Disability Services Act 2006

• Background
  • Review of the DSA
  • Results of the consultation
• Rights of people with a disability
• Key impacts of the legislation
  • A focus on quality
  • Strengthening safeguards
  • Strengthening accountability
  • Strengthening government and community partnerships
• Publications and resources
• Contact us

Review of the DSA

In 1992, as a Queensland first, the government enacted the Disability Services Act 1992 (DSA) to oversee the delivery of services to Queenslanders with a disability. This Act was administered by Disability Services Queensland (DSQ).

However, by 2002, this piece of legislation had not been amended since its introduction and it was no longer reflective of contemporary Queensland disability policy and practice, nor of community expectations in relation to accountability and monitoring of government funded disability services.

In April 2002 as an election commitment, the government commenced a review of the Act. The department worked in collaboration with two groups: a disability sector reference group and a government working party. As a result nine issues papers were developed, identifying key issues for consideration in reviewing the Act.

Between May and September 2003, DSQ conducted extensive state-wide consultation with the Queensland community. This phase was referred to as 'Phase 1' consultation and saw the participation of over 800 people and 24 organisations.

After this time, DSQ continued to receive valuable input, therefore the Minister for Disability Services agreed to extend the consultation period to allow the disability sector to prepare a further detailed submission to the Review. This became known as 'Phase 2' consultation and an independent consultant undertook the process and prepared a submission, 'Bringing Life to Legislation'.

In 2004, DSQ presented the Minister with the outcomes of consultations. From this process, the government was able to identify the critical reforms necessary to ensure a framework that would give people with a disability and their families, confidence in the provision of disability services.

In May 2005, the State Government announced a package of reforms including:

• new disability legislation to address rights, protection and services
• a Public Benefit Test to determine whether disability services (including those that are government funded and those that are not) should have increased regulation.

The new legislation was passed by Queensland Parliament in March 2006 and took effect on 1 July 2006.