Submission Regarding Proposed Changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Dear [Committee/Inquiry Name or Chair],

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission regarding the proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

My name is , and I am the mother of two NDIS participants. I am writing to express my deep concern about the impact these reforms will have on people with disability, their families, and the broader community.

The NDIS provides essential supports that are not optional or discretionary. These supports are fundamental to safety, health, independence, education, employment, community participation, and dignity. Without them, many people with disability and their families are unable to sustain daily care and stability.

I am particularly concerned about the proposed tightening of eligibility and the removal of participants from the scheme under the expectation that “foundational supports” will meet their needs. At present, it is unclear where these supports are located, how they will be delivered, or whether they are sufficiently resourced and accessible. It is essential that no participants are transitioned out of the NDIS until these supports are fully established and proven to meet need, as removing people prematurely places vulnerable Australians at serious risk.

There is also concern that reductions in NDIS supports will not reduce overall government expenditure, but instead shift demand onto already stretched systems, including hospitals, mental health services, housing services, emergency services, and the criminal justice system. If families are no longer able to sustain care at home due to reduced supports, many individuals may end up in crisis situations requiring more intensive and costly intervention.

If hospital waiting lists are already under pressure, it is reasonable to expect that demand will increase further if appropriate disability supports are reduced or withdrawn. This will have flow-on effects across the entire health and social support system.

The NDIS has also made a significant positive economic contribution to Australia. It is widely recognised that investment in disability supports returns value to the economy through increased workforce participation, particularly among people with disability and their carers, many of whom are women who are able to remain in or return to employment due to the supports provided. Reducing access to supports risks reversing these gains in participation and productivity.

I am also concerned about the potential impact on smaller independent providers. These providers often deliver highly personalised, flexible, and community-based supports that participants and families trust. There is growing concern that system changes may unintentionally disadvantage smaller providers and favour larger organisations, reducing choice and control for participants.

Many families also feel that increasing administrative burden, funding restrictions, and system changes may contribute to a more centralised model of service delivery. This raises concerns about reduced participant autonomy and a shift away from the original intent of the NDIS, which was built on the principles of choice, control, and individualised support.

There is also significant frustration within the community regarding system inefficiencies, including lengthy and costly disputes over supports. In some cases, participants are required to go through extensive review processes to access reasonable and necessary supports, which can create stress, delay essential care, and increase administrative costs without improving outcomes.

Importantly, I would also like to highlight the very real impact these changes would have on my family.

My daughter has experienced independent support workers and has complex behavioural needs, including episodes of violent outbursts toward support workers. Without appropriate, trained, and consistent supports, she would likely be isolated and unable to safely access the community. Group programs are not suitable for her needs, as is the case for many participants, and removing tailored supports would significantly reduce her safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.

My son currently runs a gardening business, and with the support of dedicated independent support workers he has built a client base of approximately 40 clients. This work provides him with purpose, independence, and meaningful participation in the community. Without these supports, he would be unable to continue working and would be solely reliant on the Disability Support Pension, losing both independence and the opportunity to contribute economically and socially.

If these supports were removed for both of my children, I would be required to give up my full-time employment to provide their care. My employment currently provides the income that keeps a roof over our heads. Without it, our family would be at serious risk of homelessness and would likely need to rely on public housing and financial support systems.

I also urge the Committee to extend the inquiry period to ensure that all people with disability, their families, and carers have a genuine opportunity to be heard. People with disability are already on the brink, and if reforms of this magnitude are not handled carefully, with full and meaningful consultation, there is a real risk that vulnerable people will suffer serious harm. There have already been tragic cases in Australia where gaps in support have contributed to devastating outcomes. This must not be allowed to become a reality for more families.

I am also deeply concerned about the way disability and NDIS participants are being discussed in public policy debates. Many people within the disability community feel that the narrative has increasingly focused on misuse and cost, rather than on the real lives, eeds, and contributions of people with disability.

This type of framing can unintentionally reinforce stigma and misunderstanding, and it risks shifting attention away from the core purpose of the NDIS — which is to provide reasonable and necessary supports that enable people with disability to live safely, participate in the community, and contribute to society. People with disability are not a burden to be reduced, but citizens with rights who deserve dignity, respect, and policies that reflect their lived experience.

I am also concerned about the potential impact on smaller independent providers. These providers often deliver highly personalised, flexible, and community-based supports that participants and families trust. There is growing concern that system changes may unintentionally disadvantage smaller providers and favour larger organisations, reducing choice and control for participants.

Many families fear that these changes are contributing to a more centralised model of service delivery, reducing participant autonomy and moving away from the original intent of the NDIS built on choice, control, and individualised support.

There is also frustration within the community regarding system inefficiencies, including lengthy and costly disputes over supports, where significant resources are spent on legal processes rather than delivering timely supports to participants.

Finally, I am concerned that the consultation timeframe for these reforms is not sufficient. People with disability, families, carers, and service providers are being asked to respond to complex and far-reaching changes within limited timeframes. Meaningful consultation requires adequate time, access to information, and genuine engagement with those directly impacted.

Yours sincerely,