National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3187
Jenna
Love Dharug & Gundungurra land, NSW, Australia
jennalove.netJLA D V O C A T E . S P E A K E R . P O D C A S T E R . W H O R E .
TO: The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Re: National Disability
Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
I write to express my deep concern regarding the proposed amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill 2026. My perspective is grounded not only in principle, but in lived experience: my sister is an NDIS participant, and the supports she receives - particularly those enabling social and community participation - are not simply beneficial; they are lifesaving.
I believe the Bill should be withdrawn or, at the very least, the Inquiry should be extended.
The NDIS has allowed my sister to maintain connection, routine, and dignity. A reduction in her supports would put her safety at serious risk, and would inevitably shift greater financial and caregiving responsibilities onto me and my elderly parents, requiring us to step in more intensively to ensure she remains safe, connected, and supported. Of course we will do so, as will thousands of loved ones across the country, but with all the talk of costs… there must be a consideration of where it is being shifted, and what the true cost is. Any reforms that inadvertently reduce accessibility, flexibility, or responsiveness must be carefully reconsidered in light of the human consequences. My biggest concerns are as follows:
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Increased administrative and compliance requirements While accountability is important, the proposed increase in administrative burden risks disadvantaging participants who already face barriers to communication, organisation, and self-advocacy. Expecting participants to meet tighter timeframes and navigate more formal processes assumes a level of capacity and stability that many simply do not have. For individuals like my sister, whose disability impacts communication and executive functioning, compliance demands can become an additional barrier rather than a safeguard.
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“Not contactable” and participant engagement rules The introduction of provisions affecting participants deemed “not contactable” is particularly concerning. These rules do not adequately recognise the realities many participants face, such as hospitalisation, mental health crises, communication impairments, or unstable housing. In such circumstances, a person’s inability to respond is itself a reflection of their vulnerability. Pausing or reducing supports at precisely these times risks compounding harm and may lead to serious deterioration in wellbeing. Safeguards must ensure that participants are never penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3187
Jenna
Love Dharug & Gundungurra land, NSW, Australia
jennalove.netJLA D V O C A T E . S P E A K E R . P O D C A S T E R . W H O R E .
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System-level adjustments to funding for supports Allowing broader, system-level adjustments to categories of supports raises concerns about the erosion of individualised decision-making. Supports that are deemed non essential at a system level may be critical for particular participants. For my sister, social and community participation supports are not optional extras - they are central not only to her quality of life, but also to her survival.
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Increased reliance on administrative or automated systems The proposed shift towards more standardised or automated decision-making processes risks is, frankly, alarming. Participants are not data points; their circumstances require nuanced understanding.
Conclusion
I urge the Government to withdraw this Bill with careful consideration of the cumulative impact of these changes on the most vulnerable participants. The NDIS has been transformative for many Australians, including my sister. Reforms must strengthen, not weaken, the Scheme’s capacity to support those whose lives depend on it.
Thank you for considering this submission.
Yours sincerely,