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