? How can one persons needs be compared directly 5/18/2026 8:42 PMwith another’s across one assessment?
218 Not only will this serve as yet another roadblock for many of the people who need NDIS the 5/18/2026 8:42 PMmost it is also grossly unsafe on multiple levels
219 Some disabilities are nuanced and the ndis is less beuracratic and caters to needs identified 5/18/2026 8:40 PMfrom person with disability.
220 Seems robotic, already been through years of ongoing assessments and no extra help 5/18/2026 8:07 PMprovided in many cases. And unfortunately on people who dont like to share their journey to a be matched up to others
221 Invisible disabilities like fatigue or cognitive impairment would need to be considered 5/18/2026 7:33 PMPage 120 431347
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222 sounds eerily similar to "functioning labels" to me, arbitrarily determining someone isn1 5/18/2026 7:20 PM“disabled enough” without consulting their treating specialists.
223 Cuts have already affected my fanily 5/18/2026 6:49 PM
224 Always was about Functional 5/18/2026 6:32 PM
225 It's hard enough for people with disabilities. Stop taking advantage of disability people. Start 5/18/2026 6:27 PMlistening to the specialist ndis people are not qualified they don’t understand the disability stop waisting money on lawyers get rid of LAC as there useless and getting $100,000 a year for nothing. You can tell the real disability people by looking at drs reports and specialist ndis has not paid for my specialist I pay that myself and ndis isn’t listening to the . Then ndis pay OT for a report pay them $2000 and don’t even do what they say so why waist money on OT if there not listening to them. And I need equipment even OT and dr says I need it and yet I’m fighting ndis it’s at art been like 20 months already and have t got equipment I’m having falls because I don’t have the equipment needed. If I don’t get the equipment soon if I have a fatal fall I hope it’s recorded that it’s because of ndis I don’t want anymore broken bones because I don’t have equipment
226 The government has to take into consideration the diagnosis also. 5/18/2026 6:18 PM
227 I don't trust that assessors will have the qualifications or experience to make appropriate 5/18/2026 5:55 PMsupport decisions around fluctuating capacity, invisible disability, and neuroaffirming support
228 There is no evidence that this tool is being designed for anything other than to restrict 5/18/2026 5:47 PMaccess
229 I believe that some people have less functional impacts due to the supports they need. 5/18/2026 5:28 PM
230 For autistic people function fluctuates. There is no linear line. 5/18/2026 5:10 PM
231 In my opinion this tool is being created with a budget in mind, not with disabled people in 5/18/2026 4:51 PMmind.
232 Access criteria do need to be made more stringent, but should not make it harder for people 5/18/2026 4:15 PMwho do meet the criteria to get through the access process
233 My impression is that the NDIA/NDIS will train underqualified people to deem individuals as 5/18/2026 4:12 PMfunctioning better than they are. Functional capacity needs to be assessed externally by a qualified professional such as an OT or Psychologist.
234 Some disabilities are episodic or can fluctuate on a daily basis. Many invisible diagnosis 5/18/2026 4:06 PMcan still be faked like fibromyalgia or autism for example. Longitudinal evidence should outweigh any doubts. There should be a mandate on medical files, clinical files to weed out the fraudulent claims.
235 What even is functional capacity? cPTSD is always there, always active. It's a drain. some 5/18/2026 3:32 PMpeople can appear to ‘function’ but they do so in extreme unshifting pain. They do it at any and every cost to themselves. Where’s the help for them?
236 worry that ill be kicked off for not being disabled enough 5/18/2026 3:23 PM
237 Functional capacity assessment to be valid should only be done by a qualified therapists 5/18/2026 3:23 PMand time must be taken to correctly assess. Its ridiculous and dangerous to think unqualified people can ask set generalised questions, enter them into computer and have a computer spit back what a person’s functionality is and what level of funding they need. People are not machines, life is not black and white.
238 on the face of it, the rules seem fair and only echoing the original design of the ndis. But in 5/18/2026 3:13 PMreality we have already seen how the rules around functional capacity requirements get twisted and reinterpreted and applied unfairly to PwD
239 See previous comment 5/18/2026 3:00 PM
240 Is is of utmost importance that the most vulnerable are protected and have the right to a 5/18/2026 2:59 PMsupported life and have the best possible chance to live with dignity.
241 It is not possible to create one valid test that can determine functional capacity alone that 5/18/2026 2:46 PMwill get a correct response. Fred may say he can peel potatoes, and this may be the case. It may take Fred however 45 minutes to peel one potato. It may take him another 30 minutes to peel an onion and 45 minutes to peel a carrot. We have not even started on cooking or preparing the final meal yet. That in itself may have barriers and complexities that Fred has to also navigate. If Fred says ‘yes, I can peel a potato,’ and no further questions are asked, the test will be invalid. Tests are only as good as the practitioners who create them. What is concerning, is that these tests can be created to obtain results in
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122 favour of the NDIS and not will not 100% create a result that will correctly paint a full picture of a person’s needs.
242 Whose definition of 'function' are we now having to follow. cause one person's definition can 5/18/2026 2:44 PMbe wildly different to anothers. Not to mention situational specific.
243 Seriously, it's not easy to get on to the NDIS. I know plenty of people who desperately need 5/18/2026 2:32 PMhelp and have failed to gain access.
244 Personally the "points for disability" standardisation of center1ink disability pension status 5/18/2026 2:32 PMdoes not consider factors like day to day ebbs and flows in ability, a participant may be able to do up their buttons today as their medication or stress level allows it but tomorrow the cannot get dressed or pick up a cup of drink without spilling it everywhere that simple difference in perceived overall ability makes the difference between “disabled” or “not”
245 Will it measure what we need it to measure, those of us with a sensory disability have 5/18/2026 1:44 PMdifferent needs to those with physical or intellectual impairment.
246 The threshold will not be set based on functional capacity, but by how much (little) the 5/18/2026 1:24 PMgovernment wants to spend
247 one appointment with a strange assessor will never give a good idea of support needs while 5/18/2026 1:08 PMbeing another burden on PWD.
248 Without NDIS it is basically making mothers/ family members full time carers 24/7 because 5/18/2026 1:05 PMthe needs can be deemed not “severe” enough if they just effect the person mentally/socially not physically, or medically.
249 Very stressful and intrusive to justify anything! 5/18/2026 12:34 PM
250 This is unnecessary and damaging. We already have functional capacity assessments and 5/18/2026 12:21 PMto have to prove over and over again all of the things I struggle with is disgusting. You already have to prove permanent disability to get access, this change is harmful.
251 A person defined as having high functioning autism could be excluded from the NDIS as 5/18/2026 11:51 AMthey would be defined as not disabled enough to qualify.
252 It is important that funds are used for those with severe disability & those with mild access 5/18/2026 11:29 AMother supports not on NDIS
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Q8 The Government wants stricter rules for permanent disability, including requiring that all ‘appropriate’ treatments have been exhausted, and considering whether treatment might improve the condition. This is a requirement now, however currently people with disability may still gain access to the NDIS if the treatment option is too expensive or not available in their location. Do you support this change?
Answered: 1,229 Skipped: 158
No
Unsure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%ANSWER a-tOICES RESPONSES
4.72% 58Yes
No 82.83% 1,018
Unsure 12.45% 153TOTAL 1,229
# OPTIONAL COMMENT: DATE
1 Not everyone can afford alternative treatment and are expected to suffer until they wait on 5/26/2026 7:27 AMthe public waitlist.
2 It is ridiculous to suggest we should look into all options even if we can't afford it when it is 5/25/2026 9:13 PMthis very government that has stolen all our income with its woeful management of finances for the country- good luck getting money out of a stone from people with disabilities or those of us with dependent children with disabilities, we already pay for a large amount of supports and medications and medical care that isn’t subsidised by the government- we are already broke
3 I think this still needs to be on a case by case depending on the applicant. Cutting all these 5/25/2026 6:05 PMthings upfront will actually cause more stress to the applicant and their carers.
4 More information needed 5/25/2026 4:38 PM
5 Not all treatments for every condition is appropriate for individual disability, health, financial 5/25/2026 2:52 PMand access reasons, people on low incomes dont have the options to access these treatments. The treatments could be detrimental to other aspects of the person’s disability or overall health. With rare conditions there are often no to limited treatments available, especially complex clients.
6 Treatments should be provided, even when they are expensive. Less people receiving 5/25/2026 1:30 PMsupport = less people contributing to the economy = greater reliance on government.
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124
7 A permanent disability is just that it is a permanent condition that cannot be cured forcing 5/25/2026 1:02 PMpeople with disabilities to exhaust. All possible. Options in treatment is not only going to waste money for participants in their families but also precious time where they could be gaining valuable support through the NDIS. People with disabilities are not people that can be cured and fixed their people that should be supported to lead dignified and lives full of quality like every other Australian. They should be able to be supported by a team of qualified highly skilled health professionals and their family should be supported so that they can sustain their future with support.
8 I have ankylosing spondylitis- in not on ndis and can't access it as I don't take biological 5/25/2026 12:23 PMimmuno suppressants .. my kids are in hospital too often and it would or my health at risk. But more importantly my kids health because I have to be here to support them
9 How do you k ow if you'Ve accessed all appropriate treatments. Who decides what an 5/25/2026 12:12 PMappropriate treatment is?
10 In our first NDIS review, our health professionals recommended 1:1 support in a behavioural 5/25/2026 11:48 AMtherapy program for my son. NDIS insisted he try mainstream first, against medical advice. What happened? over the course of 6 months he regressed and lost what little communication skills he had left. The existing model already allows UNQUALIFIED individuals to push back on professional health provider advice. With a blanket rule like this, it will be even easier for NOIA to push for unreasonable objections to entry or support provisions. It weaponises the legislation against disabled supports.
11 and the criteria for eligibility that someone cannot improve their function is the most 5/25/2026 10:08 AMconcerning of all. It means people will struggle to get support that does not exist and miss out on improving their functioning before they need greater support. The NDIS has helped people improve their functioning and productivity and this could be undone under new changes where the NDIS seeks to function when people already hit crisis mode and are at greater risk of needing more significant and costly supports such as group homes, greater medical support and hospitalisation and a greater risk of incarceration.
12 Many disabled people have disabilities that are not curable, and we just maintain them. We 5/25/2026 8:33 AMhave tried many treatments. To suggest we need to exhaust all options is ableist.
13 It is impractical, especially for first nations people, poor people or those living in regional or 5/25/2026 6:19 AMremote areas. Seeing a specialist is now not easy!
14 Not every medical option available is suitable for every participant and who makes this 5/24/2026 10:36 PMdecision and based on what exactly?
15 This change is totally unreasonable and unfair. What do they not understand? A permanent 5/24/2026 9:36 PMdisability is permanent. It doesn’t magically become non-permanent, no matter how many treatments you try or how many times you are forced to spend $2000 on an assessment to prove over again that it’s permanent.
16 My pain has become worse because I have been waiting for surgery for four years & it 5/24/2026 9:28 PMmakes me feel like I am still being neglected, & noone cares
17 There is no point in any treatment if it doesnt improve a person's condition, this makes no 5/24/2026 7:47 PMsense. Also, who is determining that all appropriate treatments have been exhused, how is this possible when states doesnt otherwise provide necessary supports and families ability to finance treatment is not always possible.
18 Hard to understand without a specific example of a disability & treatment & _____ 5/24/2026 7:21 PM
19 Not all "appropriate" treatment options are available remotely. 5/24/2026 6:52 PM
20 Spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injury and amputation which currently take up mist of the 5/24/2026 6:37 PMbeds in rehabilitation take up to 18 month or more to stabilise despite daily intervention.Bed block will get uncontrolled with back into the main hospital setting.
21 As the Ndis always requires a certain amount of allied health support. But in our area those 5/24/2026 6:31 PMallied health professionals are not available. Plus a participant might not have the funds to spend a week in Sydney having therapy. What is the category ’appropriate treatments going to state?
22 I believe the current NDIS eligibility rules of "permanent and lifelong" is sufficient and 5/24/2026 6:31 PMappropriate. The proposed change to “requiring that all appropriate treatments have been exhausted, and considering whether treatment might improve the condition” is appalling! This suggests that a condition is curable. A medical specialist is not going to give you a diagnosis of a disability if it is curable! Furthermore, any person who has a disability will require ongoing treatment. Given this and the proposed changes to the legislation, this
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125 would mean that the majority of people with a disability will be excluded from the NDIS. This is unacceptable.
23 This would further disadvantage rural and remote participants; who already have limited 5/24/2026 6:05 PMaccess
24 Time wasting 5/24/2026 5:42 PM
25 This statement assumes a ·curr' exists for all disabilities. Most people would prefer not to 5/24/2026 4:32 PMhave a disability if at all possible. This statement assumes that people with a disability haven’t explored all options to seek treatment. It’s actually insulting.
26 I feel that a lot of the disability income is low income. this is ablest and unreasonable 5/24/2026 4:31 PM
27 How are we meant to afford these treatments and what if we pay out for these treatments 5/24/2026 4:28 PMand they don’t work or make things worse? Then have to jump through hoops and more financial strain to apply. Only the wealthy can afford that
28 Disgraceful 5/24/2026 4:26 PM
29 By stating that "all appropriate treatments have been exhausted, and considering whether 5/24/2026 4:18 PMtreatment might improve the condition“ leads to the conclusion that a person with a disability can be cured. This is where diagnosis is important and also supports the current NDIS legislation eligibility of a “permanent and lifelong disability”. I believe this is a better place to assess eligibility than the new proposed change. Furthermore, anyone with a permanent and lifelong disability will require ongoing treatment for their disability and therefore this new definition would remove ALL persons with disability off of the NDIS.
30 If you live in regional or remote areas access to services, therapies and treatment is either 5/24/2026 3:55 PMunavailable or limited. Access to public services is not attainable, there is either no public service or huge wait lists & short/limited therapy/treatment services as the service has KPl’s & multiple clients so therefore short & inadequate treatment times
31 I strongly disagree with this approach. By stating "all appropriate treatments have been 5/24/2026 3:45 PMexhausted, and considering whether treatment might improve the condition“ is basically saying that we think you can be cured. The current NDIS legislation states to be eligible that you have a “permanent and lifelong disability”, I feel this is a more accurate reflection on eligibility. I would question when would actual treatment stops for a person with a disability as many people living with a disability require ongoing medical care and that is part of the purpose of the NDIS. It allows a person with a disability access to appropriate ongoing care so that they can live with dignity.
32 How are people expected to pay for this without the NDIS when Medicare rebates barely 5/24/2026 3:34 PMcover any if the costs if at all????
33 Not all treatments are appropriate for everyone. Eg ABA this treatment encourages masking 5/24/2026 3:25 PMand leads to burnout and even suicide.
34 Appropriate must be defined and potentially be available in the public health system 5/24/2026 3:08 PM
35 Yes every treatment available should be exhausted, but the thing with treating a permanent 5/24/2026 2:52 PMdisability is that you can’t. No magic wand will make us better, and even if a treatment can alleviate symptoms, a lot of us are still going to need supports. I could see this change being used to further deny access to the NDIS to people who desperately need it. I believe it will exacerbate an already existing issue of people with permanent disabilities being questioned as to whether their disability is permanent or even disabling. We are exhausting everything we can to get better, and not a single one of us wants to not get better.
36 What defines "appropriate" treatment? Who decides if it's too expensive? As a single 5/24/2026 1:40 PMparent, time is also a factor which creates a barrier to treatment. How will this be considered in the new rules?
37 There are huge waiting times for treatments. And various inabilities to access. Maybe if 5/24/2026 1:40 PMgovernment could cover treatment costs and if conditions improve then support could be reduced or removed as appropriate
38 I think this is a fair option, as long as a specialist clinician is consulted, and as long as a 5/24/2026 1:36 PM‘cure’ is not some crazy expensive, experimental treatment that is only available on the other side of the world , so is really unavailable for the sufferer, but means the sufferer is excluded from accessing the NDIS that can fund therapies and activities that can help manage symptoms.
39 "Other'' supports do not exist. Public waitlists are years long. You cannot access mental 5/24/2026 1:00 PMhealth through the public system until you reach active suicidal tendencies. The cost on
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126 both human life and the government is much higher intervening at crises than early intervention. Parents or profoundly disabled children face severe health risks, both physical and emotional. This burden will reach far and wide, and will be far more costly to than allied health appts in childhood. The government are not comparing this, because it presents in different system. But it’s gov (tax) money regardless.
40 Exhausting all alternatives is not affordable, sustainable or appropriate. As everyone reacts 5/24/2026 12:52 PMto different treatments/therapies differently
41 This is exclude people from accessing supports when they need them, while waiting for 5/24/2026 12:33 PMassessments and trialling therapies.
42 Using words that people can put different definitions on. Eg a theory is a scientific standard 5/24/2026 12:31 PMof truth, or a vague idea that you think might work.
43 Absolutely not. Irrespective of whether the condition may approve with treatment in the long 5/24/2026 12:27 PMrun, the simple, glaringly obvious fact is, the supports are needed in the immediate future to be able to effectively reach these point. For many families, in my personal situation and families I speak to within the early childhood sector, financially, many don1 have access to these important therapies without the support of NDIS.
44 Regardless if treatment is available they are still permanently disabled the surgery "MIGHT" 5/24/2026 12:25 PMhelp but they will still be disabled
45 This is an inherently discriminatory change in policy and frankly goes against the 5/24/2026 12:15 PMdiscrimination acts. Denial of a service to people because they could not access a different service is just kicking the poor and disenfranchised while they are down.
46 How dare any government take away a person's right to choose whether or not to have 5/24/2026 12:00 PMtreatments.
47 I don't understand how a disabled person could afford to ensure 'appropriate' treatments 5/24/2026 11:55 AMhave been exhausted
48 Treatments can be very expensive which surely is why the NDIS exists 5/24/2026 11:53 AM
49 Again, this change is most harmful to the most vulerable. People who can't access or afford 5/24/2026 11:51 AMtreatments, or have complex co-occuring conditions.
50 How do you engage in treatment for genetic disability? 5/24/2026 11:42 AM
51 People have choice to not be medicated or have electro therapy. This is not a government 5/24/2026 11:35 AMdecision to make on my body. All this will happen is that medical droctros will write letters that support why other options are not options. Basically report writers will make money/
52 This is ridiculous!! If there were "appropriate treatements" dont you think most would have 5/24/2026 11:33 AMtried them??? I’d love to know what this refers to
53 The inherently fuels the economic strain, consistent stigma of making people with 5/24/2026 11:30 AMdisabilities have to justify their disability but also their existence and ability or inability to access what the government deems “appropriate” treatment based in their narrow view and not treating the individual as the expert on themselves.
54 It is just not possible for some individuals or families to seek treatment or fund treatment 5/24/2026 11:28 AMfirst. If this were to change, many individuals would simply miss out on supports simply because they didn’t have the money to pay for it, or because they weren’t able to travel to receive it. This would further disadvantage marginalised individuals
55 To what level would treatment need to be effective in improving the condition? How long 5/24/2026 11:19 AMwould treatment be sustainable eg years of exercise physiology support to keep functioning. I am concerned about the perception that permanent disability is somehow “curable”. It can also be so difficult for participants to manage constant intervention and treatments.
56 Not realistic for people who are living just above poverty 5/24/2026 11:06 AM
57 I don't support this change as some people won't benefit from medical treatments and will 5/24/2026 10:32 AMneed help now while trying to access treatments. Their diagnosis may worsen and they will need help now but won’t be able to access NDIS because they are still trialing treatments
58 sounds like they expect the public system that is already failing people with disability to 5/24/2026 9:57 AMtake over &Jor low income households to afford multiple treatments which is unreasonable
59 We have rights to live a life. Not struggle to get a glimpse of what "normal" people get to 5/24/2026 9:35 AMexperience
60 If the treatment is too expensive or not available in the persons area how will the NDIS 5/24/2026 9:06 AMPage 126 49 / 347
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127 cover it, especially if it vVill use up a lot of their plan?
61 How vVill people vVith a disability improve their capacity and receive therapeutic supports to 5/24/2026 8:33 AMreach their potential to then work and contribute to the economy, if the fact that there is room for improvement excludes them from accessing these very supports. This change is short sighted and vVill create long term limitations on people’s capacity building and prospects for independence.
62 It could be years for someone to get 'better' or a lot have misdiagnosis too. What happens in 5/24/2026 8:15 AMbetween?
63 If people can't afford or access treatment how are they expected to manage vVithout ndis 5/24/2026 6:49 AMsupport
64 This is incredibly disturbing to hear that someone may be denied the help they need 5/24/2026 6:40 AMbecause they are rural or low income - those who need support the most. It is also disturbing that the gov would be able to decide what counts as appropriate treatments for conditions such as Autism as some can be deeply harmful.
65 Consent, autonomy, the right to choose, financial hardship/poverty, inappropriateness of the 5/24/2026 6:35 AMtreatment in the context of the whole person (ndis only looks and thinks about that one diagnosis not the whole person). There are so many reasons why this cannot be passed!!!!
66 I have grown to not trust the intent of any proposals and fear the view of appropriate funding 5/24/2026 5:42 AMbucket vVill be skewed, in addition if treatment options arent best practice ie ABA therapy, this vVill compell them to use it for that.
67 definitely not! I cant neccessarily afford that or geographic access 5/24/2026 12:30 AM
68 I worry about who deems what is appropriate treatments. Some treatments are harmful but 5/23/2026 9:33 PMaustralia still thinks they are not
69 The ambiguity of improved deeply concerns me as I fear this vVill be used for further 5/23/2026 9:17 PMjustification of ·you haven’t tried anything yet“ how vVill this be judged when no clinical input is happening and a standardised tool is planned. Who decides? And importantly can they just decide no and exclude people to reduce costs. Further this places a demand and burden on people who are generally more likely to be experiencing increased costs due to health needs, impacts on potential employment and if employed hours may be less and bills include costs towards things already not covered under NDIS. Like health, doctors appointments, surgeries etc. placing further demands on therapies- many vVill not be able to afford it.
70 This takes away bodily autonomy and right to choose what happens to them, and the dignity 5/23/2026 7:11 PMof choice. People should not have to undergo treatments that they determine is not appropriate for them. We don’t force people vVith cancer to undergo chemotherapy if they don’t want to, and if they don’t want to do chemo, we then don’t refuse to fund them for palliative care because they didn’t undergo all appropriate treatments. The same principle should apply. This vVill also adversely affect people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, people vVith lower health literacy, and people living in regional and remote areas who may not be able to access these treatment options, which further vVidens the differences in access to care for the cohorts of people.
71 People should not lose support because treatments are not accessible due to cost or 5/23/2026 7:10 PMlocation. The NDIS should be making these treatments accessible.
72 My son has a genetic condition which vVill impact him for life, so I don't see how this would 5/23/2026 7:00 PMwork in his circumstance.
73 This disadvantages people vVith low incomes and in regional and remote areas. This is a 5/23/2026 6:14 PMvery large percentage of people vVith disability. Waitlists for treatment vVill increase, people vVill be pressured into having treatment despite risks/side effects thus choice and control for people vVith disability vVill be further eroded.
74 Exhausting all treatments can cause more complications and roadblocks for people trying to 5/23/2026 4:46 PMaccess the NDIS which vVill put more pressure on the current health options, wait lists vVill blow out an affordability vVill be unreachable for some people
75 we are currently using allied health care plans, the waitlists I. The public system are long 5/23/2026 4:13 PMand when we need assistance now and can’t afford private how do we get help, the public system is broken and your about to dump hundreds of thousands more people onto it again
76 This is not absolutely disgusting, but completely unethical. People should not be forced to 5/23/2026 4:13 PMtry treatments, medicalisation or anything. Does someone living vVith down syndrome get
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128 chromosome surgery, are we going to bring back in electric shock therapy? Id an amputee going to regrow a limb? Is MS, Parkinsons or MSA going to suddenly have a cure?
77 Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder with no cure and lifelong permanent which will go 5/23/2026 3:17 PMregression stages at different life stages
78 Every person should have the right to refuse treatments on their own body. In my daughters 5/23/2026 3:12 PMcase GH can help control weight but if given to someone who’s already overweight it can kill them because causes growth of soft tissue
79 I do not support this change. There are many illnesses that do not respond to reasonable 5/23/2026 2:42 PMtreatment and a person shouldn’t have to spend ten years trying everything and falling below the poverty line before they receive support. The recommended treatments for many conditions are actually incredibly out of date in many cases.
80 Some conditions don't have recommended treatments and not all would be recommended to 5/23/2026 1:51 PMeach person.
81 Who decides, what if treatment risks outweigh potential or perceived benefits, what if 5/23/2026 1:18 PMcomorbities exist that rule put certain treatments, if there are access barriers to treatment scheme will only support those with wealth and privilege that allow treatment options
82 This is ridiculous and classist. To say to people that they can't access supports because 5/23/2026 12:59 PMthey first need to jump through hoops which they cannot even get close enough to try to jump through is astonishingly cruel.
83 It's ridiculous to deny funding for a needed service on the basis that if the client had money 5/23/2026 10:48 AMthey could access the service
84 This cannot happen unless "all" treatments can be accessed by those on welfare payments. 5/23/2026 10:32 AMThere needs to be more bulk billed psychiatrists and psychologists as well as other allied health people.
85 "Appropriate" can be whatever some unqualified politician or bureaucrat requires it to be. In 5/23/2026 9:42 AMthe past, “appropriate” has been used to describe chemicallt castrating homosexuals and lobotomising those of us with disabilities. Readopting that approach will be equally disastrous.
86 If this is to occur there MUST be more subsidised access to treatments for children and 5/23/2026 9:29 AMpeople with (particularly) psychosocial disabilities. A psychiatrist is now over $800 - neal1y a months pay for someone on Job Seeker.
87 Families are struggling and the families I work with cannot afford to "exhaust" all other 5/23/2026 8:48 AMsupports?
88 Is the treatment within their area, affordable, their choice to take part 5/23/2026 8:45 AM
89 Personally with my own children. In 1 week $450 out of pocket for medical and private 5/23/2026 8:28 AMspeech therapy as the 5 visits my daughter received through mainstream supports was not sufficient enough.
90 There are no treatments to cure Down syndrome. our son has benefited from Speech 5/23/2026 8:27 AMTherapy, occupational Therapy, Exercise Physiology as Allied Health; work training programs but most importantly, the core support which allows him to access all of his work, volunteering and other activities.
91 Sometimes we need to consider how much difference our work will make long term - will it 5/23/2026 6:41 AMmake a change or will it just be an activity for the person to do
92 Already I know of one lady who can hardly breathe, even on oxygen and that leaves her 5/23/2026 6:09 AMunable to care for herself. She has been rejected from the scheme as she has not had a lung transplant. That is not something she wants to do but it really isn’t something she could just organise quickly either. She currently has no formal supports and is struggling so much. Tightening the rules will make that worse for people in need.
93 "Appropriate" should be determined by health professionals not the government. ___ 5/23/2026 4:54 AM
94 Many treatments are not available in our area. 5/22/2026 10:09 PM
95 It's hard to determine what exhausted really means for someone with a neurological disorder 5/22/2026 8:04 PMor a child
96 Misses the point of eal1y intervention will be stuck on endless waiting list or financially 5/22/2026 7:19 PMruined trying to access therapies
97 Dynamic disability exists and most treatments in general are wildly inaccessible, have 5/22/2026 6:35 PMPage 128 51 / 347
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129 years-long waitlists, or are prohibitively expensive. Expecting people to access those treatments without help is frankly unbelievably out-of-touch or deliberately considering disabled people as ‘acceptable collateral damage’ to avoid making their corporate donors pay their tax instead.
98 This assumes that there is a treatment, and is very narrow minded about fluctuating 5/22/2026 6:14 PMcapacity. NDIS is out of touch!
99 I don't understand so no 5/22/2026 5:30 PM
100 Most disabled people are on a pension and can bearly afford food let alone pay for 5/22/2026 4:25 PMexpencive therapies that may not work
101 NDIS do not provide a list of all disabilities and expected treatment to have attempted. They 5/22/2026 4:07 PMshould provide this detail. Also they should not be ignoring diagnosis reports from professional practitioners when denying access. The NDIS technical advisory group should have professional practitioners rather public servants who support the prevailing goal of NDIS to not grant access and therefore do not inform practitioners or applicants as to the evidence required to grant access of NDIS
102 Living in a regional area some services aren't available or have wait lists beyond 4 years so, 5/22/2026 4:01 PMaside from the fact that most are unaffordable. This will only serve to further isolate and push those in need into crisis
103 There are other reasons for not accepting all and any alternatives. Some may have side 5/22/2026 3:30 PMeffects or associated difficulties that make them unsuitable for some subjects, for example.
104 What is the definition of treatment? Are we only accepting people who can't have 5/22/2026 2:57 PMimprovements in their functional capacity, when we know that NDIS funding to date has helped a wide range of participants improve their skills and gain employment.
105 It is absolutely immoral, inhumane and illegal to make people access "appropriate 5/22/2026 1:24 PMtreatments“ that may not be appropriate for the individual. And it is absolute bullshit that the government would even consider including the “it doesn’t matter if the treatment option is too expensive or not available in their location.” What the actual fuck?! I live in Tasmania on the NW coast. There are minimal services. If I lived on the West Coast - there are o services. Even if a participant lived in the capital city of Hobart - the services are not all available. And if they are, they are generally too expensive to the majority of the population. For fucks sake - it is illegal to discriminate against access to disability services based on where you live and your economic capacity to access services. And given the Tasmanian State Government budget that was announced this week - the entire state is fucked because they are cutting funds to education and health and just about every other service for Tasmanians. Just making it “legal” to say you can’t have NDIS access if you can’t afford services or the services do not exist where you live (or doesn’t exist in the entire fucking state) is a grievous injustice and is a shameful act by the federal government. But yay, we’re getting nuclear submarines and a fucking stadium in TAS that the AFL dictated. our disabled people will be dying, living in poverty and have no quality of life, but, why would one assume that the Australian government would actually care about their most vulnerable citizens.
106 Firstly, who determines "that all 'appropriate' treatments have been exhausted"? Secondly 5/22/2026 1:16 PMthis assumes that people with permanent disabilities haven’t already done the work. It also assumes that we all have the same access to healthcare and other support to do/get treatment.
107 How unfair if you're broke and don't live in metro area. 5/22/2026 1:15 PM
108 people with disability have reduced access to these services so many can't explore all 5/22/2026 12:39 PMoptions without NDIS support
109 There is no way to access this 5/22/2026 12:38 PM
110 how can I as a single parent barely surviving on carers pension be able to afford such things 5/22/2026 12:16 PMwhen we struggle to buy a 2nd loaf of bread each week and pay rent.
111 its discriminatory against people on low incomes and/or too disabled to do those potential 5/22/2026 11:28 AMtreatments. It discriminates against disabled people
112 Who decides when 'all treatments' have been exhausted? 5/22/2026 10:51 AM
113 My takeaway from this option is that the government will push participants towards 5/22/2026 10:32 AMMedicare rebate services - these are inappropriate for people with disability because it limits their access to specialist providers, means they either pay an expensive out of pocket or
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130 find a bulk billed professional v/ho does not have the skill set to manage their disability and places them at risk.
114 People making this decision should spend a day or two with participants and see for 5/22/2026 10:30 AMthemselves how making changes will impact them.
