NDIA Accountability Project

Impact of proposed changes on son Simon's support and family care responsibilities

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

Submission 3852

31 May 2026

Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au RE: National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

My name is Fiona Chapman. I would like to share my views regarding the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. I live in Drummoyne, NSW, in the electorate of Reid.

I write as an advocate for my adult son, Simon, who is an NDIS Participant. I am deeply concerned about the future of the NDIS, a programme which was launched to ensure lifelong care and individual “choice of control” for Australians with permanent and significant disabilities, a scheme which was much lauded around the world for its vision and inclusivity.

How the NDIS has benefitted our family Simon has not only a cognitive impairment, resulting from post-operative complications of life-saving heart surgery which caused an acquired brain injury, but also significant mental health impairment. Since Simon has been a participant in the NDIS, we have been able to find specific supports to reduce his social isolation which has allowed him to better participate in community, this has improved his mental health, which, in turn, has allowed him to become more independent. Ongoing support allows him to live a more fulfilling life than he would be able to without such support. Simon’s support has been life-changing for him and for our family. The NDIS is allowing Simon to be the person he was meant to be and to have hopes and dreams for his future. I am grateful that Simon’s support allows me to have time for my daughters as well as for Simon. Cuts to support would mean the burden of care falls back on me and once I am no longer able to provide care and support for Simon that would fall to his sisters. Any changes that restrict how we can spend funding will make it hard to tailor supports to Simon’s unique needs.

My Concerns About the Proposed Changes to the NDIS I do not support the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 as it stands. While I understand the need to secure the scheme for future generations there are specific aspects of the Bill in its current form that concern me most - The automatic 50% cuts to Social and Community Participation would particularly effect Simon. Currently this support allows him to participate in community in a way in which he cannot without support - The broad Ministerial powers to make further cuts, without any Parliamentary oversight, is especially concerning, as it seems the Minister will be able to make cuts to particular groups of participants at their discretion, as in Part 4 – Support Determination. I am concerned as to how the Minister will define which groups of participants will be targeted as an easing of the financial burden. - The future lack of choice by participants about which support workers they are able to choose. This choice is vital to Simon’s well-being as he needs to be able to establish a

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

Submission 3852

    rapport with his support workers in order for them to work meaningfully with him to
    support him to meet his goals.

My recommendations to the Committee

I urge the Committee to

  • Ensure that any changes do not reduce the core funding that participants rely on for basic quality of life.
  • Maintain genuine choice and control for participants and their families who know their needs best.
  • Consult directly and meaningfully with people with a disability and their families before implementing any final rule changes.
  • Ensure that the new proposals work together with the Australian Government’s 2030 Vision for Mental Health to ensure that NDIS participants, such as my son, Simon, do not fall through the cracks in the system and are able to live as full a life as possible with dignity and respect, which was the aim of the NDIS when it was launched.

On a separate note, I should like to understand how the NDIS sets its recommended rates for carers, as currently it is recommending a maximum of $70.23/hour for providers to provide support workers during the day. It is inevitable that providers will charge the maximum rate. Given that nurses and teachers earn around $35-$45/hour this seems unreasonably high to me, a massive saving could be made by recommending a lower rate/hour to providers.

Thank you for considering my submission and the profound impact these changes, as they stand, will have on our family.

Please note that I consent to my submission being published publicly on the Parliament website with my name attached.

Sincerely,

Fiona Mitchell Chapman

Dr Fiona Mitchell Chapman