National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3466
Personal Submission - National Disability Insurance
Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future
Generations) Bill 2026
Sarah Williams 06/07/2026
Gold Coast, QLD
To the Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience.
My name is Sarah, and I am a woman living on the Gold Coast with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Before my injury, I worked in disability support. I loved my job because I was able to help people live more independently and improve their quality of life. I never imagined that one day I would be the person needing those same supports.
I am currently receiving the Disability Support Pension and am waiting for access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). My goal is not to remain on government support. My goal is to recover as much function as possible, regain my independence and return to work when my health allows. I want the opportunity to rebuild my life.
Living with a traumatic brain injury affects almost every part of my daily life. It impacts my memory, concentration, planning, fatigue, emotional regulation and ability to manage everyday responsibilities. These challenges are largely invisible, which means people often assume I am coping when, in reality, I am using enormous amounts of mental energy simply to get through each day.
Tasks that many people complete without thinking can become overwhelming for me. Managing paperwork for Centrelink, housing, medical appointments and my NDIS application requires a level of organisation and cognitive effort that I now struggle with. Shopping for groceries, budgeting my limited income and making important decisions can become mentally exhausting. I often need to break simple tasks into much smaller steps because my brain reaches its limit much sooner than it used to.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3466
Emotionally, my brain injury has also changed the way I experience stress. When several difficult things happen at once, my ability to regulate my emotions and think clearly can become significantly impaired. Over the past few months, I have experienced a miscarriage, the breakdown of my relationship, financial hardship and the possibility oflosing my home. At the same time, I have been applying for emergency assistance, searching for a housemate to help cover my rent, attending medical appointments and trying to navigate complex support systems. I continue to push forward because I want to remain independent, but it takes an enormous amount of effort.
One of the hardest parts of this journey has been moving from being the person who provided disability support to becoming the person who needs it. I understand how valuable the right supports can be because I have seen firsthand how they help people build independence and participate in their communities. Now I find myself hoping for that same opportunity.
My concern is that changes to the NDIS could make it more difficult for people living with traumatic brain injuries and other invisible disabilities to access the supports they genuinely need. Brain injuries are complex. A person may appear physically well while struggling every day with symptoms that significantly affect their ability to function. These disabilities deserve to be understood and assessed fairly.
I understand the importance of ensuring the NDIS remains financially sustainable. However, I ask that any reforms continue to recognise the realities of living with neurological disabilities and maintain fair access for people whose disabilities are not always immediately visible.
The NDIS is far more than funding. It is an investment in people’s futures. The right supports allow people to remain independent, participate in their communities, improve their health and, where possible, return to employment. Without those supports, many people become more isolated and require greater assistance in the long term.
I am not asking for someone else to live my life for me. Throughout everything I have faced, I have continued looking for solutions. I have applied for every support I could find, searched for ways to keep my housing, carefully managed my finances and kept working towards rebuilding my life. I am asking for the opportunity to continue doing that with the right support behind me.
I hope my experience helps the Committee understand that behind every NDIS application is a real person who simply wants the chance to live with dignity, independence and hope for the future. I hope that any changes to the Scheme continue to protect people like me and recognise that investing in disability support is ultimately an investment in people, families and communities.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my submission.
Yours sincerely,