Submission: NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

AHPA thanks the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee for the opportunity to provide feedback on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (‘the Bill’).

AHPA strongly supports the need for a sustainable and effective NDIS, but changes proposed in this Bill are not minor amendments. They confer broad new powers to the Minister and government, narrow eligibility, reduce access to supports and weaken a number of participant safeguards, including review rights. Concerningly proposed changes would mean that participants reasonable and necessary supports may no longer be fully funded. The reforms shift the Scheme away from being inclusive, person-centred and enabling of participation, towards a model that is restrictive and focused on cost containment.

A person’s support needs do not disappear because they are no longer met by the NDIS; they shift to other areas of the care economy, often resulting in poorer outcomes and potentially higher longer-term costs. Until supports outside of the NDIS is fully established, accessible, well-resourced and demonstrated to be effective, no substantial reductions in NDIS access or support should proceed.

AHPA does not support the legislation in its current form. AHPA’s submission outlines a range of recommendations, including recommendations to remove proposed changes that would enable funding to be less than what has been assessed as reasonable and necessary.