National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3282
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to you about the NDIS Future Generations Bill 2026. I am writing to ask that changes be made to the Bill regarding “Appropriate treatment” related to permanence.
I am a healthcare professional and have formerly worked within the public healthcare sector. Through that work I provided services to many patients while they awaiting approval for NDIS funding. I also have many close friends who rely on the NDIS to provide the required therapy plans for their children. I have a great appreciation for the reality of a limited budget and that cost saving measures are required to ensure the sustainability of health spending. With this is mind, I ask you to consider the cost implications the government will now be forcing on adults and children with disability. Evidence from the Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 Outcomes Framework: 3rd annual report1 identifies that people with disability (PWD) have twice the rate of unemployment compared to those without disability, and the median gross personal income for PWD is almost halve that of those without disability. In addition, the Australian Government People with disability in Australia 20242 highlights that in 2021, 25% of PWD aged 15-64 were unable to raise $3,000 in the case of an emergency and almost 9% went without a meal due to financial difficulties.
PWD rely on the NDIS to support their therapy needs. They are a vulnerable population cohort and this Bill will add significant burden to individuals and families/carers of PWD. In particular, the change to permanence testing requiring all appropriate treatments to be undertaken before disability impairments can be considered permanent. This change does not allow for the financial burden such treatments can place on PWD and their families/carers, nor the geographical distance or the availability treatment, both of which will often require additional financial burden to overcome and achieve. There will also be increased pressure placed on the healthcare system as PWD fall back on funded healthcare to meet their needs. Recently a close friend was informed that, despite all the previously acquired tests that had been obtained at a financial cost to the carer, there was still insufficient evidence and another costly test was required. This friend did not have the funds available to pay for this additional test which caused great emotional and mental stress on her and her family that she was unable to provide for her teenage grandson. When faced with this financial pressure the focus had to remain on the provision of food and housing, not additional tests.
These changes are going to negatively impact so many PWD and their families/carers and only those fortunate to have financial security through their situation will be enabled to access the additional funding which NDIS will offer. These funds need to be available to all in a way that is fair and equitable. I ask that the financial burden the Bill will be adding to PWD, a vulnerable patient cohort, be strongly considered and that a review and amendment be made to the Bill.