Submission 85
Submission 85
diagnoses and functional challenges are well established. This can contribute to stress, disengagement and reduced trust in the system.
There is also a broader systemic risk that funding structures unintentionally reward visible crisis over preventative support. In my experience, when therapies are consistent and appropriately resourced, we can stabilise communication, behaviour and participation. When supports are restricted, issues can escalate to the point where higher cost interventions become necessary, including mental health services, crisis responses and increased educational support.
The long term economic implications of this are considerable. Insufficient early and ongoing support is linked to reduced workforce participation for individuals with disability, as well as for parents who are unable to maintain employment due to caregiving demands. It also increases reliance on income support systems, contributes to higher healthcare utilisation, and places additional pressure on schools and community services. Importantly, it represents a loss of human potential and productivity that could otherwise be supported.
Children with moderate but significant support needs are particularly at risk under more restrictive thresholds. These are often the children who benefit most from consistent allied health input, yet may not meet stricter eligibility criteria. Without appropriate support, they can experience compounding difficulties over time.
Continuity of care is another critical factor. Effective therapy relies on trusted relationships, shared understanding and consistency over time. Frequent changes to providers or interruptions in funding can disrupt progress and reduce the effectiveness of intervention. Flexible, relationship-based models are especially important in neurodivergent populations, where engagement and trust are central to outcomes.
It is also important to recognise the role of the private allied health sector. A significant proportion of experienced paediatric clinicians, including approximately 60 percent of Speech Pathology Australia members, work in private practice. Policy settings that exclude or destabilise this workforce risk exacerbating existing shortages, increasing waitlists and limiting access, particularly in areas already experiencing high demand.
In clinical practice, the most effective supports are functional, neuroaffirming and grounded in real life participation. Therapy is most meaningful when it helps a child communicate with their family, engage at school, build relationships and participate in their community. Systems that enable responsiveness and flexibility are better aligned with these goals than those that rely solely on rigid criteria or brief assessments.
In closing, I support the need for a sustainable NDIS. At the same time, I encourage a balanced approach to reform that maintains access to early intervention, protects continuity of care, recognises the realities of fluctuating disability, and supports the allied health workforce that underpins service delivery. Investment in timely, appropriate supports is not only beneficial for participants and families, it is economically sound and reduces long term system pressures.
Submission 85
Submission 85
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