{"id":"sa:disability-services-act-1993","name":"Disability Services Act 1993","slug":"sa-disability-services-act-1993","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":438053,"registerId":"sa:disability-services-act-1993-seed-1775954629927-v9ydlc","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disability Services Act 1993","content":"South Australia\nDisability Services Act 1993\nAn Act to provide for the funding and provision of disability services in accordance with certain principles and objectives; and for other related purposes.\n\nContents\n1\tShort title\n2\tObjects of Act\n3\tInterpretation\n3A\tSafeguarding policies\n3B\tComplaints policies\n4\tFunding provisions\n5\tObligations on funded service providers and researchers\n5A\tVictimisation\n6\tConsultation with persons with disabilities and carers\n7\tReview of funded services or activities\n8\tPower of delegation\n9\tAct does not give rise to civil liability\n10\tRegulations\nSchedule 1—Principles\nSchedule 2—Objectives\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Disability Services Act 1993.\n2—Objects of Act\nThe objects of this Act are—\n\t(a)\tto acknowledge and support the rights of people living with disabilities to exercise choice and control in relation to decision‑making; and\n\t(b)\tto ensure that disability services provided by the government or funded under this Act are of the highest standard and are provided in a manner that is safe, accountable and responsive to the needs of people living with disabilities, their families and carers; and\n\t(c)\tto promote the protection of people living with disabilities from abuse, neglect and exploitation; and\n\t(d)\tto set out principles that are to be applied with respect to people living with disabilities; and\n\t(e)\tto set out objectives for providers of disability services and for researchers; and\n\t(f)\tto provide for the funding of disability services and research or development activities; and\n\t(g)\tto ensure that disability services and research or development activities funded under this Act are provided or carried out in a manner that applies those principles and meets those objectives.\n3—Interpretation\nIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:\ndisability in relation to a person means a disability—\n\t(a)\tthat is attributable to intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment, or a combination of any of those impairments; and\n\t(b)\tthat is, or is likely to be, permanent; and\n\t(c)\tthat results in the person having—\n\t(i)\ta reduced capacity for social interaction, communication, learning, mobility, decision making or self care; and\n\t(ii)\ta need for continuing support services,\nand includes such a disability notwithstanding that it is of an episodic nature;\ndisability services means services provided, whether wholly or partially, for persons with disabilities or their carers and, without limiting the generality of the expression, includes—\n\t(a)\taccommodation services;\n\t(b)\thome care and family support services;\n\t(c)\tindependent living training services;\n\t(d)\tinformation services;\n\t(e)\tprint disability services;\n\t(f)\trecreation services;\n\t(g)\trespite care services;\n\t(h)\teducation or training services;\n\t(i)\tadvocacy services;\n\t(j)\ttherapy services;\n\t(k)\tequipment services;\n\t(l)\tcounselling or support services;\n\t(m)\ttransport services;\nprescribed disability service provider means a provider of disability services that—\n\t(a)\tis a government department, agency or instrumentality; or\n\t(b)\tis funded under this Act;\nresearch or development activities means—\n\t(a)\tresearch in relation to the provision of disability services; or\n\t(b)\tinvestigation of the need for disability services; or\n\t(c)\tthe planning, development or implementation of disability services; or\n\t(d)\tthe planning, development or implementation of training programmes—\n\t(i)\tfor persons engaged in the provision of disability services; or\n\t(ii)\tfor families of persons with disabilities and other persons who care for or assist persons with disabilities; or\n\t(e)\tinvestigation of outcomes achieved by persons with disabilities or their carers through the provision of disability services; or\n\t(f)\tany other activities approved by the Minister;\nresearcher means a person, body or authority conducting research or development activities.\n3A—Safeguarding policies\n\t(1)\tA prescribed disability service provider must have in place appropriate policies and procedures for ensuring the safety and welfare of persons using the service.\nNote—\nThe nature of these policies and procedures will depend on the nature of the service provided but may include, for example, policies and procedures addressing:\n\t•\tmanagement of care concerns\n\t•\trestrictive practices\n\t•\tsupported decision‑making and consent\n\t•\tdisclosure of abuse or neglect\n\t•\treporting of critical incidents\n\t(2)\tA prescribed disability service provider must ensure that the policies and procedures required under this section are reviewed on at least an annual basis.