Australian Government agrees to 13 out of 172 Disability Royal Commission recommendations

Key points:

• The Australian Government has recently released a response to the Disability Royal Commission’s final report that contained 172 recommendations
• One hundred and thirty recommendations have been accepted or accepted in principle, with significant funding now allocated to areas of interest
• Approximately 10,000 submissions were made to the Disability Royal Commission by people with disability and advocates in the final report

The Australian Government has released its response to the Disability Royal Commission final report today, July 31, 2024. 

The Australian Government states that it ‘mostly agrees’ with 130 of the recommendations and needs more time before making a decision on 36 of the recommendations. 

Some of the accepted recommendations include:

• reviewing and updating Australia’s Disability Strategy;
• developing education and training resources for disability employment services staff;
• improving the timing of NDIA-funded transition supports; and
• expanding community connector programs.

Although the government has accepted numerous recommendations, six recommendations were noted but not accepted, including ‘new governance arrangements for disability’ and ‘phasing out of non-mainstream or segregated education,’ which are also known as special education schools.

The Disability Royal Commission’s final report contained 172 recommendations for the Australian Government to consider. 

Based on the Commonwealth’s response, the government is allocating funding to areas to improve disability rights and antidiscrimination, safety, inclusion and access and employment.

More than $5 billion dollars has been allocated in the latest Federal Budget to improve the lives of people with disability. However, the Australian Government is now investing more into priorities such as:

• $39.7 million dollars for the establishment of a new disability advocacy program;
• $227.6 million dollars to create a new specialist disability employment program;
• $12.3 million dollars to improve accessible information and communication methods e.g. Auslan.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten commented on how the Australian Government aims to improve the lives of people with disability.

“Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability is completely unacceptable and our response to the Disability Royal Commission’s findings shows our commitment to making real change to better safeguard people with disability. I have been focused on quality and safeguards,” he said.

“We have been making record investments in people and technology at the NDIS Commission to ensure they have the resources they need to keep participants safe.”

More than 10,000 submissions were sent to the Disability Royal Commission to inform the final report published on September 29, 2023. These submissions were intended to help make Australia more accessible and inclusive for people with disability.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth explained that the input of people with disability to the Disability Royal Commission is invaluable.

“We are deeply grateful to the thousands of people who shared their trauma and experiences and took part in the Royal Commission, as well as in our consultations on what form the response should take,” Minister Rishworth said.

An estimated 18 percent of Australians have disability, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn also highlighted the impact of individuals providing their lived experience as evidence to the Royal Commission.   

“I want to thank the thousands of Victorians with disability who gave evidence to the Royal Commission and acknowledge their courage in sharing their experiences and knowledge,” she said.

“We have a lot to be proud of in Victoria, but we also know we must continue to work hard every day to make Victoria more inclusive and to provide equal opportunities.”

The Australian Government will publish two reports annually to highlight the ongoing work that is being done to meet the approved recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission. 

You can access the full government response, a response summary and an easy-to-read version on the Department of Social Services website. 

While the Australian Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission’s final report is a step in the right direction, improving inclusivity in Australia may take time. 

If you or someone you know requires support, free helplines are available, including:

• the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline on 1800 880 052; and
• the Disability Advocacy Support Helpline: 1800 643 787.

How do you feel about the Australian Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission’s final report?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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