National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 3559

Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill

Name:

• I am a: Disabled person

1. My connection to this issue I am an NDIS participant who relies on disability supports to live independently and participate in my community. I have experienced significant difficulties communicating with the NDIA and obtaining access to information about my own plan. I have required support from a disability advocate to help manage communication and resolve issues with the Agency.

2. My overall view of this Bill I have serious concerns.

I am concerned that this Bill increases administrative requirements and places greater responsibility on participants to respond to NDIA requests, without adequately accounting for the realities of disability.

Many disabled people experience periods where communication is difficult or impossible due to disability, illness, crisis, burnout, hospitalisation, cognitive impairment, executive functioning difficulties, or lack of support. Legislation should recognise these realities rather than creating additional risks for participants.

3. My key concerns

Communication access I am concerned that the Bill does not provide sufficient protection for participants who cannot reliably communicate with the NDIA.

Participants should not be disadvantaged because disability affects their ability to engage with administrative processes.

Crisis and “not contactable” provisions I am particularly concerned about provisions relating to participants being considered “not contactable.” Disabled people may be unable to respond because they are in hospital, experiencing burnout or mental distress, unable to access communication supports, experiencing housing or personal crises, or dealing with barriers created by their disability.

A participant’s supports should not be placed at risk simply because they cannot meet communication requirements during a difficult period.

Administrative burden The NDIS already places substantial administrative demands on participants. Many participants must coordinate providers, attend reviews, collect evidence, respond to correspondence, manage budgets and advocate for themselves. Additional compliance requirements risk diverting time and energy away from actually living our lives and managing our disabilities.

Automated and system-driven decision making I am concerned about increased reliance on standardised processes and automated decision making. The NDIS was intended to provide individualised support. Decisions that affect a person’s life should be based on their actual circumstances rather than administrative assumptions or gystem-generated processes.

4. What this looks like in real life I currently have ongoing issues relating to access to my plan and communication with the NDIA.

In my own circumstances, concerns have been raised by my disability advocate regarding

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 3559

communication requirements and accessibility when engaging with the NDIA.

My experience demonstrates how difficult it can be for participants to navigate existing processes. These challenges have significant implications for people with communication barriers, cognitive disabilities, executive functioning difficulties, periods of crisis, or limited support networks.

Many participants do not have access to a disability advocate or other support person to assist them. Legislative changes that increase communication requirements or create consequences for participants who are unable to respond risk disproportionately affecting some of the most vulnerable people in the NDIS.

What I believe this Bill gets wrong

The Bill appears to focus heavily on administration, compliance and system management without adequately considering the practical realities faced by disabled people. The legislation should recognise that communication difficulties and periods of disengagement are often a direct consequence of disability rather than a lack of willingness to participate.

What needs to change or be protected

• Protect participants from adverse outcomes when communication barriers are disability-related.
• Ensure participants cannot lose supports simply because they are temporarily unable to respond.
• Strengthen communication accessibility requirements for the NDIA.
• Require meaningful human review before significant decisions are made.
• Preserve flexibility for participants experiencing crisis or changing circumstances.
• Ensure participants have appropriate advocacy and communication supports available.

Final statement

The NDIS exists to support disabled people, not to create additional barriers for them.

I ask the committee to carefully consider how these changes may affect participants who experience communication barriers, require advocacy support, are socially isolated, or do not have anyone available to help them navigate complex administrative processes.

Disability should never become the reason a person loses access to the supports they need.

I ask the committee to consider my lived experience when reviewing this Bill.