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

Submission 3754

To whom it may concern,

Regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 - hhttps://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r7487 first- reps/toc_pdf/26064b01.PDF;fileType=application%2Fpdf

I am concerned about the impact of Part 8 of the bill (“Tightening meaning of permanence to reduce access where an impairment can be treated”) on the fair consideration of people who are genuinely permanently impaired, and deserving of support under the NDIS.

Specifically, items (89) and (91) insert wording that declares an impairment non- permanent if “…any other treatment is unlikely to materially improve, reverse, or alleviate the impact of, the impairment or impairments;”. I take issue with the weakness of the test this establishes for the permanence of an impairment. To “alleviate” a condition is to make it easier to bear, not to make it in any way less permanent.

A wheelchair might make the inability to walk easier to bear, but the person is still permanently immobile. Therapeutic techniques or medication might make autism easier to bear, but it remains a lifelong condition.

I believe the use of the word “alleviate” in this proposed text risks disqualifying people who should be eligible for support under the NDIS. I expressly request that the use of the words “, or alleviate” be removed from the proposed changes in items (89) and (91).

I call upon the government to strengthen this test to avoid worsening outcomes for genuinely permanently impaired individuals, which would undermine the core mission of the NDIS.

Regards,

Ryan Hodgman