National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3220
Submission – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for
Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submitted by:
I am making this submission as a regional Australian, and someone who has worked alongside people with disability, their families, support workers, and service providers.
While I am not an NDIS participant myself, I have had the opportunity to observe the difference the scheme can make when people receive the supports they need to participate fully in their communities.
One of the concerns I have about the proposed reforms is that they appear to focus heavily on reducing costs without adequately considering the long-term social and economic consequences of withdrawing support.
From what I have observed, many supports funded through the NDIS are not simply “services”. They are the mechanisms that allow people to work, volunteer, study, maintain relationships, participate in community life, and avoid social isolation.
When supports are removed or become uncertain, people often withdraw from activities that many Australians take for granted. This can result in increased isolation, poorer mental health outcomes, reduced workforce participation, and greater reliance on crisis services.
As a counsellor, I am particularly concerned about the impact that uncertainty and loss of support can have on psychological wellbeing. Human connection, community participation, purpose, and independence are all recognised protective factors for mental health. Many NDIS supports directly contribute to these outcomes.
I am also concerned about the impact of these reforms on regional communities.
People living in regional and rural Australia already face significant barriers, including limited service availability, workforce shortages, transport challenges, and long travel distances. Any reduction in supports or increased barriers to access are likely to have a disproportionately negative effect on regional participants and their families.
I have also observed that many NDIS participants contribute significantly to their communities when appropriate supports are available. They are employees, volunteers, leaders, parents, advocates, and active community members. These contributions are rarely reflected in discussions about the cost of the scheme, yet they create substantial social and economic value.
I support efforts to ensure the NDIS remains sustainable for future generations. However, sustainability should not be achieved through reforms that risk increasing isolation, reducing independence, or undermining the progress participants have worked hard to achieve.
I encourage the Committee to:
Ensure any reforms are developed through genuine consultation with people with disability. Consider the unique challenges faced by regional Australians.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3220
Protect supports that enable community participation, employment, education, and social connection. Carefully assess the long-term social and economic costs of reducing supports. Allow adequate time for consultation and implementation of any significant changes.
The NDIS has transformed opportunities for many Australians with disability. Any reforms should strengthen those opportunities, not diminish them.
Thank you for considering this submission.