115 This is a totally unreasonable request. If people are unable to access certain treatments, 5/22/2026 10:17 AMthen this would leave them trapped with no support whatsoever. This is exactly the kind of person the NDIS was designed to help
116 If people can't afford it access alternative therapies this leaves a large gap. I feel like this 5/22/2026 9:57 AMidea is aimed at autistic kids because with early intervention we can help our children become active members of society. Without these supports or leaving families to find and fund these supports themselves we are going to end up with a generation of children who have not received supports due to parents not being able to fund them and these children become adults with more severe disabilities and end up on the ndis. I have to stop work to care for my child we are now a single income household with dual income bills. We didn’t expect our child to not be able to attend school. There is no way we can also fund therapies
117 Regional and remote participants would be disadvantaged 5/22/2026 9:40 AM
118 My son was declined NDIS Eal1y Intervention funding for multiple developmental delays, 5/22/2026 9:27 AMbased on their feedback it was unclear to them if his condition Developmental Coordination Disorder was permanent (which was supported in his Paediatrician reports and in the medical literature). My son was also decline NDIS Early Intervention, because they thought he had not tried all the treatments. Despite having evidence of accessing OT and psychology for 3 years, with no significant improvement in his fine motor and gross motor skills or emotional behavioural problems. 1 told the NDIS representative that we had exhausted our ability to privately fund his allied health therapy and couldn’t afford to pay for physiotherapy, and that’s v/hy we were applying to the NDIS to seek help. It’s ridiculous that NDIS expect parents to privately fund all the therapies, because most families cannot afford that cost. Furthermore, families v/ho live in areas with limited access to allied health services will be disadvantaged greatly, if the NDIS removes this provision in the eligibility requirement. It’s discrimination and unethical for the NDIS to decline applicants who cannot afford or access “all the therapies”. In my situation the NDIS representative was not even transparent with me about “all the therapies” they expected my son to try before they were satisfied his functional impairments are permanent.
119 i don1 trust that a government body or a person that has no relationship with the child or 5/22/2026 9:07 AMparticipant should be able to make that call.
120 Early intervention is vital for young participants. By trying other routes, this is wasting 5/22/2026 8:12 AMprecious time and will negatively impact these families
121 Exhausting all treatment options gives decision makers a sense that their disability is 5/22/2026 8:10 AMcurable v/hich is ridiculous. Permanent and Ufelong should be maintained. People with disabilities will always have some form of medical treatment for their disability and ongoing costs are expensive and will become out of reach if this rule is applied therefore allowing people with disabilities to be unable to access appropriate care.
122 This can ONLY be determined by the relavent medical and allied health professionals. 5/22/2026 7:27 AM
123 Someone can have a permanent disability, and require treatment options to maintin QOL, 5/22/2026 7:07 AMhow would they access/exhaust all “treatment” options, v/hen disability is permanent, and any “treatment” is to maintain QOL, often only afforded when on NDIS.
124 I'm confused as to how they think you can treat a genetic neurological condition, it's a 5/22/2026 5:47 AMcondition not a disease that can be cured. I thought the criteria for NDIS was a lifelong disability.
125 I have a lifelong disability, I'm on an early intervention plan so I am hopefully not going to be 5/22/2026 3:12 AMa burden on the system in the future, but they won1 fund anything to actually help me not be a burden in the future.
126 Speaking from lived experience, some 1reatments' have been incredibly damaging to my 5/22/2026 12:07 AMchild’s mental health. Let’s support people with disability before we push them to breaking point.
127 This lacks insight in to the lives of disabled people and is extremely ableist 5/21/2026 9:13 PM
128 Their definition of what is permanent and v\/hat is able to improve at the moment is 5/21/2026 9:06 PMridiculous. For example, many diagnosing professionals will say that CPTSD is technically curable but lots of people with it cannot escape the circumstances that caused it so it’s permanent.
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131
129 If a treatment option is not accessible for any reason, it should not be a requirement. That's 5/21/2026 8:02 PMjust adding to that person’s struggle and burden. Additionally, we often know if a treatment will be helpful or not before trying, but try anyway to tick the box. For myself, trying medications to tick the box has disrupted the delicate balance of my other medications. 4 months later, IVe still not managed to undo the harm from this experiment. and other conditions have worsened as a result. There’s another similar medication I Ve not tried, but it’s not worth the risk, as I always experience those particular side effects from ANY medications where they’re possible. My medical team agree.
130 Having no clear guidelines on what constitutes appropriate is worrying. Furthermore, 5/21/2026 8:00 PMdisabilities are life long and impact on life can fluctuate. To say that treatment needs to be exhausted makes it unclear- at what point do we say treatment have been exhausted
131 Most people with a disability live in low-income households, barely able to pay for basic 5/21/2026 6:57 PMessentials on top of medication required to survive. Additional “reasonable” treatment options are not accessible to most people, and public systems have an exceptionally long waitlist to access extensive treatments options. People don’t choose to remain disabled, nor do they choose to need other people in their homes every single day, they need this assistance. They NEED support to access and complete activities of daily life - the same things that everyone needs for survival.
132 Not everyone can afford treatments I'm a single parent I made a very low wage and my 5/21/2026 6:10 PMchild has significant disability’s and worry for her future , I also have significant disability’s not on the ndis but if I go blind she will have no one and will have to go into foster care as our family has abandoned us because of my child’s disability
133 Define "all treatments", and what about the right to medical decision making autonomy? We 5/21/2026 6:09 PMare being FORCED to undergo treatments that we may not want to, i.e. ECT, because the government thinks it’s a feasible treatment! What about the right to decline due to side effects, long green effects, etc.
134 All treatments may be unsubstantiated or unsafe. Assumes privilege of affordability 5/21/2026 6:06 PM
135 alot of people with a disability already are low income. how could we afford it. 5/21/2026 5:13 PM
136 Who decides on what is appropriate treatment. Opinionated unqualified NDIS delegates with 5/21/2026 4:51 PMno lived experience
137 Having exhaust all other avenues would disproportionately impact rural remote and low 5/21/2026 3:21 PMincome disabled persons.
138 The NDIS do not provide clear information about what other treatments should be explored 5/21/2026 2:51 PMor treatments that are available. If this is a new process, they need to provide clearer reasoning and options for others services available not just generic reasons with no resolve
139 Each case would be individual. But if a person with disability is accessing the supports 5/21/2026 12:50 PMavailable they can live good lives and it shows that supports are very helpful
140 This will disproportionately impact communities that are already marginalised 5/21/2026 12:08 PM
141 I am concerned for people who have conditions that have 'treatment options' that are too 5/21/2026 11:56 AMexpensive, inaccessible due to location, have contraindications, side effects or are otherwise considered extreme or controversial. Amputation of a limb, for example. This person loses choice and control over their own body.
142 This would skew the NDIA to people with higher incomes. Those who rely on pensions are 5/21/2026 11:56 AMbeing excluded. This doesn’t seem coincidental to me. The message is if you can work and participate in the economy then you are valued and supported.
143 This would make it impossible for many to access the NDIS, when it's already too difficult. 5/21/2026 11:43 AMIt would disproportionately affect regional/rural/remote communities, people on low incomes and those who are unable to travel due to their disability, particularly if they already have a lack of support. Also, who deteITTJines what appropriate treatment is? If someone does not want to undergo such a treatment due to concerns about making their condition worse, and this is supported by a doctor, can the NDIA override that? What about bodily autonomy?
144 How do you make sure all options are exhausted its not like adhd can be cured just with 5/21/2026 11:26 AMmedication cos it comes with some people having interlectual disability, autism, epilepsy, dystonia, emotional dysregulation, the list goes onnone of this can be cured they are life long disabilities
145 We did exhaust all supports prior to ndis. There was little to no support and what was 5/21/2026 11:10 AMavailable was out of reach for low income families like mine.
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146 This is simply ridiculous and potentially dangerous. I have personal experience of being 5/21/2026 11:08 AMforced to have a treatment that had nearly finished me. I can’t believe they can1 see this issue will potentially impact the lower socio-economic group greatly.
147 There isn1 medication for Autism, are we going to be expected to drink bleach? 5/21/2026 11:07 AM
148 Sone treatments the government might be referring to may be also harmful in other ways, 5/21/2026 10:57 AMwhich thosexacailwble on the NDIS,may not be.
149 With many situations, the people at the agency do not know what is realistic. I still struggle 5/21/2026 10:50 AMwith the fact that they don1 recognise that specific disabilities are permanent (autism and EDS for example).
150 The term 'alleviate' is being included in the legislation within the context of permanent 5/21/2026 10:45 AMdisability which is highly problematic
151 So as somebody without a condition on list A or B I e already had to do this. It's part of the 5/21/2026 10:42 AMlegislation already
152 This will be used to arbitrarily force participants to seek out unknown and dangerous 5/21/2026 10:38 AMtreatments to meet this requirement under coercive and desperate conditions. currently applicants are already being put into a position of repeated refusal using the excuse that all known treatments have. or been tried but the agency will not disclose these. For myself, I was forced to trial treatments that would not cure my disabilities and suffered anaphlaticcshock multiple times, nearly died repeatedly, ended up with even more permanent disability. This is too dangerous. being put
153 Depends on who is determining this. I.e. treating medical team decision vs someone at the 5/21/2026 10:37 AMNOIA deciding there are other treatments.
154 A lot of people cannot afford or access treatments, eg children in child safety or foster care, 5/21/2026 10:29 AMthose in remote or rural areas, lower income families, those with several family members with disabilities
155 A large majority of people on ndis are disability pensioners and therefore can not afford to 5/21/2026 10:26 AMtry everything under the sun, we can hardly pay our rent. Autism is not going away with vitamins or therapy, they need to be realistic. This is supposed to help people, not cause more stress and anxiety
156 Some treatments are not practical and where do you stop. Nothing will change a persons IQ 5/21/2026 10:25 AMfor example but you can make good use of the IQ you have
157 For some, the only treatment they haven1 tried is organ transplant. organ transplants are 5/21/2026 10:24 AMrisky and take years on waiting lists. It’s unreasonable to deny someone support while they’re waiting for an organ transplant.
158 We have agency. We are human beings and shouldn1 be treated like problems that need to 5/21/2026 10:21 AMbe 1ixed’.
159 This is what it used to This is what it used to be like for Centrelink. You had to have no 5/21/2026 10:16 AMmoney at all. I can1 go back to that. Part of shouldn’t even be means tested.
160 Its too vague sorry I would need more case studies to clarify what this actually means. 5/21/2026 10:13 AMAlbeit treatment is scarce, expensive and access is limited due to shortages in qualified allied health professionals.
161 A lot of people cannot afford therapy and treatments. Hence why NDIS is important. A lot of 5/21/2026 10:13 AMpeople will not be able to access services otherwise. This leads to increased difficulties and long term impacts
162 Treatments for my condition are contraindicated and could prove fatal 5/21/2026 10:09 AM
163 What is an appropriate treatment? Who decides what an appropriate treatment is? Where 5/21/2026 8:50 AMare these appropriate treatments and how will then be made accessible? Too many questions
164 This is extremely concerning, particularly financial impact on families. 5/21/2026 8:22 AM
165 Some treatment options are not realistic. We shouldn't be punished for not being able to 5/21/2026 7:38 AMafford treatment that may not even work.
166 At the moment the ndis doesnt actually spell out what the appropriate treatments are that 5/21/2026 7:36 AMhavent been accessed. I would like to see if they will actually specify that when issuing rejections to ndis - so at least the person has something to explore.
167 This has potential to expose participants to harmful non-evidence based 'treatments' that 5/21/2026 7:20 AMPage 132 55 / 347
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133 may not work, have side effects and psychosocial implications for participant and their carers.
168 Waitlist for public health are to long some need years of therapy 5/21/2026 6:42 AM
169 I fear this would be a move back to ABA for the autistic community. It's hard enough to get 5/21/2026 6:21 AMthe dept Ed to reconsider ABA in schools.
170 Participants should have the option to refuse treatments they believe will be harmful for 5/21/2026 6:16 AMthem, as well as if it is too expensive or not available in their location
171 This is a problem with the system outside of the NDIS, until it is fixed, getting rid of the only 5/21/2026 6:15 AMway some are able to get help is cruel
172 This is vague. And it's very much up to someone's opinion as to whether or not they have 5/21/2026 4:14 AMexhausted all treatment options. It doesn’t sound like people’s financial positions are being considered ..
173 This will heighten the already extremely high risks of harm that marginalise these groups 5/21/2026 12:25 AMalready.
174 Strict rules on permanent impairment are not going to help people 5/20/2026 11:47 PM
175 Because a disability can present as not permanent but all disabilities have a impact on 5/20/2026 11:36 PMsomeone’s life
176 I am deeply fearful of this change. It eviscerates our right to choose not to engage with 5/20/2026 10:26 PMtreatments we think are unhelpful or worse harmful. I refuse to take medication for my mental health issues because I have adverse reactions and they make me ill. They don’t work. I am I going to be forced to take medication because a stranger thinks they know what will help me. IVe been accessing the mental health system for decades and still not fixed. I don’t want anyone telling me what so-called treatments they expect me to try. Am I going to be forced to have Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) because some arsehole thinks it might cure me. I will not tolerate this abusive intrusion on my life.
177 This disproportionately disadvantages people on lower incomes and people living in 5/20/2026 9:42 PMregional/remote areas as they do not have the same access to specialist/health services
178 I have noticed a change in attitude from consumers that everyone expects allied health to 5/20/2026 8:40 PMbe free now because you can get it through the NDIS. This is a problem.
179 It is not uncommon for amputees and autists to have to prove over and over again that their 5/20/2026 8:28 PMdisability is permanent. Schizophrenia for instance doesnt just go away. If there are no local services or provisions for assistance in the immediate area, access to services should be a part of NDIS funding but access is the challenge for most people, regardless of whete they live.
180 Absolutely not. We know that Medicare, doctors, allied health professionals etc. are already 5/20/2026 8:08 PMunder extreme pressure and stress with current workloads and pay rates. This proposal will put more stress and strain on an already exhausted system rather than allowing the current (largely) private practice NDIS providing businesses and professionals to maintain their care and support of their NDIS clients
181 How can they claim to recognise a disability as permanent if they hypocritically believe it 5/20/2026 8:05 PMcan be treated and thusly suggestive that it can ultimately be cured?
182 This should be decided between practitioner and patient. Not all treatments will be suitable 5/20/2026 8:03 PMand I don’t believe the legislation would be understanding of this (eg financial and/or geographical barriers, surgical risk and other contraindications)
183 No, I don't fully support this change. I understand the intention behind making sure 5/20/2026 6:52 PMreasonable treatment options have been explored, but disability and healthcare are not equal across Australia. For many people, especially those in regional areas, treatments can be unavailable, unaffordable, have years-long waitlists, or simply not work. Some treatments also come with major risks, side effects, or no guarantee of improvement. People shouldn’t have to exhaust themselves physically, mentally or financially just to “prove” they deserve support. As someone dealing with a lifelong neurological condition, I also think there needs to be recognition that “possible improvement” does not always mean recovery or independence. A condition can still be permanent and significantly disabling even if treatment helps manage some symptoms.
184 Available does not mean accessible. It's not that simple. 5/20/2026 6:45 PM
185 This is fine in theory, but the current public and private healthcare systems are not 5/20/2026 6:18 PMsufficiently able to meet this requirement and it is the individual with a disability who will
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134 wear the consequences. People’s individual finances and resources will have a significant impact on people being able to access treatment and the NDIS is not meant to increase inequity. Personally, I have PTSD and the NDIS would decline access for me because they would say criminal compensation and workers compensation should provide support however the process of trying to get criminal compensation is cumbersome, and isn’t likely to be sufficient, and as a former police officer there is no workers compensation available so it leaves me with nothing even though there are systems that should be able to help me.
186 People in low incomes or who live too far will be so much worse off. It is completely 5/20/2026 5:45 PMunreasonable to have tried every possible treatment. Public health system is a disaster.
187 It is discrimination based on income and location 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
188 So many people don't have access to treatments, and so many treatments arent appropriate 5/20/2026 5:02 PMfor everyone with a condition. I’m nervous they’ll make autistics do ABA
189 This is ambiguous. What will the NDIS consider as 'appropriate' treatment. It is 5/20/2026 5:02 PMunsustainable and impractical to have the mentality that there’s a ·one size fits all’ approach. It also impacts the Human Rights Act, where individuals rights to liberty and rights to health services are taken away.
190 I categorically do not. Considering treatment options that are too expensive or not locally 5/20/2026 4:29 PMavailable risks the people who need it most missing out.
191 This is a giant loophole/black hole, how much is too much, no one can exhaust all 5/20/2026 2:55 PMtreatments.
192 Many don't have the funds to secure every single treatment. 5/20/2026 2:44 PM
193 This puts people with a disability at risk. Not all 'treatments' are ethical, financially or 5/20/2026 2:16 PMregionally in reach. People should be allowed to choose the supports and services and ‘treatments’ based on their individual circumstances.
194 Not everyone can afford the Gap fee in medicare. Especially people on DSP 5/20/2026 1:54 PM
195 With the rising cost of living, how are people meant to try these treatments when they cost 5/20/2026 1:13 PMthousands of dollars?! We can barely buy food, let alone extraordinary treatments!
196 There will be no such thing as permanent disability in the eyes of the Australian government 5/20/2026 12:34 PManymore. Unqualified bureaucrats will be able to demand disabled people undergo dangerous, expensive, impossible, and frivolous experiments and treatments with no notice. There are hundreds of purported cures to disability–it will be an impossible standard to meet allowing anyone to be removed from the Scheme at a moment’s notice.
197 You can't dictate how people live their lives. This is blackmail. If they don't do something 5/20/2026 12:31 PMthey don’t want to do, they don’t receive support. It’s THEIR life. THEIR choice. Not yours or mine. Very very discriminatory.
198 How is it even possible for someone to have tried everything? Especially low income people 5/20/2026 12:31 PMor people in regional communities. Even treating doctors can’t be expected to be on top of every different available treatment. How will they determine which treatments are considered effective? There are some treatments like regular massage that would make a substantial impact on my autism and physical pain but they aren’t approved by the NDIS. I think it’s reasonable to provide evidence that you have explored treatments available to you through the public health system but even then what if there are wait lists years long.
199 accessing therapy supports via NDIS is the 'treatment' but nothing removes that person's 5/20/2026 12:29 PMpermanent disability
200 No, NO. NO. There are "treatments" out there that are not at all safe. The proposed 5/20/2026 11:38 AMchanges to the definition of “permanent disability” raise serious concerns for many people with disability, particularly autistic people, people with psychosocial disability, and those with fluctuating or support-dependent conditions. The requirement that all “appropriate” treatment options be exhausted before access to the NDIS can be granted risks creating significant barriers for people whose functioning depends heavily on environmental supports, accessibility, co-regulation, routine, or assistance from support workers and informal carers. While treatment and therapy may improve aspects of functioning for some people, improvement does not necessarily remove disability or reduce the need for ongoing support. A person may appear more ’1unctional“ specifically because supports are already in place. This should not be interpreted as evidence that disability supports are no longer necessary. For example, an autistic person may be able to attend appointments, leave the house, maintain nutrition, regulate sensory distress, or participate in the community only because they have access to support workers, assistive technology, structured routines, and recovery time. Without those supports, the same person may experience severe burnout,
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135 functional collapse, isolation, mental health deterioration, or crisis presentations. The concern within the disability community is that the proposed wording may shift the focus away from assessing what supports a person requires to live safely and participate in society, and toward requiring individuals to continuously prove that they have ’’failed“ enough treatments to deserve assistance. This creates several risks: pressure to undergo treatments that may be inaccessible, unaffordable, traumatising, or ineffective: disproportionate impacts on people who mask or compensate for their disability; penalising people whose conditions fluctuate: increased burden on families and carers: delayed access to essential supports until a person reaches crisis point. Importantly, many disabled people do not become “less disabled” because they receive support. Rather, support allows them to survive, function, and participate more safely in daily life. Policies that interpret support needs through the lens of potential improvement risk excluding people who are already struggling to maintain stability. Early and ongoing support is often what prevents hospitalisation, homelessness, institutionalisation, family breakdown, and long-term deterioration. The NDIS should remain focused on functional impact and support needs, rather than creating additional thresholds based on hypothetical future improvement or exhaustive treatment expectations.
201 I do think it's a good idea for people to exhaust other options first. but making it compulsory 5/20/2026 11:16 AMmeans that people in difficult financial situations would be spending money they don’t have on things that aren’t entirely necessary.
202 This is so ableist - permanent means permanent - and how will people be able to fund 5/20/2026 10:56 AM“appropriate treatments”
203 It took years for all epilepsy drugs to be trialled for intractable epilepsy 5/20/2026 10:52 AM
204 No - I don't support tightening it further in the way it's being proposed. The idea of 5/20/2026 10:41 AMconsidering available treatment makes sense “to a point”. The NDIS was never intended to fund conditions that are temporary or likely to significantly resolve with ordinary treatment. But the concern is the wording around “all appropriate treatment options exhausted” and who gets to decide what counts as “appropriate.” For many people with disability:* treatments are inaccessible * waitlists are years long * specialists don’t exist locally * costs are enormous * treatment can be retraumatising, unsafe, or ineffective * “improvement” may be minimal and not remove disability-related support needs A person should not have to become poorer, more unwell, or relocate away from family/support networks just to prove they deserve support. This particularly worries me for people in: * rural and regional areas * low socioeconomic situations * First Nations communities * people with psychosocial disability * people with FND * people with chronic illness or rare disease “Potential for improvement” is also very subjective. Many disabilities fluctuate. Many people improve because they already have supports. Removing access because someone made progress can create a cycle where supports are withdrawn and functioning declines again. The current flexibility around unavailable or unaffordable treatment is important because Australia is not equal in access. Someone in metropolitan Sydney may have completely different options compared to someone in regional WA. I think a better approach is: * recognising reasonable attempts at treatment where appropriate * considering access barriers and cost * recognising that disability can remain permanent even with treatment * distinguishing between “condition improvement” and “removal of functional impairment” * allowing clinical judgement and lived experience to remain central Otherwise, there’s a real risk the system shifts from ’’What support helps this person participate in life?“ to “prove you’Ve exhausted every possible avenue before we’ll help you.”
205 This is questioning ppl's disability, it implies they are faking their needs and are lying. It 5/20/2026 10:39 AMimplies that the professionals who have done thorough assessments to determine the participants difficulties and needs are making it up despite their years of experience. Also what is an appropriate’ treatment and how do you determine if it has been exhausted?! And many supports don’t improve the condition, they keep it from getting worse or more challenging. This wording and terminology is offensive to ppl with disabilities
206 This is clearly an inaccessible option as it is based off people being able to access 5/20/2026 10:06 AMtreatment. If treatment should be exhausted, the NDIS should provide support to access that treatment if the individual is unable to financially or due to availability.
207 There is no appropriate treatment for my condition. I have been told by a specialist that any 5/20/2026 9:56 AMtreatment could make my eyesight worse.
208 This is completely unfeasible and disregarding of choice, health access, and financial 5/20/2026 9:21 AMconstraints
209 How do you know you have accessed all available treatment options. The cost and 5/20/2026 8:49 AMavailability would be challenging. Also the capacity of the individual and family. We don’t do all therapies at once, it’s too much.
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210 How do we ensure this means that those who cannot afford therapy still get support? This 5/20/2026 8:40 AMmakes me feel like only the wealthy will be able to afford to go through all the pathways first. Low income households can’t afford to do this with no promise that they will get support
211 The costs of pursuing other treatments can be out of reach for many, which is often 5/20/2026 8:40 AMamplified by the lower average incomes and already increased disadvantage of those with disabilities.
212 Every persons experience is different and a standardised rule is unfair 5/20/2026 8:14 AM
213 Question is so long I had to read 4 times to understand it = Not accessible for me. 5/20/2026 6:51 AM
214 This could force people to make risky medical decisions or undergo risky procedures to 5/20/2026 6:43 AMmeet this obligation, it’s unethical and dangerous territory.
215 So many issues with this change. Those with mental health, cognitive, financial, locational 5/20/2026 6:07 AMor other access issues may not be able to access the treatment they need to prove their condition isn’t treatable. This is a terrible, terrible concept and one that is going to impact those most vulnerable.
216 Dangerous 5/20/2026 6:03 AM
217 You can't force someone to have treatment that is not a guarantee'fix' or expensive and out 5/20/2026 5:45 AMof their location
218 Good luck getting any other ·appropriate treatment options· from the health system, IVe 5/20/2026 5:03 AMseen first hand that they place no value on the lives of people with significant disabilities and will not readily offer access to treatments non-disabled people are offered. They will also challenge if your quality of life makes you suitable to provide treatment to. I was chased for 4 yrs to sign an End of Life Plan for a child who was 8 when they first tried to obtain it
219 Life circumstances matter. People on DSP cant afford ridiculous Psychiatrist fees. 5/20/2026 3:53 AMTreatment barriers as well ie requiring certain gender and qualifications in trauma dv coercive control sexual.assault etc
220 Extremely disturbing 5/19/2026 10:29 PM
221 Denying people from access to the NDIS because an expensive, inaccessible, dangerous, 5/19/2026 10:26 PMunproven, debunked, or unavailability locally treatment may improvement is a recipe for wholescale denial of all care from the only source that currently exists
222 This is such a 'Let them eat cake' plan. If treatments are inaccessible due to cost or 5/19/2026 9:44 PMlocation, they should not be included and the person should be able to access funding so that they can build capacity.
223 Accessing NDIS is already rediculiously hard. A long and expensive journey proving your 5/19/2026 9:18 PMdisability. Now they are expecting every conceivable treatment to be tried, with the expectation that any slight improvement means ones condition is not permeant, is contradictory. Furthermore, some treatments are prohibitory expensive, meaning low income family will be precluded from the NDIS.
224 Treatment might not improve the condition but it helps the feel better for how ever long it 5/19/2026 9:15 PMlasts
225 It's a slippery slope, if treatment options are unattainable they should be considered as not 5/19/2026 8:47 PMapplicable
226 It's awful 5/19/2026 8:22 PM
227 Arbitrary treatments decided by people not associated with the disabled people directly will 5/19/2026 8:16 PMexclude many who don’t have access to various treatments for various reasons including travel distance and income, essentially reserving ndis for higher socioeconomic participants while lower income individuals are excluded
228 This would restrict disability support to the wealthy. very unfair for most people with a 5/19/2026 8:10 PMdisability who are on a pension or limited income especially when Medicare doesn1 even bulk bill GP’s in my area let alone specialists and a lot of treatments. Plus most treatments don1 have a guarantee and can leave even worse side affects.
229 They need to look at their internal structures not reduce support, if anything people need 5/19/2026 8:05 PMNOIA that are excluded due to somantics
230 There is no information what is considered 'appropriate treatments'. Equitable and no cost 5/19/2026 7:31 PMPage 136 59 / 347
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137 access across all areas of Australia also need to apply if this was considered.
231 Increasing the risk of death upon applicants making them jump through hoops. Many can't 5/19/2026 7:14 PMcognitively function day to day let alone appropriately manage their own medical conditions.
232 This change discriminates against a vVide range of people. 5/19/2026 7:10 PM
233 Who decides what is "appropriate", recommended does not always = suitable or safe 5/19/2026 7:05 PM
234 mixed feelings. people should try treatments, although if they don't try them, the reasons for 5/19/2026 7:03 PMthat should be considered. No-one should be compelled to have medical treatments in my view. And yet if there is a cure, it would seem crazy not to try it unless the risks or side effects are significant
235 What is considered an "appropriate" treatment? It's very vague and some treatments are 5/19/2026 7:02 PMexpensive, not available in the area (even in the suburbs) or can mess vVith other treatments/conditions
236 I am concerned as allied health therapies can improve my child's ability to potentially walk, 5/19/2026 7:00 PMtalk and communicate. We can’t afford to spend $70,000 /year he needs in the first 5 years to give him the best possible chance.
237 This is discriminatory towards people vVith complex mix of disabilities. It also discriminates 5/19/2026 6:59 PMagainst anyone on DSP or othervVise poor. But it’s completely untenable for housebound and bedbound people like myself, because the government doesn’t provide us vVith proper medical care or access to it. There’s a report on this, if you google.
238 Only if all appropriate treatments are made accessible to people of all incomes/locations 5/19/2026 6:54 PM
239 Not clear. Appropriate treatments for what. EG INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY??? 5/19/2026 6:46 PM
240 There is no treatment for my Disability and after 13 years does the Government think that I 5/19/2026 6:39 PMdon’t want to better and haven’t tried everything
241 If youve had a disability for 20 to 40 years I'd say it's permanent but if they can get just one 5/19/2026 6:27 PMDr to say it can be treated you won’t be able to access the NDIS this is very sad as usual these are the people most in need
242 I would only support this change if the alternative treatments were available to them 5/19/2026 6:27 PMfinancially and backed by scientific evidence as an effective treatment for a whole condition and not just one symptom of a condition.
243 The Government uses tactics that are unethical, especially towards people who have 5/19/2026 6:12 PMdisabilities and their carers and families
244 People can't necessarily afford to try everything. What a stupid requirement. 5/19/2026 5:50 PM
245 could make people vVith Me/CFS do GET - NOT appropriate and can cause severe 5/19/2026 5:28 PMworsening of condition including death
246 I am concerned about forced surgeries and inappropriate interventions 5/19/2026 5:26 PM
247 The cost of getting treatment or reports to work out what is happening can be prohibitive 5/19/2026 5:26 PMvVithout funding from NDIS.
248 My concern is that the gov may not be looking at if it is safe or appropriate 5/19/2026 5:18 PM
249 This would allow the government to cut funding any time a new treatment becomes 5/19/2026 5:13 PMavailable. This can only end in disaster for those who need ongoing support. Especially as the government does not understand what “permanent” means. They famously asked diabetics if several months after diagnosis, are they still diabetic.
250 There is constant research occurring into treatments this could postpone access to ndis, 5/19/2026 5:07 PMeven if it is not going to work. Also cost is too expensive for some trial treatments
251 Disabled people should not be refused access if the treatment is either too expensive or 5/19/2026 5:06 PMunavailable in their area.
252 Families and individuals who don't have the skills or support vVill not be able to 'exhaust' all 5/19/2026 4:38 PMother treatments because of systemic barriers.
253 There is no information on how they vVill make this decision _____ 5/19/2026 4:24 PM
254 What if they cannot afford the massive travel to those centralized options? 5/19/2026 4:10 PM
255 This is plain discrimination towards low income earners! 5/19/2026 4:05 PMPage 137 60 I 347
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256 Not reasonable in case of autism for example where causes aren't even understood. 5/19/2026 4:00 PM
257 Where's the definition of what a treatment is? Disabilities don't resolve and aren't cured they 5/19/2026 3:26 PMare life long such as autism,
258 You can1 'treat' intellectual disability that is present from birth! 5/19/2026 3:24 PM
259 this is appalling. Now people have to try every neew treatment that comes along? i'Ve had a 5/19/2026 3:22 PMserious autoimmunedisorder since i was 12. Now i’m 60. the medical system understands their limitatiobs and the need for individual treatment in every case. this proposed change is terrible and has terrible ramifications.
260 This will impact access for lower income households __________ 5/19/2026 3:00 PM
261 NDIS seems to think permanent disabilities can "improve". 5/19/2026 2:41 PM
262 Treatment needs to be better defined and is also subjective according to the treating 5/19/2026 2:11 PMprofessionals they can afford to see
263 This is disgraceful. Homosexuality used to be a crime and also considered a disorder. What 5/19/2026 12:38 PMwas once considered a cure for homosexuality (conversion therapy) is now known to be harmful and ineffective. current ideas around treatments and cures are debated in disability communities as also being harmful and Disabled people should not be exposed to ableist treatments that may harm them. I can think of multiple examples. My daughter had significant school refusal. There is no way that she could participate in a school based program for Autistic children. My daughter experience significant trauma from being forced to go to a mainstream school for many years.
264 The treatment needs to exist in practice, not just in theory. This also takes away a persons 5/19/2026 12:29 PMbodily autonomy.
265 If the person cannot afford all appropriate treatments they should still get funding 5/19/2026 12:14 PM
266 Who decides the lists of treatments we need to subject ourselves to? How do they define 5/19/2026 12:06 PM‘might improve’? Does temporary improvement count?