\n3B—Complaints policies\nA prescribed disability service provider must—\n\t(a)\thave in place appropriate policies and procedures for dealing with complaints and grievances; and\n\t(b)\tensure that those policies and procedures refer persons to whom services are provided to relevant statutory complaint or dispute resolution bodies (where appropriate); and\n\t(c)\tensure that information about those policies and procedures is readily accessible by persons to whom services are provided.\n4—Funding provisions\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may approve the funding, out of money provided for the purpose, of—\n\t(a)\tdisability services; and\n\t(b)\tresearch or development activities.\n\t(2)\tFor the purposes of subsection (1), money may be granted—\n\t(a)\tto any person, body or authority, including any government, non-government or local government body or authority; or\n\t(b)\tto any person with a disability or a carer of such a person, for the purpose of obtaining the care, support or assistance the person with the disability or the carer may need.\n\t(3)\tIn performing his or her functions under this section, the Minister must seek to further the objects of this Act.\n5—Obligations on funded service providers and researchers\n\t(1)\tA provider of disability services or researcher funded under this Act must, in providing the services or carrying out the research or development activities, apply the principles and meet the objectives set out in the Schedules to this Act.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister may, as a condition of approving funding under this Act, require the person, body or authority to whom the money is to be granted to enter into a performance agreement containing such terms and conditions as the Minister thinks will ensure compliance with sections 3A and 3B and subsection (1) of this section.\n\t(3)\tAn agreement under this section must be in writing and signed by both parties.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister should include in such an agreement a condition or conditions that will enable the Minister to monitor adequately the other party's performance under the agreement.\n5A—Victimisation\n\t(1)\tA provider of disability services funded under this Act commits an act of victimisation against another person (the victim) if he or she causes detriment to the victim on the ground, or substantially on the ground, that the victim, or a person acting on the victim's behalf—\n\t(a)\thas disclosed or intends to disclose information; or\n\t(b)\thas made or intends to make an allegation,\nthat has given rise, or could give rise, to legal proceedings against the provider of disability services or that may disclose a breach of an agreement entered into under section 5.\n\t(2)\tAn act of victimisation under this section may be dealt with—\n\t(a)\tas a tort; or\n\t(b)\tas if it were an act of victimisation under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984,\nbut, if the victim commences proceedings in a court seeking a remedy in tort, he or she cannot subsequently lodge a complaint under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, and conversely, if the victim lodges a complaint under that Act, he or she cannot subsequently commence proceedings in a court seeking a remedy in tort.\n\t(3)\tWhere a complaint alleging an act of victimisation under this section has been lodged with the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and the Commissioner is of the opinion that the subject matter of the complaint has already been adequately dealt with by a competent authority, the Commissioner may decline to act on the complaint or to proceed further with action on the complaint.\n\t(4)\tIn this section—\ndetriment includes—\n\t(a)\tinjury, damage or loss; or\n\t(b)\tintimidation or harassment; or\n\t(c)\tdiscrimination, disadvantage or adverse treatment in relation to the victim's employment or business; or\n\t(d)\tdiscrimination, disadvantage or adverse treatment in relation to the provision of disability services to the victim; or\n\t(e)\tthreats of reprisal.\n6—Consultation with persons with disabilities and carers\n\t(1)\tBefore making any major decisions relating to the development, funding or discontinuance of disability services or research or development activities, the Minister must, to the extent that is practicable, consult with persons with disabilities or carers likely to be affected by the decision.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister should encourage the informed participation of persons with disabilities and carers in the design, development, management and evaluation of disability services.\n7—Review of funded services or activities\n\t(1)\tThe Minister must cause a disability service or research or development activity funded under this Act to be reviewed at intervals of not more than three years, for the purpose of assessing the extent to which the principles and objectives set out in the Schedules to this Act are being applied and met.\n\t(2)\tThe Governor may make regulations requiring providers of disability services or researchers funded under this Act to provide specified information, or information of a specified class, to the Minister for the purpose of assessing the outcomes of funding provided under this Act.