{"id":"a-1991-98","name":"Disability Services Act 1991","slug":"disability-services-act-1991","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"98 of 1991","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23402,"registerId":"act-a-1991-98-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disability Services Act 1991","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nDisability Services Act 1991\nA1991-98\nRepublication No 15\nEffective: 16 December 2025\nRepublication date: 16 December 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Disability Services Act 1991 (including any amendment made under\nthe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 16 December 2025. It also\nincludes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to\n16 December 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nDisability Services Act 1991\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n2A Notes 2\n3 Objects 2\nPart 1A Specialist disability services\n4 What is a specialist disability service? 4\n5 Who is a specialist disability service provider? 4\n5A Approval of standards 5\nPart 2 Financial Assistance\n6 Financial assistance for providers of services 6\n7 Conditions of grants 6\n8 Review of effectiveness of grants 7\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Official visitors\n8A Definitions—pt 3 8\n8B Meaning of visitable place—pt 3 8\n8C Entitled person may request not to be visited 11\n8D Complaint about disability service provided at place other than\nvisitable place 11\n8E Information to be included on visitable places register 13\n8F Provider to give information about visitable place 13\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\n9 Approval of activities 14\n10 Guidelines 14\n11A Approved forms 14\n12 Regulation-making power 15\nSchedule 1 Human rights principles to be furthered in\nrelation to people with disabilities 16\nSchedule 2 Requirements to be complied with in relation\nto the design and implementation of\nprograms and services relating to people with\ndisabilities 18\nDictionary 20\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 23\n2 Abbreviation key 23\n3 Legislation history 24\n4 Amendment history 27\n5 Earlier republications 31\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions 32\n\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nDisability Services Act 1991\nAn Act relating to persons with disabilities\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Disability Services Act 1991.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this Act.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire Act unless the\ndefinition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the\ncontrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and\ns 156 (1)).\n2A Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n3 Objects\nThe objects of this Act are—\n(a) to enable people with disabilities to receive the services\nnecessary to enable them to achieve their maximum potential as\nmembers of the community; and\n(b) to enable people with disabilities to receive services that—\n(i) further their integration into the community and\ncomplement services available generally to people in the\ncommunity; and\n(ii) enable them to achieve a better quality of life including\nincreased independence, employment opportunities and\nintegration in the community; and\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 3\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iii) are provided in ways that promote in the community a\npositive image of people with disabilities and enhance their\nself-esteem; and\n(c) to ensure that the quality of life achieved by people with\ndisabilities as the result of the services provided for them is\ntaken into account in the granting of financial assistance for the\nprovision of those services; and\n(d) to promote the provision of high quality and innovative supports\nto enable people with disabilities to maximise independent\nlifestyles and full inclusion in the community; and\n(e) to provide a system to administer funding for people with\ndisabilities that is flexible and responsive to the needs and\naspirations of those people.\n\nPart 1A Specialist disability services\nSection 4\npage 4 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1A Specialist disability services\n4 What is a specialist disability service?\n(1) A specialist disability service is a service that—\n(a) is provided specifically for people with disability; and\n(b) is of a type declared by the Minister under subsection (2).\n(2) The Minister may declare a type of service to be a specialist disability\nservice.\nExamples—service types\n• accommodation support services\n• advocacy services\n• case management services\n• personal care services\n• respite care services\n(3) A declaration may apply, adopt or incorporate an instrument as in\nforce from time to time.\n(4) A declaration is a disallowable instrument.\n5 Who is a specialist disability service provider?\n(1) A specialist disability service provider is a person or entity\n(other than the Territory) that provides specialist disability services,\nwhether or not for profit, but does not include—\n(a) a close relative of a person with disability who provides\nspecialist disability services to the person other than as an agent\nor employee of a specialist disability service provider; or\n(b) a person or entity prescribed by regulation.