Palliative Care Australia's Warning on Legislation
Proposed amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Act could leave Australians with life-limiting illnesses without vital support, according to a warning from Palliative Care Australia (PCA). The organisation raised concerns in a submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry on 2nd June.n
PCA expressed concerns that the current draft of the Bill poses a significant risk to individuals whose support needs stem from life-limiting conditions, especially in rural and remote areas with limited access to specialist services.n
Josh Fear, PCA National Policy Director, highlighted the potential exclusion of vulnerable Australians from both health and disability support systems. “Under this approach, people with life-limiting or terminal illness could find themselves locked out of both systems,” Mr Fear said.n
Concerns Over Support Gapsn
Although the proposed legislation recognises barriers to treatment due to location or cost, it states that the NDIS is not responsible for filling gaps in affordable health services. This could lead to a lack of essential care for those with terminal illnesses.n
PCA’s submission also criticised the Bill for potentially delaying decision-making for unscheduled plan reassessments, which could severely impact those with short life expectancies.n
Mr Fear urged the Senate Committee and the Australian Government to ensure the legislation guarantees equitable access to healthcare and disability supports. “We are calling on the Senate Committee to ensure the legislation protects equitable access to both healthcare and disability supports for people with life-limiting conditions,” he added.n
PCA recommends implementing safeguards to ensure individuals with permanent disabilities from terminal diagnoses are not deprived of necessary supports. It calls for prioritising the needs of people under 65 with life-limiting conditions in the disability reform process.n
The Senate Committee is reviewing the proposed amendments, with PCA advocating for comprehensive measures to bridge service gaps for Australians affected by the changes. They also highlighted that the Bill unreasonably precludes entry to the NDIS for those undergoing treatment or struggling to access it.n
The submission details that the legislation may reduce the NDIS’s capacity to respond flexibly to fluctuating functional capacity and rapid decline. As a result, timely interventions for those with short life expectancies could be compromised, leaving many without the necessary care.
Last updated: 2 June 2026, 8:55 pm
