The Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023 (Amendment Act) became law in Victoria on 23 May 2023.
The Amendment Act makes changes to the Disability Act 2006 (Disability Act) and other relevant Acts. The changes strengthen rights, protections and safeguards for people with disability in Victoria.
The Amendment Act was informed by consultations on the review of the Disability Act. This included public and targeted consultations with:
- people with disability
- families and carers
- community
- disability and public sector stakeholders
- the Disability Act Review Advisory Group.
The Amendment Act makes changes to:
- the Disability Act to improve services, safeguards and protections for people with disability
- the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 to promote residential rights in specialist disability accommodation
- the Disability Service Safeguards Act 2018 to remove duplicate rules about screening disability workers
- the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 to make sure the new social services regulation scheme works as it should when it starts on 1 July 2024.
The Amendment Act was developed as part of stage two of the Disability Act Review and has been informed by consultation with people with disability, community and sector stakeholders, and across government.
Overview factsheet and summaries
An overview factsheet and detailed summaries are now available to help stakeholders understand the changes made by Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023.
These summaries are provided as general information only and are not legal advice. Readers should refer directly to the latest version of the Disability Act (and other Acts as relevant) and seek independent legal advice if required.
Overview of the Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023
A high-level summary of the changes made by the Act.
- Overview of the Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023 (Word)
- Changes to laws that protect people with disability in Victoria – Easy Read (PDF)
- Changes to laws that protect people with disability in Victoria – Easy Read (Word)
Overview of changes to provisions for restrictive practices
This summary sets out key changes to rules in the Disability Act for the authorisation and use of restrictive practices.
Overview of changes to provisions for compulsory treatment
This summary sets out key changes to rules in the Disability Act for the use of compulsory treatment.
Overview of changes to provisions for information sharing
This summary sets out key changes to information sharing rules in the Disability Act.
Overview of changes to provisions for residential services
This summary describes changes to rules for how residential services are defined and operated under the Disability Act.
Overview of changes to provisions for community visitors
This summary describes changes to rules in the Disability Act for community visitors and related changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. The changes expand the types of disability accommodation that community visitors can visit.
Overview of changes to provisions for Forensic Disability Services
This summary describes changes to rules in the Disability Act for the operation of residential treatment facilities and specialist forensic disability accommodation under the Disability Act.
Overview of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997
This summary provides an overview of the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.
- Overview of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Word)
- Changes to laws that protect people with disability living in specialist disability accommodation (SDA) - Easy Read (PDF)
- Changes to laws that protect people with disability living in specialist disability accommodation (SDA) - Easy Read (Word)