267 There are NO treatments for autism. I CANNOT access any treatment for PTSD because 5/19/2026 12:00 PMI’m not a veteran.
268 Concerned what would be considered, how long it would take and cost / ability to access 5/19/2026 11:57 AM
269 Ridiculous to hold of help for someone CURRENTLY being affected by a condition due to 5/19/2026 11:35 AMtreatment options being available when those options will not remove the disability.
270 This rule is already in place and strictly enforced. I know this as someone with two 5/19/2026 11:13 AMdegenerative autoimmune conditions who was refused access on these grounds
271 Who decides "appropriate" treatments? People generally are individuals and respond 5/19/2026 10:54 AMdifferently - and people with disabilities have quite specific ability or inability to cope with different things which may be involved in treatment if someone else is deciding who does not know the individual or the disability ..
272 Remote and regional Australians should have additional support, low income households 5/19/2026 10:51 AMand individuals should have additional supports
273 Why are we punishing people for being either poor or in a more geographically distant 5/19/2026 10:45 AMlocation?
274 No choice or control 5/19/2026 10:40 AM
275 Disadvantages regional/rural people with a disability. 5/19/2026 9:41 AM
276 If it's a treatment that's too costly how will someone who hasn't got the funds be able to 5/19/2026 9:39 AMafford it? So they will be left behind with no support because they’re disabled and can’t work to afford to be accepted to get the support? No! That’s leaving too many disabled people to fend for themselves when they don’t have the capacity to do so!
277 Not fair if you can1 affort a treatment. 5/19/2026 9:31 AM
278 If a person cannot access a treatment it isnt available and should not be considered as an 5/19/2026 9:15 AMoption. If they think we should get more treatment, then they should pay for it.
279 Who can afford treatments without NDIS funding? ___________ 5/19/2026 9:14 AM
280 We don't need to be fixed/cured/treated, this is so ableist 5/19/2026 9:10 AM
281 There are some conditions that have had little to no research eg DSRD/catitonia This 5/19/2026 8:49 AMPage 138 61 / 347
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139 illness/ disorder ( yet to be defined) has a 50% relapse rate if the individual is lucky enough to attain remission.
282 Many treatments are too expensive to be viable options 5/19/2026 8:38 AM
283 This is beyond ludicrous, many people with disabilities are on low income or DSP and this 5/19/2026 8:32 AMmeans that they are excluded not by anything in their power
284 My condition has no cure or treatments. Impairments can be managed for comfort and 5/19/2026 8:31 AMprevent deterioration but do not improve function. With 10 impairment across nuerological, cardiology, endocrinological, immunological and more, I’d never meet eligibility because tge science and medical research haven’t come up with anything. Yet NDIS woukd hsve me take up time and Medicare funds, out of pocket. off label drugs to which Im intolerance, require i do debunked and harmful rehabilitation programs (geUcbt). Im now bedbound/housebound and will nit be able to seek “treatment” as Specialist and GP cannot legally hsve me as a patient unless the first visit is face to face. Im yet to find any Specialist doctors that do home visits. This is unfair and unrealistic expectations by ndis and defies tge health system and Aprah putting doctors at risk of indemnity claims for causing harm.
285 I am worried about 'exhausting appropriate treatments • in principle I agree with this but 5/19/2026 8:24 AMworry about how it will be applied and it will increase the ‘dance’ of which departmenUservice is responsible!
286 This is cruel. our doctors know when something is permanent. Requiring us to try every 5/19/2026 8:20 AMexpensive and ·out there’ treatment, or writing off whole conditions as 1reatable’ regardless of whether it’s treatable in this person’s particular case is going to mean that people with very significant disabilities are flung off the scheme into no man’s land. This is genuinely cruel and unusual. The idea that there could be generalised rules about when something will be deemed to be appropriately treated seems to forget that treatment is individual and what is suitable for one person will not be for another.
287 This forgoes that clients have a choice. Example: a cochlear implant may help but is a 5/19/2026 8:09 AMsurgical and invasive procedure with no guarantee & cleal1y will not restore hearing back to normal.
288 Geographical factors, financial factors, and bodily autonomy at extremely important to 5/19/2026 7:54 AMembed and consider. The Agency should not be able to force 1reatments’ on a person that they do not want or consent to, just to get support they need.
289 Appropriate treatments- that again is very individual. You don't get treated for classic 5/19/2026 7:53 AMautism, there is no cure or treatment.
290 Define "all treatments", and what about the right to medical autonomy, the right to refuse a 5/19/2026 7:44 AMtreatment due to concerns over lack of information relaying to long term side effects? None of this is clear and allied for a subjective rather than objective approach to determining what exhausted means.
291 requiring people to try a treatment they cannot access is unfair and unreasonable - it 5/19/2026 7:40 AMdisproportionately disadvantages people in under-serviced areas and households with low incomes
292 It also disadvantages those with cyclical or degenerative conditions 5/19/2026 7:25 AM
293 This creates inequity due to resources people may have access to or be aware of. This will 5/19/2026 7:18 AMincrease the cost to gain access and result in people being unsupported for longer.
294 our family would not be able to self-fund 'exhaustive' treatments for 4 people. Additionally, 5/19/2026 7:18 AMliving in a regional area means that waitlists would blow out so we could be waiting years to access those treatments. While waiting, our functional capacities would deteriorate and impact on school and work attendance. our wellbeing would deteriorate.
295 They are not medically trained how could they remotely understand every single person on 5/19/2026 7:15 AMndis - we dont fit into tick boxes
296 It is discriminatory 5/19/2026 7:09 AM
297 The should not be able to force people to have medical treatments that pose a risk or are 5/19/2026 7:05 AMunlikely to bring about a good level of improvement. Also, unless they intend to start fully funding the proposed treatments they are just increasing the divide between the rich and the poor, and disadvantaging people who live in areas where the treatments are not readily available. Also there should be an onus on them to have published lists of the treatments for all disabilities to avoid them using this as a vaguely defined excuse to refuse people, and the lists should be subject to medical scrutiny
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298 This is a form of systems abuse using coercion control to pressure people into treatment of 5/19/2026 6:44 AMtheir bodies in ways they don’t want. It’s as bad as forced sterilisation of disabled women Why on earth do they think this kind of coercion is acceptable?
299 Not how it is currently written. There needs to be a way of recording when some 5/19/2026 6:43 AM“treatments” are not able to be tried, and we need to ensure that medical rehabilitation has been completed before applying to the NDIS.
300 What about regional unable to access and the financial effect of not being able to access 5/19/2026 6:38 AM
301 How can you say to a disabled person that they are not eligible because they haven't tried a 5/19/2026 6:26 AMparticular treatment that they can not afford to try. Remember many disable people can’t work, especially those with energy limiting disabilities. This is discriminating against disabled people.
302 If it's a permanent disability then ·appropriate treatment' should be part of ndis funding 5/19/2026 5:47 AM
303 You haven1 outlined the change. The change is that a person's socioeconomic, 5/19/2026 5:46 AMgeographical or other barriers to access will NOT be taken into consideration. I DON’T support that
304 Some treatments are harmful, eg, ABA 5/19/2026 5:38 AM
305 I have intermittent tinnitus and was informed by hearing Australia that the treatment would 5/19/2026 5:10 AMnot be of benefit, due to it not being constant. The templated form which is compiled by Hearing Australia, states veteran has refused to undertake treatment, which is an incorrect statement, however there are no other options on the form for hearing australia to tick.
306 This is discrimination against low income and remote participants 5/19/2026 5:09 AM
307 This seems like a stealth way of rejecting potentially everyone from the scheme - especially 5/19/2026 3:25 AMpeople with psychosocial disabilities
308 Not everyone can afford all treatment 5/19/2026 2:44 AM
309 I do not support this change in its proposed form because I believe it risks creating unfair 5/19/2026 2:11 AMand harmful barriers for people with genuine permanent disabilities. While it is reasonable for the NDIS to consider available treatments and interventions, requiring people to exhaust all “appropriate” treatment options before accessing support raises serious concerns about affordability, accessibility, practicality, and fairness. Many treatments are: extremely expensive, unavailable in regional or rural areas, subject to long public waiting lists, physically or emotionally exhausting, or only offer limited improvement rather than removing the disability. People should not be denied disability support simply because a theoretical treatment exists somewhere, particularly if it is financially out of reach or realistically inaccessible. 1 am also concerned about who decides what counts as “appropriate” treatment. Different professionals may have very different views, and some people may feel pressured into pursuing invasive, risky, exhausting, or unsuitable interventions simply to prove they deserve support. This is especially worrying for conditions like autism, psychosocial disability, neurological conditions, chronic illnesses, and degenerative disorders where there may never be a “cure,” only varying levels of management and support. For autistic people in particular, the idea of needing to “exhaust treatment” can be deeply problematic because autism is not something that can be cured or eliminated. supports are often about improving communication, regulation, independence, and quality of life, not removing the disability itself. I also worry this change may disproportionately disadvantage: low-income families, rural and regional participants, people on long waiting lists, people with complex conditions, and those already struggling to navigate health systems. In practice, it risks creating a situation where people must spend years attempting treatments, attending appointments, or proving failure before they can access the supports they need to function day to day. The NDIS should recognise the real-world impact of disability, not create impossible hurdles where people are expected to ’1ix“ themselves before being considered eligible for support
310 This is a completely subjective opinion based decision. It's so open ended that they could 5/18/2026 11:07 PMdecline someone on the basis of a treatment opinion that is available in only one city in Australia They also could force people into demonstrably harmful treatments for their particular condition based on outdated medical information. Ot controversial measures like ABA therapy for Autism that has been shown to be deeply traumatising
311 This is discrimination against people with disabilities based on financial capacity , location 5/18/2026 10:16 PMand access to healthcare providers. Requiring all “appropriate” treatments to be exhausted before accessing the NDIS unfairly disadvantages people who cannot afford treatment, live in regional or remote areas, face long public waitlists, or have conditions where treatment outcomes are uncertain or limited. This approach risk creating inequitable barriers to support
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141 and may disproportionately impact vulnerable people, including those with psychosocial, neurological, chronic, or fluctuating disabilities.
312 Permanent disabilities cannot be ''treated" but support can lead to increased functioning and 5/18/2026 10:15 PMcapacity.
313 How to afford the treatments without NDIS? 5/18/2026 10:06 PM
314 I agree that appropriate treatments should be sought first, however, the types of treatments, 5/18/2026 9:10 PMthe risk of treatments, the affordable costs and location needs to be addressed with compassion. I feel that this will be a hard and fast rule for everyone rather than taking in other factors per individual case.
315 Capacity can fluctuate but the disability itself is permanent. 5/18/2026 9:08 PM
316 Absolutely not! A lot of treatments arent accessible or affordable. If it isnt accessible or 5/18/2026 8:48 PMaffordable it shouldnt count against you. Plus, they dont even understand that a genetic disability that affects connective tissue is inherently not curable.. neither is down syndrome or autism ..
317 This could lead to experimental treatments being used on PWDs as they were in the past. 5/18/2026 8:43 PM
318 Will they assist in payment or travel expenses? This is a huge burden on a disabled person 5/18/2026 8:42 PM
319 Guaranteed that they'll use things like half million dollar treatments and operations that 5/18/2026 8:42 PMinvolve irreversible functional changes (regardless of the risks} to deny people access the scheme. What ever happened to human rights, bodily autonomy and the reality that for many people some “treatnents” are neither safe nor beneficial. Take ABA for autistics for example.
320 Due to stigma with mental illness some participants may only want help that is not expected 5/18/2026 8:40 PMof them. Some people may not have insight about mental illness so mightn’t agree with professional label for help. Some help can be triggering and reduce desire to get help
321 I think alot of people habe relied on ndis supprt to get medical treatment for many aspects 5/18/2026 8:07 PMof daily living … do you remeber anne Marie smith
322 I suspect this one is also targeted at removing people with psychosocial disability, as well 5/18/2026 8:05 PMas poor people. I really don’t see why being wealthy enough to survive without it should be a requirement for getting on NDIS
323 There's not enough information yest 5/18/2026 7:50 PM
324 Who decides what treatments should have been exhausted and how feasible is it for people 5/18/2026 7:33 PMto access them.
325 This runs the risk of the NDIS becoming less available to lower socio-economic groups 5/18/2026 7:33 PM
326 As a low income household living in a regional area this isn't a realistic option. 5/18/2026 7:20 PM
327 Who dictates reasonable appropriate treatments? Drs or a government agency who doesn't 5/18/2026 7:16 PMtake into account a person may not be suited for certain assistance. Do not want more ppl outside of specialist and self what is best serving the disabled individual
328 It's already hard enough for most people and this will only mean more hoops to jump 5/18/2026 6:49 PMthrough
329 People can have a permanent disability and necessarily require a set treat doesn't make 5/18/2026 6:36 PMtheir disability any less.
330 that is about rehabilitation, not about support to function on a daily basis 5/18/2026 6:32 PM
331 It depends because I have tried a lot of medication and it neal1y killed me and yet ndis say 5/18/2026 6:27 PMdidn’t try all when my dr says I’m not allowed to have any blood pressure medication. In this circumstance I would listen to my dr not ndis for safety reasons this is where ndis is wrong
332 We have tried so many things to help my son, even brain surgery which went terribly wrong 5/18/2026 6:18 PMand I personally could not go through something like that again!
333 For those of us with underrecognised/misunderstood conditions such as ME/CFS, EDS, 5/18/2026 5:55 PMPOTS, and MCAS, knowledgable practitioners are hard to find and are most often private and hard to access. “Treatments” are typically private medicines which can improve function but in many cases still require significant support. ME/CFS in particular has also been associated with harmful ineffective “treatments” in the past. This change would significantly delay or even prohibit access to supports and do harm as a result. If accessing treatment is a requirement, it should be publically available and covered by Medicare.
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334 Unfair advantage to those with high incomes ________ 5/18/2026 5:52 PM
335 If I could cure my child's need for significant life long care I would! 5/18/2026 5:48 PM
336 Increases differences in access between socio-economic groups, who decides what 5/18/2026 5:47 PMtreatments are needed, should this really over ride clinicians and individual circumstances. on one hand they say access isn1 tied to disability, then they say you must have exhausted all treatment for that impairment - which implies you need a diagnosis.
337 Not all treatment options are affordable for everyone. 5/18/2026 5:28 PM
338 I support considering reasonable and accessible treatments, however eligibility should still 5/18/2026 5:23 PMaccount for cost, location, availability, wait times, medical advice and whether treatment is appropriate for the individual. People should not lose access simply because a treatment exists in theory.
339 Inequality for country residence 5/18/2026 5:13 PM
340 It sounds ok in principle, but trying all treatments is very expensive! Also, who decides what 5/18/2026 5:12 PMan effective treatment is, will it be evidence-based?
341 My child is ASD level 3, severe intellectual disability I know an ssri might help him and 5/18/2026 5:10 PMhave tried however due to his severe sensory needs, paediatric food disorder I cannot get any medicine into him will this mean I havent tried
342 current treatments for MECFS in Australia are banned overseas. our rules are 20+ years 5/18/2026 4:51 PMout of date. I would be harmed by following these rules. Expense and location MUST be taken into consideration when considering reasonable and appropriate.
343 Mostly yes. It's is a good idea in theory but who decides what the appropriate treatments 5/18/2026 4:39 PMare? That concerns me.
344 I think there are too many on the gravy train and would prefer to be on NDIS that get 5/18/2026 4:34 PMtreatmentrhin
345 It seems unnecessary as we already have to prove our disabilities are permanent. It feels 5/18/2026 4:19 PMlike it’s just a wording change to make it legal to reject more people ..
346 Should only include treatments fully funded by Medicare with minimal waitlist, otherwise this 5/18/2026 4:15 PMwill be a barrier to access that only rich people can overcome. I would be in favour of Medicare funding more treatments than it currently does.
347 It will help those under choice and control. For instance not having a transplant (even 5/18/2026 4:14 PMthough you know you won1 meet the criteria) because of risk of cancer coming back.
348 Because nobody can try ALL treatments - they may not have the money, they may not have 5/18/2026 4:12 PMthe access, there may be waitlists. I also think requiring people with permanent disability such as Autism, or leg amputation, to repeatedly seek treatment is obstructive, unnecessary and costly.
349 Some disabilities are episodic or can fluctuate on a daily basis. Many invisible diagnosis 5/18/2026 4:06 PMcan still be faked like fibromyalgia or autism for example. Longitudinal evidence should outweigh any doubts. There should be a mandate on medical files, clinical files to weed out the fraudulent claims.
350 How do you treat a lifetime of cruelty, abuse and dismissal of medical needs? When they 5/18/2026 3:32 PMsought treatment it was denied. In my own case, multiple occasions. Core body temp of 35.9C was not bad enough for treatment. Nor was a 35mm x 25mm object in the appendix. The last could have killed me.
351 In what humane world should human beings be forced to have treatment to get help. 5/18/2026 3:23 PMTreatment can have side effects, treatment can be dangerous, drs can and have been wrong. All human beings should have the right to what happens to their own bodies.
352 As long as recommended treatments do no harm ___ 5/18/2026 3:22 PM
353 Treatment may be inaccessible or not advisable due to factors not considered. 5/18/2026 3:00 PM
354 My son's issues are genetic. We have had 5 letters stating that he has not been given 5/18/2026 2:44 PMappropriate treatment and medication. It’s genetic! So I went to freedom of information and asked for the appropriate treatment and medication (i.e. cure). They were unable to supply appropriate treatment and medication. This is going to be more guilt placed on the parents than most will be able to handle.
355 How can a treatment for a Brain Injury be even considered. MRl's confirm nothing has 5/18/2026 2:40 PMchanged. Page 142 65 / 347
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356 There's some absolutely bizarre claims that certain things will cure Autism. It's just not 5/18/2026 2:32 PMpossible!
357 As I am currently aware I must opt for a surgical intervention that may leave me further 5/18/2026 2:32 PMdisabled dependent on the medical system and risking my life to qualify for disability related to mobility issues that are a comorbidity of my disability. Under the proposed plan I would have to have that surgery before any of my disability could be accepted
358 It's just palming off support to other areas like Medicare or private health which often put 5/18/2026 2:32 PMfinancial strain on disabled people as they are not all encompassing.
359 This would create further inequity in who can access the NDIS. People who can afford to 5/18/2026 2:31 PMtravel and/or pay for treatments will find it easier to access the NDIS. People who cannot (especially our indigenous communities and women with disabilities) simply won’t be able to get in. That’s discrimination.
360 This will make it even harder for people with Long covid and related conditions to get NDIS 5/18/2026 2:00 PMaccess. There will be even more pressure to do Graded Exercise Therapy that destroys us.
361 Depends on what 'appropriate' really means. 5/18/2026 1:52 PM
362 What if we cannot access the treatment or decide the risks outweigh any benefit, it is our 5/18/2026 1:44 PMchoice what interventions are done with our body.
363 The person making this decision is a public servants, and therefore unable to make such 5/18/2026 1:44 PMdecisions of a medical nature
364 Maybe more acceptable would be all "available and appropriate" treatments 5/18/2026 1:38 PM
365 A definition of appropriate treatments is required AND then there should be a requirement on 5/18/2026 1:35 PMstate govt that this level of treatment is actually available, easily accessible, no waitlist and free.
366 A completely inequitable solution. Class divide driver. Keeping those with low incomes down 5/18/2026 1:34 PMfor generation. Middle class tyranny. Will create a whole new class of disenfranchised citizens.
367 There a lot of people in the ndis that should not be and a lot that should have early 5/18/2026 1:26 PMintervention and possibly an extension of support if it would help them not need full lifetime support
368 This determination will be made by public servants with no medical or rehab professional 5/18/2026 1:24 PMqualifications. It also won1 take into consideration each persons disability nuance, or location or financial support.
369 my disability is from birth, I'm inmy late 50's now. Nothing is going to get any better for me 5/18/2026 1:13 PMas I age!
370 We live in the country and had to wait 18 months for a child psychologist to become 5/18/2026 1:05 PMavailable. There are many ’’treatments“ that may take years before they are “effective”- eg occupational therapy to help an autistic person function in a work place. And who is going to provide be able to pay for that support to see if it is “appropriate” or successful treatment. things a rule that favours the wealthy, and those in the city. If you are poor, or from a regional area this bill ensures that these children will increase to profound impact of their disability.
371 What are appropriate treatments 5/18/2026 1:03 PM
372 we are already required to prove that all treatment options have been tried. currently the 5/18/2026 12:59 PMfact that some treatments may not be available where we live or affordable is considered in the decision. This legislative change is unfair and unreasonable.
373 It would be better to reevaluate what support led actually work and change how that's 5/18/2026 12:41 PMmeasured, particularly before making decisions about the funding
374 So the govt can magically ·cure' the disability? 5/18/2026 12:34 PM
375 They're has to be a final diagnosis not every time a new medical treatment occurs 5/18/2026 12:23 PM
376 We already prove permanent disability to gain access, there are no treatments and it's the 5/18/2026 12:21 PMheight of arrogance for anyone to question the reports we already have to get and make disabled people jump through even more hoops than they already have to. What part of disabled people already struggle and already face barriers do these people not understand? Being disabled isn’t fun and accessing support isn’t a rort.
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377 People in regional areas and/or on low incomes vVill be unfairly disadvantaged. 5/18/2026 11:51 AM
378 Treatments can have serious side effects, every person should have the right to say no if 5/18/2026 11:45 AMtheyre concerned about side effects. In my daughters case growth hormone is effective in controlling weight but my daughter is already overweight and given gh causes soft tissues to grow this would be extremely dangerous for her.
379 Good idea to access already existing services. Many NDIS service providers aren't 5/18/2026 11:29 AMregistered and monitored
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Q9 Which groups do you think would be most affected by tighter rules about permanent disability? (Choose all that apply)
Answered: 1.230 Skipped: 157
People with psychosocial disability
Autistic
children and adults Children with developmental delayor… ——————— People with disability needs thatg… ––––––––––––– People with complex medical conditions———————“”’ People on low incomes People in regional and remote … People who can’t easily get to … ———————–
Unsure I
Other (please specify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
People with psychosocial disability 76.18% 937
Autistic children and adults 81.79% 1,006
Children with developmental delay or disability 69.67% 857
People with disability needs that go up and down (fluctuating conditions) 82.20% 1,011
People with complex medical conditions 70.00% 861
People on low incomes 73.33% 902
People in regional and remote communities 75.93% 934
People who can't easily get to treatment or specialists 77.24% 950
unsure 2.36% 29
Other (please specify) 11.30% 139Total Respondents: 1,230
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1 This will impact disabled people, their carers and the wider community 5/26/2026 7:27 AM
2 Everyone who is already on the system will be greatly affected _________ 5/25/2026 9:13 PM
3 More information needed 5/25/2026 4:38 PM
4 People without significant informal supports, CALO people, people who are housebound 5/25/2026 2:13 PMwithout support
5 CALO families without resources to fight unreasonable or misled rejections of access or 5/25/2026 11:48 AMsupport mean that their children or dependents will lose out on key opportunities to increase their independence. Ultimately this will add INCREASED cost on the community as they grow to be adults requiring intensive supports that could have been reduced at a younger age.
6 Poor people ----------------------- 5/25/2026 11:22 AM
7 Better assessor's 5/25/2026 3:25 AM
8 I approve of the new restrictions. 5/24/2026 4:34 PM
9 Everyone but the major corporations and those who make the rules. 5/24/2026 4:30 PM
10 They're only thinking about the participants in the cities once again who have everything at 5/24/2026 4:28 PMtheir fingertips
11 All people with "invisible" disabilities and Australia's most vulnerable. Only those with the 5/24/2026 1:00 PMmost privilege will afford other services, and even now these cohorts are the ones able to advocate the best. Those most disadvantaged are already, and have historically been, the most impacted. This divide is not new, but it will expand substantially.
12 Give us a line in the sand as to what requirements we need to achieve ___ 5/24/2026 12:31 PM
13 The siblings of children with disability. They will suffer more accidental neglect 5/24/2026 12:25 PM
14 Dissability support workers will also be negatively affected, with many losing jobs. We are in 5/24/2026 12:15 PMa recession, housing crisis and cost of living crisis. This will cause a huge wave of unemployment and dive bomb the economy.
15 Anyone who cannot access information in a format that is meaningful to them. Information 5/24/2026 11:42 AMneeds to be simple and easy to understand.
16 Women and non binary who are already gaslight and underdiagnoses and under supported 5/24/2026 11:30 AMby the mainstream medical system.
17 CALO, 5/24/202611:28 AM
18 If the definition of "disability" is moving towards "functional capacity" this could affect many 5/24/2026 11:19 AMmore people not listed here
19 It would affect EVERYONE 5/24/2026 9:35 AM
20 Many of the participants I have worked with spend a lot of time with staff socialising with 5/24/2026 8:52 AMthe same people but never made friends outside of the service. The same people who should have less support as the years go by because they are now skill up, still have the same funding and the same unnessarysupport.
21 People with complex communication needs, first nations communities, marginalised 5/24/2026 8:33 AMpopulations.
22 Everyone will be impacted by this 5/24/2026 6:35 AM
23 those without advocates and informal supports and family caring for them. 5/24/2026 12:30 AM
24 People with rare conditions; conditions where treatments are less known. These people 5/23/2026 9:17 PMcan’t afford take years to have answers for even a diagnosis before even treatment is identified and in many cases could still be life long and permanent
25 All of the above! 5/23/2026 7:11 PM
26 We already know autism is permanent but the NOIA might try to argue otherwise somehow 5/23/2026 1:51 PM
27 Most especially those with degenerativeor incurable chronic conditions 5/23/2026 1:18 PM
28 People (both with disability and their carers) who do not have the cognitive capacity to 5/23/2026 12:59 PMidentify, explore and engage with ‘treatment’ options. For example, children of parents with
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147 intellectual disability/ autism/ and or mental illness who are unable to cognitively navigate complex and difficult to access health and disability systems.
29 This approach will only work when there are affordable and accessible treatment options 5/23/2026 9:42 AMavailable. In terms of availability, it will be an example of the trope of NSW being solely viewed as Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. Focusing on disabilities in isolation, throws complex needs out the window, through disregarding how multiple disabilities can intersect. Standardising a test myopically, disregards fluctuating capacity.
30 Also new disabilities that haven't stabilised, but will have known long term support needs 5/23/2026 9:05 AM(eg post stroke/ ABI)
31 Everyone as anyone can always suddenly become disabled or have a child with disability. 5/23/2026 6:09 AM
32 2e autistic individuals 5/23/2026 12:58 AM
33 All disabled people will be affected 5/22/2026 4:25 PM
34 NDIS expect applicants to access other services to gain evidence. This is not always 5/22/2026 4:07 PMappropriate as the health system is overloaded and incurs long delays, applicants are deemed as low impact and are often rejected or incur out of pocket expenses which they cannot afford. Further these services don1 always provide reports that cover NDIS needs, also Medicare does not always cover disability related referrals such as psychology.
35 Autism is a permanent disability so it seems paradoxical that it is a disability consistently 5/22/2026 3:29 PMnamed as being on the chopping block
36 People with low literacy. All of our vulnerable citizens. 5/22/2026 1:24 PM
37 anyone with a disability attempting to access/maintain access to NDIS 5/22/2026 12:16 PM
38 I can't think of a single group that wouldn1 be negatively impacted by these new policies 5/22/2026 10:17 AM
39 The changes could impact all of the above depending on their individual circumstances. I'm 5/22/2026 9:57 AMpersonally very concerned for the autistic community but I feel these changes will have drastic impacts across many disabilities
40 Sole parent families 5/21/2026 9:13 PM
41 EVERYONE! Especially those with invisible or fluctuation conditions/disabilities. 5/21/2026 8:02 PM
42 I think that individuals who are unable to advocate for themselves or illiterate will be 5/21/2026 6:31 PMseverely affected.
43 Fraudsters 5/21/2026 5:39 PM
44 I think it will affect everyone 5/21/2026 11:56 AM
45 people with me/cfs who are required to go through treatment that is proven to deteriorate our 5/21/2026 11:39 AMconditions and risk our lives (Graded excercise therapy & CBT)
46 It's impossible to separate disability and medical in many cases, likewise disability vs 5/21/2026 11:37 AMeducation, and definitely concerned about psychosocial disabilities being dismissed. Also important to recognise that we don1 all have equal access to potential treatment options. Some treatments have unacceptable risks that people should have a right to refuse without forfeiting disability supports.
47 People faking disorders 5/21/2026 11:17 AM
48 Companies that are charging more because the person receives ndis _______ 5/21/202611:10 AM
49 People with faster progressing disabilities (i.e. MND) 5/21/2026 10:37 AM
50 All people will be affected . Hard to tell who at this stage. The most high functioning for sure 5/21/2026 10:25 AM
51 I will not be drawn into this question of who is more disabled than somebody else. 5/21/2026 10:16 AM
52 Anyone with less typically visible disability despite how complex it might be. ____ 5/21/2026 7:36 AM
53 People wtio have difficulty advocating for themselves. 5/21/2026 6:21 AM
54 I only have knowledge of the challenges facing people with psychosocial and intellectual 5/21/2026 6:16 AMdisability, so I can’t presume to know how the proposed changes will affect people with other disabilities.
55 It's likely going to affect more than required, most permanent disabilities are already being 5/21/2026 6:15 AMdisregarded and wrongly seen as impermanent
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56 First Nations families will be very affected as they do not advocate or respond to structures 5/21/2026 5:36 AMin the same way as the general population.
57 People with high personal to person support needs in the community 5/21/2026 5:06 AM
58 People with intersectional challenges such as people experiencing homelessness, mental 5/21/2026 1:17 AMhealth issues, family violence, illiteracy, and people from vulnerable and marginalised groups including refugees, first nations people
59 Participants experiencing FDV and discrimination in accessing health services 5/21/2026 12:25 AM
60 As a person with psychosocial disability I see people completely misrepresenting how my 5/20/2026 10:26 PMdisability impacts my life. I don1 have fluctuating or episodic illness, mine is chronic. So I am scared people like me are going to get targeted due to assumptions that we can somehow be fixed and would be better served by foundational supports or the mental health system. I will not engage with that system as it has harmed me more than helped.
61 Disabled unpaid carers and their disabled dependents 5/20/2026 8:05 PM
62 Complex medical conditions may be worse off, depending on how v\lhether capacity is 5/20/2026 8:03 PMevaluated across all conditions or only one
63 People with neurological conditions like MS, Parkinson's and epilepsy. People with 5/20/2026 6:52 PMpsychosocial disabilities and mental health conditions. People with chronic illnesses and fluctuating conditions. People living in regional and rural areas with limited access to specialists or treatment. Low-income Australians v\lho cannot afford private treatment or lengthy assessments. People with invisible disabilities v\lhose impairments are harder to measure in a standard assessment. Children and young people v\lhose long-term functional impact may not yet be fully understood. I also think people with complex conditions that don’t fit neatly into one diagnosis will be heavily impacted, because proving “permanency” can become much harder v\lhen symptoms fluctuate or treatments only partially help.
64 Many people with autism also have an intellectual disability v\lhich isn't diagnosed due to 5/20/2026 6:18 PMdifficulties accessing specialists and assessments. Autism is so varied, and has an enormous impact for some people but the way they are being spoken about right now is as though autism is mild for everyone and they can just learn to fit in to mainstream society.
