NDIA Accountability Project

Concerns over NDIS reform impacting disability service integrity

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

Submission 4052

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

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

date: 9th July 2026

From: – Parent of an Adult Son with Disability, Board Member of REDinc Disability Services and past Executive General Manager of Aruma (previously known as House With No Steps) Shared Living

I am writing to voice my strong concerns over the proposed “National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026”.

I have in the past participated in the Productivity Commission’s collaborative design workshops that fed into the design of the NDIS, led NDIS readiness projects, both for Aruma (then known as House With No Steps), as well as for other community based organisations across QLD and NSW, and oversaw the launch of the NDIS in the Hunter NSW region in 2013, as House With No Steps became one of the first “Trial” sites in Australia. Having continued to be responsible for providing services under the NDIS to participants across QLD, NSW, ACT and Victoria for Aruma until my retirement in 2022 and since then being a Board member of REDinc Disability Services I believe that I am well qualified to make this submission.

The introduction of the NDIS in 2013 was to be one of the proudest pieces of social reform in Australia’s history. Instead, it’s introduction was rushed, developing into an over bureaucratic, clunky and mismanaged scheme. As was often touted “it was like building an aeroplane in the sky” so I wholeheartedly believe that major reforms are required, however these reforms should not be to the detriment of people with disability or to those government service providers who operate with a high degree of integrity and transparency.

Any genuine reform agenda must address the key systemic risks while ensuring that the scheme does not become increasingly burdensome and punitive for people with disability, their families and for ‘registered’ Service Providers of proven integrity.

The failure of the NDIA to appropriately manage and deliver the scheme and its failure to protect the scheme by effectively managing risk is untenable. Addressing the core fundamentals of the scheme must form the basis of any

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

Submission 4052

reform rather than cutting funding to, and destroying the aspirations of, people with disabilities.

My recommendations are as follows:

  • There should not be any blunt cuts to participants funding. Further modelling based on recent Gratten Institute Economic modelling should be explored - this would ensure a fair and transparent approach to funding reviews;
  • All providers of Home & Living, Community Participation, Therapy & Professional Services and Early Childhood Supports to be Registered and Audited (Financial and Outcome Deliverables) biannually regardless of size or business type (NFP, Sole Trader, Commercial) - this would reduce Fraud, abhorrent over pricing of services and improve quality of life for participants;
  • Redirect NDIA resources to further target Fraud and abuse of the scheme; with significant penalties to be applied and loss of registration for those found to be in breach of scheme rules and regulations - this would save the scheme considerable monies and protect participants from unethical providers;
  • Introduce separate base funding for Registered Service Providers to mitigate costs of compliance, registration and staff training (similar to pre NDIS State Based funding arrangements) - this would assist in delivering a highly skilled professional disability workforce and would lift the standards of service provision across the nation;
  • Introduce differential pricing that recognises that not all people with a disability have same degree of support needs - by providing ‘complexity loadings’ instead of flat rates the NDIS would demonstrate its commitment to the Quality and Safeguards Standards and to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
  • Delete entirely the proposed 90 Day non-contact plan revocation - thiS proposed action discriminates against the most vulnerable in our society; people with significant disability, aged family members and those for who English may not be their first language;
  • That the Appeals pathways (Entry and Plan review) be simplified - this is currently an overly cumbersome, lengthy and costly process;
  • Red tape, layers of NDIS management and ineffective bureaucratic process be minimised - to gain improved productivity, increased transparency, consistency in processes, significant cost reduction and improved outcomes for people with disabilities and their families.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Yours sincerely