National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3251
Dear Senators,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
My son is 22 years old and has Down syndrome. His disability is lifelong and permanent. He cannot read or write independently, cannot manage money, and cannot safely be out in the community on his own. He requires support with many aspects of daily living and will continue to need that support for the rest of his life.
Like any parent, I want my son to have the best life possible. I want him to be safe, included in the community, have friendships, participate in activities he enjoys, and have opportunities to be as independent as possible. The NDIS has played a vital role in helping him achieve these goals.
Caring for a person with a lifelong disability is a 24-hour-a-day responsibility. While I willingly do everything I can for my son, the reality is that the support provided through the NDIS gives our family the ability to continue caring for him. Without these supports, the pressure on families like ours becomes overwhelming.
As my son gets older, one of my greatest concerns is what will happen when I am no longer able to care for him. Like many parents of adults with disabilities, I worry constantly about his future. The current NDIS supports help him build skills, participate in the community, and work towards greater independence. Reducing these supports will only increase his dependence on family members and place greater pressure on future carers.
My concerns about the proposed changes are:
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Ministerial powers to reduce plans I am concerned that the Minister may have the power to reduce participant plans despite those plans having been assessed and approved by the NDIA. Families need certainty and confidence that supports will be based on genuine needs rather than budget targets.
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Cuts to social and community supports Social and community participation supports are not luxuries. They are essential to my son’s wellbeing, inclusion, confidence, and mental health. These supports allow him to spend time with friends, participate in activities, learn skills, and be part of the community. Without them, his world will become smaller, more isolated, and less fulfilling.
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Impact on independence
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3251
My son wants to be as independent as possible. Like many young adults, he wants opportunities to develop skills and have some independence from his parents. If community participation and support services are reduced, these opportunities will disappear, making independence less achievable rather than more achievable.
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Increased burden on families Any reduction in supports will inevitably shift responsibility back onto families. Many carers are already exhausted and juggling work, family responsibilities, and caring duties. The NDIS allows families to continue providing care by giving them essential support and respite. Reducing these supports risks pushing families beyond their limits.
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Lack of consultation I do not believe there has been sufficient consultation with the people who will be most affected by these changes—participants, families, carers, and service providers. Decisions about disability supports should be informed by the lived experiences of those who rely on them every day.
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The importance of ongoing support and early intervention Supports for people with disabilities are not expenses that can simply be removed without consequence. If needs are not met through the NDIS, they do not disappear. Instead, they often become larger and more costly problems that require intervention through hospitals, mental health services, crisis services, and other government systems. Investment in disability support is an investment in long-term wellbeing and community participation.
My son did not choose to have a disability, and families like ours did not choose this path. We simply want our children to have the same dignity, opportunities, and quality of life that other Australians take for granted.
I urge the Senate to carefully consider the real-life impact these changes will have on people with disabilities and their families. For people like my son, the NDIS is not a welfare payment. It is a support system that allows him to participate in society, develop skills, maintain relationships, and live a meaningful life.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my submission.