SWAN - South West Autism Network

04/06/2026

Correction: 4,500 submissions!!
When the SEAN CEO spoke with the Inquiry Secretariat on Wednesday, she was told that there were “Over 4,000, possibly 4,500. Submissions.” Senator Jordon Steele-John has confirmed today that there are 4,500 submissions. Congratulations everyone!

Congratulations to people with disability, families and advocates!

The Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Bill has received more than 4,000 submissions in only 2 weeks. This is a huge effort and an amazing achievement.

We are really proud of our community. ###

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The above text in blue on a white background, with blue and teal icons across the bottom showing different types of messages and conversations.

04/06/2026

"Why is Australia accepting this ‘broken promise’ to people with disability?" writes Chris Coombes, expert on the NDIS.

"It can’t be because we can’t afford it – the hundreds of billions in free gas giveaways and dodgy submarine deals prove that."
"No, the public was softened up by relentless claims about NDIS fraud."

"While some of these claims come from conservative, ideological opponents to the NDIS, they are so common that the ABC can now report on “a tsunami of rorting estimated to be worth up to $8 billion a year,” without even referencing where the number comes from, let alone putting it under any scrutiny."

Read the full piece on The Point: https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260604-are-we-being-misled-about-ndis-fraud-yes-we-are

03/06/2026

The Commission’s submission to a Senate inquiry into proposed NDIS reforms raises serious concerns about the Bill’s potential human rights impacts, including reduced access to supports, limiting individual's decision-making and weakening safeguards for participants.

It also highlights the limited consultation with people with disability.

You can read the full submission on our website: https://loom.ly/u7UFN20

03/06/2026

Congratulations to people with disability, families and advocates!

The Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Bill has received more than 4,000 submissions in only 2 weeks. This is a huge effort and an amazing achievement.

We are really proud of our community. ###

Image Description:
The above text in blue on a white background, with blue and teal icons across the bottom showing different types of messages and conversations.

03/06/2026

SWAN received 1,387 responses to our survey on the NDIS Bill and 63 responses to the Easy Read version of the survey in just seven days. Thank you to everyone who took our survey - we have provided both full survey reports as attachments to the SWAN submission to make sure that your voices are heard.

What did our respondents think the impact would be of cuts to social, civic and community participation and capacity building supports?

94.08% (1,033) - Worse mental health outcomes
93.08% (1,022) - More pressure and stress on families and carers
92.99% (1,021) - Less participation in community and social activities
92.62% (1,07) - More isolation for people with disability
90.26% (991) - Less building of skills and independence
84.24% (925) - More reliance on unpaid supports
79.05% (868) - Less people with disability and unpaid carers in paid employment
62.66% (688) - Fewer jobs for Australian workers
0.82% (9) - Unsure
0.46% (5) - Very little impact

NOTE: Survey respondents could select more than one option to best reflect their concerns about the NDIS Bill.

Over the next few days we will share information about what our community think of the changes proposed in the NDIS Bill.

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An infographic showing the above information.

Jenny McAllister Mark Butler MP Senator Jordon Steele-John Melissa McIntosh MP

03/06/2026

Expression of Interest:
After-School LEGO Club

SWAN is seeking expressions of interest for
a FREE after-school LEGO Club for primary school aged
kids with disability or neurodivergence and their families
(parent/carer supervision required).
Formal diagnosis is not required.
The LEGO club would run in Busselton on Wednesdays
from 3:30pm to 4:30pm during school terms.
This would be a relaxed, peer support group for primary
school aged kids, siblings and parent/carers, with
afternoon tea supplied.
Please complete expressions of interest here. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=I4xQnENm3ES9_bFIMDp9vaV-P2rQoKhAiZ012ogVCFBUQU9KQkIwUThJU043MUVISkc0NVBRSUVBUC4u&route=shorturl
For questions, or to share any access needs or ideas,
please contact Ronnie at [email protected] or
0474 577 400.

03/06/2026

SWAN received 1,387 responses to our survey on the NDIS Bill and 63 responses to the Easy Read version of the survey in just seven days. All questions were optional, but more than 1000 people answered every question in the survey. Thank you to everyone who took our survey - we have provided both full survey reports as attachments to the SWAN submission to make sure that your voices are heard.

