Action Description Measure of Achievement Implementation of recommendations arising from the second review of Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) Further information is available at the website. The Australian Government is committed to reducing against people with disability and improving public transport accessibility. The Transport Standards are required to be reviewed every five years. The second review of the Transport Standards was in 2012. Further details are contained in the Australian Government response to the review. Lead agency: Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development The success of this activity will be measured by the implementation of the review’s recommendations. The second review made a number of recommendations, including: Recommendation 1 - Modernisation of the Transport Standards. Government, transport industry and disability sector representatives are progressing work surrounding two tranches of identified modernisation issues. Proposed amendments will be finalised following public consultation. Recommendation 4 - A Whole of Journey Guide for assisting transport planners to think beyond compliance to create accessible public transport journeys will be finalised in late 2017 following national consultation.
Disability awareness and confidence elearning Further information is available at the website. Disability awareness and confidence training will help improve the employment experience and retention of employees with disability in the APS. The Australian Public Service Commission and the Department of Human Services have jointly created an e-learning package on disability awareness and confidence that is available to all APS agencies. Lead agencies: Australian Public Service Commission, Department of Human Services The success of this activity will be measured by improved employment experiences of employees with disability, as measured by the APS Employee Census. Income support and tax systems to provide an adequate standard of living for people with disability, their families and carers, while fostering personal financial independence and employment Action Description Measure of Achievement Income Support Further information is available at the website. The Department of Human Services supports individuals, families and communities to achieve greater self-sufficiency by providing access to a range of payments and services. This includes payments to support people with disability, carers, retirees, the unemployed, families, parents, students, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Disability Support Pension provides financial support for people who have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops them from working, or if they are permanently blind. Carer Payment provides financial support for people who are providing constant care, in a private home, to someone with a severe disability, illness, or is an adult who is frail aged. Carer Allowance provides financial assistance to people who are giving daily care to someone who has a disability, serious illness or is frail aged. Lead agency: Department of Human Services Delivery of payments and services to eligible people with disability, their families and carers.
Enhancing the Commonwealth Workers’ Compensation Scheme (the Comcare Scheme) Further information is available at the website. The Government is committed to workers compensation reforms that support injured Australian Government employees back to full health and back to work, and provide extra support for those who need it. Lead agency: Department of Employment Success of any reforms will be demonstrated through improvement in early intervention activities and the Comcare Scheme’s return to work outcomes for injured workers. Improve access to housing options that are affordable and provide security of tenure Action Description Measure of Achievement Housing and the NDIS Further information is available at the website. The NDIS will provide all Australians (entering prior to age 65) with reasonable and necessary support in the event of significant disability. One of the supports that may be funded for some participants who have an extreme functional impairment or very high support needs is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). This is addressed under Outcome1, Policy Direction 3: Improved provision of accessible and well-designed housing with choice for people with disability about where they live. Lead agency: National Disability Insurance Agency NDIS participants have reasonable and necessary accommodation related supports funded in their NDIS plans. Housing and Homelessness Agreement Further information is available at the website. The Australian Government provides funding to states and territories to deliver housing assistance and homelessness services, including to people with disability, through the National Affordable Housing Agreement and National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness. As announced in the 2017-18 Budget, the Australian Government is introducing a new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement with state and territory governments to increase the supply of new homes and improve outcomes for all Australians across the housing spectrum, particularly those most in need. Lead agencies: The Treasury, Department of Social Services, and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet There are no specific performance indicators for people with disability.
Australian Government response to the National Mental Health Commission's Review of Mental Health Programs and Services 'Contributing lives, thriving communities' The review of Mental Health Programs and Services, ‘Contributing Lives, Thriving Communities’, highlighted the existing complexity, inefficiency and fragmentation of the mental health system and presented a compelling case for sustainable reform. The Australian Government response to the review (released in November 2015) aims to transform Australian Government mental health funding and leadership, with a significant shift in the way services are planned and delivered, through a stepped care approach to mental health. The Australian Government’s reforms of mental health services under the Strengthening Mental Health Care policy will deliver a more integrated, streamlined and regionally responsive approach to mental health services for all Australians. To this end, the Australian Government is providing $746.8 million to 31 PHNs to 2018-19 to lead mental health and suicide prevention planning at a regional level. This will ensure that a range of mental health services are available within local regions to better match the needs of individuals. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program The two endpoints of the AGPT Program are the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. These colleges set their curriculum standards and both include some information on disability within their curriculum standards. Lead agency: Department of Health AGPT Program meets the College standards. It may also include reporting by people with disability who have been treated well by their medical practitioner.