\n8—Power of delegation\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may, by instrument in writing, delegate any of the Minister's powers or functions under this Act—\n\t(a)\tto a particular person or body; or\n\t(b)\tto the person for the time being occupying a particular position.\n\t(2)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(b)\tdoes not derogate from the power of the Minister to act in any matter; and\n\t(c)\tis revocable by the Minister at will.\n9—Act does not give rise to civil liability\nNothing in this Act gives rise to, or can be taken into account in, any civil cause of action.\n10—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may make provision for or relating to—\n\t(a)\texemptions (conditional or unconditional) from specified provisions of this Act; and\n\t(b)\tfees in respect of any matter under this Act and their payment, recovery or waiver; and\n\t(c)\tfines, not exceeding $10 000, for offences against the regulations; and\n\t(d)\texpiation fees (not exceeding $315) for alleged offences against the regulations; and\n\t(e)\tfacilitation of proof of the commission of offences against the regulations.\n\t(3)\tThe regulations may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general application or vary in their application according to prescribed factors;\n\t(b)\tprovide that a matter or thing in respect of which regulations may be made is to be determined according to the discretion of the Minister, a specified person or the holder of a specified office.\n\t(4)\tThe regulations may refer to or incorporate, wholly or partially and with or without modification, a code, standard or other document prepared or published by a prescribed body, either as in force at the time the regulations are made or as in force from time to time.\n\t(5)\tIf a code, standard or other document is referred to or incorporated in the regulations—\n\t(a)\ta copy of the code, standard or other document must be kept available for public inspection, without charge and during ordinary office hours, at an office or offices specified in the regulations; and\n\t(b)\tevidence of the contents of the code, standard or other document may be given in any legal proceedings by production of a document apparently certified by the Minister to be a true copy of the code, standard or other document.\nSchedule 1—Principles\n1\tPersons with disabilities, whatever the origin, nature or degree of their disabilities might be, are individuals—\n\t(a)\twho have the inherent right to respect for their human worth and dignity; and\n\t(b)\twho have the same fundamental human rights and responsibilities as other members of the Australian community; and\n\t(c)\twho have the same right as other members of the Australian community to realise their potential for intellectual, physical, social, emotional, sexual and spiritual development; and\n\t(d)\twho have the same right as other members of the Australian community to choose their own lifestyle and generally to control their own lives.\n2\tPersons with disabilities have a right to protection from neglect, abuse, intimidation and exploitation.\n3\tPersons with disabilities have the same right as other members of the Australian community to the assistance and support that will enable them to exercise their rights, discharge their responsibilities and attain a reasonable quality of life.\n4\tIn receiving the services that supply such assistance and support, persons with disabilities—\n\t(a)\thave the right to choose between those services, and to choose between the options available within a particular service, so as to provide assistance and support that best meets their individual (including cultural) needs; and\n\t(b)\thave the right to have those services provided in a manner that—\n\t(i)\tinvolves the least restriction of their rights and opportunities; and\n\t(ii)\ttakes into account their individual needs, goals, age and other personal circumstances; and\n\t(iii)\ttakes into account any further disadvantage that may be suffered as a result of their gender, ethnic origin, aboriginality, financial situation or location; and\n\t(c)\thave the right to pursue any grievance in relation to those services without fear of the discontinuance of services or of recriminations or retribution from service providers.\n5\tThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted at New York, United States of America, on 13 December 2006, is recognised as a set of best practice principles that should guide policy development, funding decisions and the administration and provision of disability services.