National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3318
To Whom it May Concern,
I live in , South Australia, with my husband and our three neurodivergent children and I am writing to you about the NDIS Future Generations Bill 2026. Two of my children are currently accessing the NDIS and I strongly oppose the NDIS Future Generations Bill 2026. All of the changes proposed are very concerning to my family, but of the greatest concern to us is the 50% cut to social and community participation and the compulsory NDIS registration of workers.
Our youngest child, , is eight years old and has a diagnosis of level 3 autism spectrum disorder. ’s psychologist has identified that he has a particular profile of autism known as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Basically, ’s nervous system is extremely sensitive and he is in a constant state of fight or flight. relies on co-regulation with a ‘safe’ nervous system to be able to function. In order for to sense that someone is safe, he needs to build a relationship with them and build trust. We are lucky enough that his learning support officer (LSO) from school was open to registering with a support agency and providing with support in the home and in the community.
We do not have family of friends to support us, as nobody understands how to keep regulated apart from his father, siblings and myself and his support worker, , and his psychologist. One support that has improved ’s life and the life of our family the most has been access to support workers, particularly the ones who have served us for long periods, like .
is not comfortable in most environments and likes to be at home in his safe place for most of the time. Taking out to events like our daughter’s performances or our other son’s sports matches is not possible, as he absconds or has meltdowns where he can harm himself and others. One parent usually attends one child’s activity and the other stays with , but when that’s not possible, or it’s a special event (e.g. a graduation where our other children really want us both to attend, we have our support worker who can be with at home and take care of him. Now, because of
the relationship that has built with , she is able to eventake him to the local playground.
is not a registered NDIS worker. She is a beautiful LSO who has an amazing relationship with our son and who our whole family love and trust fully. Relationship and trust is everything to neurodivergent people. Restricting access to the right supports for families and dictating what supports are best without knowing the individual or family is ludicrous. Where is the ‘choice and control’ in that?
We know our children better than anyone and we know which people get the best out of our children. We also can tell when therapies aren’t
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3318
beneficial for our children or when they are truly helping our children. How can an agency who does not know participants possible decide what is best for individuals?
Restricting access to support workers (of our choosing) will be devastating for our family, as it will mean we can’t support our other children to participate in the activities that help them regulate themselves. Also, then misses out on a valuable relationship where he is learning social skills and building his capacity to participate in society.
All of our children require additional support and we are barely able to cope as it stands. Without support workers, we will be forced to choose which children we will support and who will miss out. If more support is withdrawn from us, I hate to think of the mental health consequences this will have on our family and the impacts it will have on our relationships with each other.
I urge you on behalf of families like mine, please vote against this Bill and insist on the disability community and their carers having a voice in any future reform to the NDIS, as it directly affects them.