Access to services
Summary: The Act defines who and how people can access disability services.
The Disability Act (external link) defines disability as an impairment that may be a physical, sensory or neurological impairment, or an acquired brain injury which results in substantially reduced capacity in self-care, self-management, mobility or communication, and where other criteria in the Act are met. The definition of disability also includes an intellectual disability or developmental delay.
The Act changes the way people access disability services, by allowing for a simpler and more consistent system for all people with a disability.
The Act says a person with a disability, or a person on their behalf, may request services from a disability service provider. This may be the Department of Human Services, or another disability service provider.
If a person is refused services because the disability service provider does not think the person has a disability, the person can request the Secretary of the Department of Human Services ('the Secretary') to decide whether they have a disability.
If the Secretary decides that the person does not have a disability, the person may ask the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT external link) to make a decision.
The policy requirements for access to disability services are outlined in the 
Access Policy (PDF 166 KB) and this is further supplemented by the Access Policy Implementation Guide (PDF 185 KB) which aims to provide a foundation for shared practice among Department of Human Services and Community Service Organisation (CSO) staff.
The Act does not change the Disability Support Register requirements for people who want to access some ongoing services, such as accommodation in community residential units. These requirements are outlined in the Disability Support Register (DSR) guidelines.
Information sheet 3 — Access to disability services (PDF 175KB) contains an overview of access to disability services under the Act and some frequently asked questions.