Submission 656
Beyond Words Speech Pathology
Thornleigh, NSW
Friday 29th May 2026
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
2026
Submission from Beyond Words Speech Pathology
Protecting Access to Early Intervention and Specialist Supports for Children and Families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.
I am a Speech Pathologist and Director of Beyond Words Speech Pathology, a small paediatric practice based in Thornleigh, NSW. Our practice supports children with developmental delay, autism, neurodevelopmental differences and complex communication needs across homes, schools, preschools and community settings. A significant proportion of the children we support are young children accessing early intervention, children with complex communication needs and AAC users, and families navigating multiple service systems.
I acknowledge the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the NDIS. The Scheme must remain available for future generations of Australians with disability. However, I am concerned that several proposed changes may create unintended consequences for children and families who rely on timely access to supports during critical developmental periods.
The proposed changes to functional capacity assessment are of particular concern. Many neurodivergent children, children with developmental delay and children with communication disabilities function very differently depending on their environment, supports, communication partners and accommodations. Assessing functional capacity in isolation from these factors may not accurately reflect the impact of disability on daily life, participation and learning. Children
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who appear capable in structured environments may still require substantial support to participate safely and meaningfully at home, school and in the community.
The proposed restrictions on participant-requested plan reassessments may also create practical challenges. Children develop rapidly, and support needs can change quickly due to transitions into preschool, school, changes in family circumstances, increasing curriculum demands or emerging developmental concerns. While reassessment requests should be reasonable and evidence-based, the proposed thresholds may make it more difficult for families to access timely adjustments when circumstances change.
I am also concerned about the interaction between these reforms and the planned introduction of Foundational Supports and Thriving Kids. While greater investment in community and early childhood supports is welcome, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding eligibility, service availability, workforce capacity and implementation timelines. Restricting NDIS access before alternative systems are fully operational risks creating service gaps for children and families.
From a provider perspective, many private allied health practices are already operating within significant workforce constraints. If access pathways become more restrictive while alternative systems remain under development, demand is likely to shift into already stretched services. Families may experience longer waitlists, reduced provider choice and disruption to established therapeutic relationships.
These challenges are likely to be amplified in regional and rural communities where specialist services are already limited. Even in metropolitan areas, families frequently wait months to access speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and multidisciplinary supports.
The long-term impact of delayed or interrupted early intervention should not be underestimated. Reduced access to support during early childhood may affect communication development, school readiness, educational participation, social inclusion, mental health and long-term independence. These impacts are often experienced not only by children but also by families, schools and communities who work hard to support them.
Recommendations
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Ensure functional capacity assessments adequately reflect the impact of disability within real-world environments, including the role of communication supports, accommodations and everyday participation.
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Maintain accessible pathways for participant-requested reassessments where there is evidence of changing developmental, educational or family circumstances.
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Ensure Foundational Supports and Thriving Kids are fully operational, appropriately funded and workforce-ready before significant restrictions to NDIS access are implemented.
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Monitor the impact of reforms on children with developmental delay, autism, neurodevelopmental differences and complex communication needs, including AAC users.
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- Engage closely with families, clinicians, educators and community providers during implementation to identify unintended consequences early and respond quickly.
Conclusion
As a frontline clinician and small business owner, I support efforts to improve the sustainability of the NDIS. However, sustainability should not be achieved at the expense of timely access to support for children during critical developmental periods.
The most successful reforms will be those that preserve access to appropriate supports, maintain continuity for families, strengthen alternative service systems before access changes occur, and recognise the realities experienced by children, families and clinicians on the ground every day.
Thank you for considering this submission.