National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the NDISSubmission(Securing501 the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
My name is and I am a full-time carer and parent to three children, including two adult children and one younger child who are supported through the NDIS. My children live with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and one also has an intellectual disability. We have been involved with the NDIS for approximately six years.
I am writing this submission because I am deeply concerned about the impact the proposed changes may have on families like mine. I already experience significant carer burnout and ongoing health issues, and I fear these changes will place even more pressure onto unpaid carers and families who are already struggling to cope.
The supports we currently receive are not luxuries. They are essential supports that help my child function safely, maintain dignity, participate in the community and develop independence.
Our support worker assists my son with his morning routine, personal hygiene and accessing the community. Without this support, many of these daily activities would not be possible. These supports help him build confidence, routine and life skills while also giving me some ability to manage the demands of caring responsibilities.
We also rely on occupational therapy, psychology, behaviour support and support work. These therapies and supports have made a meaningful difference to our family’s wellbeing and stability. They help manage behaviours, emotional regulation, communication, independence and community participation.
I am very concerned about any reduction in funding for support workers, therapies or community access supports. I am also concerned about stricter interpretations of what is considered “reasonable and necessary”, increased reassessments, additional paperwork and compliance requirements, and the growing expectation that unpaid family members should simply absorb more caring responsibilities.
There appears to be a lack of understanding about the reality of living with autism and intellectual disability, particularly for families providing full-time care. Caring does not stop. It is constant and affects every part of family life, including physical health, mental health, sleep, finances and relationships.
If our supports were reduced or removed, the consequences for our family would be severe. My son would likely lose independence, become more isolated and struggle to safely participate in the community. Important routines and progress could be lost. My own physical and mental health would deteriorate further, and the pressure on our family would become overwhelming.
The NDIS has worked well when families are listened to and supports are tailored to real functional needs. The right supports reduce crisis situations, improve quality of life and allow people with disability to participate in their communities with dignity.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
I ask the Senate Committee to carefully considerSubmissionthe real-life501 consequences these changes may have on people with disability and their carers. Families should not be pushed further into exhaustion in order to reduce costs.
I strongly urge the Committee to:
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protect funding for support workers, therapies and community participation
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recognise the critical role these supports play in maintaining independence and wellbeing
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reduce unnecessary reassessments and administrative burden on families
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ensure people with autism and intellectual disability are properly understood in decision- making processes
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recognise the limits of unpaid carers and avoid policies that shift more responsibility onto families already at breaking point
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ensure reforms focus on improving the system rather than reducing essential supports Thank you for considering my submission and the lived experiences of families like mine.
Yours truly