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.
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.