National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 58
Submission No: [Leave Blank - Committee Use Only]
SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE INQUIRY
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
To: The Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600
SUBMITTER DETAILS
• From: Declan Holmes
• Date: 18 May 2026
• Privacy Preference: Public - My submission can be published online with my name
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 58
To the Committee Secretary,
I welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.
- Personal Context
As a close supporter and former partner of a person living with cerebral palsy (CP), I have seen firsthand how systemic barriers in housing and mobility infrastructure impact daily life. My experience observing the critical necessity of regular movement therapy and highly maintained accessible environments informs my understanding of why stable NDIS funding is essential for a participant’s safety and dignity.
- The Critical Role of Evidence-Based Movement Therapy
The Bill’s focus on clarifying “reasonable and necessary” supports must not disadvantage participants who require regular therapeutic interventions to maintain their current level of function.
• The Reality: For individuals with CP, movement therapies (such as physiotherapy or exercise physiology) are not optional; they are vital for managing muscle tone, spasticity, and fatigue.
• Impact of Proposed Changes: Tightening criteria around “evidence-based” supports may inadvertently cut access to these essential maintenance therapies. Without consistent movement therapy, participants risk secondary conditions like musculoskeletal pain and significant loss of physical function.
• Recommendation: The Bill should explicitly protect funding for maintenance therapy where specialized reports from qualified professionals demonstrate they are necessary to prevent physical deterioration.
- Housing Maintenance as a Core Safety Requirement
In the context of CP, the physical environment is a direct extension of a participant’s mobility.
• The Reality: Minor home maintenance, such as ensuring floor surfaces are level and yard paths are clear, is a safety requirement for someone with physical impairments in strength and coordination.
• Impact of Proposed Changes: If the Bill narrows the interpretation of NDIS- funded supports, essential property maintenance may be labeled “ordinary living expenses.” For a participant with CP, a lack of specialized maintenance directly increases the risk of falls and injury.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 58
• Recommendation: Funding definitions must remain flexible enough to cover maintenance tasks that are directly linked to a participant’s physical safety and mobility requirements.
- Concerns Regarding Support Needs Assessments
The shift toward standardized Support Needs Assessments risks overlooking the unique complexities of conditions like CP.
• The Reality: Functional capacity assessments should be performed by qualified professionals who understand the nuances of a participant’s specific condition, such as how spasticity affects energy expenditure.
• Recommendation: Amend the Bill to require that participants receive a full copy of their Support Needs Assessment report and that all relevant evidence provided by their treating health professionals is fully considered in the assessment.
Thank you for considering this feedback.
Yours sincerely,
Declan Holmes