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

Submission 3826

My name is , I am a 28 year old student living in the greater Brisbane area. I live with level 2 autism and ADHD. I am currently in the initial stages of my NDIS plan, and have many friends also living with disabilities on the scheme.

I do not support this Bill and have serious concerns about its potential impact if passed.

Firstly, the proposal to pause, review, or affect a participant’s supports if they do not respond to the NDIA within a specified timeframe is deeply concerning. Many people on the NDIS may be unable to respond due to hospitalisation, their disability, reliance on support networks, or personal crises. Expecting all participants to meet strict administrative deadlines fails to recognise the realities of living with disability and creates a risk that vulnerable people could lose essential supports through circumstances beyond their control.

Secondly, the proposal to remove 160,000 people from the NDIS over the next four years raises significant ethical concerns. The NDIS provides essential supports that many people rely on for their daily lives, independence, and wellbeing. There remains considerable uncertainty about who will be affected and what alternative supports will be available. Without adequate replacement services, these changes risk increasing pressure on hospitals, mental health services, and other government systems, potentially creating greater costs and poorer outcomes in the long term.

I am also concerned by the proposed reduction in funding for social and community participation. People with disabilities already experience higher rates of social isolation than the general population. Community access supports are not simply recreational; they enable people to attend medical appointments, access education and employment opportunities, shop for necessities, and participate in society. Reducing these supports risks increasing isolation and reducing quality of life for many participants.

The proposed changes to NDIS access are also concerning. Moving away from diagnosis-based evidence towards functional capacity assessments may create additional barriers for people seeking support. These changes risk making it harder for people with genuine and significant disabilities to access the support they need.

Ultimately, disability support should be centred on the needs, rights, and wellbeing of participants. I urge the Committee to carefully reconsider the impact these changes may have on people with disabilities and the broader community when reviewing this bill.

This is not just about balancing accounts, you are balancing the lives of Australian citizens who are already at risk.