Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submitted by: Occupational Therapist The Whole Child Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland

Introduction:

I am currently employed as an Occupational Therapist in a rural paediatric allied health practice located on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. I work within a small multidisciplinary team comprising Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants, and a Child and Family Wellbeing Practitioner.

My role involves working with children and their families who present with a broad range of developmental, physical, emotional, and functional needs. Key responsibilities include conducting assessments of functional abilities, delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions, developing therapeutic resources, preparing clinical reports, and collaborating with families, schools, support workers, and other professionals to support children’s participation and engagement in everyday activities. The position also requires a high level of clinical reasoning and professional judgement to ensure that interventions are individualised, effective, and aligned with each child’s specific needs, goals, and circumstances.

Working in a regional and rural setting has provided me with valuable insight into the challenges that many families face when accessing health and disability services. Children and families in these communities often experience limited availability of allied health and specialist services, resulting in long waiting periods, extensive travel requirements, and increased coordination demands to access appropriate supports. Through my professional experience, I have observed the significant role that NDIS-funded services play in reducing these barriers and enabling children and families to access timely interventions and ongoing support that positively influence developmental outcomes and participation in daily life.

Having previously lived and worked in Bangladesh, I have gained a unique perspective on the differences in disability support systems between Bangladesh and Australia. In Bangladesh, many families face considerable barriers to accessing therapy and support services due to limited service availability, financial constraints, and the absence of a comprehensive government-funded support scheme comparable to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These challenges can

early intervention and ongoing support. My experiences in both countries have strengthened my appreciation for the opportunities provided through the NDIS and the positive impact it has on improving access to essential services, enhancing participation, and supporting better outcomes for children and their families.

Relevance to the Bill:

While I do not have specialised expertise in policy development or legislation, I understand that the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 is intended to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the NDIS.

As an Occupational Therapist working directly with children and their families, my submission focuses on the practical implications that any changes to NDIS funding and access to supports may have on the individuals and families I support. Through my clinical practice, I have witnessed the significant positive impact that NDIS-funded services can have in supporting children to develop skills, build independence, and participate more fully in everyday activities and community life.

The views presented in this submission are informed by my professional experience and observations of the essential role that therapy services play in helping children and their families achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.

Occupational Therapist Perspective:

As an Occupational Therapist, I see firsthand the significant impact that timely, consistent, and evidence-based therapy can have on a child’s development, independence, participation, and quality of life. Children’s progress is supported not only by therapeutic strategies, but also by the trusting relationships and ongoing collaboration between therapists, children, and their families.

Paediatric occupational therapy requires continuous clinical reasoning and professional judgement. Therapists regularly assess a child’s functional skills, emotional regulation, behaviour, engagement, environmental factors, family circumstances, and response to intervention to determine the most appropriate supports. Children with the same diagnosis can have very different strengths, challenges, and goals, requiring individualised intervention tailored to their specific needs.

While I support efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS, I am concerned that cost-saving measures may unintentionally reduce access to direct occupational therapy services for children who require ongoing support. Therapy assistants, support workers, educators, and families all play important roles in a child’s development; however, these supports are most effective when informed and guided by the assessment, clinical reasoning, and oversight of qualified therapists.

Future NDIS Reforms: Ensuring Access to Occupational Therapy

In my experience, children achieve the best outcomes when funding allows for regular assessment, intervention, review, collaboration with families and schools, and timely adjustment of strategies as needs change. Reduced access to occupational therapy may limit opportunities for skill development, participation, and independence, potentially leading to increased support needs over 时间.

Future NDIS reforms should recognise the specialised nature of paediatric occupational therapy and its essential role in helping children develop functional skills, increase independence, participate in everyday activities, and achieve meaningful long-term outcomes.

Recommendations:

I respectfully recommend that the Bill and related reforms ensure:

That children continue to have timely access to occupational therapy and other allied health services through adequate NDIS funding.
Continue to recognize the unique challenges faced by children and families living in rural and regional communities, including workforce shortages, travel requirements, and limited service availability.
Maintaining the funding models that allow for individualised and flexible supports based on a child’s functional needs rather than relying solely on diagnosis or standardised funding approaches.
Continuously recognizing that effective therapy extends beyond direct face-to-face sessions and includes assessment, report writing, collaboration with families and schools, resource development, and ongoing clinical reasoning.
The continuous support to early intervention services, as timely access to therapy can improve long-term outcomes and reduce the need for more intensive supports in the future.
That the experiences and perspectives of clinicians, children, and families be meaningfully considered when implementing NDIS reforms to ensure continued access to essential supports and services.

Closing Statement:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this submission.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing children make progress towards their goals and become more confident, independent, and engaged in their everyday lives. I feel privileged to play a part in that journey and to support children and families as they work towards meaningful outcomes.

While I support efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS, it is important that any reforms do not inadvertently create further barriers for children and families living in rural and

Submission

Regional areas, where access to services is already limited. Consideration must be given to the realities of regional service delivery and the vital role that allied health supports play in helping children achieve meaningful outcomes.

I hope the perspectives shared in this submission assist in ensuring that future changes to the NDIS continue to support equitable access to evidence-based services and enable all children, regardless of where they live, to reach their potential and participate fully in their everyday lives.

Thank you for considering this submission.

The Whole Child

Therapy Services

Occupational Therapist

GAPS Certified Practitioner

www.thewholechild.com.au

Phone: M 0481 099 874 | Email: support@thewholechild.com.au

Postal Address: PO Box 1197 Atherton QLD 4883