The NDIS Supports Rule Is Changing Will Your Voice Be Heard?

It’s not often we’re handed the mic before decisions are made, especially in the NDIS world. But right now, we’ve been given an opportunity to shape the very foundations of the system we work within every single day. From June 16 to July 27, NDIS providers can participate in the public consultation on the Supports for Participants Rule. And if you’ve ever felt blindsided by funding decisions, or left navigating unclear guidelines, this is your moment to speak up.

This isn’t just another round of policy tweaks. This is about rethinking what “reasonable and necessary” really means and who gets to define it.

Now, I know how easy it is to shrug and say, “What difference will it make?” But here’s the thing: too often, we only talk about the changes after they’ve already happened. We gather around staff meetings, shaking our heads, wondering how decisions could be so disconnected from reality. But this time, we’re being invited in early. We’re being asked what fair and sustainable support looks like in practice.

Let’s not waste it.

The Supports Rule affects everything. It determines what supports are funded, how they’re delivered and, ultimately, the outcomes for the participants we’re here to serve. It’s not just a rule, it’s the blueprint that shapes our daily work.

There’s a public webinar on June 24 designed to walk us through the consultation process, so if you’re unsure where to start or how to get involved, I highly recommend tuning in. Think of it as your prep session, giving you the tools to make your submission meaningful.

And look, I get it. As providers, most of us are already stretched thin. Between staff rostering, compliance, participant care, and endless admin, adding “write a government submission” to the to-do list might feel impossible. But here’s the truth, every submission counts. Especially when it’s coming from those of us on the ground, delivering the supports, facing the challenges, and trying to uphold quality in a system that’s constantly shifting.

Your voice carries weight. Your experiences, both good and bad, are what this consultation needs most.

When I think back to my own time running an NDIS business, I remember the constant juggle. Trying to interpret vague funding letters, dealing with inconsistent approvals, and supporting families who were confused and frustrated. We did our best with what we had, but the goalposts kept moving. Some days, it felt like building a house on quicksand.

And that’s why this moment is so powerful.

Because if we want an NDIS that’s stronger, fairer and more sustainable, it has to be built with the voices of those who live and work within it. Not just consultants, not just policy writers, but support workers, team leaders, admin staff, and business owners who are walking this path every day.

This is your chance to speak from experience. To highlight the gaps between intention and implementation. To challenge the red tape that slows down meaningful support. And to suggest what truly reasonable and necessary support looks like when you’re the one coordinating services, supporting participants, or running a business that supports hundreds of families.

So here’s what I’d love you to consider:

• What would you change about the current Supports Rule?
  

• What support types are often undervalued or misunderstood?
  

• What barriers stop providers from delivering great services?
  

• How can the system better reflect the real needs of participants and the challenges providers face?
  

You don’t have to write a legal brief or be an NDIS policy expert. You just need to be honest, clear and grounded in the reality of your day to day. Use real stories. Explain what’s working and what’s not. Help the decision makers see past the theory and into the lives of the people behind the plans.

This is about more than compliance. It’s about shaping a system that’s built on trust, transparency and truth.

If you’ve ever felt like no one’s listening, this is the time to show up anyway.

Let’s remember what we’re fighting for. The participants who rely on us. The families looking for hope. The team members who give their all every shift. The businesses trying to create safe, ethical, and sustainable spaces to support our most vulnerable.

Change doesn’t happen by waiting. It happens when good people show up and speak out.

Let’s make sure our voices are heard. Let’s use this consultation as a turning point not just for better policy, but for a stronger, more human-centred NDIS.

And if you’re planning on attending the webinar, let me know! I’ll be watching too, and I’d love to connect with others in the community who care deeply about getting this right.

You can read more and make your submission here: →