65 People v\lho were only accepted for one disability that was a result of a car accident 20 yrs 5/20/2026 5:37 PMago are now being told they will no longer be eligible because tac funds everything that I need. I turned to ndis because I can not get help from tac, no gardening, no home help, no help in the community.all I get is my gp/pain specialist paid for.. the changes are dumping someone v\lho had a recent car accident with someone v\lho had an accident 10-20 yrs ago.i have never received compensation from tac .. vVhy can my other disabilities not meet access .. this is robo debt 2.0
66 Pretty much everybody 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
67 This is putting lives at risk 5/20/2026 1:54 PM
68 All of the above 5/20/2026 1:04 PM
69 People without informal supports to advocate for them, people v\lho aren't or refuse to live in 5/20/2026 12:34 PMinstitutional settings, people v\lho criticise the government or the NDIS on social media
70 Every single person will be affected. 5/20/2026 12:31 PM
71 First Nations peoples 5/20/2026 12:29 PM
72 People with not well understood complex disabilities/complex conditions 5/20/2026 11:47 AM
73 This will affect ALL people with disabilities. Particularly Autistic people who cannot cope 5/20/2026 11:38 AMwith change and v\lho need familiar supports v\lho understand them. And v\lho are often, alone, already under supported, marginalised and vulnerable,
74 EVERYONE!!! Who ISNT gonna be impacted??? 5/20/2026 11:16 AM
75 These changes will make it harder for the ppl v\lho support ppl with disabilities to get 5/20/2026 10:39 AMsupport. They are already at their limits and are tired! I feel that the government is hoping ppl will fall off the system as they dont have the energy to push back for their rights to be met
76 All of the above groups and people with sensory disability such as sight and hearing. 5/20/2026 9:56 AM
77 everyone currently under the NDIS - v\lho will meet these unfeasible new complicated 5/20/2026 9:21 AMunrealistic rules?
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78 People with chronic illnesses eg. ME/CFS 5/20/2026 9:02 AM
79 People with rare conditions who only have one or two specialists in the country who assess 5/20/2026 8:50 AMand/or treat the condition (eg CCI, venous compressions etc)
80 Basically everyone. Doubly so for those with lower incomes and/or fewer existing supports 5/20/2026 8:40 AM
81 First Nations people will be very affected ______________ 5/20/2026 8:02 AM
82 People that cannot advocate for their disability 5/20/2026 7:15 AM
83 Unpaid carers who are already burnt out and pretty much unsupported 5/20/2026 12:41 AM
84 People who are in the age 5o+ age group whom may have been diagnosed when they were 5/19/2026 9:44 PMyoung but the services were not around / accessible then and they have had to make accommodations all of their life without appropriate treatment or support.
85 Everyone will be affected by the changes 5/19/2026 8:47 PM
86 Reading the proposed rules I believe every cohort will be negatively impacted, possibly the 5/19/2026 8:16 PMentire population of ndis participants as the criteria is far to onerous on participants and prohibitively restrictive
87 All of the above __________________ 5/19/2026 7:24 PM
88 Bedbound and housebound people. ________ 5/19/2026 6:59 PM
89 People with energy limiting conditions (ME/CFS, long covid etc) 5/19/2026 6:43 PM
90 People where there is no treatment and that have invisible Disabilities ______ 5/19/2026 6:39 PM
91 Co-morbid profoundly disabled people who are already isolated ________ 5/19/2026 6:12 PM
92 Invisible disability 5/19/2026 6:07 PM
93 All of them especially psychosocial (pushed onto insufficient health system) and fluctuating 5/19/2026 5:28 PM(deemed high capacity on good days left without support)
94 I think you should have to exhaust ask accessible treatments but there should be a proviso 5/19/2026 5:20 PMit should be available in your state through the public heath system
95 This will affect anyone who has ever been through the medical system as it exists today. 5/19/2026 5:13 PMThere is always a new option for treatment, thus, there is never a possibility that all treatment options are truly exhausted.
96 Children and young people who are dependent on their caregiver to pursue and 'exhaust' all 5/19/2026 4:38 PMof these.
97 First Nations people and Disabled people with other marginalised identities where the 5/19/2026 12:38 PMtreatments are not culturally safe or effective
98 All participants no matter what 5/19/2026 12:35 PM
99 EVERYONE of course but I do think government and media are particularly targeting autism 5/19/2026 12:00 PMand psychosocial disabilities.
100 All will be, plus cognitive disabilities and degenerative where changes occur. 5/19/2026 11:57 AM
101 This will affect EVERYONE if no support, modifications or assistive devices are allowed at 5/19/2026 11:13 AMassessment people who really need it will be miss out
102 I am so distressed by this question and the way in which the NDIS is trying to "pit" different 5/19/2026 10:54 AMdisabled groups against each other. such a minority and there has been a deliberate strategy to divide this minority group. LISTENing and READing are essential when looking at supporting disabled people. There should not be rules about “permanent disability”, there should be attention to individual need and how to support people to live a life as a contributing member of their community.
103 Parents of children with a disability who have to work 5/19/2026 10:51 AM
104 All of the above 5/19/2026 9:27 AM
105 people with degenerative conditions 5/19/2026 9:14 AM
106 Everyone will be, there are also some treatments that are available but are not deemed 5/19/2026 8:32 AMappropriate or safe for that person for various reasons and this would force harm on them. Also some disabilities like ME for example doesn’t have a medical specialist and currently the NOIA try to tell participants that they must have a specialist letter to gain access yet
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150 there is no specialist in fact the ME/CFS guidelines actually stare a GP is the most appropriate
107 Anyone with sensory or "invisible disabilities" 5/19/2026 8:09 AM
108 People with lower medical literacy. People who are low socioeconomic demographically. 5/19/2026 7:18 AM
109 Women and other demographic groups that experience higher medical discrimination and 5/19/2026 6:39 AMworse outcomes
110 Everyone will be on the chopping block 5/19/2026 5:46 AM
111 I think there will be individuals from all areas that will be sever1y affected and will not be 5/18/2026 9:10 PMproperly assessed for their needs.
112 People who have noone to help them 5/18/2026 8:48 PM
113 Basically deciding to chuck ASD for kids out anyway will just have a huge impact in 5/18/2026 8:48 PMschools who won’t provide that service.
114 All of those and many more marginalised groups are at risk from this. 5/18/2026 8:42 PM
115 All people 5/18/2026 8:07 PM
116 People with other "invisible" disabilities 5/18/2026 8:05 PM
117 All of the above. 5/18/2026 7:33 PM
118 These issues are compounded when people with complex medical conditions are on low 5/18/2026 7:33 PMincomes because they can1 work, and they can1 afford to live in metropolitan areas with good access to specialists. Access to good care in regional and remote communities is already a nightmare and now these people will be further marginalised.
119 People who love them. 5/18/2026 7:07 PM
120 This is going to affect everyone 5/18/2026 6:36 PM
121 all, especially the ones that have had no prior support 5/18/2026 6:32 PM
122 Everyone effected but the people coming out of prison and taking drugs doing illegal stuff 5/18/2026 6:27 PMare the ones that should be kicked off as the people on drugs are making themselves have a disability and are taking adVantage of ndis.
123 People with complex presentations all together, behaviours of concern. 5/18/2026 5:10 PM
124 All people with disability. 5/18/2026 4:12 PM
125 Fibromyalgia 5/18/2026 4:06 PM
126 People whose disability comes from a condition that is not widely accepted by the medical 5/18/2026 3:49 PMcommunity or health care bureaucracy, or for which no standard reliable treatments exist
127 All of the above 5/18/2026 3:40 PM
128 Rare syndromes. 5/18/2026 3:23 PM
129 Honestly I think the changes will affect all disable people and/or their caregivers across the 5/18/2026 2:47 PMboard.
130 Most current participants 5/18/2026 2:37 PM
131 Women with disabilities (lower incomes}, people living in domestic violence situations or 5/18/2026 2:31 PMgroup homes with restricted ability to go out and restricted financial autonomy
132 ALL THE ABOVE 5/18/2026 2:18 PM
133 Long covid is a fluctuating condition that affects hundreds of thousands of people. 5/18/2026 2:00 PM
134 I think most or all of people with disabilities will be affected by this. The disability alone 5/18/2026 1:26 PMmakes their life stressful.and difficult
135 People who are burned out by the pressure/weight of being a carer. Having to try and "fight" 5/18/2026 1:05 PMand research/ get in waiting lists etc to get appointments is exhausting.
136 The wider community are also affected because when the vulnerable suffer everyone 5/18/2026 12:21 PMsuffers, when we cannot participate our local community is the poorer and society as a whole. There is already plenty of research about the benefits of NDIS and supporting disabled people and the social and economic benefits, if these policy makers cannot grasp this concept they need to step down. Page 150 731347
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137 I had to move to the city to get support 5/18/2026 12:20 PM
138 Rare syndromes 5/18/2026 11:45 AM
139 Likely it will benefit those that need NDIS by prioritising their care over those will mild 5/18/2026 11:29 AMimpairment
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152
QlO The Government wants some people to use other systems (eg. workers compensation or motor accident insurance) instead of the NDIS for some impairments. Do you support this idea?
Answered: 1,223 Skipped: 164
Strongly
support
Support
Neutral
Against
Strongly
against
Unsure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly support 3.52% 4313.90% 170support
Neutral 19.95% 24418.15% 222Against
Strongly against 32.30% 395
unsure 12.18% 149TOTAL 1,223
# OPTIONAL COMMENT: DATE
1 This implies that these systems have the funding and capacity. This is going to overwhelm 5/26/2026 7:27 AMsystems across the board.
2 This will just push premiums up for everyone and every business when it may be apparent 5/25/2026 9:13 PMthat the injury may have been caused by the accident or mental anguish it is the lasting effects that are lifelong that likely prevent someone from working again and also they meed ongoing medical support to at the very least participate in society on some level
3 Only if these supports are actually accessible 5/25/2026 6:08 PM
4 Yes but if the injury has a significant impact after claiming other insurances, they should 5/25/2026 6:05 PMstill be able to access NDIS as result of permanent injury
5 More information needed! A different legislative framework in itself isn't a bad or a good 5/25/2026 4:38 PMthing, it depends on how and why it is applied
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6 Insurance companies are designed to pay in as few cases as possible. They do not care 5/25/2026 3:49 PMabout the actual care of the affected individual, just if there’s a wording in their agreements that can help avoid them paying. Their goals and the NDIS goals are in no way aligned.
7 There are often no funding in these areas for people to claim from anyway. Single Mothers 5/25/2026 2:52 PMfor instance.again stressful and complex process where often the mental health, integrity and health are considerably challenged. Then there is so much tax, paying centrelink and Medicare, lai,,,,,yers fees back to where there is barely any compensation left. Fighting a multimillion dollar insurance agency is not attainable for the most part.
8 I have been through the compensation process. The process itself causes secondary 5/25/2026 1:30 PMtrauma People are then claiming for compensation due to the claims process. Insurance companies don’t want to pay out. It’s un unfeasable expectation and government would be placing people at significant risk.
9 I do feel that if they're are schemes that support someone's disability for example as a 5/25/2026 1:02 PMresult of a car accident that are available there should not be the ability to double dip into multiple schemes. However if a person with a disability not arising from an accident for example car accident who then has a car accident they should be able to access both schemes according to the need for that disability.
10 They suggest my year old with disassociative tendencies and ASD3 get a care plan through 5/25/2026 12:23 PMmy GP. There is no capacity with specialist drs for this, and then they expect his school to deliver therapy. They’re not trained. He is 6 and on suspension for his disability. They want parents to absorb care. I work full time i have 2 kids with complex conditions. I can’t even be a meaningful mum to either of them because there is not enough time in the day, much less enough of me to do this with work. I don’t even get to be just my own person anymore.
11 This will already be in place as is. Considering access to the scheme currently necessitates 5/25/2026 11:48 AMknown disabilities and non workers comp supports, formalising this in writing with vague terms would only make it easier for planners or administrators to reject applications and easily cite this rule instead of understanding the case further.
12 Existing and alternative supports that are in place should be continued and bolstered so the 5/25/2026 10:08 AMNDIS does not become the only source of support for people. We have seen previously existing supports shrink and disappear and then NDIS was the only place for people to turn.
13 some disabled people have multiple disabilities. Who chooses which is more significant. 5/25/2026 6:19 AMThe car accident that came as a result of motor impairment or the original motor impairment disability? It is so murky.
14 With ndis no one is to miss out it could be a life or death situation if top cover isn't applied 5/25/2026 3:25 AMto insurance to support an permanent injury
15 Yes and no depending on what compensation is given and how many years ago someone 5/24/2026 10:36 PMmight’Ve received compensation for an accident for example.
16 If this was an option people would do this first anyway. ____________ 5/24/202610:16 PM
17 A lot of people dont fit into those systems 5/24/2026 9:28 PM
18 Assuming the compensation granted will be adequate for lifetime support but there needs to 5/24/2026 7:48 PMbe provision if there is not
19 I don't think the source of support is an issue. But what level of support will these other 5/24/2026 7:21 PMsystems provide? What is worker’s compensation for if not to support those incapacitated by workplace accidents? Will worker’s compensation sufficiently level up to provide for the greater demand for support? Thriving kids program for kids with autism or delays sounds dreadful. I worry that being a government initiative the supports will be low quality and have wait times of years, making early intervention impossible.
20 Thought this was already the case. 5/24/2026 6:37 PM
21 Whilst I understand that in the above scenario there are systems like workers compensation 5/24/2026 6:31 PMthat can be claimed for injuries, there needs to be consideration for access should an injury be permanent and lifelong if the compensation awarded does not cover the persons disability expenses for life. I also have grave concerns that this will be a loophole for the federal government to offload NDIS participants into multiple other systems which are already overloaded such as Health, Aged care, Justice, Child Protection and Unemployment. This is concerning to people with disabilities as they cannot maintain nor sustain ongoing care that is required and that has been provided to them via the NDIS.
22 What if the Scheme doesn't cover the person's for permanent disabilities adequatelytheir 5/24/2026 6:13 PMlife.
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23 This makes zero sense 5/24/2026 5:42 PM
24 Why isn1 this already done noW? ___________ 5/24/2026 5:35 PM
25 They will get lost in mainstream as they just don1 get it 5/24/2026 5:12 PM
26 Again, this assumes people haven1 tried to access other avenues. Workers compensation 5/24/2026 4:32 PMis restricted to injuries incurred at work - few permanent disabilities can be attributed here.
27 Companies and insurance agencies have nothing to do with ones' disability, unless they 5/24/2026 4:30 PMcaused it. A strong combination of NDIS funding and workers compensation should be utilised. Disabled australians should not be made to feel like criminals.
28 This is what those payments are for and should be used first. _________ 5/24/2026 4:28 PM
29 Insurance for all of us will cost more 5/24/2026 4:26 PM
30 Whilst I can see if a person is injured in workplace and may be covered with a 5/24/2026 4:18 PMcompensation claim, if the injury is permanent and lifelong and the compensation payment does not cover a person for life, then consideration should be made for a person in this situation to enter the NDIS. I feel that the Federal Government will use this as a loophole to remove any participant that they think could be moved onto other systems which are either inadequate or just don1 exist. This will just shift the cost and create more societal problems in other areas such as health, justice, child protection and unemployment.
31 Refer to answer 8 5/24/2026 3:55 PM
32 Firstly I acknov'Aedge that this can be a grey area and that if a person is injured because of 5/24/2026 3:45 PMa workplace injury then that should be a process that is followed through compensation. However, if the person sustains a permanent, lifelong injury that a compensation payment does not fully cover for one’s life then there should be a consideration for an entry point. I also have grave concerns that the Federal Government will use this as a loophole to offload many mental health related disabilities into an oversaturated and failing mental health system or health system in general and this will cause other societal factors such as impacts upon health, justice, child protection and increased unemployment.
33 If this is something that is going to happen, the access mechanisms for these other 5/24/2026 3:34 PMservices need to be reviewed too. They also need to be better funded and resourced to cope with the expected uptick in access if this change is made.
34 If you have a disability you should be able to receive appropriate support services 5/24/2026 3:25 PM
35 Mostly yes. If the cause is workers completely related then the insurer should not burden 5/24/2026 3:08 PMNDIS with their responsibilities.
36 All supports should be provided where they can be, but none should come at the cost of 5/24/2026 2:52 PManother.
37 If it is related to work or motor accident, yes 5/24/2026 2:09 PM
38 Do these services complement each other? And if not, what will be done to ensure people 5/24/2026 1:40 PMcan transition between them?
39 If appropriate 5/24/2026 1:05 PM
40 Depends on what the cover is. If the person receives all they need through this, yes. But if 5/24/2026 1:00 PMthey require further support during or after compensation claims, the options should be mutually exclusive. Again, everything should remain individualised as NDIS was built to be.
41 All of these systems have flaws and wait times, people are left suffering worsening 5/24/2026 12:53 PMconditions it cost more money in the long run draining the health system which should be avoidable with correct supports in place
42 The "other" is usually one sizes fits all and is inappropriate as very disability is different. 5/24/2026 12:52 PM
43 If people CAN access other supports, then fine. ______________ 5/24/2026 12:41 PM
44 Not appropriate 5/24/2026 12:33 PM
45 The NDIS is the reason there are no other supports for us. All the funds went to the ndis 5/24/2026 12:31 PM
46 This is already in place. Not a new thing. 5/24/2026 12:26 PM
47 It doesnt matter how people gained a dissability, they are disabled. Stop pitting us against 5/24/2026 12:15 PMeacb other.
48 These systems don't cover the cost of daily essential support 5/24/2026 12:00 PMPage 154 77 1347
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49 If the benefit is payable by WC it pays. I transitioned from WC. You can't double dip. 5/24/2026 11:57 AM
50 Just makes access more complex 5/24/2026 11:55 AM
51 I think people should use those options when they are relevant, but they may need to be 5/24/2026 11:53 AMused alongside the NDIS for the person to receive proper help
52 Disabilty is disabilty regardless of how it's sustained. It is the governments job to ensure a 5/24/2026 11:51 AMfair and equitable standard of living.
53 If they could access this they already would be, ___ 5/24/2026 11:45 AM
54 The NDIS needs to support anyone with a substantial and permanent disability. 5/24/2026 11:42 AM
55 Not if it is not applicable to their condition/diagnoses, if the disability is caused by work 5/24/2026 11:37 AMrelated incident or an MVA, and their costs living with this disabililty can be covered by these agencies then yes great but if not then no, its not fair on that person that they should be at a disadvantage depending on they got their disability, a disability is a disability and its permanent and people should be able to access the support they need to live a typical life living with their disability
56 could be problematic when you have multiple disabilities where one is say under TAC and 5/24/2026 11:35 AMone is under ndis.
57 If that is appropriate and their disability was caused by a workplace accident or an insuranle 5/24/2026 11:33 AMincident - makes sense
58 These systems were set up for different needs and groups of people and would mean many 5/24/2026 11:30 AMpeople would again be left out of any support and punished for existing.
59 These schemes are incredibly tedious, and often make it so difficult for individuals to 5/24/2026 11:28 AMcomply with their requirements that it encourages people to abandon these schemes. Often, they create incentives to keep proving how bad you are, otherwise they remove funding the incentive to “get better’’ is not therefor fear of losing money. Not sure if I articulated my concerns well. I just think people will miss out, and then never feel safe enough to improve in case that improvement is seen as not requiring support anymore.
60 These organisations are not supportive of keeping people in their systems, they are ruthless 5/24/2026 11:19 AMabout sending people on their way without appropriate long term support.
61 I support but only if it's people relating to these subjects for example, a person who has 5/24/2026 10:32 AMbeen injured in work related environment or a person motor accident as long as they’re readily available as soon as the person injured themselves in these situations and they don’t have to wait to access these. The funding for these needs to be a considerable amount and not low funded as it is right now
62 Will this not also push up cost for insurance for the everyday household, further impacting 5/24/2026 9:53 AMall Australians due to higher cost of living?
63 Why make it harder for people to get the support they need. 5/24/2026 9:35 AM
64 It depends as workers compensation is usually a one off payment and doesn1 help support 5/24/2026 9:06 AMthat person for their everyday lives
65 Absolutely, 5/24/2026 8:52 AM
66 There are already strict rules around these programs. If people are eligible for these 5/24/2026 8:33 AMsupports they would not be on NDIS to begin with
67 Unfortunately, we see our vulnerable PWD taken advantage of by families v\lhen the receive 5/24/2026 8:15 AM‘pay outs’ they choose to use the funds for personal items not for supporting the PWD
68 These systems do not provide structured disability support and should be used alongside 5/24/2026 6:40 AMthe NDIS
69 Other schemes should be paying if there is an open case or liability has been established 5/24/2026 6:35 AM
70 It assumes that these support models are functional. 5/24/2026 5:42 AM
71 they should to a degree but it won't last forever probably. They should be using that to 5/24/2026 12:30 AMsupport themselves re lost income and housing, not for AT needs? .
72 There's no payment system for this - if there was we'd use it 5/23/2026 9:50 PM
73 In my experience, these other systems (TAC) are very difficult and also often abusive. Also 5/23/2026 9:33 PMunsure about the timeline. What about those v\lhose accident/injury was decades ago .. .are
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156 they going to be forced back to a system that they have not used for years
74 Not everyone has access. If they do there is already not double up of these supports - have 5/23/2026 9:17 PMworked with people in these scenarios. Having worked with them I also know many of these families are traumatised by these providers and they don’t always have awareness of severe disabilities. These insurances also only cover certain supports and NDIS has covered where the disabilities needs are NOT covered. Sending people in these situations to just insurance would mean gaps in supports.
75 Disability resulting from an accident whether at work or a car accident, once settled and 5/23/2026 9:16 PMpaid out, this should cover their loses and whatever treatment they need for their future. I do think there is some things a GP or other therapists can do under WC or MAI but at the end of the day, these people have a diminished function and need to be supported.
76 This depends on the case. Some persons in accidents need these pay outs to set 5/23/2026 7:46 PMthemselves up to be able to survive with their new condition. Eg a vehicle with modified controls or suitable changes to their house (ramps, modified accessible kitchen / bathrooms)
77 Procedures already exist for NDIS to provide initial support while the participant is awaiting 5/23/2026 7:11 PMpayouts, and the NDIS can then claim back funds after the payout has been made. I am not sure why we even need to introduce this because the NDIS ends up in a cost neutral position anyway. This will mean that people who are awaiting payouts, which often take years to settle, will not be able to access early intervention, which will mean worse outcomes for them.
78 Using other systems is fine. But these systems must held to account and provide support 5/23/2026 7:10 PMin a timely manner not have people waiting years for an outcome while they suffer.
79 It would depend on how quickly ppl can access the supports they need 5/23/2026 4:46 PM
80 If someone has a permanent disability and requires support to access community, change a 5/23/2026 4:13 PMtampon, swallow medications, getting a haircuts, it shouldn1 matter that the reason they need this is because they were in a hit and run and acquired a brain injury.
81 A 15year old boy has no access to any of that support type of insurance 5/23/2026 3:17 PM
82 I do wonder what happens when the compensation money runs out _______ 5/23/2026 3:12 PM
83 As long as they ate accessible and lifelong 5/23/2026 1:18 PM
84 The problem with throwing people off the NDIS to other systems is that these systems have 5/23/2026 12:59 PMgaps, wait times, etc. While there may be some potential in the future for disability supports to be spread more evenly across different systems, to throw people off the NDIS before these systems are equipped to provide supports people need is cruel.
85 If this applies in rural areas away from regional centres, it can be impossible to even get to 5/23/2026 12:01 PMother centre
86 I support only if the government dedicates resources to help people access these systems - 5/23/2026 10:48 AMie legal aid, advocacy services, it is a full time job for a physically and mentally well person to navigate these systems and denying someone support because they haven1 been able to advocate for themselves is ridiculous
87 Compensation payments are eaten away by legal fees and Medicare repayments. If people 5/23/2026 10:32 AMare expected to self fund those torts need to go
88 Many of the systems being recommended dont exist or have extremely long wait lists 5/23/2026 9:59 AM
89 Denying people with disabilities life critical care, even temporarily, has already killed children 5/23/2026 9:42 AMon the NDIS. The last thing we need is an escalation of this.
90 The amounts paid in compensation are not enough to cover these costs, particularly when 5/23/2026 9:29 AMMedicare is paid back and lawyers take up to 50%.
91 Workers compensation should be used if available first ____ 5/23/2026 9:17 AM
92 But we need to make sure it is adequate for as long as the impairment exists 5/23/2026 8:45 AM
93 Does not fully cover out of pocket expense and that cost is not sustainable for working 5/23/2026 8:28 AMindividuals. Low or no income earners would have to choose between food or housing over their health
94 In some cases that might be appropriate if alternative support is easily available. 5/23/2026 8:23 AM
95 If actually available 5/23/2026 8:03 AMPage 156 791347
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96 No one should have to fight for support and someone has to be responsible and I believe it's 5/23/2026 6:09 AMup to the government. If the government wants to fight for another system to be liable for providing supports, then they should be free to do that but not at the expense of PWD.
97 I'm not sure based on the information as I do not access. 5/23/2026 4:54 AM
98 I think that's ok in instance if vehicle accidents to use motor insurance or withers comp. For 5/22/2026 10:09 PMpsychosocial, the current mental health system doesn1 offer enough settings to help support difficulties disorders to manage. It costs too much even with a gap for most families.
99 I think where there is a level of ownership such as a workers compensation matter it should 5/22/2026 8:04 PMbe covered by the insurer
100 Not if the compensation is exhausted and the effect is permanent 5/22/2026 7:13 PM
101 I think alternative support needs to be established first before withdrawing support from 5/22/2026 6:42 PMpeople who rely on it
102 I can't imagine that systems could provide the supports these people need 5/22/2026 6:14 PM
103 Motor insurance if they will pay out but generally they discontinue any payments after a 5/22/2026 4:34 PMperiod of time.
104 As stated in my last comment. However I agree that if a matter is covered by another 5/22/2026 4:07 PMscheme people should access them or NDIS could access cost recovery from that group if s person also has disability.
105 I'd be concerned if this did not offer choice for the subject. Services available from these 5/22/2026 3:30 PMbodies will not be the same, there must be choice so the subject can choose what is best for them, rather than have it imposed by Al or some bureaucrat.
106 If the condition is more medically based, it would seem logical that other systems would be 5/22/2026 3:29 PMavailable for support
107 This would be dragged out 5/22/2026 2:28 PM
108 Only if the other systems already have capacity to take on all those current NDIS 5/22/2026 1:24 PMparticipants who have lifelong disabilities. If not, then absolutely not.
109 The National Disability Insurance Scheme is not the National For Some People With 5/22/2026 1:16 PMDisabilities Insurance Scheme.
110 support if that is appropriate and will meet the persons needs. 5/22/2026 12:40 PM
111 these services don't provide the full scope of supports required for someone with a 5/22/2026 12:39 PMpermanent disability; there are also significantly reduced number of clinicians who work with people under these systems as opposed to NDIS, therefore reduced access for participants
112 Doesn1 this happen anyway? _______ 5/22/2026 12:38 PM
113 it depends if those schemes will meet their needs as well as NDIS 5/22/2026 12:16 PM
114 Already happens. NDIS has refused many things saying its comp that should be funding. 5/22/2026 11:41 AMAlready clients are stuck between both programs and Boone taking responsibility.
115 The money runs out and usually requires the person to upfront money and get reimbursed. 5/22/2026 11:28 AMThis discriminatory against low income people, which would be the case if they are unable to work because they are disabled
116 That money has to last a lifetime. 5/22/2026 11:17 AM
117 If they can get appropriate supports through iCare yes, though if this runs out NDIS should 5/22/2026 10:32 AMfill the void
118 Only if they are on those systems. 5/22/2026 10:30 AM
119 The NDIS was created to replace all these schemes. Thateans they received much less 5/22/2026 10:17 AMfunding because they are no longer expected to cover as many clients. They simply do not have the resources to support all of the new clients they would suddenly have
120 I don't know anything about this area so don't feel I can comment 5/22/2026 9:57 AM
121 As a professional having worked with patients with motor vehicle accidents, I'm aware that 5/22/2026 9:27 AMalternative funding sources (for example Lifetime support Agency and Brain Injury Australia) can provide supports to these patients.
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122 The public health system for children has long waitlist and staff don't always have the level 5/22/2026 9:07 AMexpertise and cannot offer the intensity or implement support in home, preschool or community settings. our kids cannot afford to wait
123 As a regional remote there is no other system available 5/22/2026 8:59 AM
124 For workers comp or motor accidents then this could be appropriate. But not thriving kids 5/22/2026 8:12 AMinstead of specialised tailed 1:1 suppports
125 I think this would depend on the severity of the person's injury and if they get an ongoing 5/22/2026 8:10 AMcompensation settlement. I think this is a grey area and requires a higher level of consultation as to what point a person could enter into the NDIS.
126 Many of the supports funded by NDIS are not funded by workers comp. They are not 5/22/2026 7:29 AMmutually exclusive.
127 This should be considered on a case by case basis and claimed if appropriate. 5/22/2026 6:44 AM
128 If the other systems are providing enough support and compensation, then that would be ok 5/22/2026 5:50 AM
129 Well, if it is an option I would think exhausting other avenues of support first makes sense. 5/22/2026 5:47 AM
130 Where available, sure. 5/22/2026 3:12 AM
131 Whilst utilizing others appropriate support might be complementary, if someone has a 5/21/2026 9:13 PMdisability they deserve to receive support and care from providers of their choosing
132 What a nightmare 5/21/2026 9:06 PM
133 If these other systems are accessible, people will access them first before coming to the 5/21/2026 8:02 PMNDIS, cause they’re often easier and quicker to access. These systems often provide some initial support, but not ongoing support where needed. There’s a gap there that the NDIS should be filling! Likewise, medicare care plans provide some subsidized appointments with allied health, but for those of us who need regular and ongoing support from these providers, we’Ve used up our yearly quota of sessions my February and then have to either go into debt, or lower our quality of life without the ongoing support.
134 if they are other options that they can better meet their needs without the hurdle, then of 5/21/2026 8:00 PMcourse.
135 Not all disability arises because of an accident 5/21/2026 7:10 PM
136 Whilst I do think that there should be some separation, these other systems do not provide 5/21/2026 6:57 PMlong term support. However, I do believe that these systems should be appropriately supporting people in the way they should be supported. Whether there is a cross-over or transition to NDIS at some point, is likely in some cases, and parameters for this cross-over should be established.
137 I think if a disability qualifies for workers comp or accident compensation that these 5/21/2026 6:48 PMsystems should be used however, these have always provided short term treatment especially for people with a brain injury and often don’t provide supports long term as other aspects linked with the original injury arise eg would NDIS fund someone who has a head injury following a TBI covered by workers comp as we know people with TBI are highly likely to have repeated head injuries and sometimes impulsiveness that results in further injury. would that be considered a new injury/ disability as it wouldn’t be covered by the original insurance claim. This is an example of how huge gaps can be left between systems.
138 If the compensation or insurance is adequate, I think that people can use theses systems, 5/21/2026 6:31 PMhowever, for multiple and complex disabilities, the NDIS should contribute to the cost.
139 If they are appropriate ____________________ 5/21/2026 6:06 PM
140 Depends on circumstances 5/21/2026 5:46 PM
141 Some people don't have the strength or ability to be able to fight a legal battle in order to get 5/21/2026 5:31 PMa large enough payout in order to live their life with a disability that has resulted from a workplace or MVA
142 only if they were supported at an equal level. 5/21/2026 5:13 PM
143 Disability is disability it's lifelong and permanent ______________ 5/21/2026 4:51 PM
144 it depends on individual cases and relevance 5/21/2026 4:36 PM
145 I have friend with DVA claims that took 8 years to finalise. They err able to get support 5/21/2026 3:21 PMunder the NDIS while they argued with DVA. I also know veterans who are still fighting for
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159 very needed supports who are currently getting NDIS support that is life saving and has prevented suicide and self harm.
