On Friday, 14 August, the Senate Inquiry into the NDIS (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 concluded, with the Community Affairs Legislation Committee tabling its final report.
The big headline? The committee has recommended the Bill be passed.
First introduced in May this year, the Bill forms a major part of the government’s plan to get the NDIS “back on track”. The reforms are designed to curb the Scheme’s growth and save $37.8 billion over four years to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
However, the overhaul has been met with opposition. People with disability, families, service providers, advocacy groups and even members of parliament have raised strong concerns, warning that the proposed system could severely restrict access to supports and reduce participant choice.
Here’s what you need to know.
What are the key findings from the Senate Committee's report?
While the Labor-led committee acknowledged the significant anxieties surrounding these overhauls, a majority of the committee concluded that the 30 amendments introduced in the House of Representatives addresses many of the issues raised including, curbing unsustainable growth and implementing vital safeguards to protect participants.
The Committee acknowledged the extensive engagement of over 4500 organisations and individuals who provided detailed submissions and put forward proposals and recommendations, but ultimately a majority of Committee members concluded that the amendments already made to the Bill adequately addressed the concerns that were raised.
However, there were strongly diverging views in the Committee about this.
How did other members of parliament respond?
The Senate inquiry revealed a range of perspectives from across the political spectrum, reflecting the complexity of the proposed changes:
- The Coalition supported the recommendation to pass the Bill but included additional comments pushing for stronger action against fraud and organised crime. They also expressed concern that the projected savings rely too heavily on cutting social, community and civic participation supports but they stopped short of dissenting the Bill altogether.
- The Greens strongly opposed the Bill, arguing that it moves "too far, too fast" and could have devastating impacts on disabled people, their families, and the support worker workforce. As an alternative, they proposed fully funding the NDIS through a 25% tax on gas exports. Greens senator Jordon Steele-John also said the proposals would be “devastating to the lives of disabled people and their families”.
- Senator David Pocock does not support the Bill in its current form. He specifically highlighted concerns regarding social, community and civic participation supports and called for independent oversight, similar to recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission. He also emphasised that Foundational Supports must be fully operational before access to the Scheme is restricted.
What is the disability community saying?
The Bill has sparked strong criticism from the disability community, with the first inquiry receiving more than 4,000 submissions.
Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia (PWDA), addressed the National Press Club on Monday, 10 August, saying the Bill is not “reasonable,” “necessary” and that it “must not pass."
She also argued that the Bill undermines the essence of the NDIS.
“The Government says this Bill secures the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It does not. It cuts the very supports that give it purpose.”
So while the committee has recommended that the Bill pass, there remains a significant gap between the Government’s position and the concerns being raised by the disability community.
What happens next?
This Bill is now being debated in the Senate, with the Government aiming to secure passage this week.
Media reporting suggests the Coalition is likely to support the Bill, with NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister saying the Government is confident it can reach an agreement. However, fraud and organised crime measures are among the issues still being worked through.
The Greens and Senator David Pocock remain opposed to the Bill in its current form, but with Coalition support appearing likely, the legislation looks increasingly likely to pass this week.
