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

Submission 3971

SUBMISSION RE: PROPOSED NDIS CUTS

I do not support the proposed cuts to the NDIS.

A number of people in my community and friendship groups receive NDIS funding, and I have experienced first-hand the modicum of positive changes it has made to their lives. The proposed changes threaten the lives and wellbeing of all of these people.

Schedule 1 - Access and planning

Part 1 - Defining functional capacity:

I do not support the proposed changes to functional capacity assessments. A generic assessment cannot allow for the nuances of functional capacity that are the reality for disabled people. This is undoubtedly lead to an overestimation of capacity and reduce access to essential funding.

Part 3 - Strengthen link between an impairment and the need for support

The system of focusing on a single impairment for a person to access the NDIS is a simplistic and short-sighted approach. Determining that a person with a degenerative physical disability as their ‘primary impairment’ cannot qualify for mental health support, for example, is a cruel and greatly damaging position. While ostensibly reducing costs to the NDIS, this proposed change will increase pressure on other government services while also dramatically reducing the quality of life for many.

Part 4 - Support determinations

Threatening to cut funding for social and community access is dangerous and irresponsible. The proposed structure barely provides people with access to the services they need to live, and completely removes their ability to meaningfully engage with community. If unchanged, these cuts will remove the ability for those living with a disability to form connections and community without significant out-of-pocket cost.

Part 6 - Reasonable and necessary supports

This cut blatantly allows the NDIA to deny supports that medical practitioners and families have determined are reasonable and necessary. This will result in a huge loss of quality of life for NDIS participants and their families.

Schedule 2 - Fraud measures

Part 1 - Registration of NDIS providers

Many NDIS participants work with providers who are sole traders, and have carefully selected these providers to ensure best possible support arrangements. If mandatory registration is introduced it must acknowledge and support the continuation of these arrangements. Registration must be affordable and accessible – on par with a Working With Children Check. It must not be prohibitively expensive for individuals whose livelihoods depend on this work, to the detriment of support for NDIS participants.

Schedule 3 - Governance arrangements

I do not support the proposed changes to governance arrangements. I do not support giving unprecedented power to the Commonwealth Minister to control NDIS pricing. I do not support the automation of administrative action. It will save money at the expense of people’s lives. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to reconsider the proposed changes to the NDIS, and take into account the thousands of lives that will be negatively affected.