NDIA Accountability Project

Economic impacts of underfunding the NDIS

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

Submission 4060

Monday, 6 July 2026

Submission - I ask you to vote against the NDS Bill or fix it by implementing amendments

The extension of the Senate inquiry is an important opportunity to listen to people with disability and ensure the legislation is safe before any vote.

The economic impact of the scheme:

  • The NDIS employs over 270,000 people across more than 20 different occupations, and contributes to the employment of tens of thousands more workers indirectly;
  • The economic impacat of the scheme is likely very large, even compared to other types of government spending,
  • Such a multiplier effect would mean that the economic contribution of the NDIS in 2020–2021 is around $52.4 billion.

Because the NDIS has such a strong impact on employment and generating economic activity, underfunding the scheme has significant costs. Every $1 billion that the NDIS is under-funded, significant negative outcomes occur across the economy including:

  • A drop in employment of about 10,200 jobs, reducing the employment rate by 0.1%;
  • A decline in total economic activity of $2.25 billion; and
  • 0.14% reduction in total GDP, or a 0.22% reduction in the services economy.

The consequences of underinvesting in the NDIS would be disproportionately born by women, carers and people living with disability.

Affordability considerations:

The ‘affordability’ of a crucial service is inevitably a question to grapple with. If a service is essential, placing a dollar figure against what we as a nation are willing to pay for it can seem perverse. However, with limited budget resources, decisions over allocation must be made.

It is essential that these contested decisions are based on sound, transparent and publicly-available analysis, not made behind closed doors based on secret modelling.

Barriers to accessing essential services play a significant role in perpetuating inequality between people with disabilities and those without.

Inadequate infrastructure, limited accommodations and insufficient support systems contribute to the exclusion of many people with disabilities from mainstream services. This hampers their ability to fully participate in society and denies them the fundamental resources necessary for their well-being and social inclusion.

While community pressure has led to the government agreeing to some amendments, significant concerns remain.

I ask you to vote against the NDS Bill or fix it by implementing amendments to:

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

Submission 4060

  • stop the Minister from imposing caps on essential NDIS supports under section 33(2EA), including caps on funding, support intensity, frequency, duration and worker-to-participant ratios
  • stop the Minister from making across-the-board cuts to community participation and therapy supports under section 34A
  • release the Rules and key legislative instruments before any vote including the budget algorithm that will sit behind the automated decisions
  • publish impact modelling, to understand the real impact of the proposed cuts
  • ensure no one is removed from the NDIS before real alternatives exist
  • protect review rights and participant choice and control.

The NDIS was built on individualised support based on need. That promise must not be replaced by hidden caps, broad Ministerial powers and cuts that put people at risk.

People with disability deserve certainty, transparency and a fair process. Please use the extended inquiry to make sure this Bill is properly scrutinised and fixed before it returns to Parliament.

Thank you for representing our community.

Please note all calls are recorded for privacy and security reasons. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on Telephone number, or E-mail: .

Kind Regards,

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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