Commonwealth Government Social Policy Framework
The Commonwealth Government's desired outcome for people with disabilities is full inclusion in all aspects of community life. The Government's vision for Australia is a society where all Australians can live, work and participate fully in community life.
The Government is committed to widening opportunities for independence, access and participation. The Government provides a range of opportunities and supports to ensure that people with disabilities are empowered to achieve their full economic and social potential.
The principles underpinning the Australian policy framework are designed to:
- Provide assistance to help people with disabilities participate effectively and fully in social and economic life;
- Ensure that safety net income support arrangements are in place to support people with disabilities who cannot work; and
- Ensure all levels of government appropriately assist people with disabilities, their families and carers. The Australian Government is currently undertaking a number of wide-ranging social policy reforms. The objective of Welfare Reform is to increase economic participation and social engagement, while maintaining an effective social safety net. These reforms aim to increase community engagement and reduce social exclusion with a focus on individualised assistance and early intervention.
The Australian Government is currently undertaking a number of wide-ranging social policy reforms. The objective of Welfare Reform is to increase economic participation and social engagement, while maintaining an effective social safety net. These reforms aim to increase community engagement and reduce social exclusion with a focus on individualised assistance and early intervention.
Australians Working Together is the first step in the path of a longer term, whole of Government approach to achieve the right balance between incentives, obligations and assistance in the social policy framework (see Australians Working Together).
National Disability Advisory Council
The National Disability Advisory Council was established on the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December 1996. The Council was established to strengthen the links between Government and the disability field and to work with the Minister for Family and Community Services to improve the lives of people with disabilities. The Council provides consumer views to the Government. The Council includes people with personal experience of disability, people with experience as carers, and service providers.
The National Disability Advisory Council is Australia's national coordination committee on disability for UNESCAP.
Ongoing challenges and priorities for the Council include:
- Providing advice on key issues under consideration by Government;
- Participating in the development of the revised Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement;
- Providing Government with advice on welfare reform initiatives;
- Consulting with State/Territory disability advisory bodies and national disability peak bodies to progress joint activities and promote the interests of people with disabilities;
- Provide expert advice and encourage stakeholders to progress the work on establishing Standards under the Disability Discrimination Act (see Section 2 of this report);
- Supporting the establishment of the National Indigenous Disability Network and seek opportunities to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds are carefully considered in policy development and implementation;
- Continue to highlight and progress discussion on key intersection issues including those of health care, ageing and disability; and
- Promote a whole of Government approach to disability issues.
The State and Territory Governments have also established advisory committees to advise their Ministers on matters that relate to the work undertaken within their own jurisdictions. Council works with these committees to strengthen the links between all levels of Government.
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Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement
The Ministers responsible for disability services usually meet annually to discuss disability issues of a national focus. These issues are generally related to the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA). Under the Agreement the Commonwealth Government is responsible for the provision of employment services for people with disabilities and the State and Territory Governments are responsible for managing accommodation and related support services. The second Agreement was due to expire in June 2002 and has currently been extended while the Ministers negotiate a third Agreement which will cover 2002-2007.
The third CSTDA will be based on a multilateral and bilateral agreement structure. The multilateral agreement will provide the national framework for the provision of disability services while the bilaterals will help governments target local issues such as transitions between service types and levels of government, improving the system on the ground for people with disabilities.
The third CSTDA will have a greater emphasis on accountability and transparency and will include improved reporting requirements.
Commonwealth Government Responsibilities
The Commonwealth provides a range of income support measures specifically for people with disabilities and for carers. By far the most significant of these in terms of expenditure is the Disability Support Pension (DSP). Like the rest of the social security system (at the Commonwealth level), DSP payments are means tested and made up from general taxation revenue rather than through insurance-based arrangements.
In March 2002, there were 652,000 customers on Disability Support Pension with expenditure reaching $6.4billion.
Disability Support Pension is paid to people who are unable to work, or be re-skilled for work for at least the next two years because of a disability. It is intended to ensure that people with disabilities have adequate levels of income and maximum opportunities to participate in society.
People who do not qualify for disability-specific payments may be eligible for other forms of income support, such as unemployment benefits.
There are two kinds of Commonwealth financial assistance that may be available in a caring situation. Carer Payment provides income support to people who, because of the demands of their caring role, are unable to support themselves through substantial workforce participation. Carer Payment is subject to income and assets tests and is paid at the same rate as other social security pensions. A person cannot receive Carer Payment and another social security income support payment at the same time.
Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment that is available to people who provide daily care and attention at home for an adult or child with a disability or chronic medical condition. Carer Allowance is not income or assets tested and is not treated as income for taxation purposes. It can be paid in addition to a social security income support payment.
The Commonwealth also manages a wide range of programs designed to assist people with disabilities into employment. These programs are funded by the Commonwealth and mostly delivered through service providers in the voluntary and private sectors, with vocational rehabilitation assistance delivered through the Commonwealth agency, Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service, Australia.
The Commonwealth provides assistance for people with hearing impairments through the Office of Hearing Services. The Office can provide eligible people with vouchers for free hearing assessments, hearing rehabilitation and selection and fitting of hearing aids and other devices. Customers may also receive maintenance of their aid(s) (including regular supplies of batteries) and advice on how to make the best use of their aid(s) and how to manage their hearing loss. Additional services are available to people who have severe or profound hearing loss.
State/Territory Government Responsibilities
State and Territory Governments have responsibility for the planning, policy setting and management of specialist disability services except employment services. The States and Territories are primarily responsible for providing accommodation support services, respite care services and community access programs such as day programs. Compensation for personal injury resulting from workplace and motor vehicle accidents is paid under State/Territory legislation that makes it compulsory for employers and motorists to insure against these contingencies.