\n\nSpecialist disability services Part 1A\nSection 5A\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) In this section:\nclose relative of a person means the person’s—\n(a) domestic partner; or\nNote Domestic partner—see the Legislation Act, s 169.\n(b) father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, stepfather,\nstepmother, father-in-law or mother-in-law; or\n(c) son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, stepson, stepdaughter,\nson-in-law or daughter-in-law; or\n(d) brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister,\nbrother-in-law or sister-in-law; or\n(e) uncle, aunt, uncle-in-law or aunt-in-law; or\n(f) nephew, niece or cousin.\n5A Approval of standards\n(1) The Minister may approve standards about the provision of specialist\ndisability services by specialist disability service providers.\nExamples—matters standards may be about\n• quality of services\n• qualifications and training for staff\n• criminal history checks\n• protection of personal information\n• allowing reasonable access to premises to inspect the operation of services\nNote Power to make a statutory instrument includes power to make different\nprovision in relation to different matters or different classes of matters,\nand to make an instrument that applies differently by reference to stated\nexceptions or factors (see Legislation Act, s 48).\n(2) An approved standard may apply, adopt or incorporate an instrument\nas in force from time to time.\n(3) An approved standard is a disallowable instrument.\n\nPart 2 Financial Assistance\nSection 6\npage 6 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Financial Assistance\n6 Financial assistance for providers of services\n(1) The Minister may approve grants of financial assistance to—\n(a) a provider of services; or\n(b) a person with a disability; or\n(c) a researcher;\nsubject to the prospective grantee entering into an agreement with the\nMinister under section 7.\n(2) The Minister must not approve a grant unless satisfied—\n(a) that the grant would further the principles set out in schedule 1\nand comply with any guidelines referred to in section 10 (1) (a);\nand\n(b) that the programs and services funded by the grant would\ncomply with the requirements set out in schedule 2.\n7 Conditions of grants\n(1) A person or an organisation may not receive a grant unless the person\nor organisation enters into an agreement with the Minister in writing\nabout the conditions on which the grant is to be made.\n(2) The reference in subsection (1) to an agreement between the Minister\nand an organisation includes, for an unincorporated association, an\nagreement between the Minister and a person on behalf of the\norganisation.\n\nFinancial Assistance Part 2\nSection 8\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) An agreement mentioned in subsection (1)—\n(a) if it relates to the provision of services—must state the\nobjectives to be achieved by or in relation to the person receiving\nthe services; and\n(b) may include provisions relating to the payment by the grantee to\nthe Minister of an amount equal to the amount of the grant or\npart of the grant if there is a contravention of a condition.\n(4) An agreement mentioned in subsection (1) is subject to the condition\nthat the grantee complies with guidelines (if any) mentioned in\nsection 10 (1) (a) that apply to the grantee.\n(5) A reference in an agreement mentioned in subsection (1) to a\ncondition includes the condition mentioned in subsection (4).\n8 Review of effectiveness of grants\nAt intervals not exceeding 5 years, the Minister must review the\nextent to which—\n(a) a grantee has fulfilled the conditions of grants received by the\ngrantee; and\n(b) the objectives stated in the conditions of a grant have been\nachieved.\n\nPart 3 Official visitors\nSection 8A\npage 8 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Official visitors\nNote At least 1 official visitor must be appointed for this Act under the Official\nVisitor Act 2012 (the OV Act).\nThe OV Act sets out the functions of official visitors which includes\nvisiting visitable places, handling complaints from entitled people and\nreporting on those matters.\nThis part defines what is an entitled person and a visitable place for the\nOV Act. This part also prescribes other matters for the OV Act.\n8A Definitions—pt 3\nIn this part:\nassociated—a specialist disability service provider is associated with\na visitable place if the provider—\n(a) is the operating entity for the place; or\n(b) owns or rents the place; or\n(c) provides a specialist disability service at the place.\nentitled person means a person with disability.\nofficial visitor, for a visitable place—see the Official Visitor\nAct 2012, section 6.\noperating entity, for a visitable place—see the Official Visitor\nAct 2012, dictionary.\n8B Meaning of visitable place—pt 3\n(1) In this part:\nvisitable place—\n(a) means accommodation provided to an entitled person for respite\nor long-term residential purposes; and\n\nOfficial visitors Part 3\nSection 8B\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) includes—\n(i) accommodation that is owned, rented or operated by a\nspecialist disability service provider; and\n(ii) accommodation at which a specialist disability service\nprovider provides a specialist disability service; and\n(iii) a residential care home that accommodates the entitled\nperson.