146 These other services only apply to certain situations and often these services are 5/21/2026 2:51 PMtemporary, not long term, which is not reasonable for people living with permanent disabilities or life long impairments. These services aren’t available to all specifically TAC, or worker’s compensation
147 other systems are already flooded, NDIS was supposed to fill these gaps in support 5/21/2026 2:48 PM
148 As long as the other supports are providing what the person needs appropriately ___ 5/21/2026 12:50 PM
149 I thought this was already the case. 5/21/2026 11:56 AM
150 I don't know enough about how these systems work to comment, but I wouldn't want to see 5/21/2026 11:43 AManyone left in a service gap if they need supports for their disabilities.
151 current legal system taking to long and leaves people breaking down 5/21/2026 11:39 AM
152 It's already the case ... Yes it should be used first, but they rarely meet the full ongoing 5/21/2026 11:37 AMneeds. There needs to be a safety net for those people who are insufficiently compensated (it’s not their fault if someone else has strong legal support to avoid taking full responsibility. Plus after an incident, the injured party rarely has the capacity to fully advocate for themselves because they’re trying to rebuild their body, life, finances …
153 My understanding is that these systems in NSW have eroded and stopped for many people 5/21/2026 11:28 AMwho had workers compensation claims.eg those who had lifetime medical support awarded where then cut off in the mid 2000,s
154 As long as the disibility was caused by these conditions and not born with then yes i agree 5/21/2026 11:26 AM
155 to an extent. What happens when they can go no further ___ 5/21/2026 11:24 AM
156 Depends on the individual circumstances and what support they have access to. 5/21/2026 11:17 AM
157 It can leave people without any supports at all ______________ 5/21/2026 11:08 AM
158 People already use those where it's possible. ______ 5/21/2026 11:07 AM
159 I don't have experience with whether those systems are adequate or not. ______ 5/21/2026 10:57 AM
160 who are the "some people" and how many 5/21/2026 10:53 AM
161 Mainly I worry that they have already destroyed other systems of support and these other 5/21/2026 10:50 AMsupports will not be adequate.
162 If compensation has been awarded to cover the cost of supports, then that's what it should 5/21/2026 10:45 AMbe used for.
163 I think it's fine if that is available but if it's been used already and not enough it shouldn't be 5/21/2026 10:42 AMa barrier
164 This is already a rule. _____ 5/21/2026 10:37 AM
165 I don't think they'd be able to get all the support needed via those options 5/21/2026 10:26 AM
166 If it's warranted 5/21/2026 10:25 AM
167 The other supports don't cover social and community participation 5/21/2026 10:24 AM
168 Where appropriate thats fine but it doesnt change the access requirements for ndis and 5/21/2026 10:13 AMshouldnt preclude someone from the ndis.
169 Only if relevant 5/21/2026 10:10 AM
170 Worker's compensation and motor accident insurance already have parameters set 5/21/2026 10:09 AM
171 It provide access to these systems. Do they even exist? Are they resourced? Have the 5/21/2026 8:50 AMStates and other orgs agreed to resources? How will people with a disability be accommodated and modifications made in these systems for equitable access?
172 It is important to make sure these other systems are adequately funded. 5/21/2026 8:34 AM
173 Other systems are incapable of providing the level of support available under NDIS, leaving 5/21/2026 7:38 AMpeople worse off.
174 Compensation paid over 10 years ago and was final, now they want me to go back and 5/21/2026 6:51 AMclaim things from the insurance company, that is impossible
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175 If someone permanently disabled at work they should get the same care as someone who 5/21/2026 6:42 AMwas permanently disabled from birth. They didn’t choose to have a workplace accident.
176 If the disability is permanent, it deserves support. The majority of services and supports 5/21/2026 6:15 AMoutside of NDIS are underfunded, undertrained and understaffed.
177 None of my clients would be eligible for these schemes 5/21/2026 6:07 AM
178 The point of the ndis is one day me one day maybe you - support for everybody none of this 5/21/2026 5:51 AMline in the sand bullshit
179 If it provides them with the required amount of support and equal to what they would get on 5/21/2026 5:46 AMndis and isn’t a permanent condition
180 Those systems are not set up with the necessary allies health and other professionals to 5/21/2026 5:27 AMsupport and build and maintain capacity to enable individuals to retain their dignity and access to their communities. Those systems offer monetary compensation. Nothing more. That does not translate to holistic, wrap around care teams who can work collaboratively to improve the lives of those with disabilities.
181 I would need to know more but on paper seems reasonable as long as they are appropriately 5/21/2026 5:06 AMsupported
182 While I think that people should seek support from these services as well, insurance is 5/21/2026 4:14 AMnotoriously difficult. There is often a huge waiting period and associated stress. They will also pay out the bare minimum which may not cover the extent that it needs to.
183 Other options aren't available, that's why we have this to begin 5/21/2026 3:09 AM
184 These systems are not built for individuals with disabilities and the additional supports 5/21/2026 12:25 AMrequired.
185 Workers compensation is not permanent ____________ 5/20/2026 11:47 PM
186 Because other services don't cover people long-term 5/20/2026 11:36 PM
187 If those systems are able to support that individual in the same way based on their 5/20/2026 11:08 PMfunctional capacity and if support is provided by health professionals with the right expertise and knov/ledge.
188 I thought this was already the case. I remember in my first meeting with the NDIS I was 5/20/2026 10:26 PMasked whether my disability was related to those issues.
189 If support is available through another system then we should not reduplicate that 5/20/2026 8:40 PM
190 See previous answer. 5/20/2026 8:28 PM
191 Those systems aren't designed to support someone with permanent disability and they 5/20/2026 8:05 PMshouldn’t be limited on supports because of the nature of how they became disabled
192 These schemes have always been accessible and the NDIS take compensation into 5/20/2026 8:03 PMaccount when determining funding packages. It shouldn’t preclude NDIS support though, as compensation is rarely enough for lifelong disability support. It would also need to exempt income compensation, since other schemes do compensate for lost income but NDIS is not income related.
193 I think it depends on the situation, but overall I'd be concerned if people are pushed away 5/20/2026 6:52 PMfrom the NDIS before other systems can actually meet their needs properly. In theory, workers compensation or motor accident schemes should support people whose disability came from those circumstances. But in reality, those systems can be extremely complex, slow, stressful and inconsistent, and not everyone gets the support they need long term. My concern is that people could end up stuck between systems, with each one saying the other is responsible, while the person with the disability is left without support. There needs to be very clear protections to make sure nobody falls through the cracks or faces delays accessing essential supports because of funding disputes between systems.
194 That's a basic living amount ofoney, it does not mean these people can afford therapy and 5/20/2026 6:45 PMrehabilitation
195 This is fine in theory, but the state & federal governments need to acknov\/ledge the short 5/20/2026 6:18 PMfalls in these systems. As described above, I am eligible for criminal compensation but the process of accessing it is extremely cumbersome and means that I would need a lawyer, which I can’t afford up front, and they would end up taking a large amount of any payout, so after years of exhausting effort I would be able to say I have tried to access support through
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161 other means, but the systems that should be giving me support aren’t accessible, won’t provide sufficient support, and will leave me needing more support, v/hich I can’t get.
196 No because I do not qualify for anything other than gp:pain specialists.i was told gardening 5/20/2026 5:37 PM& home cleaning would only go to people v/ho hav lost a limb.i can not get physio or help in the community either. I’m unsure v/here the info is coming from that tac have a great scheme helping ppl. I have letters of refusal from tac
197 I support this idea on the proviso that it doesn't limit access 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
198 I agree that they don't need to pay for something covered by other schemes, but it should 5/20/2026 5:02 PMnot ban someone from accessing NDIS
199 Again this is very ambiguous. Who exactly. The unemployed, the poor, the uninsured. It 5/20/2026 5:02 PMalso takes away individuals rights to freedom of choice. And v/hat disabilities would come under these umbrellas. And the public health system is already strained, this will have a major negative impact on that system. The Government has taken no steps to ensure that these other services have the means and capability to support more people with certain disabilities.
200 support of the other system supports them until they are fully recovered or keeps 5/20/2026 4:47 PMsupporting them if they cannot fully recover
201 I can see the logic in a disability as a result of an MVA to be covered under existing 5/20/2026 3:35 PMcompulsory registration insurance etc but it’d drive up the costs of insurance for everyone too.
202 Don't know enough about these systems to comment 5/20/2026 2:55 PM
203 I believe people v\/ho are eligible for these systems should utilise them and if needing 5/20/2026 2:16 PMcontinued supports and services beyond v/hat is available through those systems be able to access the NDIS.
204 As long as these vunreble peoplw are not out of pocket 5/20/2026 1:54 PM
205 These scheme don't assess ongoing issues, v\/hich will leave partipants stranded with no 5/20/2026 1:13 PMhelp if things get worse
206 These short-term influxes of cash don't substitute for the v\/hole support the NDIS provides 5/20/2026 12:34 PMand this is a discriminatory framework that further fragments support people can access.
207 Ridiculous. 5/20/2026 12:31 PM
208 they aren't disability specific insurance schemes so have even less idea than current LACs 5/20/2026 12:29 PMetc have
209 Things that NDIS claims should be covered by the "medical system" are absolutely not 5/20/2026 11:43 AMcovered by Medicare.
210 Disability is complex. Where there are multiple disabilities, a more collaborative approach is 5/20/2026 11:38 AMneeded v/here supports are delieved from the same providers. Maybe if some things CAN be funded through workers comp, but these supports would need to work alongside NDIS supports, so that the person can still have the same providers and support people they require and chose, those that work best for them.
211 That should be reserved for situation that relate to work or to motor accidents - not to assist 5/20/2026 11:16 AMgeneral functioning!
212 It depends on the application. How far back etc. 5/20/2026 10:52 AM
213 Government has a responsibility for all its people. Especially those that need extra support. 5/20/2026 10:50 AM
214 I think coordination between systems makes sense in theory, but I'd be very concerned if 5/20/2026 10:41 AMthis becomes a way of shifting people out of the NDIS without ensuring the other systems can genuinely meet their needs long-term. There are definitely situations v/here another scheme should contribute. For example: * workplace injuries through workers compensation
- transport accident injuries through motor injury insurance * acute medical treatment through health systems That already exists. The problem is that these systems often have very different goals, rules and timeframes compared to the NDIS. Many compensation based systems are focused on: recovery return to work* short- to medium-term rehabilitation* liability and dispute processes Whereas the NDIS is focused more on: * lifelong functional support * participation * daily living * community access * ongoing disability-related needs A person may “fit” into both worlds at different times. What worries people is the gap risk: * one system says “not our responsibility”* another says ·you belong elsev/here“ * meanv/hile the person is left without support That already happens a lot across
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162 disability, health, mental health, education, housing and aged care systems. I’d also worry about: * delays from legal disputes between systems * people needing to repeatedly prove impairment * inconsistent eligibility criteria* people with complex or mixed conditions falling through cracks * regional access differences * increased administrative burden on families For example, someone with a serious motor vehicle injury may receive compensation initially, but still require lifelong supports around: * personal care * assistive technology * emotional regulation challenges * community participation * housing modifications * support coordination If another system can fully and sustainably provide those supports, great. But historically, many systems are already overstretched, inconsistent or time-limited. The key issue for me is this: People should never lose access to disability supports before another system is actually proven to provide equivalent, accessible, ongoing support in practice. Otherwise the reform risks becoming cost-shifting rather than genuine system improvement. I think there needs to be: * very clear boundaries between systems * no wrong door approaches * continuity of support protections * transparent review pathways * strong safeguards against people falling through gaps * co-design with disabled people and clinicians Because from the outside, these reforms can sound less like “better coordination” and more like “finding ways to reduce NDIS numbers.”
215 The joke is in many areas these supports don't exist or are already at capacity but sure put 5/20/2026 10:39 AMndis participants in the mix
216 They would only be eligible for TAC or workers comp if the disability was sustained at work 5/20/2026 10:37 AMor on the roads
217 If its a work or road accident then it should be covered by those insurances we all pay for. 5/20/2026 10:13 AM
218 I agree that appropriate matters should be handled by one system at a time. The concern is 5/20/2026 10:06 AMhow this is assessed, the availability of systems, and how this person is expected to navigate the system.
219 There needs to be other systems for people to use - the system prior to NDIS was broken - 5/20/2026 9:21 AMthat is why so many people had to turn to NDIS to get the early intervention/support they needed
220 Only if disability is caused at work or on the road 5/20/2026 9:07 AM
221 If the other system is adequate and actually covers the persons needs, yes. If it doesn't, 5/20/2026 8:50 AMthen no.
222 Don't know enough about this as I work in Paeds 5/20/2026 8:40 AM
223 Depends on the availability of these as well as complexity of application process. The 5/20/2026 8:40 AMactual level of support matters as well.
224 The NDIS already bills participants if they get a compensation payout. 5/20/2026 8:14 AM
225 I think if it turns into a permanent disability then it is NDIS's job. WC or MAI should be use 5/20/2026 8:07 AMas short term solutions or for non permanent disabilities.
226 Some people do not have access to other systems 5/20/2026 8:02 AM
227 Where appropriate, yes. But these systems need to be set up to support the individual and 5/20/2026 6:07 AMensure that they capture anyone declining in function which can be a common issue with injury claims.
228 I am on Workcover but they only pay medication .. they dont pay for gardeners, cleaners or 5/20/2026 6:05 AMmy support workers.
229 If those systems were suitable people wouldn1 apply to the NOIA 5/20/2026 5:57 AM
230 People with disabilities already live below the poverty line in a lot of instances and their 5/20/2026 5:03 AMcompensation which is designed to cover their lifespan, but rarely is. This will force more into poverty. Wheelchairs cost upwards of $20k, that would soon eat up their compensation payments and leave them worse off long term
231 Had a car accident 7 months ago. Insurer refuses to pay for what I need. I could be waiting 5/20/2026 3:53 AMyears for a payout if I even get one
232 Not enough detail to be able to decide 5/20/2026 12:41 AM
233 These do not offer ongoing care 5/19/2026 10:26 PM
234 If their functional impairments cause disability, it is NDIS' responsibility. 5/19/2026 9:44 PM
235 Options if they exist, should be explored before becoming a NDIS participant. 5/19/2026 9:18 PMPage 162 85 / 347
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236 Carnt do this if you don't work 5/19/2026 9:15 PM
237 Like with my aged care, funding is minimal from compensation claims and does not support 5/19/2026 8:47 PMbuilding capacity which the NDIS was built around
238 This really is not appropriate - these schemes typically have far less coverage. The 5/19/2026 8:22 PMlegislation is also poorly drafted, all the schemes are different - just no
239 The proposed changes leave too much grey area and risk of people being left without care 5/19/2026 8:16 PMduring periods claims are declined or after worker’s comp claims are closed. The restrictions don’t allow the ndis to pick up severe cases and provide support if state systems close off elegability as is the case after 5 yrs in most states of Australia. This could leave people without any avenue for care. The current system is sufficient to stop double dipping
240 but only what insurance covers - not to expect insurance has to cover things it doesn't 5/19/2026 8:10 PM
241 I agree with single systems for workers compensation and motor vehicle. 1 do not agree with 5/19/2026 7:31 PMother government systems being included in this.
242 What was the NDIS built for? It's purpose it to support disabilities not push the 5/19/2026 7:14 PMresponsibilities onto carers and other health care. This again will lead to carer breakdown and increase the risk of death. Carers are human and can not function providing 24-7 intensive care without formal supports. This is solely why NDIS was built in the first place.
243 Other systems simply aren't in place for a lot of impairments, or are so overwhelmed with 5/19/2026 7:10 PMdemand that they can’t meet the needs of the disabled population.
244 "Other" systems do not have design or suitability or funding 5/19/2026 7:05 PM
245 Only if they're actually covered ______ 5/19/2026 7:03 PM
246 There should be some requirement to use those funds first, then NDIS 5/19/2026 7:00 PM
247 Do these systems provide the same supports? If not, it's cruelty wrapped up in seeming 5/19/2026 6:59 PMrationality.
248 This would all depend on wtiether they could get the services they needed from these 5/19/2026 6:27 PMplaces
249 Alternatives generally don't exist. If they are eligible for these it is my understanding that 5/19/2026 6:27 PMthey get compensation there already for the disability stemming from the accident or injury. If they have other disabilities these are not covered and they should not be removed from ndis for this.
250 The NDIS was for everyone in Australia wtio needs _____________ 5/19/2026 6:12 PM
251 There's no chance that will cover support needs 5/19/2026 6:07 PM
252 Don't know if this will give enough support _____________ 5/19/2026 5:28 PM
253 I think you should have to exhaust other systems _____________ 5/19/2026 5:20 PM
254 Other systems must be in place for this to work 5/19/2026 5:18 PM
255 Temporary funding sources cannot accommodate permanent conditions. That is why the 5/19/2026 5:13 PMNDIS exists.
256 If those programs correctly fund supports there should be no need for ndis 5/19/2026 5:07 PM
257 These schemes should always be used as a first option. NDIS should only be consider to 5/19/2026 4:58 PMtop up services that are not funded by the other schemes
258 For people born with rare genetic syndromes there is only the NDIS to assist with their 5/19/2026 4:45 PMdisability related support needs
259 They have their place but those systems are not made to support people and their families 5/19/2026 4:40 PMfor life in some circumstances
260 Those should be as a first resort I think that's fair 5/19/2026 4:22 PM
261 It doesn't matter wtio pays as long as they get the support 5/19/2026 4:09 PM
262 Capacity of system may not exist 5/19/2026 4:00 PM
263 The ndis is the only scheme that supports disability! They already want autistic people to 5/19/2026 3:26 PMaccess psychology through Medicare yet Medicare states disability specific psychology is not their remit. I can only wonder how many issues would arise with this broad decision
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264 Only if the impairment is due to a work injury or motor vehicle accident and the pay out is 5/19/2026 3:24 PMadequate for their needs long term.
265 it's ridiculous the way they are trying to shift ndis costs to Medicare, Workcover, aged care 5/19/2026 3:22 PMetc. Everyone needs these supporsts. The commonwealrtl should pay. Stop robbing Peta to pay Pauline.
266 Insurances are for the wealthy and in today's economy a lot cannot afford the type of 5/19/2026 2:37 PMinsurance that would be helpful
267 Depending on the condition and situation 5/19/2026 2:11 PM
268 The NDIS with choice and control at the centre is the ideal system for Disabled people. 5/19/2026 12:38 PMBlock funding and other systems are not designed the same and are not as effective at supporting Disabled people.
269 I don't know a lot about how these other systems operate, but just because you have a 5/19/2026 12:29 PMpayout from an accident for example, doesn’t mean it is adequate or that you still don’t have a disability. It should be considered, but not in isolation.
270 It is about supporting the carers as well, not only financial implications. 5/19/2026 12:28 PM
271 NDIS is a safety net. These other systems frequently fail people & are very adversarial. 5/19/2026 12:06 PMThese systems should assist through the medical & rehabilitation phases, then NDIS funds any support for permanent disability. I used to work in critical care for we agency.
272 They don't provide enough support, every little thing has to be fought for and it is NOT 5/19/2026 12:00 PMongoing for the rest of your life.
273 If accessible and clear pathway but not if hurtle after hurtle between them _____ 5/19/2026 11:57 AM
274 In some cases this would not be enough to provide adequate support. 5/19/2026 11:54 AM
275 This just places tax dollars on other departments and will still cost the government money. 5/19/2026 11:35 AMAn established support network already through the NDIS has better resources for support.
276 Other appropriate services don't exist 5/19/2026 11:17 AM
277 If other support systems are available they can be used OR pay for their client to access 5/19/2026 11:13 AMNDIS
278 Stop trying to move money around and look for excuses and support vulnerable people in 5/19/2026 10:54 AMthe community. There are many other ways to raise the income requires that doesn’t come from the most vulnerable members of society.
279 They already do, when eligible. Some have some funding through an insurer plus a limited 5/19/2026 10:52 AMamount for specific supports through NDIS. And some fall through the gap between the two schemes and get zero help.
280 It depends on whether those systems will truly support them. 5/19/2026 10:45 AM
281 If they have other options that work as well then that's fine 5/19/2026 9:39 AM
282 Why go through the horrible ·ordeal' of fighting an insurance company for another drivers 5/19/2026 9:31 AMdegligence if you are just goint to take all the money, even if it is for pain and sufferring.
283 The alternative systems need to be in place, fully funded and guaranteed to accept anyone 5/19/2026 9:29 AMloosing access to current funding. The replacement support must be equivalent.
284 These systems have statutory limits on payments. The NDIS should cover what these 5/19/2026 9:15 AMpayments do not, since they are limited.
285 If the systems are there sure, but many don't exist 5/19/2026 9:14 AM
286 Just because another system exists doesn't mean they actually provide the supports that 5/19/2026 9:10 AMare required. People will fall through cracks, end up stuck in hospital and die
287 Only for it if it is actually accessible and provides the support those people need when they 5/19/2026 8:32 AMneed it, if they are
288 By the time tye lawyers fees are paid, the amount of compensation won't be life long. If 5/19/2026 8:31 AMworkers or MV insurance funds are exhausted, ndis has to be available to these people.
289 These other systems don't provide adequate support and they don't go on forever. People 5/19/2026 8:25 AMneed adequate ongoing support if they have a permanent impairment.
290 As these systems are frequently delayed treatment is also delayed and outcomes worsen 5/19/2026 8:09 AMPage 164 87 / 347
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165 without them. There is already a pathway in place for when compensating services.
291 I am not 100% confident about what people can currently receive under those Schemes. If 5/19/2026 7:54 AMthe care is appropriate, I think it is ok for people to receive support under those Schemes, if they have a lifetime support package for their disability. But I don’t have an educated answer.
292 These systems often have capped supports that the NDIS fills 5/19/2026 7:44 AM
293 I do not know if these systems provide adequate and complete support for the people who 5/19/2026 7:40 AMwould be affected - is there a risk of gaps in supports?
294 This has some limitations. 5/19/2026 7:18 AM
295 People should not be able to "double dip", but they also should not be excluded unless the 5/19/2026 7:05 AMother system can promptly and adequately provide the right level is supports needed
296 I agree if it is actually pertinent 5/19/2026 6:56 AM
297 It depends if those other systems actually provide the support. You can't push people off a 5/19/2026 6:44 AMcliff to nothing
298 Given the cost involved in getting insurance payouts, it is highly unlikely that many people 5/19/2026 6:43 AMwill be able to use that pathway. Unless Navigators are going to support people to access those pathways, 1 can1 see how this will help.
299 Have these been accessed and no longer supporting participant 5/19/2026 6:38 AM
300 It depends on the nature of the impairment. Everyone is different, despite NOIA & the 5/19/2026 5:46 AMgovernment trying to pigeon hole everyone
301 Having worked across these other schemes, I know that they will not fund this. 5/19/2026 5:10 AM
302 People are struggling to have treatment through work cover and have to continue to keep 5/19/2026 5:10 AMworking through, or else they have no income. NDIS is an assurance that they have guaranteed funds to cover their needs and incapacity.
303 The proposed changes suggest that treatments may be considered "appropriate" regardless 5/19/2026 5:09 AMof a person’s financial situation or location. This could force people to seek specialists and treatments across Australia, even wtiere conditions are permanent and incurable.
304 I am especially worried about people with: * complex or overlapping disabilities, * 5/19/2026 2:11 AMpsychosocial disability, * cognitive impairments, * acquired brain injuries, * and long-term injuries where responsibility between systems is unclear. There is also a risk that participants may receive lower-quality, less flexible, or less individualised supports if they are pushed into systems that were not designed around long-term disability participation and inclusion in the same way the NDIS was intended to be.
305 People were already required to do that for impairments caused as workplace injuries or 5/19/2026 1:26 AMmotor accidents. My main concern is if the injury happened say 40 years ago, there’s a high likelihood that the person wasn1 properly compensated at the time/in a manner suitable for a lifetime of support for that injury. All well and good to say “you have to use that other scheme”, but the other schemes often haven1 funded adequately.
306 I wasn1 aware the NDIS was being used as an interim payment plan for workers 5/18/2026 10:16 PMcompensation and motor vehicle insurance.
307 People are already using their compensation, but often it runs out. Some accidents are not 5/18/2026 10:06 PMrecoverable from.
308 I would normally agree, however the gov needs to regulate workers compensation and how it 5/18/2026 9:10 PMaffects the injured worker. It’s become standard for the insurance companies to deny compensation to reduce claims leaving the injured worker looking for other means of support which often comes too late and impacts the injury causing delayed healing or creates new injuries. It’s disgusting how the “help” keeps being restricted rather than properly monitored.
309 There are no 'alternatives' for many of us 5/18/2026 8:57 PM
310 That money is supposed to account for the earnings that you have and will lose. It goes 5/18/2026 8:48 PMfast.. dont punish people for having accidents
311 They don't pay forever but some injuries become disabilities and are life long ____ 5/18/2026 8:48 PM
312 If the disability is a work related injury then it makes sense to involve workers 5/18/2026 8:42 PMcompensation but that won’t cover a permanent injury so NDIS will have to step in at some point
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313 The trouble is that unless you're talking about the National Injury Insurance Scheme then 5/18/2026 8:42 PMthe rest are typically short term and also have to focus on lost income. Should there be more schemes and programs to better fill the gap between NDIS and mainstream? Absolutely, will gutting the NDIS and turning that gap into an enormous chasm? Not for a moment and nor will it actually save money.
314 Maybe delay before someone can get help through insurance 5/18/2026 8:40 PM
315 I don't know much about workers compensation or accident insurance but I doubt they 5/18/2026 8:05 PMwould cover a person for the rest of their lives - I would support using it for whatever it does, but not pretending it’s enough by itself if it isn’t
316 These schemes do not all provide the same types of support of the NDIS or for the duration 5/18/2026 7:33 PMof a persons life.
317 Permanent and lifelong disability will not be adequately supported by a one off payout 5/18/2026 7:33 PM
318 I support this as long as the system's services and supports are available! I don't support 5/18/2026 7:27 PMhow the proposed sections of the Bill are written right now
319 As someone who has received a workers compensation settlement, relative to actual 5/18/2026 7:20 PMmedical costs it is an extremely short term solution and isn’t sustainable for permanent disabilities.
320 Will raise costs of those things and affect small businesses etc 5/18/2026 7:16 PM
321 ONLY IF THESE SYSTEMS ARE ENHANCED AND MORE READILY AVAILABLE 5/18/2026 7:00 PM
322 Only if it related to that organization 5/18/2026 6:49 PM
323 Not unless they are truly like for like, GP referred supports are not the same prepaid 5/18/2026 6:32 PMsupports
324 I'm opposed to any outsourcing of support to private entities or individuals. _____ 5/18/2026 5:55 PM
325 I do not know enough to comment ________ 5/18/2026 5:48 PM
326 Don't know enough about how these systems overlap out interact 5/18/2026 5:47 PM
327 support with conditions - If another scheme (such as workers compensation or motor 5/18/2026 5:23 PMaccident insurance) is responsible for providing supports, it is reasonable that it be used first. However, people should not be excluded from the NDIS if payments or supports under that scheme have ceased and they still have ongoing disability-related support needs.
328 People need more immediate support whilst waiting for compensation, so why can't it just 5/18/2026 5:12 PMstay as it is …
329 I do not know enough about this to comment 5/18/2026 5:10 PM
330 The NDIS is barely disability literate, but other insurance systems REALLY are illiterate on 5/18/2026 4:51 PMdisability. Using illiterate systems is damaging to people with a disability. They are shuffling, not designing https://normalness.com/2025/07/24/stop-shuffling-start-designing/
331 This barley applies to anyone and seems to just be a way to reject more people. 5/18/2026 4:19 PM
332 Those other systems are mandatory and have mandatory premiums and should fully pay 5/18/2026 4:15 PMout what the premiums cover
333 sometimes there is over1ap and people with disability get pushed from one agency to the 5/18/2026 4:12 PMother.
334 Perhaps after they have exhausted these avenues then they can apply for ndis ___ 5/18/2026 4:06 PM
335 These systems will not be sufficient 5/18/2026 3:49 PM
336 People will spend too much time arguing who's job it is, not helping. Just as they are doing 5/18/2026 3:32 PMnow.
337 What about those of us born with a disability who havent been able to find a job because of 5/18/2026 3:23 PMthis ABLEST Society
338 As long as they are accessible and afordable 5/18/2026 3:22 PM
339 As long as these other systems are prepared for and can support people with disability, and 5/18/2026 3:11 PMwe from experience they are not, and the people with NDIS plans are currently their “scape goat” to not support people
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340 Some of the alternative systems only offer time limited support and may not cover lifelong 5/18/2026 3:00 PMdisability caused by the initial incident.
341 As long as it happens in a timely manner. Getting a wheelchair 18months after your spinal 5/18/2026 2:53 PMinjury doesn’t help.
342 There is no guarantee that compensation or insurance vVill cover additional needs into the 5/18/2026 2:46 PMfuture. These needs may, and often do arise, after a payment has been finalised. If the NDIS is not provided as a support at this later time people vVill have to source support from other areas, health etc. This is often at greater cost to the taxpayer.
343 Other systems are NOT even funded 5/18/2026 2:40 PM
344 Provided the support is sufficient for the ailment 5/18/2026 2:37 PM
345 I do belive the insurance and compensation should be responsible for disabilities but NDIS 5/18/2026 2:32 PMshould support them in the mean time.
346 It's just the government saying "not my problem", and handing people of to underfunded and 5/18/2026 2:32 PMless supportive systems like medicare.
347 It is very difficult to get Workers Compensation. The process destroys people. Until they are 5/18/2026 2:00 PMable to get Workers comp. or in case their Workers comp case fails, people need to access the NDIS.
348 Companies vVill fight tooth and nail to ensure someone isn't compensated. 5/18/2026 1:59 PM
349 I know how hard these systems are to access and how limited they are, it is not a viable 5/18/2026 1:44 PMoption
350 Depends on details of compensation received. Must be dealt vVith case by case. 5/18/2026 1:44 PM
351 If it is comparable, then I'd be interested in hearing the arguments against. But the systems 5/18/2026 1:34 PMHAVE to be in place. Thriving kids vVill put enormous pressure on schools who are already buckling under the pressure. There’s no surprise that forced-homeschooling amongst neurodivergent children is on the rise for neurodivergent kids. The system is failing them badly.
352 Unless they can ensure the support is there this is not ok 5/18/2026 1:31 PM
353 Those systems aren't set up for lifelong care 5/18/2026 1:26 PM
354 Compensation payouts vary. Must be dealt vVith on a case by case basis. This is the current 5/18/2026 1:24 PMprocess I believe. It doesn’t need to change .
355 Needs are needs and they are not determined by other systems. 5/18/2026 1:08 PM
356 When there is an option of getting someone else to pay, or accessing another service you 5/18/2026 1:05 PMget zero service- eg between mental health or medical services and NDIS- they all say the other should help. But it is the one person vVith complex needs.
357 Not enough known. 5/18/2026 1:03 PM
358 The current system enables people to access the NDIS while waiting for compensation 5/18/2026 12:59 PMpayouts, which can take years. What are they supposed to do while waiting? Take up a hospital bed for 2-5 years?
359 If appropriate 5/18/2026 12:52 PM
360 I tried all available services, they said they couldn't help and referred me back to NDIS as 5/18/2026 12:39 PMthe appropriate source for help.
361 Ridiculous! The two don't match 5/18/2026 12:34 PM
362 There are no other suitable support systems anyone who thinks this is a viable option are 5/18/2026 12:21 PMcompletely deluded.
363 Where practical to access compensation or accident insurance 5/18/2026 11:56 AM
364 If an injury caused by a work related accident or motor vehicle accident results in a 5/18/2026 11:51 AMpermanent disability then they are still disabled whatever the cause. They have to live vVith their disability and shouldn’t be excluded from the NDIS.
