National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 990
Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill
Name:
I am making this submission as a concerned community member who believes the NDIS should remain focused on supporting disabled people, rather than increasing bureaucracy and administrative barriers.
My main concern with this Bill is that it appears to move the NDIS further away from being a flexible, person-centred support system and instead places greater emphasis on compliance, rigid processes and administrative control.
Many disabled people already struggle with the complexity of the NDIS system, including paperwork, reviews, communication requirements and uncertainty around supports. Increasing these pressures is likely to create additional stress and disadvantage for people who are already vulnerable.
I am particularly concerned about the proposed provisions relating to participants being considered “not contactable”. There are many legitimate reasons why a person may not respond within required timeframes, including:
- hospitalisation;
- mental health crises;
- disability-related communication difficulties;
- burnout;
- housing instability;
- family violence;
- lack of support networks; or
- simply being overwhelmed by the system itself. People should not risk losing supports because they are temporarily unable to navigate administrative processes.
I am also concerned about the increasing use of standardised or system-driven decision-making processes. Disability support systems must retain flexibility and human judgement. No automated or heavily standardised process can properly understand the complexity of individual circumstances or lived experience.
The proposed changes to reassessments and plan reviews also appear likely to reduce flexibility at the very times people may need support most. Life circumstances can change rapidly due to health, housing, caring responsibilities or crisis situations, and the NDIS must remain responsive to those realities.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 990
In my view, the Bill risks creating a culture where participants feel monitored and scrutinised rather than supported. That is not consistent with the original intent and principles of the NDIS.
The people most likely to struggle with increased compliance requirements are often the very people most in need of support.
I also believe the broader reform environment surrounding the NDIS is already creating significant uncertainty for participants, families and carers. Additional changes of this nature should not proceed without much deeper consultation with disabled people and the wider disability community.
The NDIS should be based on dignity, trust, flexibility and genuine support not fear of missing a deadline, phone call or email.
For these reasons, I ask that the Government withdraw this Bill and undertake proper consultation with disabled people, carers, advocates and the broader community before introducing further reforms.
Any future changes to the NDIS should place the lived experience, wellbeing and human rights of disabled people at the centre of decision-making.