\n(2) However, a visitable place does not include the following\naccommodation provided to an entitled person:\n(a) a private home if the person receives a specialist disability\nservice at the home only from a person who is not a specialist\ndisability service provider;\n(b) a private home if the person lives in the home with at least\n1 adult family member who does not receive a specialist\ndisability service from a specialist disability service provider at\nthe home;\n(c) accommodation if the only specialist disability service the\nperson receives at the accommodation is a type of service\ndeclared by the Minister not to require visitation;\n(d) a residential care home if the person is 65 years old or older\nwhen they first receive a specialist disability service (whether at\nthe facility or elsewhere).\n(3) A declaration for subsection (2) (c) is a disallowable instrument.\n(4) In this section:\nfamily member, of a person, means—\n(a) a domestic partner of the person; or\n(b) a relative of the person; or\n\nPart 3 Official visitors\nSection 8B\npage 10 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) a child of a domestic partner or former domestic partner of the\nperson; or\n(d) a parent of a child of the person.\nNote A domestic partner need not be an adult (see Legislation Act, s 169).\nrelative, of a person—\n(a) means the person’s—\n(i) father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, stepfather,\nstepmother, father-in-law or mother-in-law; or\n(ii) son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, stepson,\nstepdaughter, son-in-law or daughter-in-law; or\n(iii) brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother,\nstepsister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law; or\n(iv) uncle, aunt, uncle-in-law or aunt-in-law; or\n(v) nephew, niece or cousin; and\n(b) if the person has or had a domestic partner (other than a spouse\nor civil union partner)—includes someone who would have been\na relative mentioned in paragraph (a) if the person had been\nmarried to or in a civil union with the domestic partner; and\n(c) if the person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person,\nincludes the following people:\n(i) someone the person has responsibility for, or an interest in,\nin accordance with the traditions and customs of the\nperson’s Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community;\n(ii) someone who has responsibility for, or an interest in, the\nperson in accordance with the traditions and customs of the\nperson’s Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.\nresidential care home means a residential care home under the\nAged Care Act 2024 (Cwlth).\n\nOfficial visitors Part 3\nSection 8C\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8C Entitled person may request not to be visited\n(1) An entitled person at a visitable place may at any time ask the official\nvisitor for the place, in writing, not to be visited at the place.\n(2) On receipt of a request under subsection (1), the official visitor must\nnot visit the entitled person other than under section 8D.\n8D Complaint about disability service provided at place other\nthan visitable place\n(1) An entitled person at a visitable place may make a complaint to an\nofficial visitor for the place under the Official Visitor Act 2012,\nsection 22 about a specialist disability service that is provided—\n(a) at a place other than the visitable place; or\n(b) if the person has asked the official visitor not to visit the person\nat the visitable place under section 8C—at the visitable place.\nExample—place other than a visitable place\na private home where a specialist disability service is provided to an entitled person\nonly by a close relative of the person\n(2) The official visitor may—\n(a) investigate the complaint; and\n(b) visit the place where the service is provided.\n(3) However, the official visitor may only visit a place mentioned in\nsubsection (1)—\n(a) if the entitled person consents to the visit; and\n(b) at a reasonable time, unless the owner of, or entity operating, the\nplace otherwise consents; and\n(c) either—\n(i) after giving the owner of, or entity operating, the place\nreasonable notice; or\n\nPart 3 Official visitors\nSection 8D\npage 12 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) without giving notice if the official visitor reasonably\nbelieves that an entitled person at the place is at risk of\nharm.\n(4) For subsection (3) (a), an entitled person consents to a visit to a place\nby an official visitor if—\n(a) the official visitor has the entitled person’s—\n(i) written consent; or\n(ii) oral consent, if a written record of the consent is made by\na person who heard the consent being given; or\n(b) the official visitor—\n(i) has taken reasonable steps to find out if the entitled person\nconsents; and\n(ii) reasonably believes the entitled person may not be able to\nmake a decision about consent or communicate that\ndecision; and\n(iii) reasonably believes that a visit to the place is necessary and\nappropriate to allow the official visitor to exercise the\nofficial visitor’s functions under this Act and the Official\nVisitor Act 2012; and\n(iv) the entitled person has not told, or otherwise indicated to,\nthe official visitor that the person does not consent.\n(5) If subsection (4) (b) applies and an official visitor visits a place, the\nofficial visitor must, as soon as practicable, take reasonable steps to\nmake the entitled person aware that the place was visited.