Knowing Your Rights
The following Act provides a national legal framework for support and services to be made available to people living in Australia who have disabilities.
The Commonwealth Disability Services Act 1986
Website: www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A03370
Government funding is allocated to each State for provision of services to people with disabilities.
State Legislation
State Government agencies are also governed by legislation therefore some differences in eligibility and service provision will exist.
Australian Capital Territory
Disability Services Act 1991 (ACT)
New South Wales
NSW Disability Services Act (DSA) (1993)
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Disability Services Act 1993
Queensland
Disability Services Act 2006 (reprinted 1 July 2012)
South Australia
Disability Services Act 1993
Tasmania
Tasmanian Disability Services Act 1992
Victoria
Disability Act 2006
Western Australia
Disability Services Act 1993 (WA)
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
The DDA is an Act passed by the Federal Government and therefore applies to all states of Australia. The Australian Human Rights Commission is responsible for ensuring that the Act is implemented.
Under the DDA anyone with a disability should be given equal opportunities and access to services. It is unlawful to discriminate both directly and indirectly against a person because they have a disability.
A brief guide to the DDA can be accessed on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.
Website: www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/dda_guide/dda_guide.htm
Financial Support
The Australian Government provides the following benefits through Centrelink (eligibility applies):
* Disability Support Pension
* Mobility Allowance
* Age Pension
* Child Disability Assistance Payment (annual payment)
* Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, or Carer Supplement
* People with disabilities may also be eligible to other concessions.
Contact Centrelink (Department of Human Services) for further information.
Website: www.humanservices.gov.au
Tel: (Disability, Sickness and Carers) 132 717
Eligibility to the Disability Support Pension or Age Pension may entitle a person to other concessions such as the Hearing Services Voucher (national), and local travel concessions, taxi vouchers or parking schemes.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Ex-servicemen and women may be eligible to additional support and concessions through the Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs program
Website: www.dva.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx
Other legislation
The Aged Care Act 1997
Website: www.comlaw.gov.au/Search/aged%20care%20act%201997
Home and Community Care Act 1985
Website: www.comlaw.gov.au/Search/home%20and%20community%20care%20act%201985
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The Royal Commission appointed on 11 January 2013 by Her Excellency Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, will investigate Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Commissioners of the Royal Commission have been appointed for three years to investigate institutions responsible for children, inquiring how allegations and instances of child sexual abuse have been managed and will make recommendations for improvement to protect children.
The Royal Commission will be holding private sessions in every state where individuals who experienced child sexual abuse can meet with Commissioners to tell their story.
Private sessions are schedule to December 2013
August – West Australia, ACT, Victoria, NSW
September – Victoria, Tasmania, NSW
October – Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW
November – South Australia, NSW
December – West Australia, NSW
For more information go to the Royal Commission websitehttp://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
To register interest go tohttp://www.registerinterest@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au
Senses Australia will support any client who has experienced child sexual abuse to access further information.
Contact Senses Australia
Tel: (08) 9473 5400
http://www.senses.org.au