National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 901
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill
2026
Submission
Submitted by
24 May 2026 - I am writing as the parent of a 13-year-old boy who has been an NDIS participant since NDIS was introduced. My son was diagnosed with his disability at two years old. Our family relies on the NDIS to provide the supports and services that help him build the skills he needs to become an independent adult and live a meaningful life.
I am extremely concerned about several elements of the proposed NDIS Futures Bill 2026, particularly Section 34A, which would allow the Minister to reduce entire categories of funding without the right to appeal. This level of discretionary power creates uncertainty and fear for families like mine who depend on stable, needs-based supports.
My greatest concern is the proposed 50% cut to Social and Community Participation funding from October 2026. For my son, this category is not optional or “nice to have” — it is essential. Social skills are one of his biggest areas of challenge. He has no friends, struggles to communicate with peers, and finds it extremely difficult to understand how to build relationships or participate in community life. These are not skills he will simply “pick up” without structured, ongoing support.
As he moves through adolescence and into adulthood, Social and Community Participation will likely be his most critical area of funding. The level of support he receives now will shape the rest of his life — including his ability to find employment, maintain relationships, and contribute meaningfully to society. Cutting this support in half will not only limit his opportunities but may create long-term social and economic costs far greater than the savings achieved.
I understand that the NDIS must be financially sustainable. I support efforts to improve efficiency and ensure funding is used responsibly. However, reducing essential supports for people with disability — particularly supports that directly influence independence, employment, and community inclusion — is neither fair nor equitable. These cuts risk causing significant harm to the very people the NDIS was created to support.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask that you vote against the NDIS Futures Bill 2026 unless it is amended to remove Section 34A and protect Social and Community Participation funding. People with disability deserve stability, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive, not a system that can be reduced without recourse.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I hope you will stand with families like mine and ensure the NDIS remains a system that empowers, rather than limits, the futures of people with disability.