Many people in our community are feeling worried and uncertain about proposed changes outlined in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Reform Bill. We hear those concerns clearly.
The Bill is complex, technical and detailed piece of reform, and includes details that may be left to future rules and decisions. It could make existing inequalities in the Scheme worse, with women making up half of disabled Australians but only around a third of NDIS participants.
WWDA wants our community to know: we are advocating for you. We are continuing to push for a sustainable NDIS, strong safeguards and greater transparency.
In this article, we hope to inform our community about the Bill, how WWDA has been responding and advocating, and any updates that could affect you.
About the Bill
Title: National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
The Australian Government is proposing a number of changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since it was first introduced in 2013. This Amendment Bill includes changes to:
- access the NDIS,
- funding for supports,
- how eligibility and supports are assessed,
- how funding decisions are made,
- reassessment processes, and
- powers granted to the Government, Ministers and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is just one of many organisations and advocates to speak out against the Bill and the proposed changes to NDIS eligibility rules, access and supports. More than 4,000 submissions were made to the Senate inquiry – it is clear our community does not support this Bill in its current form.
As of publication, the Bill has been introduced into Parliament, referred to a Senate inquiry, public hearings have been completed, and the Senate Committee report is due to be released in August.
Our Advocacy
WWDA supports a sustainable and fair NDIS. However, we are deeply concerned by the Bill, and the broad powers it gives the Government to tighten access, reduce supports, cap funding and shift people to other systems before new rules, safeguards, supports and tools have been designed.
Any and all reforms must be done right – changes should be gender-responsive, and must uphold the rights of people with disability. Changes to the Scheme must not leave people without the supports they need to live an ordinary life. We will continue to advocate for strong, fair systems of disability support both inside and outside the NDIS.
“Women With Disabilities Australia stands ready to work with Government on reform that is sustainable, evidence-based and safe. But the choice before Parliament is simple. Take the time to get this right, or rush reforms that may deepen harm for women with disability.”
— Sophie Cusworth speaking at the Senate Inquiry.
On 22 May 2026, WWDA shared their submission to the Senate Inquiry, focusing on the gendered risks of the NDIS Amendment Bill. The submission received over 70 endorsements. WWDA identified three immediate risks:
- Future rules, tools and evidence settings may reproduce existing gender bias.
- People may lose access before any alternatives exists.
- Costs and care will shift onto individuals and their families, especially women.
“If supports are not available, affordable, if they don’t exist – you can’t allow a person’s disease trajectory to accelerate or for them to live in conditions that could be significantly remediated with access to disability supports. It’s a significant wind back.”
— Dr Diana Piantedosi speaking at the Senate Inquiry.
Sophie Cusworth (CEO) and Dr Diana Piantedosi (Senior Manager, Policy & Advocacy) discussed WWDA’s position and the needs of our members at the Bill’s Public Hearing (Senate inquiry) on Wednesday 10 June 2026 – watch WWDA’s full Public Hearing session below.
WWDA recommends that the Bill not proceed until a comprehensive gender impact analysis has been released, and gender-responsive reforms have been co-designed with women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability. This must include fully funded disability supports both inside and outside the NDIS.
Joint Statement: Disability advocates call on Government to ensure critical supports remain while NDIS changes are made
4 May 2026
Joint Statement: Disability Representative Organisations Call for Genuine Senate Scrutiny as Concerns Grow Over Rushed NDIS Reforms
14 May 2026
WWDA Statement: WWDA is advocating for our community following the Federal Budget and NDIS Reform Bill
14 May 2026
Media Statement: WWDA welcomes extension to NDIS Reform Bill inquiry, calls for genuine scrutiny
23 June 2026
Media
Sophie Cusworth spoke with ABC Radio Canberra about what these proposed changes could mean for people with disability.
22 April 2026
Sophie joined ABC News Breakfast to respond to the proposed changes to the NDIS.
23 April 2026
ABC Radio shares some testimony from the inquiry, including part of Sophie’s opening statement. Listen more here.
10 June 2026
- ‘Women will lose out’: Advocates raise alarm over gendered impact of NDIS overhaul (23 April 2026)
- NDIS reform announcement leaves community reeling (23 April 2026)
- No foundations for NDIS changes (23 May 2026)
- Women to be hardest-hit by sweeping NDIS changes (9 June 2026)
- NDIS cuts could create unsafe environments and domestic violence risks, inquiry warned (10 June 2026)
- Tightening NDIS eligibility will disproportionately affect women – in more ways than you’d expect (10 June 2026)
- Women ‘at higher risk of abuse’ under proposed NDIS changes (11 June 2026)
- Disabled people urge reflection as key report delayed (22 June 2026)
Get involved
Need help?
These changes to the NDIS can be stressful and upsetting. If you need support, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member or person. Visit WWDA’s Neve Helpline Directory for phone numbers you can call for support and help (Easy Read).
Last updated: Thu 25 June 2026
