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

Submission 3655

I am the grandfather of a young adult who has an intellectual disability. My grandson requires someone to be available to him 24 hours a day. I have watched him grow up, and I have watched my daughter carry the weight of caring for him every single day.

I am writing because the cuts to social and community access funding will take away the little independence he has.

Community access funding is the only thing that allows redacted to leave the house safely. Without it, his is at home or dependent on his mum. Completely. No physical activity, no outings, no social activities, no connection to the world.

At 22, he should have a life. Instead, these cuts will create isolation.

When my grandson’s funding hours were reduced in his last plan, my daughter’s availability for work was greatly reduced. He must always have an adult present. She is exhausted, stretched thin, and doing the work of multiple people every day.

Carer burnout is not a theory. I see it happening in real time.

This doesn’t just affect redacted. It affects all of us. We worry about how long my daughter can keep going without proper support. We worry about redacted losing the progress he has made. We worry about the future.

Please do not cut social and community access funding. It is not a luxury. It is essential for redacteds safety, wellbeing, and dignity — and for the wellbeing of the family who supports him.

My grandson deserves a life, not confinement. My daughter deserves her life, support not exhaustion. These cuts will harm both.

I urge you to reconsider.