22 July 2026
We know many people with Down syndrome, families and support people are worried about the proposed changes to the NDIS.
The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 is still being reviewed through a Senate inquiry.
Until the legislation passes, nothing should change with your plan or how you use it.
Minor changes, many of which we were advocating for, were made to the Bill in late June. However, these changes did not go far enough, and the DSA Consortium is continuing to speak up for people with Down syndrome, their families and supporters. We support sensible reform to the NDIS and want to make sure any changes to the NDIS are clear, safe and do not create unintended harm.
What we’ve been doing
Since our advocacy in Canberra in late June, we have been pushing for further changes to the legislation.
On 10 July, the DSA Consortium made a submission in response to the Senate Committee’s Interim Report.
We welcomed the Committee’s recognition that foundational supports need to be in place before major NDIS changes take effect.
We also said the Bill still needs stronger safeguards.
Without these safeguards, some people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability could be at risk of losing important supports or being affected by unclear rules.
The DSA Consortium has also made a supplementary submission with Inclusion Australia, National Disability Services and Ability First Australia.
Together, our organisations represent and support approximately 60 per cent of NDIS participants.
The joint submission makes clear there are still serious risks in how the changes could be implemented.
The joint submission calls for stronger protections for:
- people who need 24-hour support
- people who use NDIS supports to help them work (including volunteering)
- people with complex support needs
- people who are put at risk or experience significant unintended consequences as a result of the changes
- participants who may be affected by future decisions about what the NDIS will and will not fund.
These protections matter. People need clear rules and stable supports. Families also need confidence that changes will not put people at risk.
Progress so far
As well as the changes made to the Bill in early July, the Department has updated the Explanatory Memorandum for the Bill.
We’re pleased to see some changes that appear to reflect concerns raised through our advocacy.
This includes clearer recognition of employment supports not being impacted.
There is also new wording about 24-hour supports. This is a positive step, but we believe the safeguards still need to be stronger so that people with both informal and paid support arrangements are included.
Continued advocacy
The DSA Consortium is continuing to take part in advocacy meetings and discussions about the Bill.
We are using these opportunities to keep raising the concerns of people with Down syndrome, families and support people.
We will continue to advocate for NDIS reform that protects people with disability from harm and isolation. It must also make sure people can keep getting the supports they need to live safely, participate in their community and build independence.
Important dates
The Senate inquiry will continue over the coming weeks.
- 30 to 31 July: Public hearings in Canberra
- 6 August: Public hearing in Perth
- 14 August: Senate inquiry reporting date
- 11 to 13 August and 17 to 20 August: Senate sitting dates
We will continue to keep the Down syndrome community updated as the Bill progresses.