Reform Needs More Than Good Intentions.

Out of more than 4,000 submissions made to the Senate Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, MIFA was quoted directly in the Committee’s Interim Report.

We are proud of that, not for the recognition, but because it means the voices of people living with psychosocial disability, their families, carers, and the community organisations that support them have been formally acknowledged in Parliament’s consideration of one of the most significant NDIS reforms in a decade.

The Interim Report reflects several concerns raised by MIFA, including the need for significant clarification around the proposed permanence test for people living with mental health conditions. The Committee also acknowledged concerns about the impact of reforms in regional, rural and remote communities and reinforced the need for governments to deliver the foundational supports people rely on outside the NDIS.

These are important findings, and we welcome them.

However, a finding is not a protection.

The proposed 50% reduction in community participation funding remains scheduled to commence on 1 October 2026. The rules that will determine how the reforms apply to people with psychosocial disability have not yet been developed, and many of the supports intended to replace what people may lose through these changes are not yet in place.

MIFA supports the need for NDIS reform and recognises the importance of ensuring the scheme remains sustainable for future generations. But reform must be implemented carefully, transparently, and with appropriate safeguards for the people most affected.

With the Inquiry extended until 14 August, MIFA is calling for further action before these reforms proceed, including a dedicated impact assessment for psychosocial disability, co-designed eligibility rules, and demonstrated readiness of replacement supports.

Read MIFA’s full statement below.