\n\nOfficial visitors Part 3\nSection 8E\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8E Information to be included on visitable places register\nThe following information must be included on the register under the\nOfficial Visitor Act 2012, section 23DB for a visitable place:\n(a) the name and contact details of each specialist disability service\nprovider associated with the place; and\n(b) if a specialist disability service provider associated with a place\nis not an individual—the name, phone number and email address\nof the following:\n(i) an employee or volunteer based at the place;\n(ii) 2 employees of the provider.\n8F Provider to give information about visitable place\n(1) A specialist disability service provider associated with a visitable\nplace must give the director-general, in writing, the information\nmentioned in section 8E within 5 days after becoming associated with\nthe visitable place.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) If any information given to the director-general under subsection (1)\nchanges, the specialist disability service provider must give the\ndirector-general, in writing, the new information within 5 days after\nthe information changes.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\nSection 9\npage 14 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\n9 Approval of activities\n(1) The Minister may approve an activity for the dictionary, definition of\nresearch and development activity, paragraph (h).\n(2) An approval is a disallowable instrument.\n10 Guidelines\n(1) The Minister may issue guidelines, not inconsistent with this Act\nrelating to—\n(a) the making of grants; or\n(b) the detailed application and implications of the principles set out\nin schedule 1 and the requirements set out in schedule 2.\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), guidelines may make provision in\nrelation to—\n(a) the terms and conditions on which a grant should be made; or\n(b) the manner of calculating grants; or\n(c) the timing of payments.\n(3) A guideline must be of a general nature and must not be limited to\napply only to a particular person or body.\n(4) A guideline is a disallowable instrument.\n11A Approved forms\n(1) The Minister may approve forms for this Act.\n(2) If the Minister approves a form for a particular purpose, the approved\nform must be used for that purpose.\n(3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument.\n\nMiscellaneous Part 5\nSection 12\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12 Regulation-making power\n(1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act.\n(2) A regulation may make provision in relation to standards mentioned\nin section 5A, including the following:\n(a) the entities that must comply with the standards;\n(b) performance measures for measuring compliance with the\nstandards;\n(c) the monitoring of compliance with the standards;\n(d) the enforcement of compliance with the standards;\n(e) the consequences of failing to comply with the standards.\n(3) A regulation may create offences and fix maximum penalties of not\nmore than 10 penalty units for the offences.\n\nSchedule 1 Human rights principles to be furthered in relation to people with disabilities\npage 16 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Human rights principles to be\nfurthered in relation to people\nwith disabilities\n(see s 6 (2))\n1 All people with disabilities are individuals who have the inherent\nright to respect for their human worth and dignity.\n2 People with disabilities, whatever the origin, nature, type or degree of\ndisability, have the same basic human rights as other members of\nsociety and should be enabled to exercise these basic human rights.\n3 People with disabilities have the same rights as other members of\nsociety to realise their individual capacities for physical, social,\nemotional and intellectual development.\n4 People with disabilities and carers of people with disabilities have the\nsame right as other members of society to services that will support\ntheir attaining a reasonable quality of life.\n5 People with disabilities have the same right as other members of\nsociety to make and actively participate in the decisions that affect\ntheir lives and are entitled to appropriate and necessary support to\nenable participation in, direction and implementation of the decisions\nthat affect their lives.\n6 People with disabilities have the same right as other members of\nsociety to receive services in a manner that results in the least\nrestriction of their rights and opportunities.\n\nHuman rights principles to be furthered in relation to people with disabilities Schedule 1\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n7 People with disabilities have the same right of pursuit of any\ngrievance in relation to services as have other members of society.\n8 People with disabilities who wish to pursue a grievance also have the\nright to—\n(a) adequate support to enable pursuit of the grievance; and\n(b) be able to pursue the grievance without fear of discontinuation\nof services or recrimination from any person or agency who may\nbe affected by or involved in the pursuit of the grievance.\n\nSchedule 2 Requirements to be complied with in relation to the design and\nimplementation of programs and services relating to people with disabilities\npage 18 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 2 Requirements to be complied\nwith in relation to the design\nand implementation of\nprograms and services relating\nto people with disabilities\n(see s 6 (2))\n1 Services should have as their focus the achievement of a better quality\nof life for people with disabilities, such as increased independence,\neducation and employment opportunities and integration into the\ncommunity.