National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 850
I am writing as an independent support worker regarding the proposed reforms under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, particularly the transition to the new framework and budget-based funding model.
I would like to raise concerns about how rigid funding structures may impact both participants and the disability support workforce.
In my experience supporting families, support needs are not always consistent week to week. Many school-aged participants require significantly increased support during school holidays, pupil-free days, periods of school refusal, or while Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are being implemented or reviewed. Parents are often still required to work during these periods, yet participant funding may not allow for the temporary increase in support hours needed. Families are then forced to reduce support, pay out of pocket, or go without essential assistance.
At the same time, there is a growing gap between participant funding structures and the practical realities of delivering disability support work. Many support workers and providers require minimum engagement periods, commonly two-hour shifts, for work to be financially sustainable. However, participant plans are often funded in much smaller blocks, such as 1– 1.5 hour morning and afternoon supports.
This creates difficulties for everyone involved. Families can be left paying out of pocket to meet minimum engagement requirements, while support workers are expected to travel between short shifts that may not adequately cover travel time, administration, cancellations, or provide stable employment.
I am concerned that stricter budget frameworks will worsen these issues.
I also believe the response to fraud and exploitation should focus on improving workforce standards, training, transparency, and accountability - not creating systems that make it harder for participants to access flexible supports or for workers to maintain stable employment.
Rather than creating a “free-for-all” environment where almost anyone can work in disability support without adequate preparation or oversight, I believe reforms should focus on:
improved training and onboarding standards for support workers; clearer reporting and accountability requirements; stronger quality and safeguarding processes; funding structures that support continuity of care and workforce retention; ensuring support workers can access financially sustainable hours and conditions.
The sustainability of the NDIS depends not only on reducing fraud, but on maintaining a skilled, stable, and experienced workforce. Participants and families benefit most from consistency, trust, and long-term relationships with workers who are adequately supported to remain in the sector.
I ask the committee to consider how these reforms may unintentionally impact workforce retention, participant wellbeing, and continuity of care.