National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3213 - Supplementary Submission
27 April 2026
Dear Member of Parliament,
I am writing to you regarding the recent announcement outlining changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
I am a resident of the Dickson electorate in Queensland, and I am writing to share my lived experience and concerns as an NDIS participant.
I have lived with Multiple Sclerosis for about 18 years, a neurological condition affecting many areas of health and daily living. It is also a progressive condition.
As a participant of the scheme, I have personally experienced the positive impact it can have. The daily support I receive from my support workers has been life-changing, enabling me to maintain my independence, remain in my own home, and participate more fully in my community.
However, I also have a number of concerns about both the current operation of the scheme and the proposed changes.
The NDIS was created to support individuals like me to live independently. Yet from its early design, loopholes have allowed the scheme to be misused. The NDIA’s own price guide has set rates well above market prices, particularly within capacity building supports such as allied health, as well as adaptive technology. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent comments that these prices are intended as a ceiling, with providers expected to charge in line with market rates. This has come far too late—effectively closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
These services are essential for maintaining my health, accessing equipment, and managing daily living. As a participant, I have little choice but to pay these fees because I rely on these services and the pricing has been permitted by the NDIA. This has created real concerns about affordability and sustainability. Participants should never have been locked into inflated pricing for essential supports. If these prices were better aligned with the market, participants may require less funding to access these supports.
While I understand the need for reform to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS, I am concerned that changes may disproportionately impact participants, rather than addressing the systemic issues that have contributed to rising costs. I am particularly concerned that proposed savings may be achieved by reducing funding for Social and Community Participation supports. This is the wrong area of the scheme to target, as these supports are critical not only for maintaining connection, independence, and overall wellbeing, but also for enabling access to essential activities such as attending medical appointments and other necessary day-to-day tasks.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3213 - Supplementary Submission
I am also concerned by recent negative public discourse about the NDIS, including comments from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, that appeared to rely on one example of a support worker not providing appropriate care. While I acknowledge that there are instances where participants and the system are taken advantage of, this does not reflect the majority of disability support workers. In my experience, most support workers are dedicated, professional, and take their roles very seriously, providing essential care and support. They should not be undervalued, devalued, or demonised.
I firmly believe that there is a great need for increased management around education standards for disability support workers to be met. At present, while there are courses available in disability support, there is no requirement for workers to hold a formal certification. I feel very strongly that the NDIA must implement a mandatory minimum qualification standard for individuals providing direct support. Additionally, there should be greater responsibility placed on service providers to ensure their employees are supported with ongoing education and professional development so they can continue to deliver high-quality care to participants.
I respectfully ask that you advocate for:
1 Stronger regulation and oversight of provider pricing, particularly in allied health and capacity building supports
2 Measures to ensure pricing more accurately reflects true market rates
3 Reforms that address inefficiencies and overcharging without reducing participant access to essential services
4 Protection of Social and Community Participation supports as a vital component of participant wellbeing and independence
5 The introduction of mandatory minimum qualifications for workers providing frontline disability supports
6 Clear communication about how proposed changes will protect participants who rely on these supports to live independently, and clear timelines for the reforms
The NDIS has been transformative in my life, and I am grateful for the care I do receive. The scheme must be fair, sustainable, and centred on the needs of participants. Addressing provider pricing practices is a critical part of that.
Thank you for your time and for representing our community. I would appreciate any clarification you can provide regarding how these issues will be addressed as part of the proposed changes.
Yours sincerely,