\n2 Services should contribute to ensuring that the conditions of everyday\nlife of people with disabilities are the same as, or as close as possible\nto, the conditions of everyday life enjoyed in the general community.\n3 Services should be provided as part of local coordinated service\nsystems and be integrated with services generally available to\nmembers of the community where possible.\n4 Services should be tailored to meet the individual needs and goals of\npeople with disabilities.\n5 Programs and services should be designed and administered to meet\nthe needs of people with disabilities who may experience additional\ndisadvantage because of their sex, sexuality, ethnic origin, physical\nisolation or Aboriginality.\n6 Programs and services should be designed and administered so as to\npromote recognition of the competence of, and enhance the image of,\npeople with disabilities.\n\nRequirements to be complied with in relation to the design and\nimplementation of programs and services relating to people with disabilities\nSchedule 2\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n7 Programs and services should be designed and administered so as to\npromote the participation of people with disabilities in the life of the\nlocal community through maximum physical and social integration in\nthat community.\n8 Programs and services should be designed and administered so as to\nensure that no single organisation providing services exercises\ncontrol over all or most aspects of the life of a person with disabilities.\n9 Organisations providing services, whether those services are\nprovided specifically to people with disabilities or generally to the\ncommunity, should make available information from which the\nquality of their services can be judged.\n10 Programs and services should be designed and administered so as to\nprovide opportunities for people with disabilities to reach goals and\nenjoy lifestyles that are valued by the community generally and are\nappropriate to their age.\n11 Services should be designed and administered so as to ensure that\npeople with disabilities have access to advocacy support where\nnecessary to ensure adequate participation in decision making about\nthe services they receive.\n12 Programs and services should be designed and administered so as to\nensure that appropriate avenues exist for people with disabilities to\nraise and have resolved any grievances about services.\n13 Services should be designed and administered so as to provide people\nwith disabilities with, and encourage them to make use of, avenues\nfor continuing participation in the planning and operation of services\nthat they receive. In particular, programs and services provided to\npeople with disabilities by the Territory and organisations should\nprovide opportunities for consultation in relation to the development\nof major policy and program changes.\n14 Programs and services should be designed and administered so as to\nrespect the rights of people with disabilities to privacy and\nconfidentiality.\n\nDictionary\npage 20 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• administrative unit\n• body\n• disallowable instrument\n• domestic partner\n• may (see s 146)\n• Minister\n• must (see s 146)\n• person (see s 160)\n• territory authority.\nassociated, with a visitable place, for part 3 (Official visitors)—\nsee section 8A.\ndisability, in respect of a person, means a disability—\n(a) that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or\nphysical impairment or a combination of those impairments; and\n(b) that is permanent or likely to be permanent; and\n(c) that results in—\n(i) a substantially reduced capacity of the person for\ncommunication, learning or mobility; and\n(ii) the need for continuing support services; and\n(d) that may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature.\nentitled person, for part 3 (Official visitors)—see section 8A.\ngrant means a grant under section 6 (1).\n\nDictionary\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ngrantee, for an agreement entered into by a person on behalf of an\norganisation that is an unincorporated association, means the\norganisation and the person, separately.\nofficial visitor, for part 3 (Official visitors)—see section 8A.\noperating entity, for a visitable place, for part 3 (Official visitors)—\nsee section 8A.\norganisation—\n(a) means a body (whether or not incorporated); and\n(b) includes—\n(i) an administrative unit; and\n(ii) a territory authority.\nprovider of services means—\n(a) a person who provides services to a person with disabilities\n(whether or not those people are related); or\n(b) an organisation that provides services to people with disabilities.\nresearch and development activity means—\n(a) research in relation to the provision of services for people with\ndisabilities; or\n(b) investigation of the need for services for people with disabilities;\nor\n(c) investigation of the effects of providing services to people with\ndisabilities; or\n(d) planning for provision of services for people with disabilities; or\n(e) the development of proposals for the provision of services for\npeople with disabilities; or\n(f) the initiation of services for people with disabilities; or\n\nDictionary\npage 22 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(g) the development or implementation of training programs for—\n(i) people engaged in the provision of services; or\n(ii) the families of, and other people who provide care for or\nassistance to, people with disabilities; or\n(h) any other activities approved under section 9.