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

Submission 3951

Submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

(Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

I am writing as the mother and primary carer of my daughter, redacted, who is an NDIS participant with severe autism and an intellectual disability. redacted requires significant daily support and will likely need support throughout her entire life.

I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes that would significantly reduce funding for community participation.

Our family has always tried to make decisions that will give redacted the greatest opportunity to develop independence and prepare for her future. We recently began transitioning redacted into a structured day group program because we believed this would increase her opportunities to develop social skills, communication, confidence and participation within her community. We understood this to be exactly the type of support the NDIS was designed to encourage.

Under the proposed changes, much of this support would be classified as community participation and substantially reduced.

For redacted, community participation is not simply recreational. It is essential therapy in everyday life.

Every outing, every interaction with staff and other participants, every opportunity to practise communication, routines, emotional regulation and social skills contributes to her development. These experiences help prepare her for the day when I am no longer able to care for her.

As a single mother, I also rely on these supports so that I can continue working. Without adequate community participation funding, I will likely have to reduce my working hours or leave the workforce altogether to provide the care that these supports currently make possible. This would create financial hardship for our family, including placing my ability to meet essential expenses such as my mortgage at risk, while also reducing redacteds opportunities to build the skills she needs for adulthood.

The greatest concern I have is for redacteds long-term future.

It is highly likely that one day redacted will require supported independent living with other participants. If her opportunities to build social relationships, practise communication, participate in the community and develop independence are reduced now, she will enter adulthood less prepared for that transition. Rather than reducing future costs, limiting these supports may actually increase the level of support she requires throughout her life.

I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the impact these changes will have on participants with profound disabilities who require lifelong support. Community participation should be

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

Submission 3951

recognised as an essential developmental support for people like , not as an optional activity.

Families should not be penalised for choosing supports that promote inclusion, independence and preparation for the future.

I ask that the Committee reconsider the proposed reductions or provide protections for participants whose disabilities mean community participation is fundamental to their development, welbeing and future independence.

Thank you for considering my submission.