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

Submission 3875

Submission Regarding the NDIS Future Generations Bill 2026

to Whom It May Concern,

My name is , and I am an independent support worker based in Melbourne, Victoria.

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 and to respectfully ask that Parliament reconsider and revoke the proposed changes, such as the planned reduction of up to 50% in social and community participation funding from October 2026.

As someone who works with NDIS participants every day, I have directly observed the positive impact that disability supports have on the clients and on their broader support networks, including their families. My role involves supporting people to engage with their communities, develop independence, build social connections, and participate in meaningful activities that contribute to their overall wellbeing and quality of life.

The proposed reduction in social and community participation funding raises significant concerns. These supports are not optional extras; they are essential services that enable many participants to live fulfilling lives, maintain social connections, and avoid isolation. Community access and involvement for clients of the NDIS is often their only pathway from isolation to inclusion. For many individuals, community participation funding provides access to activities that improve confidence, mental health, communication skills, and independence. Reducing this funding by up to 50% will have negative consequences. Participants may be forced to greatly reduce their involvement in community activities, education, recreational/social events. As a result, this risks increasing social isolation, declining mental health, and reduced opportunities for skill development.

The impact of these changes will also extend beyond the clients themselves. Families also rely on these supports to maintain employment, manage their own wellbeing, and sustain their caring responsibilities. As such, if participants lose access to the current support, the burden placed on families increases substantially, which could in turn lead to stress, burnout, and reduced capacity to provide ongoing support.

From my experience in the field, investment in social and community participation is preventative in nature. These supports help participants build resilience, maintain relationships, and remain active members of society. Reducing access to these supports may ultimately create greater demand for more intensive and costly services in the future.

The NDIS was established to support people with disabilities to participate fully in Australian society. So, measures that significantly reduce access to community participation risk undermining the core principles and objectives of the scheme. Likewise, while I acknowledge the Government’s responsibility to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and while I support measures that address fraud, broad reductions to support will penalize those who

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

Submission 3875

genuinely rely on these services for their wellbeing. Sustainable reform, in my view, should focus on improving accountability and service quality rather than reducing access to essential support.

I respectfully urge Parliament to reconsider the proposed reduction in social and community participation funding and to consult closely with participants, families, support workers, and disability advocates before implementing changes that may have serious and lasting impacts on the disability community.

Thank you for considering my submission and the concerns raised by those of us working directly with NDIS participants every day.

Yours sincerely,

Independent Support Worker