\nresearcher means a person, or an organisation, conducting research\nand development activities.\nspecialist disability service—see section 4 (1).\nspecialist disability service provider—see section 5 (1).\nvisitable place, for part 3 (Official visitors)—see section 8B.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 24 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nAfter 11 May 1989 and before 10 November 1999, Acts commenced on their\nnotification day unless otherwise stated (see Australian Capital Territory\n(Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth) s 25).\nDisability Services Act 1991 A1991-98\nnotified 24 December 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S155)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 24 December 1991 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 24 June 1992 (s 2 (3))\nas amended by\nStatute Law Revision (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 A1992-23\nsch 1\nnotified 4 June 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S71)\ncommenced 4 June 1992\nActs Revision (Position of Crown) Act 1993 A1993-44 sch 2\nnotified 27 August 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S165)\ncommenced 27 August 1993 (s 2)\nPublic Sector Management (Consequential and Transitional\nProvisions) Act 1994 A1994-38 sch 1 pt 27\nnotified 30 June 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S121)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 pt 27 commenced 1 July 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S142)\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 104\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 104 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nSexuality Discrimination Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-2\nsch 2 pt 2.2\nnotified LR 18 February 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 18 February 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.2 commenced 22 March 2004 (s 2 and CN2004-4)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.29\nnotified LR 22 March 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.29 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2011 A2011-3 sch 3 pt 3.13\nnotified LR 22 February 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 22 February 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 1 March 2011 (s 2)\nOfficial Visitor Act 2012 A2012-33 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 15 June 2012\ns 1, s 2 commenced 15 June 2012 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 1 September 2013 (s 2 (as am by A2013-22\ns 4))\nDisability Services Amendment Act 2013 A2013-8\nnotified LR 6 March 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 March 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 7 March 2013 (s 2)\nOfficial Visitor Amendment Act 2013 A2013-22 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 17 June 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 June 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 1 September 2013 (s 2 and see Official\nVisitor Act 2012 A2012-33 s 2 as am by this Act)\nDisability Services (Disability Service Providers) Amendment\nAct 2014 A2014-27\nnotified LR 12 June 2014\ns 1, s 2 commenced 12 June 2014 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 1 July 2014 (s 2)\nDisability Services Amendment Act 2018 A2018-50\nnotified LR 6 December 2018\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 December 2018 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 7 December 2018 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 26 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nOfficial Visitor Amendment Act 2019 A2019-29 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 2 October 2019\ns 1, s 2 commenced 2 October 2019 (LA s 75 (1))\namdt 1.8 commenced 2 April 2020 (s 2 (1) and LA s 79)\nsch 1 pt 1.3 remainder commenced 3 October 2019 (s 2 (2))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment\nAct 2025 (No 3) A2025-22 sch 1 pt 1.2\nnotified LR 12 September 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 12 September 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 November 2025 (s 2 (3) (a) and see\nAged Care Act 2024 (Cwlth) s 7)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.56\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 4 pt 4.56 commenced 16 December 2025 (s 2 (6))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nPreliminary\npt 1 hdg ins A2012-33 amdt 1.21\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2007-3 amdt 3.150\nDictionary\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.1118\nins A2007-3 amdt 3.150\nNotes\ns 2A ins A2007-3 amdt 3.150\nObjects\ns 3 am A2011-3 amdt 3.161, amdt 3.162; A2014-27 s 4\nSpecialist disability services\npt 1A hdg ins A2014-27 s 5\nWhat is a specialist disability service?\ns 4 defs reloc to dict A2007-3 amdt 3.151\nom A2007-3 amdt 3.152\nins A2014-27 s 5\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nWho is a specialist disability service provider?