Disability Discrimination Act Review – Issues Paper

Closes 24 Oct 2025

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Part 6 – Modernising the Disability Discrimination Act

The following questions relate to the discussion set out in Part 6 of the Issues Paper.

This part examines other issues relating to disability discrimination that have been raised by stakeholders or explored in other reviews or inquiries. This includes support for people with assistance animals, the effectiveness of disability action plans, and the enforceability of the Disability Standards.

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  • This section sets out the rules in the Disability Discrimination Act regarding assistance animals and explores key issues and opportunities for improvement in this space.
  • This section considers training and accreditation for assistance animals, and the evidence required to prove if an animal is an assistance animal.

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  • This section explains the current use of disability action plans, and what must be included in these plans.
  • This section explores stakeholder concerns with the current effectiveness of disability action plans and seeks views on whether guidance or minimum requirements could improve the effectiveness of disability action plans.

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  • This section considers opportunities for improving the Disability Standards framework in the Disability Discrimination Act. It is not considering the Disability Standards themselves.
  • This section seeks feedback on how the enforceability of and compliance with the Standards can be improved.
38. How could the protections for assistance animals be clarified for both people with disability and duty holders, including in relation to evidence of training, evidence or standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for a public place?
39. Would legislative amendments or guidance materials be helpful to balance flexibility and certainty, or a mixture of both?

(Please select one)

40. Should specific training organisations be prescribed under the Disability Discrimination Regulations?

(Please select one)

41. Should there be minimum requirements for action plans (such as through guidelines) and what should the minimum requirements cover?

(Please select one)

42. Should the Australian Human Rights Commission be able to reject action plans that fail to meet these requirements?

(Please select one)

43. Should there be a set period of time for which an action plan is valid?

(Please select one)

44. Are there any other changes to the action plan process that you would recommend?
45. How could compliance with and enforcement of the Disability Standards be improved?
46. Should the Disability Discrimination Act be amended to encourage relevant duty holders to self-report on their compliance with the Disability Standard(s) in disability action plans?

(Please select one)

47. Could the Australian Human Rights Commission provide additional guidance to duty holders regarding how to self‑report on the Disability Standards in disability action plans?

(Please select one)