Submission 505
NDIS Senate Submission 2026
Submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment
(Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
From: Rebecca Hocking
Introduction
I am both an NDIS participant and an independent support worker. This dual perspective allows me to understand firsthand the impacts of proposed NDIS changes on both participants and the workforce that supports them.
I am deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the NDIS, particularly changes that may exclude Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from eligibility and reduce access to essential supports and therapies.
Key Concerns
- Risk of Removal of Autism from the NDIS One of my primary concerns is the potential for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be removed or restricted as an eligible condition under the NDIS.
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Autism is a lifelong condition and does not disappear over time.
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No two individuals with autism are the same; needs vary widely and cannot be standardised.
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It is unclear how decision-makers can determine what qualifies as “permanent” or “life-long” given the complexity and variability of ASD.
If ASD is excluded, I will lose access to critical supports such as occupational therapy and other essential services that enable me to function independently.
- Loss of Essential Supports and Therapies If funding is cut or eligibility is tightened:
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I will lose access to therapies that are vital for my wellbeing and daily functioning.
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I will be forced to pay out of pocket for supports, which is not financially sustainable.
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The alternative—accessing only five Medicare-subsidised sessions per year—is wholly inadequate for someone with a chronic, lifelong condition.
Additionally, my current NDIS funding already does not fully meet my needs. Further reductions will significantly worsen this gap.
Submission 505
- Increased Reliance on Informal Supports Without adequate NDIS support:
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I will be forced to rely more heavily on informal supports such as ageing family members.
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This creates a domino effect, placing emotional, physical, and financial strain on my family and support network.
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This is not sustainable and undermines both participant independence and family wellbeing.
Support workers play a critical role in relieving this burden and enabling participants to live more independently.
- Impact on Mental Health and Community Participation Support workers have had a profoundly positive impact on my life:
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They help me regulate emotionally and manage my daily life.
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Their support reduces strain on my relationships within the community.
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They enable me to engage more effectively with others and maintain stability. Removing or reducing supports will lead to:
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Increased stress and dysregulation
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Strained relationships
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Reduced community participation
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Deterioration in mental health
- Workforce Impact and Industry Instability As a support worker, I am also witnessing the growing uncertainty within the sector:
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Many support workers are considering leaving the industry due to instability and unclear policy direction.
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Providers may exit the sector entirely.
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This will lead to fewer available supports for participants, even for those who remain eligible.
Submission 505
If participants lose access to supports, workers also lose employment, creating a cycle that harms both groups.
- Secondary Disabilities and Complex Needs Many participants experience multiple layers of disability:
- Secondary conditions often arise alongside primary disabilities like ASD.
- These conditions may not be directly recognised under the NDIS but significantly impact overall functioning.
If primary conditions such as ASD are removed:
- Secondary disabilities will also go unsupported.
- This creates a compounding effect, worsening overall health and wellbeing.
- Fragmented System and Lack of Coordination Currently, government systems do not work well together:
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Participants are frequently redirected between services (e.g. NDIS, mental health services, healthcare).
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There is little coordination or communication between departments.
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This results in a cycle where people are unable to access the support they need. Reducing NDIS eligibility will only intensify these systemic failures.
Broader Consequences
The proposed changes will not reduce need—they will shift it elsewhere:
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Participants will become more unwell without early intervention and consistent support.
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Pressure will increase on hospitals, mental health services, and unpaid carers.
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Long-term costs to the system will likely increase, not decrease. People will not stop needing support simply because they are removed from the NDIS.
Submission 505
Conclusion
The NDIS is essential for people like me to live with dignity, independence and stability. The proposed amendments risk:
- Removing critical supports from those who rely on them
- Increasing strain on families and communities
- Destabilising the disability workforce
- Worsening health and social outcomes for participants Autism is a lifelong condition and individuals with ASD deserve continued access to the supports that enable them to participate fully in society.