365 If its enough to support them for the rest of their life but I believe these payments affect 5/18/2026 11:45 AMcentrelink payments in which case it would impact on other areas of their life
366 I know people that have had to go through this type of process already and it was extremely 5/18/2026 11:34 AMPage 167 90 I 347
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168 stressful as workers compensation isn’t infinite and doesnt help someone with a long term injury or disability
367 A good idea if these options cover their sotuation 5/18/2026 11:29 AMPage 168 91 / 347
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169
Q11 How worried are you that people will get stuck between systems (NDIS, health, insurance, aged care, etc) and not get the support they need?
Answered: 1,231 Skipped: 156
Not worried I
Neutral I
Slightly
worried
Moderately
worried
Very worried
Extremely
worried
Unsure I
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Not worried 0.65% 8
Neutral 1.22% 15
Slightly worried 3.09% 38
Moderately worried 6.26% 77
Very worried 18.68% 230
Extremely worried 69.86% 860
Unsure 0.24% 3TOTAL 1,231
# OPTIONAL COMME.NT: DATE
1 People will fall through the cracks and we will see a higher level of suicides, domestic 5/25/2026 9:13 PMviolence, child abuse and mental health conditions from carer burnout. It is a serious issue that this government is willing to ignore to save money and push the pressure onto the state governments who already do not receive enough federal funding for the basic care meds of the community
2 Already happening in mg work 5/25/2026 6:08 PM
3 More information needed as well as some empirical evidence - people fall through the gaps 5/25/2026 4:38 PMin the current system, I imagine they will in the new one too, but the question doesn’t capture what the risks are
4 It just seems like the most likely outcome, with insurance companies denying you while the 5/25/2026 3:49 PMNOIA insists insurance should be used instead of NDIS. It seems designed to have people Page 169 92 / 347
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170 get trapped in bad situations when they most need support
5 Im worried we will loose our funding and we cannot afford $550 p/f for our daughters 5/25/2026 3:09 PMtreatment
6 There are no systems left to support those not on NDIS since the roll out, they all changed 5/25/2026 2:52 PMtheir business models to accommodate the NDIS and no safety net was left for those who don’t meet access. I know, it happened to my family in Perth during the protracted roll-out. I still do not have some of the supports I once had, like respite.
7 This is already happening, I feel like this bill will only make that worse 5/25/2026 2:13 PM
8 These systems are terrible to navigate. Aged care, Healthcare, NDIS area near impossible 5/25/2026 1:30 PMto navigate as a person with challenges. It already takes a huge amount of adVocacy and support from family to assist them access systems and services. Separating or adding systems becomes too difficult to navigate for the vulnerable.
9 This will significantly affect children with disabilities. The thriving kids model that apparently 5/25/2026 1:02 PMmost children will be transitioned into will not be adequate to address all their needs and will place further strain onto parents and caregivers who are already under increasing an immense pressure from day-to-day. Numerous Australians can no longer afford private health with increasing cost of living and therefore requiring people to access other supports prior to the NDIS is in equitable.
10 They suggest my year old with disassociative tendencies and ASD3 get a care plan through 5/25/2026 12:23 PMmy GP. There is no capacity with specialist drs for this, and then they expect his school to deliver therapy. They’re not trained. He is 6 and on suspension for his disability. They want parents to absorb care. I work full time i have 2 kids with complex conditions. I can’t even be a meaningful mum to either of them because there is not enough time in the day, much less enough of me to do this with work. I don’t even get to be just my own person anymore.
11 I am not worried, I am certain they will. I am certain many *more* will lose their lives as a 5/25/2026 11:48 AMresult.
12 Having practiced for 20 years, those on the "borderline" of criteria were always bounced 5/25/2026 10:08 AMfrom one service to another with no one claiming responsibility or providing support due to budgetary pressure. We should not return to that and I am concerned more money will be spent on bureaucracy and trying to find someone a person can get help over them actually getting the support they need.
13 Experiments take time to bring into requirements for approval 5/25/2026 3:25 AM
14 This is a given as no system ever goes from one to another seamlessly. 5/24/2026 10:36 PM
15 I have waited 20 years to get a safe & practical wheelchair to start with & there are too 5/24/2026 9:28 PMmany more
16 We also support an aunt with an intellectual disability and navigating multiple systems with 5/24/2026 7:08 PMher is incredible complex and English is our first language. The system cannot be more complex or those most in need will be unfairly impacted
17 As stated above, the federal government is very keen to pass the buck to other systems 5/24/2026 6:31 PMwithout fulling looking into these systems to see what supports and care that can be provided. In many cases, some systems just do no exist to support people with a disability. The federal government is at risk of creating further cost shifting and increasing people with disabilities being “at risk of harm”.
18 This is already happening and would only get worse 5/24/2026 6:13 PM
19 Like the dark old days 5/24/2026 5:42 PM
20 People will end up at hospitals/aged care centres as a result of these changes 100% . there 5/24/2026 4:31 PMwill be a windfall of participants removed that wont have any informal or formal supports as a result of these ablest changes. theyll get lost in the system. some may even lose their lives as a result
21 As mentioned above, other systems are either oversaturated or don't exist to provide the 5/24/2026 4:18 PMsupport that is required.
22 I also think that there are insufficient and inadequate other systems for people with disability 5/24/2026 3:45 PMto access and will not provide the necessary support that they need to manage their disabilty.
23 It's hard not to be worried when the government has made their intentions known re: Thriving 5/24/2026 3:34 PMKids, yet have not described what that plan will look like in tangible terms.
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24 Why does the government want people to slip through the nets. Landing in places not right 5/24/2026 3:25 PMfor them. The taxpayer will pickup the tab.
25 My son is young and I haven't considered this part of his future yet, but it is a concern 5/24/2026 1:40 PM
26 This already happens. So many vulnerable people fall through the cracks. Children and 5/24/2026 1:00 PMyoung people under ministerial care have historically been underfunded from notions the state will cover supports, but they don’t. Doctors struggle to separate disability impacts from trauma and NDIS use this as reason to exclude them. These young people tum 18 and have no support. No founding supports, no early intervention. Thriving Kids support parental capacity, once NDIS remove their environmental factors more, these children will face so much collective adversity, these changes are actively and significantly reducing their chances of healthy and stable adulthood.
27 This will happen. Schools and Hospitals are already underfunded. Teachers, nurses, doctors 5/24/2026 12:52 PMare already working above capacity. They are exhausted. Furthermore this puts more stressors on parents and carers who are already exhausted and burnout to find alternatives.
28 once you are left with the task of navigating systems, the intense emotional and 5/24/2026 12:27 PMpsychological pressures make this all seem to overwhelming and impossible.
29 It's already happening and people are dying ______________ 5/24/2026 12:00 PM
30 It's already happening without these changes. _______ 5/24/2026 11:51 AM
31 People with disability will continue to die due to government neglect. 5/24/2026 11:42 AM
32 Public schoo system in vie will rort thrivingkids and have more overhead staff. Less real 5/24/2026 11:35 AMallied health time for kids and less time in the class room when it is delivered. How can a principal decide what supports health supports my child gets? They are not qualified and often spend money in other ares. Look at the current DIP process where part funds go to funding DIP leadership roles. All this taking money away from the child at the ground and real support
33 Its the only certainty!!!! 5/24/2026 11:33 AM
34 People will purposely get left out of systems especially as many dont exist and the ones we 5/24/2026 11:30 AMhave already already are ineffective and have numerous gaps and do not adequately support those even without disabilities
35 The NDIS has been incredible for participants to access supports, so much expertise out 5/24/2026 11:19 AMthere in a centralised system. Other systems do not have the expertise and capacity to support people with disabilities and solely for this reason any changes need to be slowed right down until capacity is built in these other systems.
36 This can not be an automated and generic system. People are all different and disabilities 5/24/2026 11:06 AMvary.
37 Communication is already poor among different health systems, this will further add to the 5/24/2026 9:53 AMissue and lead to gaps in support and participant care.
38 I already have lost access to treatments I need because people from opposing 5/24/2026 9:35 AMorganisations are saying the other should pay for it. Meanwhile my conditions become cumulatively worse because of this being untreatable by any other methods.
39 Too much red tape already, sounds like it will be even more 5/24/2026 9:06 AM
40 These changes are being made without consultation or appropriate planning to ensure all 5/24/2026 8:33 AMsystems are set up with processes and workforce to meet the proposed needs. This is a recipe for disaster, with long waitlists,severe lack of supports in rural and remote communities, and people left unsupported for long periods of time impacting their health and well-being.
41 We are already seeing this. I can't imagine how bad it will get 5/24/2026 8:15 AM
42 I am already currently stuck between systems myself, attempting to access supports via 5/24/2026 6:40 AMmany different avenues without a support coordinator in order to attempt to apply for the NDIS. This has been incredibly difficult even with a good support system. Without a system designed to help people with disabilities access supports the people that need support the most will fall through the cracks.
43 Passing the buck is the main tactic of the ndis when it comes to people they do not want to 5/24/2026 6:35 AMfund for the remainder of their life
44 Many parts of our healthcare system have huge blind spots, this will only make the 5/24/2026 5:42 AMPage 171 94 I 347
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172 outcome worse.
45 This is horrific. the burden on informal supports is a nightmare. 5/24/2026 12:30 AM
46 I worry about people who are not able to express their real needs or have fluctuating needs. 5/23/2026 9:17 PMI worry about people vVith communication difficulties or processing, intellectual impairments or receptive language disorders not understanding what this process entails and falling through the gaps. I worry about families who are burnt out and children who are at children and adults who are vulnerable and at risk of abuse and neglect further slipping through the cracks.
47 It vVill be very easy for government departments to 'play handball' vVith people vVith a 5/23/2026 7:11 PMdisability, vVith all claiming that the person’s care is not their responsibility, and people vVith a disability and their families vVill fall through the cracks. This vVill result in increased hospitalisations, increased crime, homelessness, increased requirements for fully funded care placements. Which all vVill cost the government more in the long run.
48 None of these other systems can replace NDIS. The government needs to remember why 5/23/2026 7:10 PMNDIS was established. If NDIS is cut back then other services vVill bear the brunt. Removing funding doesn’t take away the needs of people.
49 I lost my daughter because the system failed her now my has lost his supports. Im scared I 5/23/2026 6:52 PMvVill lose him because he slips through the cracks like my daughter did
50 Very worried about gaps between schemes vVith different funding bodies (federal government 5/23/2026 6:14 PMvs state government vs private insurer) risk of complex processes difficult to navigate to get onto the correct scheme.
51 The old system before NDIS was unfair so many gaps people were vulnerable to a 5/23/2026 4:46 PMgovernment controlled block funded system
52 It already happens now. You better not be disabled and be homeless or at risk of homeless, 5/23/2026 4:13 PMor experience physical abuse by an intimate partner, because for some reason, if you’re disabled, your access to these services are extremely limited and completely inaccessible
53 These systems are already overburdened and not coping. Its shifting cost not reducing it 5/23/2026 3:12 PM
54 Rural communities also have lack of transport. Without support workers many would be 5/23/2026 12:01 PMentirely isolated.
55 People vVill die due to these changes. Including myself 5/23/2026 10:35 AM
56 There is not enough support in other systems. They are poorly funded and have huge 5/23/2026 10:32 AMwaiting lists
57 Turning People vVith Disabilities into political footballs, vVill simply see people bounced from 5/23/2026 9:42 AMplace to place, vVithout support.
58 As a person vVith a psychosocial disability I am aware that there are very limited options for 5/23/2026 9:29 AMsupport outside the NDIS. The support is time limited and has huge waiting lists.
59 This has been our experience and it's had significant impacts on our family receiving the 5/23/2026 8:17 AMright support, and my mental health
60 They already are stuck. They are in hospital beds unnecessarily or waiting in their homes 5/23/2026 6:09 AMfor aids.
61 I worry about my children when I'm gone, one system means they have in point of access. 5/23/2026 4:54 AMAnyone who is alone vVith an intellectual disability, multiple systems means that no one vVill jump to take responsibility and is more likely to be left vulnerable.
62 I was stuck between 2 government departments for 2oyrs while they argued over who 5/23/2026 1:22 AMshould look after me
63 As It is there can be a gap in support but vVithout NDIS other systems vVill get overloaded. 5/22/2026 10:09 PM
64 This is already happening ________ 5/22/2026 6:14 PM
65 Gaps already exist so the proposed changes vVill make it worse 5/22/2026 4:07 PM
66 Every government agency seems intent on pushing to an alternative service vVith no service 5/22/2026 4:01 PMbeing provided
67 I have been stuck between diferent branches of centrelink and suffered pathetically low 5/22/2026 3:30 PMincome as a result, not getting what I needed, I didn’t fit into the pre-determined boxes on
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173 the forms. I know what this is like! You feel powerless to get the supports that are there but out of reach.
68 I feel sure that kids are going to get left behind 5/22/2026 3:29 PM
69 There has been minimal consultation or guidelines which will cause undue stress on families 5/22/2026 2:28 PMalready dealing with stress.
70 This already happens and with the introduction of Thriving Kids and kicking off people with 5/22/2026 1:24 PMpsychosocial disabilities and so called “mild to moderate autism” (which is not how it fucking works by the way, do some research government).
71 There are already so many people stuck without support and that's before these cuts. 5/22/2026 1:16 PM
72 it is too hard to access 1 system for most disabled people, having to juggle several will 5/22/2026 12:16 PMresult in extreme carer burnout and participant death
73 I already see it. Client urgently needs behavioural support. Ndis won't fund because they 5/22/2026 11:41 AMsay it’s due to his acquired brain injury which he gets compensation for. compensation say it’s due to his schizophrenia which he gets Ndis for. It’s impossible to know which condition causes the need for their service it’s likely both of them but neither organisations will fund and so this client has significant behaviours of concern and self harm and harm to others
74 The agencies already play pass the parcel with clients, NDIS is already one of the worst 5/22/2026 11:28 AM
75 This is a serious issue. Don't take it lightly 5/22/2026 10:30 AM
76 It's already possible to get stuck between policies the way things are now. But this would 5/22/2026 10:17 AMmake it way worse
77 I worried for the children who have intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities, not being 5/22/2026 9:27 AMsupported by NDIS and being told to get support from the Department of Education.
78 It's possible 5/22/2026 5:47 AM
79 It's already the way with psychology 5/22/2026 3:12 AM
80 Last year our family was past breaking point. As the ND sole parent of 2 ND kids we were 5/21/2026 9:13 PMsuffering extreme violence and all very traumatized. We were literally screaming from the rooftops for someone to help us, any organization I could find, and no one did. It just compounded the trauma. I desperately needed some respite, and when I asked one of the support agencies I was told ‘if it’s that hard you should just foster them’. I had to take extended leave from my job, and we faced the very real possibility of loosing our home. If we loose any of our current support we will not survive.
81 Myself and many others are already in this situation before the reforms have even come 5/21/2026 8:02 PMinto effect!!
82 We already see this every day. The lack of understanding and action from some of the other 5/21/2026 6:57 PMmainstream systems is extreme. Without support coordination to navigate multiple systems and ensure that each department is doing what is required, people will ABSOLUTELY be stuck between systems and they will be at extreme risk
83 This is already occurring in the regions and rural areas. Access at present is based on 5/21/2026 6:48 PMaccess to private services as the public system has such huge delays. I’m supporting a 6 yo currently about to be removed from the scheme as they turned 6 and don’t have a formal diagnosis. They’d been on the waitlist for a paediatrician review for nearly 2 years and when I called I was told the wait is 4-5 years. They’d can’t get a formal diagnosis until a paediatrician reviews them, completes genetic testing etc. This family under thriving kids wouldn’t ever get a diagnosis as it’s been clearly stated that won’t be required so we can assume won’t be provided as a service. How on earth does anyone access the ndis when the foundational supports don’t provide a diagnostic service to assist with access treatments. It’s a vicious circle that will leave those on low income, in regional and remote areas and those who are most vulnerable without.
84 I think that each of the systems are becoming silos - and people are told to go to another 5/21/2026 6:31 PMservice. NDIS won’t cover that, go to health, etc.however ALL of the funding for services is taxpayer funded and the most appropriate service should be chosen for the individual.
85 It's been happening for years now 5/21/2026 4:51 PM
86 I have seen it in the past, one government department says its the responsibility of another 5/21/2026 4:36 PMand vice versa, and the participant get stuck in the middle getting nothing
87 A lot of participants living with disabilities don't have the capacity to work and financially 5/21/2026 2:51 PMPage 173 96 I 347
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174 cannot afford other services, even if rebated. The alternative services that are running are often oversaturated and understaffed so applicants are facing extremely long wait times, and most are temporary interim services that often end leaving participants without supports. Service workers are at full capacity and burning out at high rates, underpaid etc. Individuals living with psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, ASD etc with limited or no informal supports who struggle with executive functioning, communication, cognition, advocating their rights, daily routines, leaving the house etc are 100% going to fall through the cracks as it takes A LOT to firstly find available services, to even reach out. It’s really worrying
88 Passing the buck - people will end up with nothing. The government must ensure the 5/21/2026 11:56 AMservices are in place first, before any changes are made.
89 Already stuck here. Mental health refuse care as I have NDIS. And NOIA refuse to fund 5/21/2026 11:56 AMcare as apparently (despite professional reports) its medical not disability.
90 This already happens, it's happened to me before. This will worsen with cuts 5/21/2026 11:39 AM
91 It is currently impossible to access services in state based services so those without 5/21/2026 11:28 AMprivate health on low incomes which is often people with disability will be without services
92 This was the case prior to NDIS 5/21/2026 11:10 AM
93 Health insurance is expensive. 5/21/2026 10:57 AM
94 Medicare needs boosting. There are no other systems. They need to design these first then 5/21/2026 10:42 AMmove people a fuss
95 My experience is that this is already the case. 5/21/2026 10:37 AM
96 People are already dying. This is going to cause catastophic problems across the board 5/21/2026 10:26 AM
97 I don't think there will be support available 5/21/2026 10:25 AM
98 This is a bureaucracy and they're changing the bureaucracy to design it to make it even 5/21/2026 10:16 AMmore unattainable and even more hard to negotiate. When they start doing this you go to one organisation they say hey no no no go to them and then you go to them and they say no. No go back to the organisation that sent you to us. I’m already in that situation even with the very very tiny bit of ndis that I have
99 This is already an issue, and will only become worse if the changes are pushed through 5/21/2026 10:09 AM
100 Past experience with navigating poorly designed and functional systems has been negative. 5/21/2026 8:50 AMLet alone systems that are supposed to ‘talk to each other.’ some really robust policy work needs to happen here ASAP and as a matter of urgency if this is going to be a feasible option.
101 We already have constant battles around responsibility for support with the health, mental 5/21/2026 7:38 AMhealth and education system. Constant buck passing and very difficult to convince either that it’s their responsibility. This will only increase.
102 I'm over 65 and I'm really worried that they will kick me off the system and I'll have no 5/21/2026 6:51 AMaccess to prosthetics unless I can pay myself
103 The public mental health system is completely broken and totally inadequate. People often 5/21/2026 6:16 AMend up worse after interactions with the public mental health system.
104 Services are undertrained, underfunded and understaffed. Cost of Living is already forcing 5/21/2026 6:15 AMmany to go without services, health and mental health treatment required.
105 1 in 10 families who qualified for support from dsq actually got it. The rest of us slipped 5/21/2026 5:51 AMbetween the systems it’s going to literally kill people
106 This is already my reality as someone very very high physical and medical support needs 5/21/2026 5:06 AM
107 Politics comes first, not service provision, these issues get ignored ____ 5/21/2026 3:09 AM
108 This is already occuring, participants and their children will die while waiting. 5/21/2026 12:25 AM
109 Everyone needs the right amount of support for them ____________ 5/20/2026 11:47 PM
110 Because I am constantly stuck between these _______ 5/20/2026 11:36 PM
111 There will be a huge gap. We are going back to pre ndis days again 5/20/2026 11:08 PM
112 I am worried I'm going to be forced back into the mental health system. 1 would rather 5/20/2026 10:26 PMdisengage entirely than return to that system given I found it unhelpful and caused me harm
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175 and deeply traumatised me. 1 wont go back to that system.
113 I think there are plenty of people stuck vVith the system now. Prior to the NDIS we had more 5/20/2026 8:40 PMgovernment agencies available to support different client groups who had specialist knov/ledge and experience in that field. That was disbanded when NDIS came in and now it’s a lottery what people can access and often people are receiving services from very inexperienced staff
114 That already happens. 5/20/2026 8:28 PM
115 We already see this in the NDIS approval timeline for submitted applications. Families or 5/20/2026 8:08 PMindividuals going vVithout essential care and access to services whilst awaiting submission approval.
116 We already are, this vVill just make it far more prevalent 5/20/2026 8:05 PM
117 Very worried. I think this is already happening now, and tighter rules could make it worse. 5/20/2026 6:52 PMPeople vVith disability often already spend huge amounts of time trying to prove who is responsible for funding supports - whether it’s the NDIS, health system, aged care, mental health services, workers compensation or insurance. When systems don’t communicate properly, the burden falls back on the person who is already struggling. The reality is that many supports overlap. A person’s needs don’t fit neatly into government departments or funding categories. If there aren’t strong safeguards and clear accountability, 1 worry more people vVill be left vVithout essential support while systems argue over responsibility.
118 This is already the reality for anyone vVith ADHD, there's no extra support, we need more 5/20/2026 6:18 PMthan Mediicare provides, and there’s nothing especially for adults. Similarly, people vVith psychosocial disabilities are also already firmly burried in this gap. The sadest thing is that a lot of these people don’t need a lot of support, or ongoing support, but we get nothing unless we can resource it ourselves, which means having less capacity for life, less ability to work, less income, and more expenses.
119 I'm so worried it's created suicide ideation and I'm even considering assisted dying. 5/20/2026 5:45 PM
120 I have experienced this issue and it's all too easy for it to happen ________ 5/20/2026 5:29 PM
121 This already happens. Don't make it worse. 5/20/2026 5:02 PM
122 Intellectually disabled people vVill struggle knovVing what to do and where to go. Poor people 5/20/2026 5:02 PMvVith disabilities won’t be able to access supports, as there already is big out-of-pocket costs associated vVith therapy through the Medicare system and won’t be able to cover insurance costs. Children and aged care already don’t have the required assistance necessary to provide services and supports through the public system and other means, it is majorly lacking the resources and ability to support these individuals.
123 Too many cracks are forming vVithout pathways and coordination. No one wants to foot the 5/20/2026 2:16 PMbill so it is passed around vVith tighter and tighter restrictions across all systems.
124 Very hard as it is to navigate systems. This vVill make it much worse 5/20/2026 1:54 PM
125 Navigating and fighting the NDIS is already my full-time job. I have lost aspirations of 5/20/2026 12:34 PMfinishing university or gaining employment again because the NOIA won’t leave me alone and stop trying to endanger or institutionalise me.
126 It already happens now. Use your brains. Get out into the communities and see for yourself. 5/20/2026 12:31 PM
127 I have been struggling to get my needs met for over 30 years. When I had adequate support 5/20/2026 12:31 PMthrough the NDIS I was able to access more appropriate supports and have had almost no hospital admissions for my mental health and my partner was able to return to work. Without support I am terrified of us not only ending up in financial hardship because my partner vVill have to quit his job but I vVill no longer have the intensive support I need and I vVill end up back in psychiatric ward, which wasn’t therapeutic at all, it just prevented me from killing myself.
128 This already happens and people already slip through existing systems 5/20/2026 11:47 AM
129 Too many times systems have a "back and fourth" where a person is told to go somewhere 5/20/2026 11:38 AMelse for support, for example, it’s already occuring in the housing side of things: NDIS: “we don’t do housing. go to housing NSW’ Housing NSW: “We don’t do disability housing - go to
NDIS“
130 I am scared for myself, my friends and peers. We already have to fund care for folks vVithin 5/20/2026 10:50 AMour community be supports already being denied. If we didn’t do that, people vVill (and already have) die.
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176
131 Extremely worried. Honestly, this is one of the biggest risks in the reforms. People already 5/20/2026 10:41 AMfall through gaps between systems now- - and that’s with the NDIS still covering many areas that other systems struggle to provide consistently. In practice, systems often have: * different eligibility criteria different definitions of disability/support * different funding models * long waitlists * workforce shortages * unclear responsibilities As an OT, I think people outside the sector often underestimate how much invisible work families already do just to keep systems connected: * chasing referrals * repeating histories * attending appointments * adVocating constantly * managing risk at home * coordinating communication * paying gap fees * transporting people between services When support is delayed or denied, the impact doesn’t disappear. It usually shows up somewhere else: * hospital presentations * school refusal/exclusion * carer burnout * family breakdown * mental health crises * homelessness risk * child protection involvement * increased restrictive practices * emergency service use And often those systems are more expensive in the long run. I’m especially worried about: * children with emerging/high support needs * autistic people with co-occurring mental health challenges * psychosocial disability * people with intellectual disability * people in regional/rural areas * ageing carers * people with complex trauma histories * people who don’t have strong advocates around them The people most likely to successfully navigate fragmented systems are often the people with: * money * education * time * confidence * health literacy * stable support networks That means the people with the greatest vulnerability are often at the greatest risk of falling through gaps. I think “other systems will provide support instead” only works if: * those systems are properly funded * accessible * geographically available * disability informed * coordinated * accountable * immediately ready before NDIS supports are reduced Otherwise, it can become a theoretical handover rather than a real one. And from what many clinicians and families are seeing on the ground, a lot of these other systems are already under immense pressure. So the fear isn’t hypothetical - it’s that people will simply end up with less support overall while being bounced between systems trying to prove where they belong.
132 But this will look good for stats as these participants won't be counted anywhere ___ 5/20/2026 10:39 AM
133 Unmet need in the disability community is going to increase. 5/20/2026 9:56 AM
134 see above 5/20/2026 9:21 AM
135 I am seeing this happening with my partner . __________ 5/20/2026 9:07 AM
136 They already do. The changes will just make things worse. 5/20/2026 8:50 AM
137 People are already stuck between these situations 5/20/2026 8:14 AM
138 Already happening between health and NDIS. People with spinal injuries are in hospital 5/20/2026 7:15 AMwaiting for NDIS.
139 The person I care for has multiple disabilities - they can through the cracks now because 5/20/2026 12:41 AMthe NDIS don1 take the impact on them as a whole, it’s just going to get worse
140 Already happens. Disabled people are extremely vulnerable in hospital. NDIS expects health 5/19/2026 10:29 PMto cover. Hospital staff are already overworked, lack sufficient understandings of disability related needs and intersection with medical care. our 30 yr old son already requires complex medical care. Son is uniquely verbal, uses MC (PODD on eye gaze mostly) but unable to use when sick. Hospital staff are desperate for help in supporting his care. He needs 24/7 support wherever he is. over multiple admissions serious complications have occurred when family or his support workers advise his unique needs. E.g. a nurse almost put a saline flush meant for his caecostomy port in his feeding port. If not interrupted and corrected result would have been excruciating pain. our son has a very high pain threshhold and presents pain in some untypical ways. Without guidance - at the time - his pain is frequently underestimated and he suffers very much. When nurse finally listens to us we have to wait for doctor to write up pain relief…has taken HOURS in the past. Inhumane. our son experiences anxiety in hospital due to previous traumatic experiences e.g. consultant refused to read his “how to communicate with me” which he has written himself with support. It says “talk to me, not just by family or support worker. I can understand. I take longer to process information. Give me time to respond.” etc. Despite bringing up these points in his submission to Royal Commission, and these issues being raised at National Disability and Health organisation meetings, nothing has changed. Max NDIS willmallow is up to 6hrs/day when in hospital. What about the other hours in the day…when he wakes at night, is disorientated, frightened and cannot get attention of staff. And if staff eventually come they are unskilled in close knov.tledge of his communication, of his pain levels. If family members feel forced to stay due to justified concerns for our son’s safety/risk of death, this results in beyond exhausted, possibly incapable of making sound decisions to support him and ultimately reduces quality of care/life expectancy of our son. His team cannot be paid by NDIS …we have lost highly skilled support workers who understand him
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177 and his needs, including complex communication, needs well. Apart from time and effort to recruit and train new staff, he is left vulnerable until staff can achieve personalised care standards for him as an individual, this results in higher costs.x
141 As seen in the us, conflicting systems say "not our problem" while more and more people 5/19/2026 10:26 PMfall through the cracks
142 I am seeing this already with complex psychosocial disability 5/19/2026 9:44 PM
143 As a person living with disability not on the NDIS, there is a support service desert out 5/19/2026 9:18 PMthere. Services don’t exist, or are underfunded and experiencing high demand already. My supprt needs are not met. How are participants removed from the NDIS going fair in this system???
144 All government funding bodies are at capacity, there is no room to add more capacity so it 5/19/2026 8:47 PMwill result in people slipping through the cracks of being unable to access services they need.
145 This is almost certainly going to cause people to be stuck between systems and cost lives 5/19/2026 8:16 PM
146 especially in region, rural, remote areas and people who are classed as too disabled by 5/19/2026 8:10 PMother systems. Also other systems don’t exist, have enough capacity or have the required support needed
147 The government already argues about what should be funded by health and what by NDIS. 5/19/2026 7:02 PMThat means ndis rejects but health doesn’t cover, or only minimally.
148 We will be taking my child to hospital and not leaving if he doesn't have the supports 5/19/2026 7:00 PMneeded
149 Whatever is planned needs very clear lines for all departments to follow. ______ 5/19/2026 6:46 PM
150 The Government will shift things around to support their data ________ 5/19/2026 6:39 PM
151 This is already happening! It is going to become so much worse 5/19/2026 6:27 PM
152 me beforeNDIS support stuck in insufficient MH system whichc didn't understand and 5/19/2026 5:28 PMcouldn’t support me because of disability
153 It shouldn't just be that another system is available, it should be which system is most 5/19/2026 5:20 PMappropriate
154 the NOIA exists because people were already in this described situation. _____ 5/19/2026 5:13 PM
155 They already get stuck between systems. 5/19/2026 4:38 PM
156 We've already had extremely stressful years having to pay privately, wait publicly and 5/19/2026 4:22 PMdistress my child unnecessarily in order to get suitable reports and assessments for NDIS. I can’t imagine having to do that all over just because the goal posts move again
157 This happens now. The changes will make it far worse. 5/19/2026 3:36 PM
158 This is exactly what wil happen if flexibility is taken away and personal choice is taken 5/19/2026 3:26 PMaway and a one size fits all capacity test is introduced. This is already happening with so much beaurocracy already across the whole system
159 There will be more 'passing the buck' once the States go back to providing some disability 5/19/2026 3:24 PMsupports. we will be back to the bad old days!
160 it's already happening. proposed changes without properly funding the other sectors is just 5/19/2026 3:22 PMmismanagement
161 systems don't work together as it is e.g. hospital and ndis. This is just going to make one 5/19/2026 2:11 PMsystem wipe their hands and pass onto another without anything actually getting done to support the person. It also adds extra complexity and laisising for families already at capacity and burning out
162 It's already happening. 5/19/2026 1:40 PM
163 I worry about Disabled people getting stuck in institutions like hospitals and nursing homes, 5/19/2026 12:38 PMwhich are inappropriate for a decent quality of life.
164 The buck passing already exists and will only get worse. If the different systems do not get 5/19/2026 12:29 PMtogether and agree on a solution (which they won’t as there is no reason for them to) people will be caught in an endless cycle)
165 Government departments arguing about who pays for what makes me feel worthless, a 5/19/2026 12:00 PMPage 177 100 / 347
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178 burden and that there’s no point to staying alive and listening to the harmful crap that comes out their mouths.