Community Views about Mandatory Registration of Providers
(1,025 people answered this question)

👉 67.32% (690) people said its really important to be able to choose providers that are right for me, whether they are registered or not.
👉 64.98% (666) people said registration is very expensive, time consuming and doesn't make sure that providers are safe and high quality. This needs to be addressed.
👉 62.15% (637) people pointed out that allied health professionals are already registered with AHPRA and other regulatory bodies.
👉 52.78% (541) people said that being able to use non-registered providers means they can be more innovative, get better value for money and flexibility to suit their individual needs.
👉 45.27% (464) people said that registration is a business decision - businesses will only register if most of their customers are NDIS participants. In small communities NDIS participants make up a tiny percentage of the business' customer base.
👉 42.44% (435) people said that registered providers are less flexible.
👉 38.15% (391) people said they are concerned that the Government has still not accepted the recommendation for a Self Direction registration category.
👉 36.20% (371) people said they have had negative experience(s) with registered providers.
👉 33.07% (339) people said that limiting access to registered providers mean that there will either be one or no providers in their community. They need to be able to choose a different provider if things go wrong.
👉 27.51% (282) people said they live in a regional / remote area, and must have access to non-registered providers to access any support.
👉 24.95% (256) people said they direct employ their / their family member's support workers. They are trusted, safe, and they need these supports to continue.
👉 19.22% (197) people said they think all providers should be registered.
👉 16.10% (109) people said that they or their family member have a service for one. These supports are trusted, safe and they need these supports to continue.
👉 11.90% (122) people selected 'Other' and made additional comments,
👉 10.63% (109) people said there are no registered providers in their location, and never will be.
👉 6.34% (65) people said they have no concerns about mandatory provider registration.

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The above information featured in an infographic.

Jenny McAllister Mark Butler MP Senator Jordon Steele-John Melissa McIntosh MP ABC South West ABC News

02/06/2026

SWAN received 1,387 responses to our survey on the NDIS Bill and 63 responses to the Easy Read version of the survey in just seven days. All questions were optional, but more than 1000 people answered every question in the survey. Thank you to everyone who took our survey - we have provided both full survey reports as attachments to the SWAN submission to make sure that your voices are heard.

We asked people what they think should happen with the NDIS Bill.
👉 84.67% (856) people said the Bill should be withdrawn, and the Government should consult widely with the disability community before making any further changes to the NDIS law.
👉 4.75% (48) people selected 'Other and made comments. The majority of these comments called for the Government to listen to people with disability and families - we know where savings could be made in the NDIS without harming participants.
👉 4.55% (46) people said the Bill should be withdrawn and re-thought.
👉 4.06% (41) people said the Bill should go ahead, only with major changes.
👉 1.38% (14) people said the Bill should be passed, but with minor changes.
👉 0.59% (6) people said the Bill should be passed mostly as it is.

Image Description:
A colourful pie chart on a white background outlined in teal showing the above statistics from the SWAN survey. The pie chart shows a huge section in bright blue, representing the 84.67% of people who want the NDIS Bill withdrawn and for the Government to consult widely with the disability community before making any further changes to the NDIS Act.

Jenny McAllister Mark Butler MP Melissa McIntosh MP Senator Jordon Steele-John Hannah Beazley MLA ABC South West ABC News Guardian Australia

01/06/2026

ASAN AUNZ is recruiting!

Opportunities for Autistic-led groups, advisory groups and Auslan, Easy Read, and translation services will open shortly.

👉 Find out more here: https://www.asan-aunz.org/opportunities-with-asan-aunz/

30/05/2026

My name is Zoe Sandell. I’m the mother and legal guardian of Brodie Lunn, a 27‑year‑old non‑speaking, profoundly Autistic man. I share guardianship with my wife, Amy Hocking.

I’m writing this because the new NDIS power under s 34A allows the Minister to cut funding from any support category by legislative instrument, with no review rights. The first cut is already locked in: Social and Community Participation, starting 1 October 2026.

For most people, that might sound like a technical change.
For Brodie, it is life‑changing in the worst possible way.

Brodie uses his Social & Community Participation funding to run a small micro‑business with his friend Alex — Mow Your Own Future. With support workers, they mow lawns three days a week in their community. It gives Brodie purpose, routine, pride, physical activity, social connection, and a meaningful life outside the “babysitting‑style” day programs he attends on the other two days.

If this funding is cut, Brodie loses:

His micro‑business

His community connections

His only meaningful weekly activity

His skill development

His emotional regulation and stability

His identity and sense of purpose

We have spent years building a life where Brodie is included, valued, and engaged.
These changes risk taking all of that away.

I am speaking out because Brodie cannot.
And because every person with profound disability deserves more than passive care — they deserve a life with meaning, connection, and dignity.

If you care about Autistic adults, disability rights, or the future of the NDIS, please pay attention to what s 34A means. This isn’t just policy. It affects real people, real families, and real lives.

Make a submission to the Senate Committee at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/NDISFutureGenBill and here's an easy template guide on how to do that athttps://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SMH-Senate-submission-and-MP-letter-template-May-2026.pdf and here are some more unofficial Q&Ashttps://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NDIS-Bill-Workshop-Answers-Self-Manager-Hub-May-2026.pdf