National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3279
Dear Committee,
I am an Occupational Therapist and director of a paediatric occupational therapy service. I work closely with children, young adults and families across a range of developmental and disability presentations and see firsthand the impact NDIS processes and decisions have on everyday lives.
I support the need for a sustainable and effective NDIS. However, I have significant concerns regarding aspects of the proposed NDIS Future Generations Bill and its potential unintended impacts for participants, families and clinicians.
One of my key concerns relates to the role of functional assessments and the importance of professional clinical judgement. Functional capacity cannot always be accurately captured through standardised tools, frameworks or automated systems. As Occupational Therapists, we assess how disability impacts real-world functioning across home, school and community environments. We rely not only on assessment tools, but also on observation, collaboration with families and educators, and clinical reasoning developed over time.
Many children and young people I support do not fit neatly into categories. Their needs may vary across settings, developmental stages and life circumstances. Often, the full impact of disability only becomes apparent through ongoing observation and collaboration. I am concerned that greater reliance on standardised or “tick-box” approaches risks overlooking important functional needs, particularly for children and individuals with complex, fluctuating or less visible presentations.
I also have concerns regarding the potential narrowing of access pathways for children, particularly before alternative systems such as Thriving Kids or Foundational Supports are fully implemented and established. Early intervention and timely support matter. Access to support during key developmental periods can significantly improve participation, outcomes and family wellbeing. Delays or barriers at critical times can have long-term consequences.
In addition, children’s needs change. Development is not linear and family circumstances, educational demands and functional challenges can shift quickly. Flexibility within reassessment processes is essential to ensure supports remain responsive to real-life needs.
I am also concerned regarding proposed reductions to capacity building and social, civic and community participation supports. In practice, I often see these supports provide opportunities for children and young adults to develop communication, emotional regulation, social participation, daily living skills and confidence within real world environments.
For many participants, these supports are the pathway toward greater independence, employment opportunities, community inclusion and reduced reliance on others over time. Reducing these supports risks creating barriers to meaningful participation in
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3279
society and may have significant impacts on quality of life, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.
I also have concerns regarding the expansion of ministerial powers and the ability for support categories to be reduced or restricted at a broader system level. Supports should be determined based on individual need and evidence rather than broad mechanisms that may reduce access across participant groups. I am concerned about the potential lack of transparency and accountability if decisions regarding categories of support can be made without sufficient independent oversight.
I am particularly concerned that broader mechanisms introduced through this Bill could create pathways for future reductions to essential supports, including therapy services. Changes of this nature could significantly affect participants’ access to appropriate interventions and the ability of providers to deliver sustainable, high-quality services.
Finally, I have concerns regarding pricing and funding decisions that may affect access to appropriately qualified allied health professionals. Quality occupational therapy services involve considerably more than direct face-to-face therapy and include assessment, collaboration, report writing, planning and clinical reasoning. Sustainable funding structures are necessary to maintain access to high-quality services and support workforce sustainability.
I support reform that strengthens and improves the NDIS. However, I encourage decision-makers to ensure that reforms preserve individualised assessment, professional judgement, flexibility, timely access to supports and meaningful opportunities for participation and inclusion.