166 It already happens. currently you need so much to get on the scheme. It took 4 years for 5/19/2026 11:57 AMmy husband to get original diagnosis to access. These changes are sure to create more inf
167 This is already a problem, especially for low income individuals. 5/19/2026 11:35 AM
168 Prior to the NOIS service was very ad hoc and limited to crisis supports 5/19/2026 11:17 AM
169 I am terrified of this, for myself, my mother and the participants i support as an SC 5/19/2026 11:09 AM
170 Predicatably worried. We have seen it before, it happens now, it will continue to happen, but 5/19/2026 10:54 AMworse.
171 This already happens for some people. ____________ 5/19/2026 10:52 AM
172 Too easy for people to get treated like "hot potatoes". 5/19/202610:45 AM
173 six years of doctors and legal appointments only to have NOIA want to take awarded 5/19/2026 9:31 AMamount back in full. What about any money that has already been spent or iff set aside to pay for things in the future that NOIA does not cover?
174 Typical NOIA putting the cart before the horse, they make these announcements and freak 5/19/2026 8:32 AMeveryone out, causing massive amounts of stress and anxiety and they don’t even have things in place. Plus just because they say we should be able to access support via another means doesn1 actually mean we can, for example because I had initially been denied NOIS I was able to access Aged Care services even though I am under 65 BUT nobody wanted to give me services BECAUSE I was under 65 (late 40’s) and there was a copayment that I couldn1 afford so I was unable to get any support
175 Im at high risk no medical support as my condition has no treatment, in home aged care 5/19/2026 8:31 AMfalls well short of my care needs, I CANNOT GO INTO HOSPITAL OR NURSING HOME CARE dure to my impairment of temperature (below 22c}, chemical/fragrance free (cant control other people’s needs or behaviours}, light (black out room}, noise (sound proofing and noise cancelling aids}.
176 It goes without saying that people will be passed from one system to another without getting 5/19/2026 8:25 AMwhat they need. We shouldn1 be going back to a fragmented system.
177 The future is still unclear and nothing is ready for rollout in October 2026. 5/19/2026 8:09 AM
178 I can see this being used as an excuse to exclude people sending them to systems that do 5/19/2026 7:05 AMnot provide adequate levels of disability related support
179 Health care is unable to cope with disabilities and tend to not support maybe a option could 5/19/2026 6:38 AMbe the health system pays for 1:1 supports and ndis get refunded by health system
180 As a person with a severe energy limiting condition that lives rurally, I am already being 5/19/2026 6:26 AMfailed by the system.
181 My aunty is currently living this scenario as we speak. She is barely able to pay bills and is 5/19/2026 5:10 AMliving very frugal.
182 I am concerned about who within the NOIS will determine which treatments participants 5/19/2026 5:09 AMmust pursue, particularly when decision-makers may not have medical qualifications and often appear not to consider existing specialist evidence. People with disability should retain the right to refuse treatment without risking the loss of essential supports. These proposed changes will disproportionately disadvantage lower-income Australians who cannot afford travel, specialist consultations, or repeated treatments. They will also place further pressure on already overwhelmed specialist waiting lists.
183 Agencies are already very good at avoiding responsibility ___________ 5/19/2026 3:57 AM
184 Happening right now to me. 5/19/2026 3:56 AM
185 In theory, it sounds reasonable for each system to fund the supports that fall within its 5/19/2026 2:11 AMresponsibility. But in practice, systems like the NOIS, health, mental health, education, aged care, housing, workers compensation, and motor accident insurance often have overlapping responsibilities and very different rules, thresholds, and processes. What commonly happens is that each system says a support belongs to someone else. Meanwhile, the participant and their family are left without the support they need. I am particularly concerned for people with: * complex or multiple disabilities, * psychosocial disability, * acquired brain injuries, * chronic illness, * autism with mental health needs, * and people whose conditions do not fit neatly into one service category. These participants
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179 are the most likely to become trapped in disputes about responsibility. The consequences can be serious. People may lose access to therapies, support workers, equipment, behavioural supports, transport, personal care, or community participation while agencies argue over funding. During that time, families are often expected to carry the burden themselves.
186 It already happens a LOT - and it's going to get a LOT worse. 5/19/2026 1:26 AM
187 I am already stuck. Too disabled to live a complete life. Too functional to get help. I feel like 5/18/2026 11:40 PMthe government would rather people like me suicide to save them the money of helping us.
188 As my comment above. I have had dealings with workers compensation for a friend who 5/18/2026 9:10 PMwas denied then 8 months later accepted based on the same reported injury. The delay has caused long term issues which could have been quickly rectified within a year but now has livelong affects due to delays. The gov needs a kick up the arse.
189 It's already happening 5/18/2026 8:57 PM
190 Im already a participant and IM STUCK between systems. The ndis says that I have to go 5/18/2026 8:48 PMto the public system .. the public system has nothing for me
191 QExtremely worried isn't strong enough language given just how often it's already happening 5/18/2026 8:42 PMdue to years of deliberate mismanagement by politicians and bureaucrats.
192 May not have money to pay for assessments for diagnosis and functioning 5/18/2026 8:40 PM
193 It already happens and these tighter conditions will make it worse 5/18/2026 7:33 PM
194 As someone who can't afford privately funded supports like psychology, there are no 5/18/2026 7:20 PMmainstream funded supports under Medicare, even the gap on a MHCP is inaccessible for low income households.
195 currently stuck between rehabilitation and NDIS supports 5/18/2026 6:32 PM
196 l'Ve seen no evidence of agencies communicating or collaborating well in the past so don't 5/18/2026 5:55 PMexpect this now
197 It is already hairiness and will get much worse, currently trying to add a disability or get 5/18/2026 5:47 PMsupport for managing a medical condition impacted by your disability is next to impossible and risks you having your supports cut
198 I am concerned that people may get stuck between systems such as NDIS, health, 5/18/2026 5:23 PMinsurance and aged care, particulal1y where responsibilities over1ap or where one system ends but support needs continue. Clear pathways and safeguards are needed to ensure people do not experience gaps in support during transitions between systems.
199 This is my literal experience right now, no help from any level of government, even though I 5/18/2026 4:51 PMam housebound. It will only get harder with these changes.
200 its happening now 5/18/2026 4:34 PM
201 I was stuck here for years living in psychiatric hostels and taking up hosptial beds. I am 5/18/2026 4:19 PMworried that more people are going to get stuck like I was and have to get so incredibly unwell before they can access proper support
202 It happens now, it happens a lot. 5/18/2026 4:12 PM
203 There is not enough support for all disabilities 5/18/2026 4:06 PM
204 Too many people are already stuck there. Too many people have direct experience of being 5/18/2026 3:32 PMabandoned by everyone while it’s worked out who’s supposed to help.
205 Other systems are already burdened and not coping. How does this solve anything. Its not 5/18/2026 3:23 PMcost cutting this is just passing the cost from one system to another with disabled people being the ball that’s being thrown around.
206 Gap payments and fixed occasion of service impair access 5/18/2026 3:22 PM
207 This already happens, despite the APTOS 5/18/2026 3:11 PM
208 This issue was raised by the productivity commission in their report addressing the viability 5/18/2026 2:46 PMof an NDIS in 2011. Initially called Disability Care and Support. (https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries-and-research/disability-support/report) It was recognised then, that it was costing the Government far more with funding and supports being provided across different systems. They identified that costs would reduce with greater benefits coming back to participants if a body (NDIS) was created.
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209 Services have been defunded across the board over the past several decades and it shows. 5/18/2026 2:00 PMThere are already plenty of people who are stuck between systems and can’t get support. This will only make the existing situation worse.
210 I am blind and despite a FA I was not allocated money for orientation and mobility, the only 5/18/2026 1:44 PMway to access this help is to pay out of my own pocket. It is going to cost thousands of dollars to get basic assistance to navigate the community. Without NDIS there is no other support. I am worried this is how it will be for everything if funding is reduced.
211 Right now, people are having trouble having their needs met and waiting too long for 5/18/2026 1:08 PMsupports/equipment. Far too many people are already stuck in hospitals and something need to occur to fix this, not making everything harder as this will worsen.
212 I have already experienced this. And expect it will get worse. 5/18/2026 1:05 PM
213 Especially if there is no support to navigate 5/18/2026 12:52 PM
214 They don't have the resources or the time to provide necessary supports, some will wait 5/18/2026 12:39 PMmonths as it will fall back on block funding and location.
215 People wtio don't have a voice of their own 5/18/2026 12:34 PM
216 This will absolutely happen and it is unacceptable to give people support and then take it 5/18/2026 12:21 PMaway.
217 My dad made a comment years ago that I have come to believe myself. As a child and 5/18/2026 11:56 AMteenager with ADHD in the sos and 90S I fell into a grey area, and now as an adult with reconfirmed ADHD and now Autism Level 2 I believe I am still stuck in that grey area and not receiving enough support
218 Other systems are already overburdened ________________ 5/18/2026 11:45 AM
219 Should access correct one 5/18/2026 11:29 AMPage 180 103 / 347
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181
Q12 Do you support NDIA having 90 days to decide whether someone can access the NDIS, instead of the 21 days they have now?
Answered: 1,229 Skipped: 158
Yes
No
Unsure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%ANSWER a-tOICES RESPONSES
Yes 7.73% 95
No 80.15% 985
Unsure 12.12% 149TOTAL 1,229
# OPTIONAL COMMENT: DATE
1 They don't even meet the 21 day requirement most of the time 5/26/2026 7:27 AM
2 These are real peoples lives people turn to the NDIS because they genuinely need this 5/25/2026 9:13 PMsupport it is not acceptable that they should have to wait 90days to get the help they so desperately need. Especially if eligibility will only be based of an FCE (ie: 1 report to review) and they are saying Al will likely do it anyway (which is all so ridiculous on so many levels) it should be shorter not longer than it currently is
3 Takes too long and delays therapy for some 5/25/2026 6:05 PM
4 It depends! Does the longer timeframe mean more stringent tests, or fewer staff employed 5/25/2026 4:38 PMto conduct them?
5 Three months is asking for people to fall through cracks. And just allowing for extra 5/25/2026 3:49 PMbureacracy to get in the way of making decisions. If a deadline is given, organisations will find ways to fill in as much space as is given and delay the entire process for everyone
6 It needs to be in the middle, where they can do a thorough assessment, but not prolong the 5/25/2026 3:05 PMdelay for people to get support - they need to honour the medical professional’s decision and reports.
7 It takes more that 21 days anyway, 90 days is too long to wait, decline can happen very 5/25/2026 2:52 PMrapidly when a client’s needs for access to support are not met in many cases. Disabled people are already at risk and feeling the consequences with the current system.
8 Absolutely not! 5/25/2026 1:02 PM
9 For children, this is an inadequate amount of time to be waiting to access support. Children 5/25/2026 1:02 PMrequiring early intervention should be assisted with priority so that eal1y intervention as it says is implemented eal1y. Furthermore increasing times between submission and access. Also risks report being out of date and costing families further money in updating those report reports. Page 181 104 / 347
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10 A family in crisis ... 90 days can be a death sentence 5/25/2026 12:23 PM
11 They already take so long with delays. If they need so long it is a resourcing problem, not a 5/25/2026 11:48 AMdisability problem. Resourcing problems are handled by HR.
12 Honestly I would prefer they make a good decision and check people are eligible rather than 5/25/2026 10:08 AMallow people to be on the scheme when it was not designed for them and then we all face these downstream consequences for their decisions. Early intervention opened up for many children that do not have significant and permanent disability because other supports were eroded but that is now affecting access for people who should be on the scheme. I think the extended timeframe needs to also allow families a chance to review and appeal as needed. Finally, if they do use a standardised questionnaire like a modified I-CAN and a computer algorithm to decide eligibility, the response time should not be extended but instead an answer given quickly and then that time given to participants and families to review and counter / provide more information as needed so the final decision is completed within this period.
13 If you truely require ndis then the reports should be obvious to approve in 21 days 5/25/2026 3:25 AM
14 60 days is ample time. _____________________ 5/24/2026 10:36 PM
15 90 days is way too long. _____________________ 5/24/2026 9:36 PM
16 we are suffering now 5/24/2026 9:28 PM
17 As long as its done and there are interim supports available 5/24/2026 7:47 PM
18 I believe many people will worry that they'll have to wait so much longer to get the support 5/24/2026 7:21 PMthey need. But if it’s just changing the maximum time it won’t necessarily mean that every application will take that long. But I wonder the reason for taking longer. Is the decision process more complex & therefore requiring more time? Thoroughness can be good. If the longer wait time is due to the immense workload on NDIS, then shouldn’t we be investing in supporting & expanding NDIS?
19 It took us months and months for autism assessments in the private system before we 5/24/2026 7:08 PMcould even apply. This would push access out for some to over a year
20 The proposed law ties into that 90 days no end point where the NOIA have to respond by. 5/24/2026 6:37 PMTotally ridiculous and means they are deemed infallible. None meets .let’s that
21 I have never seen theb 21days timeframe anyway. That would be amazing if they did their 5/24/2026 6:31 PMown policy. 90 days is ridiculous. Which is what we mainly experience.
22 I think 90 days is too long. I think the federal government needs to show why they would 5/24/2026 6:31 PMneed 90 days. I think 30-60 days would be more appropriate.
23 Getting onto the Scheme already takes a long time. By extending the allowed time, it could 5/24/2026 6:13 PMmean that an eligible participant could be waiting years to get onto the scheme.
24 3 months is ridiculous 5/24/2026 5:42 PM
25 they already take longer than 21 days. this just makes them able to extend it to even more 5/24/2026 4:31 PMthan 90 days (4-6 months) instead of the 2-4 it takes now!
26 This leaves major risks to people who needs things quickly like mobility aids. 5/24/2026 4:28 PM
27 This is a cop out 5/24/2026 4:26 PM
28 I think 90 days is too long. There needs to be a more thorough reason as to why 90 days is 5/24/2026 4:18 PMneeded or whether access can be achieved in timeframes of 30-60 days instead.
29 People neef access to supports sooner rather than later 5/24/2026 3:55 PM
30 I think that they take far longer than 21 days currently. 5/24/2026 3:48 PM
31 I think 90 days is a long time for someone to wait for a response and I think there would 5/24/2026 3:45 PMneed to be more information provided as to why they require 90 days. Maybe somewhere between 30-60 days would be more appropriate.
32 They are currently taking more than 21 days so is 90 going to be more like 120 in reality?! I 5/24/2026 3:34 PMthought this change was supposed to bring in efficiencies.
33 Why should a person with disability have to wait 3months?? What happens while they wait? 5/24/2026 3:25 PM
34 Government needs to be as accountable as everyone else. 5/24/2026 3:08 PMPage 182 105 / 347
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35 Absolutely unacceptable. These delays can have significant negative impact on a person's 5/24/2026 2:09 PMphysical and mental health
36 It takes time to find the right therapists and if funding is paused while access is assessed 5/24/2026 1:40 PM(eg w a plan renewal) 90 days would mean their session time would not be held
37 They have never been able to answer any of my applications within the 21 day deadline, so 5/24/2026 1:36 PMI’m not surprised that they want to formalise this, and minimise complaints!
38 They don't even come close to the 21days they say they do, now. 5/24/2026 1:16 PM
39 This already happens. It's never 21 days. 5/24/2026 1:00 PM
40 People diagnosed with terminal disabilities (such as MND) may not have 90 days. They will 5/24/2026 12:41 PMdie before ever receiving services. But hey, it saves the government money, right?
41 They don't decide in 21 days anyway. 5/24/2026 12:33 PM
42 IF thay actually meet it. They say 21 days at the moment and it is ??? 5/24/2026 12:31 PM
43 I want to evaluate the needs by proper observation rather than just on paper. 5/24/2026 12:29 PM
44 Absolutely not. That amount of time to decide whether someone can access therapies and 5/24/2026 12:27 PMsupports that they need now is just ridiculous.
45 This would mean that a lot of burden is placed on the healthcare system when NDIS 5/24/2026 12:26 PMparticpnants are caught out in between reviews
46 The ndia need to look at the disability that they have an weather its a server moderate or 5/24/2026 12:25 PMmajor and prioritise accordingly
47 People dont apply tonthe ndis for a furture problem. 5/24/2026 12:25 PM
48 Ninety days is an insane amount of time to wait for support you need to survive. 5/24/2026 12:15 PM
49 21 days is long enough for staff to do their jobs. Any longer will result in experienced NDIA 5/24/2026 12:01 PMstaff losing their jobs.
50 The wait period for NDIS is already too long, it took over 5 months for my son to get 5/24/2026 11:53 AMapproved
51 In reality, they haven't been sticking to the 21 days anyway. My friend's application took 8 5/24/2026 11:51 AMmonths to get a response and my most recent review took over a year.
52 Due to 'capping' the number of of NDIA staff, the government has created its own problem 5/24/2026 11:42 AMof not following current legislation regarding access decisions.
53 Only if the determination is made properly and by someone who has cared for or has lived 5/24/2026 11:36 AMexperience of said disability. Right now the people they hire are completely incompetent.
54 As long as they meet the 90 days - the 21 days has rarely been met with little to no 5/24/2026 11:33 AMconsequence but if participants dont meet deadlines there is no allowance. There would have to be good reason for the 90 days not just - we take too long to do things. It should be in exceptional circumstances where more evidence has been requested/required
55 The current system fails to meet the current inherent contact and decisions they set 5/24/2026 11:30 AMthemselves and are legally required. They will try and only drag out decisions and avoiding supporting people for as long as possible leading to more deaths.
56 It is way too long. People are suffering enough and making them wait after the long, 5/24/2026 11:28 AMarduous, expensive process of applying seems cruel.
57 But this is changing because the NDIA dont have capacity to make these decisions 5/24/2026 11:19 AMeffectively and quickly. This workforce needs to be suitably qualified with on the ground experience of what people with disabilities need to survive and thrive in their lives.
58 If all documents are given, 21 days is plenty of time. 90 days is cruel to the individuals 5/24/2026 11:06 AMhoping to have assistance
59 90 days is more efficient as it gives Participants and providers the time they need to gather 5/24/2026 10:32 AMfurther evidence if denied or waiting to be accepted. As gathering evidence can take more than 21 days. For example if a participant needs an urgent OT FCA (as stated in new rules) but can’t get it due to waitlist (because of new rules) and the waiting time to get an OT FCA is longer than 21 days. This will be near impossible to be able to beat the 21 days
60 Weren't meeting this KPI anyway but 90 days too excessive especially if requiring an 5/24/2026 9:57 AMinternal review & ART
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61 People could die if they don't get access to their treatment in a timely manner ____ 5/24/2026 9:35 AM
62 It's too long 5/24/2026 9:06 AM
63 support needs to be timely, there is too much wait time as it is. There is no rationale for this 5/24/2026 8:33 AMchange that is in any way supportive for disabled people and their families. A budget decision that is no way in the best interests of the people in our community who need support the most.
64 Carer burnout is a real thing. And mental health issues will skyrocket. As a family business 5/24/2026 8:15 AMsupporting 180 participants, over the past 6 years I have supported at no cost up to 12months just for waiting on their first application
65 Those applying for the NDIS need support, it is a terrifying, nervous system disregulating 5/24/2026 6:40 AMprocess waiting for all of your hard collected evidence to be evaluated and this should not be prolonged. Stress is a major factor in worsening of disabilities.
66 Why should this change? What is their argument for this? I mean it's never 21 days at 5/24/2026 6:35 AMpresent but surely they should be aiming to fix what is broken, not just accept it.
67 No, 21 days is reasonable enough, 90 for some who maybe living on the edge will be an 5/24/2026 5:42 AMeternity when what we are saying is the government would rather reduce support for PWD rather than review gas / natural resource export taxes or overhaul complex international tax offsets.
68 Absolutely not. 5/24/2026 12:30 AM
69 90 days is a long time, people may deteriorate or even die whilst waiting which will 5/23/2026 9:33 PMultimately cost more
70 If this is considered time. I prefer this to a rushed no. However supports need to be in place 5/23/2026 9:17 PMtemporarily for this time. For a limited couple of examples what about a child who has a developmental delay falling behind in their vital early intervention or an adult with a progressive condition deteriorating in this period? What happens to the person who doesn’t have adequate support for suctioning or oxygen in this review period eg they have no informal supports or for whatever reason informal supports don’t have capacity whether temporarily or ongoing. This can result in serious injury or death.
71 3 months is a long time to wait for support, however NDIS is so back logged as it is. 5/23/2026 9:16 PMPerhaps having an interm kind of thing while waiting for approval - perhaps this is when we use mental health or other medical type plans with medicare to subsidise until accepted.
72 Applying for NDIS support isn't a quick process. Significant reports are needed that take 5/23/2026 7:10 PMtime and cost a lot of money. The NDIA needs to be responsive not slower.
73 No issue with a longer period to assess and comment the appropriate recommendations. 5/23/2026 7:00 PM
74 NO, if they plan to go ahead with a simplified cookie-cutter assessment process using staff 5/23/2026 6:14 PMwith limited training and Al decision making with minimal human input, no right for applicants to challenge the decision at the ART and a decreasing number of overall participants. YES if they keep the same number of participants, ensure there is significant human input into the assessment and decision making process, including reviewing reports from current medical and allied health providers, and the right for applicants to challenge outcomes through the ART.
75 People have to wait just under 1 month and now it's 3 months? I have been asking for a 5/23/2026 4:13 PMplan review and it’s been over 12 months, the 21 days isn’t adhered to now
76 Two reasons they want 90 days 1. They hope people give up in applying 2. They can1 get 5/23/2026 4:13 PMtheir systems right to be able to stick to their timeframes. All this will do is stretch out the 90 days because they still can1 get their shit together
77 The unknown , wait can cause a lot of undure stress 5/23/2026 3:04 PM
78 I don't understand why they need 90 days. If a longer time frame meant they were 5/23/2026 2:42 PMconsulting the most up to date information about the said disability garnered from actual people with the illness not just the most basic info from 10 years ago, that could be helpful. But I don1 believe that is the reason why they want more time. I believe the extra time is only required so that the NDIS can cut down on staff.
79 That is 69 days long someone is without support or without answers _______ 5/23/2026 1:51 PM
80 Depends on urgency of circumstances _________________ 5/23/2026 1:18 PM
81 Too long to live with uncertainty! 5/23/2026 12:01 PMPage 184 107 / 347
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82 It leaves people waiting longer for supports that they need to live. It vVill result in deaths 5/23/2026 9:59 AM
83 Those 69 days could be the difference between life and death for someone people. If there 5/23/2026 9:42 AMneeds to be more time for assessments, then a provisional status needs to be introduced, to fund life-critical supports.
84 I don't see this as a problem if that is what is needed. ____________ 5/23/2026 9:29 AM
85 It would depend on the evidence gathered. _______________ 5/23/2026 9:23 AM
86 Only if the process is improved for everyone 5/23/2026 8:27 AM
87 I have been waiting 14 months already to get my daughters plan re assessed. Whatever 5/23/2026 8:23 AMtimeframe they tell you can’t be adhered to as it is.
88 Way too long to leave people in limbo 5/23/2026 8:07 AM
89 Many people have urgent needs and 21 days is already too long especially considering after 5/23/2026 6:09 AMacceptance, someone still ends to wait for a plan and supports to commence.
90 90 days is too long to wait follov\ling an accident or injury 5/23/2026 5:11 AM
91 People who need support immediately should be granted as such. A review can be 5/23/2026 4:54 AMconducted in 90days if this necessary however, a family who depends on the funding is desperate, I don’t understand the purpose of holding off for 90 days if it can be granted in 21?
92 They are already doing this anyway! I had to follow up on them myself about a revie. The 5/23/2026 3:49 AMsystem is a disgrace and slap in the face for people vVith disabilities
93 Usually parents are desperate and have tried everything before getting onto NDIS ... waiting 5/22/2026 10:09 PM3 months is too much and could be detrimental.
94 It is usually VERY clear if some one needs disability services. ________ 5/22/2026 8:09 PM
95 Realistically I have waited a long time frame for Plan acceptance. 5/22/2026 8:04 PM
96 If they are currently on the ndis and it takes 90 days to decide, at least make sure the 5/22/2026 7:13 PMfunding continues for that time. Longer the timeframes, the more anxiety there is any the outcome
97 That is a lifetime for people who are in desperate need of support! ________ 5/22/2026 6:42 PM
98 People could actually die in this time frame 5/22/2026 6:31 PM
99 For someone vVith disability and their families, this is a long time. In saying that, I waited 5/22/2026 6:14 PMlonger than this to find out about whether my child met the criteria. I think the NDIS aren’t meeting their timeframe anyway!
100 They need to improve administration systems and processes to reduce not increase 5/22/2026 4:07 PMtimelines
101 The delays are already extreme and no one is holding NDIA to account, they don't treat us 5/22/2026 4:01 PMas human beings just a number and cost savings. The risk of harm to some of us are real but no one cares
102 Is this to delay payments or to ensure best assessment? 5/22/2026 3:30 PM
103 How can you expect families to wait 90 days (although time is 21 days now this is already 5/22/2026 2:28 PMdelayed due to resources and lack of training in the Government Departments) when research shows early intervention is beneficial and has positive impact (which means potentially less costs to the government in the future, which was the purpose of the NDIS before both parties bastardised the program)
104 I'd only support longer if it means more effort is being put into revievVing the applications and 5/22/2026 1:46 PMtaking more of the complex components of the disability on board
105 It takes longer than 21 days now- if it went to 90 days, it would take up to a year or more to 5/22/2026 1:24 PMaccess the NDIS. All the while, not being able to access any other services because “you’re eligible for the NDIS.” There’s also no guarantee a person vVill be accepted on to the NDIS, so if they’re not, they’d have to go onto waiting lists and wait for years to get other services. If the government is streamlining the NDIS to cut their wastage of funds, then it shouldn’t take them longer to decide if a person is eligible or not for the NDIS.
106 The wait times are already horrendous. Don't give them license to take longer! 5/22/2026 1:16 PM
107 do their job properly and they don't need such time. each day for a disabled person vVithout 5/22/2026 12:16 PMPage 185 108 / 347
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186 access and vVith pain is like a lifetime.
108 They don't decide vVithin 21 days anyway so if they stick to 90 days that could be an 5/22/2026 11:41 AMimprovement. They don’t stick to what they say anyway so them saying these numbers is really quite meaningless
109 This is really problematic, especially for children vVith complex disability requiring supports 5/22/2026 10:32 AMwhere time is crucial for supporting development. This leaves people in limbo and places them at high risk.
110 21 days is plenty of time to make a decision. 5/22/2026 10:30 AM
111 Three months is an insanely long time to leave people wondering if they're even eligible for 5/22/2026 10:17 AMsupport
112 Why do they now needs 90 days? What reasons are given? Why change 5/22/2026 9:57 AM
113 The timeframe is too long to review the evidence in the application. The NDIS vVill only 5/22/2026 9:27 AMaccept medical specialist and allied health supporting documents and reports that are less than 6 months old. If the applicant needs to reapply vVith more supporting documentation, they run the risk that NDIS vVill dismiss their earlier reports if they become older than 6 months. It takes time to organise assessments, wait for the therapist to be available to conduct the assessment and write the report. So if the application process is prolonged to 90 days then the applicants may run the risk of being told their eal1ier documentation is not recent enough to include as evidence.
114 Families vVith autistic children can be desperate for support. 90 days can negatively impact 5/22/2026 8:12 AMtheir daily life
115 Depends on the parameters for review of decisions 5/22/2026 7:29 AM
116 If it means they actually read evidence then yes 5/22/2026 7:27 AM
117 I think 90 days is too much, and 21 days is too little for a system that is overloaded and 5/22/2026 5:50 AMunder the pump. Somewhere in the middle
118 NOIA needs to be actioning everything in a more timely manner. 5/22/2026 5:47 AM
119 Time is of the essence in pediatrics. 5/22/2026 5:34 AM
120 In my lived experience, by the time we were able to access NDIS we were already at 5/22/2026 12:07 AMbreaking point and desperate for assistance.This vVill make it even harder for families and people suffering vVith disability.
121 I thought it was already 90 days as participants have expressed waiting months to be 5/21/2026 11:58 PMapproved
122 It's too long in the cycle for a person that requires services. It vVill clog the hospital system 5/21/2026 9:35 PMand is just diverting costs.
123 They are already extensive delays to decisions and reviews, well past the stated time. This 5/21/2026 9:13 PMcompounds the trauma to disabled people and their carers
124 I think I would be dead if I had to wait longer, I have been living vVithout the support that I 5/21/2026 9:06 PMneeded for my whole life Arna it was such a process to get on the Ndis and I Ve only on it for one of my conditions, and don’t have the capacity to go through more diagnosis to get more support - even though the support they give me is not enough. It has made a difference to my life and I’m sure vVithout it I would be dead
125 90 days is 3 months which is a long time in early intervention 5/21/2026 8:27 PM
126 I personally waited 11 months, so 90 days would have been an improvement! People who 5/21/2026 8:02 PMapply vVill have already been needing this support for a long time, or paying out of pocket and running out of funds fast! The faster the better.
127 I don't believe it's 21 days now as have people told me that they'Ve been waiting for 6 5/21/2026 8:00 PMmonths to hear back about whether they’re eligible
128 I do not support this situation becoming legal. However, the agency hasn't met their own 5/21/2026 6:57 PMservice guarantees for a very long time. I feel that this change is purely to improve the NDIA’s data reporting on performance. Urgent and important changes to someone’s life requires urgent action. Despite this already being the case, the agency often takes far too long to act. The result of this, is that people end up in hospital, taking up beds that should not have been needed in the first place.
129 This is an extensive period especially for a young child vVith a disability who vVill already 5/21/2026 6:48 PMPage 186 109 / 347
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187 have to face wait times.
130 90 days is TOO long. Where does the applicant go for support in those 90 days? Actually, 5/21/2026 6:31 PM90 plus days, because if they are approved, they will have to wait to get a Plan, then a support coordinator to provide info to them about service providers. It could end up being 6 months for a Plan to get up and running.
131 Gives them extra time to assess their eligibility 5/21/2026 6:10 PM
132 That could mean someone having 90 days in hospital waiting for a decision. ____ 5/21/2026 6:09 PM
133 People will suffer _____________________ 5/21/2026 5:31 PM
134 Lazy and not necessary 5/21/2026 4:51 PM
135 90 days is too long and drawn out v\lhen people are waiting on life saving care 5/21/2026 3:21 PM
136 They dont do it in 21 days anyway. No it will blow out til a year! People with disabilities can1 5/21/2026 3:10 PMwaitt that long, they will die waiting
137 No because they're already unable to stick to the current timeframe and are backlogged 5/21/2026 2:51 PMleaving people waiting up to or over a year to receive an outcome and currently, even more so with these changes, they’re being declined v\lhich means they’re left in limbo with no supports only to be told no, that they don’t have enough evidence or they haven’t sufficiently proven all appropriate treatments have been explored however they never give details of v\lhat services are available as this would support applicants to maybe pursue these avenues with support from LACs or family supports etc. The NOIA cannot stick to the deadlines they set out v\lhether it be regarding access requests, plan change requests, internal reviews, reassessments etc. there are participants still waiting for plans to be approved from over a year ago with much needed changes, yes the agency is auto extending plans but this isn’t good enough. And v\lhen reassessing the plans they’re not acknowledging evidence that participants have paid thousands for, and are cutting plans left right and centre - rushing plan approvals because they’re years behind. It’s shockingly bad
138 Some people need support as soon as possible. And the wait lists are so long. 5/21/2026 12:50 PM
139 They don1 actually meet the 21 day requirement currently. "90" days would end up being 5/21/2026 11:56 AMmuch longer. That’s at least 3 months just to consider the application, let alone get anything set up or supports started. What do people do in the meantime?
140 Why even have a deadline. They never meet it. So now it's 90 days v\lhich will blow out to 5/21/2026 11:56 AM365 days. There is little recourse anyway. Unless you have the capacity and the resources which people don’t.
