Recommendation 188

The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (the Strategy) is an historic commitment made by all levels of government to work together to improve the life outcomes of Australians with disability. On 2 September 2016, the Council of Australian Governments' Disability Reform Council reaffirmed this commitment and agreed to reinvigorate all governments' efforts to drive progress under the Strategy. The Strategy's second implementation plan, Driving Action 2015-2018, was released on 1 December 2016 and is available on the Department of Social Services website.

Action taken under the strategy to improve the accessibility of mainstream services for people with disability will complement specialist disability services and programmes currently provided by the Australian Government and state and territory governments, including those provided through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS supports people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. The NDIS aims to ensure that people with disability will receive supports based on their needs, they will have choice and control over that support and the costs are controlled through an insurance approach. Further information on the NDIS is available on the Department of Social Services website.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) provides that it is unlawful for a person or organisation to discriminate against a person on the basis of disability in a range of areas of public life including employment, education, access to premises and the provision of goods, services and facilities. The Act also protects associates of people with disability from discrimination, and prohibits discrimination against people who have a carer, assistant, assistance animal or disability aid.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner since 1993. The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). The Commissioner's functions include protecting the rights of persons with disability in Australia and promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Disability rights page of the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

For information about state and territory policies and programmes related to the National Disability Strategy, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Community Services Directorate
• New South Wales – Ageing, Disability and Home Care
• Northern Territory – Office of Disability
• Queensland – Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
• South Australia – Disability SA
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet - Communities, Sport and Recreation
• Victoria – Department of Human Services
• Western Australia – Disability Services Commission

For information on state and territory anti-discrimination laws, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – ACT Human Rights Commission
• Northern Territory – NT Anti-Discrimination Commission
• New South Wales – Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW
• Queensland – Queensland Government and Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
• South Australia –  Equal Opportunity Commission SA
• Tasmania – Equal Opportunity Tasmania
• Victoria – Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• Western Australia – Equal Opportunity Commission