National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 561
Submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for
Future Generations) Bill 2026
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing as both a mother of two children with autism and as a disability support worker. I strongly believe that people with disability deserve stability, dignity, and access to the supports they need to thrive.
Autism is a permanent and lifelong disability. While support needs may change over time, autism does not disappear. Families should not have to continually justify the existence or impact of a lifelong disability in order to access essential supports.
While I understand the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), I am deeply concerned that amendments focused on restricting access, reducing flexibility, or tightening supports may negatively impact vulnerable participants and families.
As a mother, I see firsthand how early intervention and appropriate supports can change a child’s future. Children with autism are capable of thriving when they are provided with the therapies, supports, education assistance, and safe environments they require. Thriving children do not happen without support systems being in place.
Many families of children with ASD Level 2 are already feeling the impact and uncertainty surrounding potential changes to the NDIS, including fears that their children may no longer meet thresholds for ongoing supports and instead be transitioned into programs such as “Thriving Kids.” Families are deeply worried about the loss of vital, individualised supports and uncertainty around how replacement programs would realistically meet the complex daily needs of their children.
Parents are already experiencing significant burnout, emotional exhaustion, financial pressure, and isolation while trying to manage therapies, behavioural support needs, emotional regulation difficulties, school challenges, supervision requirements, and daily functioning. Families need reassurance that children with disability will continue receiving meaningful, individualised support so they can continue reaching their potential rather than experiencing decline due to reduced access to services.
As a disability support worker, I also see the practical realities faced by participants every day. Many individuals already struggle to access adequate services due to workforce shortages, regional limitations, rising costs, and lengthy administrative processes. Additional restrictions, reduced flexibility, or funding cuts risk placing even greater strain on participants, carers, and frontline workers.
Participants in rural and regional areas are disproportionately affected by travel costs and service shortages. It is common for participants to be charged over $100 in provider travel fees, even when allied health providers are visiting multiple participants in the same area on the same day. These costs quickly consume participant funding and reduce access to actual therapy and support hours. Participants should not be disadvantaged simply because they live rurally.
I am also concerned that too much scrutiny is being placed on participants and families rather than providers and companies who may not be delivering the supports they claim to provide. Efforts to improve the sustainability of the NDIS should focus more heavily on:
- Improving provider oversight and accountability;
- Investigating fraud and misuse of funds;
- Addressing companies delivering inadequate or inconsistent supports;
- Investing in early intervention;
- Expanding the disability workforce;
- Streamlining administrative processes;
- Ensuring rural and regional families can access services equally. The NDIS was created to support Australians with disability to live meaningful and independent lives. Sustainability should not come at the expense of participants’ wellbeing or access to essential supports.
Children and adults with disability deserve opportunities to participate fully in society. Families caring for loved ones with disability should not have to constantly fear losing essential supports that allow them to function safely and effectively.
Thriving futures are possible when the right supports are in place. I urge decision-makers to ensure that any
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 561
amendments protect the rights, dignity, and long-term wellbeing of NDIS participants rather than limiting their access to support.
Thank you for considering my submission.