Disability Act 2006
Summary: Information about the Act and how it is provided.
Information on this page:
- About the Disability Act 2006
- Providing Information
- Disability Act 2006 - Revised Policies
- For more information
About the Disability Act 2006
The Disability Act 2006 ('the Act') commenced on 1 July 2007.
It replaced the Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services Act 1986 and Disability Services Act 1991.
The Act provides for:
- a stronger whole-of-government, whole-of-community response to the rights and needs of people with a disability, and
- a framework for the provision of high quality services and supports for people with a disability.
Regulations have been developed to support the Act in the areas of residents' funds and residential charges, and restrictive interventions and supervised treatment. The Disability Regulations 2007 were subject to a Regulatory Impact Statement and public submission process.
The Act and Regulations can be viewed on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website in the Victorian Statute Book section (external link.)
The major areas of the Act and key points for disability service providers are outlined in a
guide for disability service providers (PDF 413KB). The Policy and information manual (PDF 510 KB) provides further information for disability service providers including an overview of the Act, the policy context, information privacy, culturally appropriate practice and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT external link.)
Information sheet 1 - Overview (PDF 229KB) provides an overview of the Act and the principles that underpin the new legislation.
About the Disability Act 2006 (PDF 148KB) provides an overview of the Act and is available in audio format and video format
Providing information
The Disability Act (external link) requires that people with a disability be given information that explains their rights.
For example, when a person starts to use a disability service, the disability service provider must give them information about the services to be provided and their rights under the Act.
The information given to a person under the Act must:
- use the language and type of communication they are most likely to understand
- where possible, be both explained to the person and given in writing.
If the person with a disability cannot understand the information, it can be given to another person of their choosing, who can assist them with understanding their rights.
These requirements are outlined in the provision of information policy contained in the Policy and information manual (PDF 510 KB). The provision of information policy also contains a template that can be used by disability service providers.
An interactive version of the Easy Read form About the disability services you get - Section 89 template (PDF 1.0 mb) is available and can be completed, saved and copied online. It contains an overview of information to be provided under the Act and some frequently asked questions.
Information sheet 10 - Provision of information (PDF 141KB) contains an overview of information to be provided under the Act and some frequently asked questions.
Disability Act 2006- Revised Policies
The policies developed to support the implementation of the Disability Act 2006 have now been reviewed. The following policies are available:
Disability Services Access Policy (Word 1.3 mb) - Disability Services Access Policy (PDF 493.8 kb)
- Disability Services Access Policy - An Implementation Guide (Word 368.5 kb)
- Disability Services Access Policy - An Implementation Guide (PDF 355.5 kb)
- Policy and Information Manual (Word 469.0 kb)
- Policy and Information Manual (PDF 540.6 kb)
- Planning Policy (PDF 208.9 kb) (25 pages)
- Planning Policy (Word 88.5 kb) (25 pages)
The policies listed below will be available by the following dates:
| Disability Act 2006- Revised Policies | |
|---|---|
| Disability Services Planning Policy- An Implementation Guide | Late 2009 |
| Strengthening Rights in Residential Services Policy | Late October 2009 |
| Management of Money Policy | Late October 2009 |
| Department- managed Residential Services Residential Charges Policy-Long term accomodation and facility based respite | Late October 2009 |
| Guidelines for the Setting and Collection of Residential Charges-Community Service Organisations | Late October 2009 |
| Disability Act 2006 Implementation Guide- Restrictive Interventions | Late 2009 |
| Disability Act 2006 Implementation Guide-Supervised Treatment Orders | Late 2009 |
| Disability Act 2006 Implementation Guide-Residential Treatment Facilities | Late 2009 |
For more information
Legislation Team
Disability Services Division
Department of Human Services
50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone 1300 366 731 (9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday)
TTY (03) 9096 0133 (for people who are deaf or have a hearing, speech or communication impairment)
Fax (03) 9096 9137
Email disability.legislation@dhs.vic.gov.au.