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

Submission 4077

Securing the future of the NDIS for future generations 2026

31st May 2026

I am the parent of a 32-year-old man , who has Down Syndrome and Autism. I am very concerned about the many changes to the NDIA legislation and its probable impact on the lives of people with disability and their families. Of particular concern to me is the move back to Commissioned Services i.e. Block Funding for community participation.

The NDIA website notes:

“\nThe current way the NDIS approaches social and community participation means the programs which once provided real opportunities for connection have been allowed to wither. We will put the community back into community participation.

To do this we will:\n

• establish a $200 million fund – the Inclusive Communities Fund – to rebuild capability among community organisations to host genuine participation activities.

• re-set participant budgets for social, civic and community participation and capacity building daily activities.”

Under previous block funding granted to State approved providers, people with disabilities had to take what they were offered. If they didn’t like what was on the menu they didn’t have access to any other support. What was offered was meaningless, adult minding day programs that wasted people’s lives alongside with other people with a disability, that they didn’t know. They did not offer ‘real opportunities for connection’. It is not surprising these programs ‘withered’ once individualised funding became available as many voted with their feet and abandoned grouped, segregated programs.

With individualised NDIS funding people have been able to craft a life of their own, focused on developing skills, pursuing things that interest them, contributing to their community, living in housing of their choice.

Scenario one, Commissioned Funding - Service bus collects a person with a disability from home and takes them to a centre where there is a weekly timetable of activities such as watching a movie, cooking something, a picnic in a park, coffee in a shopping centre, craft. The person with a disability becomes part of a group whose are only

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

Submission 4077

connection is that they have also have a disability. They all have various needs of their own, supervised by staff who are often itinerant. Most activities are centre based. At times they go out into the community as a group to do an activity together.

Scenario two, Individualised Funding – My son is out in the community daily, pursuing valued roles. He attends various workplaces, he volunteers at the local hospital, goes to the gym, he has meals out with family and friends, attends church, and follows his keen interest in football. He does his shopping, banking, washing, cooking and cleaning. He manages this with some consistent support and mentoring by key workers, who we have chosen, and best suited to him. In his local community he is well known, and is often greeted with a “Hi “ when he is out and about. Being known in his community provides safety for him, should a need arise.

Scenario two is a real life. Such examples of ordinary living were once showcased as innovation and approved services with block funding were challenged to provide similar outcomes which they failed to do. Group supports simply cannot provide real inclusive community outcomes.

In my son’s case, his individual support is no more expensive than a full time group program would be. We just use the funding to fit the vision of his life. One of deep connection in his local community.