National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3952
4 July 2026
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is . I am making this submission as the parent of , my significantly disabled 40-year-old son. My wife and I have financially supported throughout his life; however, we are now in our 70s and are increasingly concerned about the long-term sustainability, fairness and practical impact of proposed changes to NDIS support.
Background
I have a professional background in insurance claims management, including workers compensation schemes and other social policy areas. My wife has worked in teaching and with children who have learning difficulties. One of our daughters is an occupational therapist working with autistic children, and the other is a primary school teacher. As a family, we have seen the health, disability and education systems from several perspectives, including the consequences of poor policy design and system failure.
I support sensible reform of the NDIS. I also support stronger safeguards, measures to minimise fraud, and the harshest penalties for those convicted of exploiting the scheme. Participants must be protected from dishonest operators, poor management sand practices that take advantage of vulnerable people.
’s circumstances
has severe cerebral palsy. He is:
- quadriplegic and wheelchair-dependent;
- non-verbal, although he understands what is happening around him;
- incontinent; and
- dependent on 24-hour care.
has an NDIS package that supports him in both his Specialist Disability Accommodation and his day program, for which we are grateful. He has lived in supported accommodation for approximately 12 years.
At the same time, our family has experienced waste, poor management processes and the impacts of ineffective administration. We also do not doubt that fraud is occurring in parts of the system, as has been alleged.
In 2024, NDIS funding for ’s social activities in his day program was cut. When he can afford to participate in those activities, the cost now comes from his disability support pension.
Concerns about the proposed amendments
I oppose aspects of the proposed NDIS legislative amendments because of serious concerns about human rights, procedural fairness and participant autonomy.
I acknowledge the importance of maintaining the long-term sustainability and integrity of the NDIS. However, this must not come at the expense of the fundamental rights, dignity and safety of people with disability. In my view, the proposed amendments shift too much power away from participants and toward the NDIA and Ministerial discretion.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3952
I am particularly concerned about proposed “budget resets” that may reduce funding for social, civic and community participation by an arbitrary 50%.
For example, currently has an excursion every Saturday. This allows him to go into the community with a carer and experience ordinary day-to-day activities, such as catching a train, visiting a museum or art gallery, going to a park, seeing live music, and sometimes meeting old friends.
Without this type of support, ’s life would become far more limited. He would be largely confined to his home, surrounded by other non-verbal residents, with little stimulation beyond four walls and a television.
This support is not a luxury. It is essential to ’s mental health, wellbeing and dignity, particularly given the trauma he has experienced and the limitations of a life that many people could scarcely imagine.
Recommendation
I respectfully recommend that this decision be reviewed and that arbitrary cuts to social, civic and community participation supports be removed.
Your sincerely
Parent