\ns 5 om A1993-44 sch 2\nins A2014-27 s 5\nApproval of standards\ns 5A ins A2014-27 s 5\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nFinancial Assistance\npt 2 hdg ins A2012-33 amdt 1.22\nFinancial assistance for providers of services\ns 6 am A2011-3 amdt 3.163; A2013-8 s 4; A2012-33 amdt 1.23;\nA2013-22 amdt 1.11; A2014-27 s 6, s 7\nConditions of grants\ns 7 hdg sub A2011-3 amdt 3.164\ns 7 am A2011-3 amdts 3.165-3.168; A2013-8 s 5; A2014-27 s 8\nReview of effectiveness of grants\ns 8 sub A2011-3 amdt 3.169\nOfficial visitors\npt 3 hdg ins A2012-33 amdt 1.24\nnote am A2013-22 amdt 1.12\nsub A2018-50 s 4\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 28 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDefinitions—pt 3\ns 8A ins A2012-33 amdt 1.24\nsub A2013-22 amdt 1.13\nam A2014-27 s 9, s 10\nsub A2018-50 s 4\ndef associated ins A2018-50 s 4\ndef entitled person ins A2018-50 s 4\ndef official visitor ins A2018-50 s 4\nsub A2019-29 amdt 1.5\ndef operating entity ins A2018-50 s 4\nMeaning of visitable place—pt 3\ns 8B ins A2012-33 amdt 1.24\nam A2013-22 amdts 1.14-1.16; A2014-27 s 11\nsub A2018-50 s 4\nam A2025-22 amdts 1.2-1.4; A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nEntitled person may request not to be visited\ns 8C ins A2012-33 amdt 1.24\nsub A2013-22 amdt 1.17\nam A2014-27 s 12\nsub A2018-50 s 4\nam A2019-29 amdt 1.6\nDisability accommodation\npt 4 hdg ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nom A2018-50 s 4\nComplaint about disability service provided at place other than visitable\nplace\ns 8D ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nsub A2018-50 s 4\nam A2019-29 amdt 1.7, amdt 1.8\ndef applicant ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nom A2018-50 s 4\ndef reviewable decision ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nom A2018-50 s 4\nInformation to be included on visitable places register\ns 8E ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nam A2013-22 amdt 1.18\nsub A2018-50 s 4; A2019-29 amdt 1.9\nProvider to give information about visitable place\ns 8F ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nsub A2018-50 s 4\nam A2019-29 amdt 1.10\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nReviewable decision notice\ns 8G ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nom A2018-50 s 4\nApplications for review\ns 8H ins A2012-33 amdt 1.25\nom A2018-50 s 4\nMiscellaneous\npt 5 hdg ins A2012-33 amdt 1.26\nApproval of activities\ns 9 am A1992-23 sch 1; A2001-44 amdt 1.1119, amdt 1.1120;\nA2011-3 amdt 3.170; A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nGuidelines\ns 10 am A2001-44 amdt 1.1121, amdt 1.1122; A2011-3\namdt 3.171, amdt 3.172; A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nDisability service standards\ns 11 exp 1 January 1995 (s 11 (1))\nins A2013-8 s 6\nom A2014-27 s 13\nApproved forms\ns 11A ins A2013-22 amdt 1.19\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nRegulation-making power\ns 12 ins A2013-8 s 6\nam A2014-27 s 14; A2025-29 amdt 4.56\nTransitional—Disability Services Amendment Act 2018\npt 10 hdg ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\nDefinitions—pt 10\ns 50 ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\ndef associated ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\ndef commencement day ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\ndef old register ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\ndef new register ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\nRegister of approved disability accommodation\ns 51 ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 30 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nExpiry—pt 10\ns 52 ins A2018-50 s 5\nexp 7 June 2019 (s 52)\nRequirements to be complied with in relation to the design and\nimplementation of programs and services relating to people with disabilities\nsch 2 am A2004-2 amdt 2.3; A2014-27 s 15\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-3 amdt 3.153\nam A2011-3 amdt 3.173; A2012-33 amdt 1.29; A2013-22\namdt 1.20; A2018-50 s 6\ndef applicant ins A2012-33 amdt 1.30\nom A2018-50 s 7\ndef associated ins A2018-50 s 8\ndef disability reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\ndef disability accommodation ins A2012-33 amdt 1.31\nom A2018-50 s 9\ndef entitled person ins A2012-33 amdt 1.31\nsub A2018-50 s 10\ndef grant am A1992-23 sch 1\nreloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\ndef grantee reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\nsub A2011-3 amdt 3.174\ndef official visitor ins A2013-22 amdt 1.21\nsub A2018-50 s 10\ndef operating entity ins A2014-27 s 16\nsub A2018-50 s 10\ndef organisation am A1994-38 sch 1 pt 27\nreloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\nsub A2011-3 amdt 3.175\nam A2014-27 s 17\ndef provider of services reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\ndef research and development activity am A1992-23 sch 1\nreloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\nam A2011-3 amdt 3.176\ndef researcher reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.151\ndef reviewable decision ins A2012-33 amdt 1.32\nom A2018-50 s 11\ndef specialist disability service ins A2014-27 s 18\ndef specialist disability service provider ins A2014-27 s 18\ndef visitable place ins A2012-33 amdt 1.33\nsub A2018-50 s 12\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR15\n16/12/25\nDisability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\npage 31\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 A1993-44 31 August 1993\n2 A1994-38 1 March 1999\n3 A2001-44 4 April 2002\n4 A2004-2 22 March 2004\n5 A2007-3 12 April 2007\n6 A2011-3 1 March 2011\n7 A2013-8 7 March 2013\n8 A2013-22 1 September 2013\n9 A2014-27 1 July 2014\n10 A2018-50 7 December 2018\n11 A2018-50 8 June 2019\n12 A2019-29 1 December 2019\n13 A2019-29 2 April 2020\n14 A2025-22 1 November 2025\n\nEndnotes\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions\npage 32 Disability Services Act 1991\nEffective: 16/12/25\nR15\n16/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions\nThis Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have expired.