141 Practically, it took them around 90 days to accept my application for NOIS, and there was 5/21/2026 11:43 AMno recourse for their tardiness. While it is not ideal, I think this is probably one of the least contentious of the current proposals in this Bill.
142 No but they already take up to a couple of years in some cases ________ 5/21/2026 11:28 AM
143 I think 60 days is fair ________________ 5/21/2026 11:24 AM
144 I'd prefer to see a shorter period 6 weeks 5/21/2026 11:08 AM
145 Three months is too long. ______________________ 5/21/2026 10:57 AM
146 People die waiting 5/21/2026 10:42 AM
147 Huge issue if state based services continue to deny access to other support if a person is 5/21/2026 10:37 AMapplying for NOIS
148 In some ways it could be good to do more research and give them time to seek opinions to 5/21/2026 10:29 AMmake an informed decision but realistically it will most likely just delay assistance that’s so very needed or be used as an excused to cost cut by delaying it.
149 It's too long and already it's taking longer than the supposed 21 days _______ 5/21/2026 10:29 AM
150 90 days is ridiculous. 5/21/2026 10:26 AM
151 Why should the level of service from NOIA go backwards. ___________ 5/21/2026 10:25 AM
152 90 days is too long for a child or adult in need to wait 5/21/2026 10:23 AM
153 They take longer than 21 days already. You give them 90 days. They'll double that 5/21/2026 10:16 AM
154 If it allows more conversation a consultation to come to a decision. 5/21/2026 10:15 AMPage 187 110 / 347
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155 Feels like a typical insurance company. 5/21/2026 10:13 AM
156 They already go over the time limit. If anything, stricter controls need to be put in place to 5/21/2026 10:09 AMenforce the NDIA meeting current deadlines.
157 There isn't enough information on how determinations vVill be made to answer this question 5/21/2026 8:50 AM
158 People can't put their disabilities on hold. Often they are seeking support because they need 5/21/2026 8:07 AMit now.
159 That is 3 months vVithout essential supports AFTER you wait many months to see a LAC 5/21/2026 7:38 AMwho gets to decide if they even submit your application. Which is after you’Ve gathered evidence over time. Fast access should continue vVithout ridiculous delays we currently have.
160 It depends on how comprehensive thw tool and assessment is. If they are collecting info 5/21/2026 7:36 AMfrom multiple sources not just one, then a longer time frame makes sense but for those in strife woth real immediate needs it could have life limiting impacts of it takes that long.
161 If the longer time means the NDIS employ people vVith experience in disability, allied health 5/21/2026 7:02 AMetc to read and assess then I may support it. Otherv\lise if it takes longer but is assessed by people vVithout sufficient understanding of disability support them no I don’t support it.
162 It's to long. 5/21/2026 6:42 AM
163 The longer it takes for people to get services, could mean life or death, it depends on why it 5/21/2026 6:15 AMis being increased and why it would also take so long to give supports.
164 Waiting 90 days could cause significant harm to participants and their family vVith such a 5/21/2026 6:01 AMdelay.
165 This vVill have a severe and detrimental impact on people vVith disability, particularly those 5/21/2026 5:27 AMvVith fluctuating conditions, those vVith neurodegenerative conditions and communication disabilities. There is no dignity in keeping people waiting for access for support to meet basic needs.
166 They don't meet the 21 day guideline anyway 5/21/2026 5:06 AM
167 That is absurd and far too long to wait. As an allied health professional and a mother of an 5/21/2026 4:14 AMautistic child, I can tell you that the level vVill stress this would cause some people is astronomical. Early intervention only works if it’s early. Delaying by three months is a very significant amount of time.
168 This should deliver more comprehensive judgement, provided it's done vVith that in mind 5/21/2026 3:09 AM
169 NDIA aren't meeting this timeframe currently so extending it means a significantly longer 5/21/2026 12:25 AMtime before vital supports can be accessed.
170 90 days is not sufficient 21 days is more reasonable 5/20/2026 11:47 PM
171 I have a disability that makes me impatient. 90 days is far too long and the NDIS staff vVill 5/20/2026 11:36 PMnot be treated fair
172 That is too long to make people wait and cause immense distress for people trying to get 5/20/2026 10:26 PMsupport.
173 Yes, they should be able to do their due diligence 5/20/2026 8:40 PM
174 It is ridiculous that 90 days is even a suggestion. People can die, be evicted and suffer 5/20/2026 8:28 PMfurther medical episodes while waiting for some NDIA staffer to tick a box.
175 The sooner individuals can access the required funding and supports for their disability 5/20/2026 8:08 PMneeds, the better their long-term outcomes are.
176 Why? And when people need support, that extra time could literally be the difference 5/20/2026 8:05 PMbetween life and death.
177 NDIS need to improve their processes to meet the 21 day PSG. Expecting people to wait 90 5/20/2026 8:03 PMdays for disability support after a significant life event causing disability is not acceptable. For traumatic causes of disability, this vVill prolong hospital admission times.
178 No, 1 don't support extending it to 90 days. The current process is already stressful and 5/20/2026 6:52 PMemotionally exhausting for many people vVith disability and their families. Making people wait up to three months just for an access decision could leave people vVithout essential supports, therapies, equipment or care for even longer. I understand complex cases can take time, but I think the focus should be on improving communication, staffing and
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189 decision-making quality rather than increasing waiting periods. For many people, delays can seriously impact their health, mental wellbeing, finances and ability to function day to day.
179 They probably aren1 keeping up with the 21 days anyway. I am more concerned about the 5/20/2026 6:18 PMlack of transparency with whatever decision is made. The scheme currently is very much geared towards excluding people and minimising support, it is very difficult to get helpful information about any decision that is made, and it feels like this is intentional.
180 And how do you guys think they are going to pay bills eat in that time? 5/20/2026 5:54 PM
181 Too long and can and will cause massive harm. 5/20/2026 5:45 PM
182 I don't see how this could benefit either participants or the NOIA, It's just an extension to the 5/20/2026 5:29 PMlimbo and more time without support
183 It already takes longer than that to have anything looked at or decided, I don1 see how 5/20/2026 5:02 PMloosening the leash on this will improve anything but their KPls.
184 90 days is excessive and unreasonable. Every individual with a disability deserves prompt 5/20/2026 5:02 PMtreatment, care and support. Delaying such can be a matter of life and death.
185 That way they can insure the person is the correct applicant to receive ndis ____ 5/20/2026 4:47 PM
186 I would consider 30 days appropriate 5/20/2026 4:29 PM
187 they already take over 21 days now to decide whether someone can access the NDIS by a 5/20/2026 4:25 PMlong time, months, image how long they will now take if this comes into play, it could take over a year to be told whether or not you are even accepted into NDIS
188 It was supposed to be 21 days but due to an LAC error we're now a year down the track and 5/20/2026 3:35 PMgoing to ART, all this time without support. Only discovered their mistake this week which explains it all.
189 Too long a wait. 5/20/2026 2:44 PM
190 i think 90 days is too long maybe 45 days would be better 5/20/2026 2:17 PM
191 Ridiculous and risky to have to wait. Thos will blow out hospital capacity as people will be 5/20/2026 2:16 PMwaiting longer for discharge due to NDIS wait times. Clear inefficiencies within the NOIA are leading to these timelines and risks to individuals.
192 Thats a huge wait time if you need help 5/20/2026 1:54 PM
193 They already don1 conform to deadlines and take months or years to accept people onto the 5/20/2026 12:34 PMNDIS with all the appeals people have to do to get them to follow the law.
194 The NOIA already take their sweet time. People are DYING because they aren't receiving 5/20/2026 12:31 PMsupports or reviews in time despite critical, life threatening positions they are in. My heart breaks for the community that they have to BEG just to be alive.
195 The ndia doesn't adhere to the 21days now so what will 91days end up being 365days 5/20/2026 11:47 AM
196 Those timelines already get pushed out. 5/20/2026 11:43 AM
197 21 days is bad enough. People have died waiting for NDIS funding to be approved as it is. 5/20/2026 11:38 AMHow much more suffering does our community need to endure?
198 Do you even know how much can happen in 90 days? How support someone can need in 5/20/2026 11:16 AMthat time? How much a person can struggle????
199 It's not exactly kind or ethical to leave people idling in their pain and suffering. As humans 5/20/2026 11:05 AMwe have a duty of care to each other. It’s good to consider time when approaching disabled needs, but not everyone has the luxury of time when they require help.
200 No. Especially when, in reality, many people already experience waits far beyond the current 5/20/2026 10:41 AMlegislated timeframe. Extending the formal timeframe to 90 days worries me because there’s a risk it normalises delay rather than fixing the reasons delays are happening in the first place. For people applying to the NDIS, these aren’t just administrative timelines. People are often applying during periods of: * crisis * burnout * school breakdown * hospitalisation * carer exhaustion * loss of function * housing instability * safety concerns Three extra months without support can have massive impacts on: * child development * mental health * family functioning * participation in education/work * physical health * risk of crisis escalation As an OT, one of the hardest things is seeing people deteriorate while waiting: * children missing critical early intervention windows * families reducing work to cope * carers becoming completely exhausted * people ending up in emergency departments because supports weren’t available earlier * people disengaging from
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190 community and everyday life And often, by the time support finally arrives, needs have increased and the required supports are more intensive and expensive. I think many people would understand short delays if they believed the extra time would genuinely improve fairness and quality. But a lot of concern comes from the feeling that: * systems are already overwhelmed * workforce shortages already exist * reassessments and evidence requests are increasing * people already struggle to get responses * communication can already be inconsistent So increasing the legislated timeframe can feel less like “improving quality” and more like lowering accountability. The other concern is inequity. People with: * strong advocates * money * private reports * legal knowledge * capacity to follow things up constantly are often better able to push systems forward. People already overwhelmed by disability-related challenges may simply wait silently. I think if timelines are extended, there should at minimum be: * transparent communication * interim supports where urgent risk exists * priority pathways for children and high-risk situations * accountability measures * clear escalation and review options * adequate staffing and funding to reduce delays overall Because waiting for disability support is not neutral. While people are waiting, life keeps happening.
201 It may require extra time if not enough information required 5/20/2026 10:13 AM
202 At the moment the 21 day time limit may lead to rushed and poorly considered decisions. 5/20/2026 10:11 AM
203 Increase the number of days to 42 days and employ the needed mumber of LACs who know 5/20/2026 9:56 AMthe participant to carefully consider paticipants and build the plans. A random delegate who has never spoken to a participant building a plan does not fly with me.
204 unrealistically long timeframe 5/20/2026 9:21 AM
205 These reforms are eugenics disguised as money saving 5/20/2026 9:02 AM
206 This will leave people in limbo longer. It will lead to people stuck in hospitals, carer burnout 5/20/2026 8:50 AM
207 The hoops to get access already take too long. 5/20/2026 8:49 AM
208 90 days is a long time, even 21 is huge. Months of potential increased struggle, lower 5/20/2026 8:40 AMquality of life, and reduced outcomes/long term harm.
209 Government currently takes much longer. Govt is slow. Giving extra time will just cause 5/20/2026 8:23 AMmore suffering
210 If you're suffering already, a quarter of a year is a long time 5/20/2026 8:14 AM
211 90 days to a kid accessing eal1y childhood supports is limiting their access to early 5/20/2026 8:07 AMintervention and support.
212 NOIA often makes terrible decisions. Maybe more time would mean more consideration. But 5/20/2026 7:15 AMNDIS access is often urgently needed as fast as possible so that is dangerous.
213 Wait times to access essential care must be kept to a minimum for safeguarding of 5/20/2026 6:07 AMpotential participants.
214 People are already dying while waiting for their funds to be reinstated. You are just killing 5/20/2026 5:11 AMmore people.
215 This will cost lives 5/20/2026 5:03 AM
216 People with disabilities need support. Ive been waiting 2 years for access. Its criminal what 5/20/2026 3:53 AMthey have done to me. They have ignored the law. Even ART hasn’t followed the law.
217 People who need help need it now! 5/20/2026 12:41 AM
218 Way too long to be left in limbo. High level Stress for prospective participant and family. 5/19/2026 10:29 PMDisabled people in Australia died awaiting supports or have suicided waiting for supports they desperately need. The NDIS is supposed to assist people with disability, not add to their challenges and stresses. Pwd feel abandoned by lengthy wait for such an important decision.
219 They already don't meet this deadline. This excuses delay - and the harms of delay - even 5/19/2026 10:26 PMfurther
220 Way too long. At the moment, NOIA are not even adhering to the 21 day timeframe and it's 5/19/2026 9:44 PMappalling. 21 days is more than reasonable .. 30 days maximum
221 They already mess applicants around. Longer delays will only make this worse. ___ 5/19/2026 9:18 PM
222 NDIS don't abide by the current timelines anyway 5/19/2026 8:47 PMPage 190 113 / 347
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191
223 Better decision making in the first place reduces the time burden of all decisions 5/19/2026 8:16 PM
224 90 days is far too long v\lhen you need support and it will become I very unsafe. It will also 5/19/2026 8:10 PMclog up hospitals even more - things shouldn1 take that long
225 I know that the NOIA is highly inefficient, untrained and ignorant but people are going 5/19/2026 7:30 PMwithout support while they kick the can, sometimes endangering their life and wellbeing.
226 Inhumane and unethical. How can the government not provide support especially v\lhen the 5/19/2026 7:14 PMevidence is there? I have been waiting over 2 years and it has pushed me to breaking point.
227 3 months is a very long time to be waiting to find out if you can access the supports you 5/19/2026 7:10 PMneed to survive. This will result in some people needing extended stays in hospital or aged care, v\lhich will create its own problems.
228 People with disabilities face enough systemic hardship and inequitable, inaccessible 5/19/2026 7:05 PMsupports and services .. 90 days creates additional hardship and harm.
229 They say 21 days, but already it's more like 90 days. If they want to change it to 90 5/19/2026 7:02 PMofficially, how long is that in reality?
230 It took 7 months for them to assess our child and so any delays make things worse for 5/19/2026 7:00 PMpeople. Delays are just cost savings measures disguised in processes.
231 If they stopped acting against the legislation and making everyone appeal things that are, 5/19/2026 6:59 PMthey’d have plenty of time to act within 21 days.
232 They take longer than 21 days already most of the time, so wouldn't make a massive 5/19/2026 6:47 PMdifference
233 Perhaps 28 days is ok. Definitely not 90 days! 5/19/2026 6:46 PM
234 Takes longer than 21 days anyway ____________ 5/19/2026 6:42 PM
235 Absolutely not this is just away to play with numbers 5/19/2026 6:39 PM
236 NDIS can't do it in 21 days it can take months by taking it out to 90 it could take years. 5/19/2026 6:27 PMTherefore disabled person is in limbo with no help and could possibly die
237 support needs to be addressed urgently, not placed on back burner 5/19/2026 6:12 PM
238 The process is long enough now and they don't stick to legislative timeframes already!! 5/19/2026 6:07 PM
239 90 days isn't long enough - there are long waitlists for Paediatricians and allied health 5/19/2026 5:31 PMprofessionals and so many participants won’t be able to even gather evidence to submit.
240 Already don1 meet time frames leaving people without support 5/19/2026 5:28 PM
241 They can't do anything in the recommended timeframe at the moment. If we give them 5/19/2026 5:20 PMlonger they’ll just take three times the new maximum limit. They just want to prevent us going to the ART. If we need help it should happen promptly
242 More time for assessment does mean more opportunity for the assessor to get it right. Time 5/19/2026 5:13 PMpressure has always gone hand in hand with rejections. But it also means that people who need immediate supports must wait longer to get them.
243 90 days is a very long time without support and without knowing. 5/19/2026 4:38 PM
244 If it's an initial (big) decision ok, but not if it sets the precedent for reviews etc to take this 5/19/2026 4:22 PMlong too. But to start in the NDIS I think it’s reasonable if it can be in conjunction with some more Medicare / GP help, eg 5 free allied health sessions or something similar
245 It is far too long. 5/19/2026 4:10 PM
246 Urgent need for support/ mental health impacts ________ 5/19/2026 4:00 PM
247 That will just allow the backlog of assessments to get even longer. 5/19/2026 3:36 PM
248 Why do they need so long if the person has evidenced their needs? It's already a very long 5/19/2026 3:26 PMprocess to meet requirements and submit an application. Making it even longer means people won’t have the capacity for it
249 With a longer lead in they may be less likely to just say no as the 21 day deadline looms. 5/19/2026 3:24 PM
250 Someone could easily end up homeless in that time 5/19/2026 2:17 PM
251 People apply for access because they need support. That support can at times be time 5/19/2026 2:11 PMlimited and requires action.
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192
252 have to say though offering 90 days seems quicker than the 5 MONTHS we have been 5/19/2026 1:21 PMwaiting on my daughters coc atm
253 Twenty-one days? What a crock. The NOIA took way longer to approve my application. I 5/19/2026 12:53 PMsuspect that extending the approval time to 90 days won’t guarantee an application will be considered within that time. The NOIA will do what it does now; take as long as it takes.
254 People from low socio economic backgrounds may find themselves homeless, lose their 5/19/2026 12:38 PMjobs or even lose their lives to inadequate care while waiting for access. Situations like these are obviously not easily reversed and have huge impacts.
255 Even their logic for arriving at this decision does not make sense. We are not meeting kpi's 5/19/2026 12:29 PMtherefore we need to give ourselves more time - instead of we need to do things better. If anything the timeframe should be reduced rather than extended.
256 If it means they will actually read & consider the documentation provided, then yes. 5/19/2026 12:06 PM
257 The NDIS don't meet ANY timeframes anyway and no-one EVER holds them to account. 5/19/2026 12:00 PMHaving to put your life on hold, waiting and waiting for decisions has significant negative impacts on your mental and physical health. The waiting is unbearable. Forcing people to have decisions hanging over them for months is inhumane, cruel and psychological abuse.
258 Are they reaching 21 days now? 1 know coc has take 1omonths. Prefer deadlines they 5/19/2026 11:57 AMactually keep. But a triage process would help.
259 90 days is far too long. People are already waiting more than 21 days. 5/19/2026 11:54 AM
260 These things need to be done in a timely manner to give people access to the supports they 5/19/2026 11:35 AMneed as soon as possible. Waiting can create further harm
261 They take 90 days anyway in my experience. That increased time should be mandated to 5/19/2026 11:13 AMinclude proper assessment including full assessment of supporting evidence
262 That is a ridiculous amount of time when people are deteriorating and in desperate need of 5/19/2026 11:09 AMhelp
263 I guess if they really need more time - what emergency funds can be put in place. If they 5/19/2026 10:54 AMneed this long, please ensure that the information provided is read and acted on appropriately
264 Doesn't matter too much since they fail to meet their timeframes most of the time anyway. 5/19/2026 10:52 AM
265 If it means cases are assessed in a more individual way then more time should be taken 5/19/2026 10:51 AM
266 Three months to see if I can get some form of help is a very long time without that help 5/19/2026 9:39 AM
267 If someone finds that their needs change, either over time or in an instance after an illness 5/19/2026 9:31 AMor car accident, they need the support straight away. If NOIA are really concerned, have a system whereby the client is provided with supports on a system where they have to payback any money used for them should at 90 days the NDIA’s decides that they didn’t meet the criteria.
268 90 days is ridiculously long. 5/19/2026 9:15 AM
269 It's too long especially when NOIA can't keep to the timeframes 5/19/2026 9:10 AM
270 This is quite a funny question as it took me 7mths to obtain the NDIS for my daughter who 5/19/2026 8:49 AMhas oownsyndrome. Then a further 7 weeks to access the funding … 21 days is laughable. In my experience it doesn’t happen. ( i have spoken to many other parent and carers)
271 Because of the complexity of applying it usually takes a long time from when the decision is 5/19/2026 8:32 AMmade to apply to when an application is submitted and adding another 90 days onto that is unfair and likely to cause significant harm. Plus the NOIA are renowned for not keeping to timelines already… plus if they are making it harder then that blows out the timeline even more meanwhile people are suffering
272 The new system is supposedly more efficient, why would they need 90 dys. Disability isnt 5/19/2026 8:31 AMsomething to be treated as if there’s a “cooking off” period. suppprts are typical needed before access requests are even lodged. And they desperate people to wait 3mths for a decision. What an excruciating amount of time to be living is “stressful” wait. That coukd put some people over the edge,
273 In my personal experience they don't meet the 21 days so does 90 days mean 90 or just an 5/19/2026 8:24 AMexcuse to stretch it out further
274 They have not been committed to any deadlines. I have clients waiting longer than 90 days 5/19/2026 8:09 AMPage 192 115 / 347
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193 now for outcomes
275 People are already waiting far longer than 21 days for a decision. Pushing this out to 90 will 5/19/2026 7:54 AMonly increase the wait more for people. Especially with no particular plan in place for how they will meet this target when they continually fail now.
276 the current "21 days" is already more like 6+ months - if they are allowed 90 days how 5/19/2026 7:40 AMmuch longer will it get?
277 This is critical after traumatic injury or sudden change in complex support and 5/19/2026 7:25 AMaccommodation
278 This increases uncertainty and is clearly a move to make it so that the agency is meeting 5/19/2026 7:18 AMhow long it is talking to get through applications.
279 Try have a disability 21 days can seem like a life time let alone 90 days plus let's face it, 5/19/2026 7:15 AMit’s the government! 90 days will be extended just like plan reviews now. They are backed up now!
280 Mind you they aren't meeting the 21 day timeframe now. My daughters plan review took 5/19/2026 7:09 AMover 200 days
281 If they are going to take this long there should be some sort of interim funding to ensure 5/19/2026 7:05 AMpeople don’t between the gaps while waiting
282 Given their lack of adequately trained personnel, it would be better if they took more time 5/19/2026 6:56 AMthan made quick and potentially wrong decisions.
283 Newly disabled people and families with a new born with severe disabilities need rapid 5/19/2026 6:44 AMsupport in that vital starting the disability journey phase
284 But only if that means they actually read AND UNDERSTAND the supporting 5/19/2026 6:43 AMdocumentation.
285 Too long as they always exceed timeframes anyway so it will be creating a longer access 5/19/2026 6:38 AMtime the more time you give them
286 NOIA have a flagrant disregard for legislated timeframes so it doesn't matter what timeframe 5/19/2026 5:46 AMis given, NOIA won’t respect it
287 They don't stick to their own timeline rules now so this could blow out 5/19/2026 5:38 AM
288 Depending on the seriousness of the condition, why should people have to wait longer being 5/19/2026 5:10 AMin pain physically or emotionally, because the government want to allocate funds elsewhere. Its going to lead to more deaths and more enquiries that will continue to repeat this cycle.
289 Its too long to wait 5/19/2026 5:09 AM
290 Streamline, employ staff. There is already enough anxiety wirh disabilities, so the waiting 5/19/2026 3:57 AMcan be unbearable, especially after making themselves particular1y vulnerable during assessment.
291 I understand that some NDIS access decisions are complex and may require time to 5/19/2026 2:11 AMproperly assess medical evidence, functional capacity, and supporting documentation. However, I am very concerned about extending the access decision timeframe from 21 days to 90 days without strong safeguards and accountability measures. For many people with disability and their families, waiting for an access decision is not a minor administrative issue. People are often already in crisis when they apply to the NDIS. They may be: * struggling to keep a child in school, * unable to access therapies, * experiencing severe carer burnout, * facing mental health deterioration, * unable to work due to caring responsibilities, * or going without essential supports entirely. An extra three months can have a major impact on a person’s development, safety, wellbeing, and stability. I am especially concerned about children needing ear1y intervention because delays during critical developmental periods can have lifelong consequences. Delayed supports can also increase pressure on families, schools, hospitals, and other systems. Another concern is that longer timeframes may reduce pressure on the NOIA to improve efficiency and communication. Many participants already experience delays, requests for repeated information, inconsistent communication, and difficulty getting updates on applications. Extending the legal timeframe could risk normalising slower decision-making rather than fixing underlying system problems. I also worry about equity. People with financial resources may be able to privately fund therapies and supports while waiting, but low income families often cannot. Longer delays may therefore disproportionately harm vulnerable families. If the timeframe is extended, there should at minimum be: * clear communication requirements, * regular updates to applicants, * fast-track pathways for
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194 urgent cases, * strong accountability for delays, * and interim supports where people are at significant risk. The system should aim to make accurate decisions, but it should also recognise that delayed access to disability supports can itself cause serious harm.
292 We need to make the natural resources companies pay their fair share rather than leave us 5/18/2026 11:40 PMwaiting. It already takes so long to get the reports we need. BlovVing out the decision times is just another way to hope we vVill be come frustrated and drop out.
293 3 months is a significant amount of time if using a "standardised measured", particular for 5/18/2026 10:15 PMthe person vVith a disability who needs supports (and likely has done for a while before getting to the point of NDIS access)
294 NDIS is totally understaffed. Will more time help? Probably not. I have to wait about 1 hour 5/18/2026 10:06 PMon to phone to speak to someone and often my problem is not resolved. The NDIS needs more fixing not breaking apart.
295 Early intervention is vital and the earlier it occurs the higher chances of positive 5/18/2026 9:16 PMimprovements
296 Stop playing around vVith peoples lives and create better systems to support participants. 5/18/2026 9:10 PM
297 The NDIS already takes up to 18 months to make decisions about URGENT needs and 5/18/2026 8:57 PMrequests when they are supposed to decide vVithin 21 days. They consider this to be acceptable. It isn’t. We can’t even submit things one DAY late or they won’t be accepted
298 They have already shown that they cant be trusted to do it on time .. its not fair of them to 5/18/2026 8:48 PMbe able to keep pushing it out.
299 Definitely not especially if they're supposedly not filing in for delayed compo claimed or 5/18/2026 8:48 PMmvit.
300 PWDs for which the NDIS was established need immediate support not in three months 5/18/2026 8:43 PMtime.
301 Will extra time ensure more consideration? 5/18/2026 8:42 PM
302 I think 30 days 5/18/2026 8:07 PM
303 I never wanted to be on the NDIS. I was married and my partner was my carer. I only 5/18/2026 8:05 PMapplied for NDIS when he died suddenly, and having to wait so long before getting actual support is something I still haven’t recovered from, if I ever do (I applied 3 or 4 years ago, they were taking about 3 months at that point).
304 A person may need urgent support 3 months is too long 5/18/2026 7:50 PM
305 My original decision took 6 months and l'Ve never known anyone to actually have an answer 5/18/2026 7:33 PMvVithin 21 days.
306 As someone who was accepted immediately, but administrative delays and errors led to my 5/18/2026 7:20 PMfirst plan being approved 9 months later, it would only create further delays.
307 Cleary defined legislation on what level of functionality. 5/18/2026 6:32 PM
308 I don't agree vVith that when they make the disability person to do things vVith not enough 5/18/2026 6:27 PMtime and 3 months could mean life or death in situations if there going to take that long they should pay for respite until they make a decision so the disability person is safe
309 That is way to long in my opinion! _________ 5/18/2026 6:18 PM
310 Only if their using this extra time to make an informed decision _________ 5/18/2026 6:07 PM
311 Changing from 21 days to 90 days is to long 5/18/2026 6:06 PM
312 If it means that appropriately qualified people have time to make considered assessments 5/18/2026 5:55 PMthen great. But NDIS doesn’t stick to its own timelines anyway so don’t expect that to change.
313 I call prolonged delays "deterio-waiting". Disability doesn't offer a 90-day grace period from 5/18/2026 5:53 PMsymptoms and limited capacity.
314 Why is more than triple the time to be accepted ok? certainly is NOT ok!! _____ 5/18/2026 5:50 PM
315 They don't stick to their requirements currently anyway! 5/18/2026 5:47 PM
316 Is very long time frame ___ 5/18/2026 5:13 PM
317 90 days is too long. Maybe somewhere in-between would be more acceptable? 5/18/2026 5:12 PMPage 194 117 / 347
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195
318 Disability can kill in 90 days. 5/18/2026 4:51 PM
319 Only if they review the application fully including reading all reports and not a tick and flick 5/18/2026 4:34 PMform to comply.
320 Too long 5/18/2026 4:25 PM
321 If this was to come with changes where people's applications are actually read and the law 5/18/2026 4:19 PMis applied equally then I could be okay with this.
322 It's bad enough we wait for an internal review. This just drahgs out the time 5/18/2026 4:14 PM
323 I think decisions can be made in a timely manner if the agency is running effectively. 5/18/2026 4:12 PM
324 This is ridiculous they aren't even upholding the 21 days. If they change it to 90 it will end 5/18/2026 4:06 PMup being 180 days before they even do anything
325 Only for non urgent matters. 5/18/2026 4:06 PM
326 Do you think it's appropriate for you to live in insecure housing, irregular meals, in agony for 5/18/2026 3:32 PMthree months? If not, then the answer must be no.
327 Provided they use the time to do decent assessment - read reports and take on board 5/18/2026 3:26 PMmedical opinions
328 Depends on urgency of access ie hospital in pt needing discharge 5/18/2026 3:22 PM
329 People with Disabilities have immediate needs and extended waiting times hinders their 5/18/2026 2:53 PMability to have a normal life
330 The NDIS has a pattern of delayed decision making rather than addressing immediate 5/18/2026 2:46 PMneeds to keep people safe. 21 days is reasonable and has been adequate to date.
331 Does the NDIA know it's own rules now? You would think for genetic conditions it was clear 5/18/2026 2:44 PMcut, no need for 21 or even 90 days - but for us it took them over 6mths to make a decision. So, what’s a few more days going to do to a group that can’t or won’t make a decision now it’s just ball passing and fingers crossed that they get exhausted and feed up and move on.
332 That's too long. Especially when a computer is deciding eligibility. 5/18/2026 2:37 PM
333 21 days is already too long. A person with a disability often is unable to follow up leaving 5/18/2026 2:32 PMthem in a forgotten cue that is already taking forever if they are in a 90day cue this will simply turn the NDIS cue into the same shitshoe and the MyAgecare. A elderly person with a stroke paralysis and no home support having to wait 12/18minths for support is ridiculous
334 I'd prefer that they consider our evidence more carefully and had appropriately senior people 5/18/2026 2:31 PMavailable to do so than this decision be rushed.
335 It's cruel to leave people hanging. Many people could die in that 90 day time frame. 5/18/2026 2:00 PM
336 Get your act together 5/18/2026 1:44 PM
337 Increasing delay will exacerbate the impact of disability and potentially result in hardship 5/18/2026 1:32 PM
338 They need to take longer sometimes if they do an accurate job but it takes 90 then 90 it is 5/18/2026 1:26 PMbut if they can do it quicker they should
339 Some people have urgent needs. 5/18/2026 1:08 PM
340 If it means they are going to put the time in to make a thorough decision it could be worth it 5/18/2026 1:05 PMto take 90 days, but if it is just fed through Al and will need to be appealed because the complexity of the case, and a human being who understands/has training in disabilities has not been involved, then 21 days is betters also who is meant to look after the disabled person for the 90 days while waiting for a decision?
341 There should be a tier about how urgent the application is and those need to be processed 5/18/2026 12:41 PMfaster!
342 Way too long 5/18/2026 12:23 PM
343 NDIA structures and personell give me no confidence in their ability to assess disability at 5/18/2026 12:21 PMthe best of times. They don’t need extra time to pretend to read reports they should just listen to the medical professionals in the first place.
344 All decisions should be timely and be able to be appealed 5/18/2026 12:20 PM
345 This is far too long to assess families needing support and will send more people into 5/18/2026 11:56 AMcrises, sadly this has already meant horrific outcomes for people and their children Page 195 118 / 347
Submission 318 - Attachment 1
NDIS Changes: Have Your Say
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346 May need time to gather data and consider available options 5/18/2026 11:29 AMPage 196 119 / 347