\nThe expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions (see\nLegislation Act 2001, s 88 (1)).\nExpired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry takes\neffect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation ‘exp’ followed\nby the date of the expiry.\nTo find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the expiry took\neffect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of this Act.\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Since enactment, the Act's operational scope has expanded through added regulatory tools and oversight mechanisms: Ministerial powers to declare specialist service types and approve standards (s 4(2), s 5A), a statutory visitable‑places and official‑visitor framework with registration and complaint procedures (ss 8A–8F), and explicit regulation‑making powers to enforce standards (s 12(2)). Amendments also align certain residential exclusions with the Aged Care Act 2024 (s 8B(2)(d) note), broadening inter‑jurisdictional coverage and administrative requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Delegated decision‑making: Minister may declare service types and approve standards (s 4(2), s 5A(1)), creating administrative discretion.","Regulation and instruments: Standards, guidelines, approved forms, and declarations are disallowable or notifiable instruments (s 4(4), s 5A(3), s 10(4), s 11A(3)), increasing subordinate‑law complexity.","Inter‑statutory links: Official visitor powers rely on the Official Visitor Act 2012 and residential care ties reference the Aged Care Act 2024 (pt 3 note; s 8B(4) note), requiring cross‑reference.","Conditional funding and review: Grants require written agreements, adherence to principles and schedules, and 5‑year effectiveness reviews (ss 6–8), imposing contractual and monitoring requirements.","Compliance costs and enforcement: Providers must register visitable‑place contacts with penalties (s 8F) and may be subject to regulatory enforcement under regulations (s 12(2)).","Scope exclusions and exceptions: Multiple carve‑outs for private homes, family carers and age‑based exclusions (s 5(1), s 8B(2)), complicating coverage determinations.","Interaction with human‑rights style principles and program design requirements in Schedules 1 and 2 creates qualitative standards that require interpretation and operationalisation by administrators (schs 1–2)."],"plain_english_summary":"**Mechanically,** the Act defines 'specialist disability services' and providers, lets the Minister declare service types and approve standards, and authorises grants to providers, individuals and researchers subject to written agreements and guidelines (ss 4–7, 5A, 10). It also creates a visitable-places framework, complaint and consent rules for official visitors, and registration and information duties for providers (ss 8A–8F). Public funds pay grants (s 6); the Minister and Executive set standards, guidelines and regulations, shifting compliance, reporting and modest penalty burdens onto providers."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1991 Act focused primarily on financial assistance and grants for disability services. Over time, particularly through amendments in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2025, the Act has expanded significantly to include: a comprehensive official visitor oversight system with detailed inspection powers; a specialist disability services framework with approved standards; quality and compliance monitoring; and complex registration requirements for service providers. The Act has evolved from a simple funding mechanism to a broad regulatory framework covering service quality, rights protection, and systemic oversight."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to the Official Visitor Act 2012 and the Aged Care Act 2024 (Cwlth)","Nested definitions for 'family member' and 'relative' including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship concepts","Conditional exceptions to what constitutes a 'visitable place' (4 specific exclusions in s 8B(2))","Complex consent mechanisms for official visitor access including provisions for people who may lack capacity (s 8D(4))","Incorporation of external instruments by reference (standards and declarations)","Interaction between grant conditions, guidelines, and the two schedules of principles/requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"This ACT law creates a framework to fund, regulate and oversee disability services in the Territory. It authorises grants for services and research, defines specialist disability services with quality standards, enshrines human-rights‑based principles for service design and delivery, and establishes independent \"official visitors\" to inspect visitable places and handle complaints. It affects people with disability, service providers, carers and researchers, aiming to ensure quality, accountability and community inclusion."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/disability-services-act-1991","history":"/api/acts/disability-services-act-1991/history","analysis":"/api/acts/disability-services-act-1991/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/disability-services-act-1991/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/disability-services-act-1991/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/disability-services-act-1991/documents"}}