\nSchedule 2—Objectives\n1\tDisability services are to be designed and administered so as—\n\t(a)\tto achieve positive outcomes for persons with disabilities, such as an enhanced image and level of competence, increased independence, increased education, training and employment opportunities and integration into, and participation in the life of, the community; and\n\t(b)\tto ensure that the conditions of the day-to-day life of persons with disabilities are as close as possible to those of other members of the community; and\n\t(c)\tto meet the individual needs and goals of the persons to whom the services are provided taking into account their age and other personal circumstances and any further disadvantage suffered as a result of their gender, ethnic origin, aboriginality, financial situation or location; and\n\t(d)\tto ensure that no single service provider exercises control over all or most of the aspects of the life of a person with a disability; and\n\t(e)\tto render the service provider accountable to all persons who use the service, the carers and advocates of persons with disabilities who use the service, the Minister and all other interested persons, through the provision of information relating to the services provided and their administration; and\n\t(f)\tto ensure that the persons to whom the services are provided have their right to privacy and confidentiality respected; and\n\t(g)\tto ensure that persons with disabilities who wish to use the services have easy access to advocacy support to facilitate their use of the services and their participation in any decision making relating to their use of the services; and\n\t(i)\tto allow, to the extent that is practicable, the persons who use the services the opportunity for informed participation in the design, development, management and evaluation of the services.\n2\tDisability services are to be provided as part of local coordinated service systems and are to be integrated, where it is appropriate and practicable to do so, with services generally available to the community.\n3\tThe providers of disability services are to take the following matters into consideration in determining eligibility for and priority of access to the services and in assessing the needs of a person with a disability who is accorded access to a service:\n\t(a)\tthe person's wishes;\n\t(b)\tthe level of disability and its impact on the person;\n\t(c)\tthe needs and capabilities of any carers;\n\t(d)\tthe extent of support and assistance (if any) provided or available to the person from all other sources;\n\t(e)\tthe implications of any decision for carers and members of the person's family;\n\t(f)\tsuch other matters as may be considered relevant.\n4\tDisability services are to be provided in compliance with all relevant State and Commonwealth laws.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nRepeal of Act\nThe Disability Services Act 1993 will be repealed by Sch 1 cl 5 of the Disability Inclusion Act 2018.\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n1993\n18\nDisability Services Act 1993\n8.4.1993\n8.4.1993\n2013\n66\nDisability Services (Rights, Protection and Inclusion) Amendment Act 2013\n21.11.2013\n5.12.2013 (Gazette 5.12.2013 p4445)\n2013\n87\nStatutes Amendment (Assessment of Relevant History) Act 2013\n5.12.2013\nPt 3 (ss 8 & 9)—16.2.2014 (Gazette 13.2.2014 p887)\n2017\n35\nStatutes Amendment (National Policing Information Systems and Services) Act 2017\n22.8.2017\nPt 4 (s 5) & Sch 1 (cll 1 & 3)—22.8.2017\n2018\n1\nDisability Inclusion Act 2018\n14.6.2018\nSch 1 (cl 3)—1.2.2021 (Gazette 17.12.2020 p5743)\nProvisions amended\nNew entries appear in bold.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\ns 2\nsubstituted by 66/2013 s 4\n5.12.2013\ns 3\n\n\nprescribed disability service provider\ninserted by 66/2013 s 5\n5.12.2013\nss 3A and 3B\ninserted by 66/2013 s 6\n5.12.2013\ns 5\n\n\ns 5(2)\namended by 66/2013 s 7\n5.12.2013\ns 5A\ninserted by 66/2013 s 8\n5.12.2013\ns 7\n\n\ns 7(1)\ns 7 redesignated as s 7(1) by 66/2013 s 9\n5.12.2013\ns 7(2)\ninserted by 66/2013 s 9\n5.12.2013\ns 5B\ninserted by 87/2013 s 8\n16.2.2014\n\ndeleted by 1/2018 Sch 1 cl 3\n1.2.2021\ns 5C before deletion by 1/2018\n\n\ns 5C(3)\namended by 35/2017 s 5(1)\n22.8.2017\ns 5C(6)\n\n\nACC\ninserted by 35/2017 s 5(2)\n22.8.2017\nCrimTrac\ndeleted by 35/2017 s 5(2)\n22.8.2017\ns 5C\ninserted by 87/2013 s 8\n16.2.2014\n\ndeleted by 1/2018 Sch 1 cl 3\n1.2.2021\ns 10\n\n\ns 10(1)\ns 10 redesignated as s 10(1) by 66/2013 s 10\n5.12.2013\ns 10(2) and (3)\ninserted by 66/2013 s 10\n5.12.2013\ns 10\nsubstituted by 87/2013 s 9\n16.2.2014\ns 11\ndeleted by 66/2013 s 11\n5.12.2013\nSch 1\n\n\ncl 5\ninserted by 66/2013 s 12\n5.12.2013\nSch 2\n\n\ncl 1\n(h) deleted by 66/2013 s 13(1)\n5.12.2013\ncl 4\ninserted by 66/2013 s 13(2)\n5.12.2013\nTransitional etc provisions associated with Act or amendments\nStatutes Amendment (National Policing Information Systems and Services) Act 2017, Sch 1—Transitional provisions\n1—Preliminary\nIn this Schedule—\nACC means the Australian Crime Commission established under the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 of the Commonwealth;\nCrimTrac means the CrimTrac Agency established under the Public Service Act 1999 of the Commonwealth.\n3—Transitional provision\nA criminal history report prepared by CrimTrac or a CrimTrac accredited agency or broker will, for the purposes of section 5C of the Disability Services Act 1993 as in force after the commencement of Part 4 of this Act, be taken to be a criminal history report prepared by the ACC.\nHistorical versions\n5.12.2013\n\n16.2.2014\n\n22.8.2017\n\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Subsequent amendments broadened the Act from a relatively simple funding-and-principles statute into an instrument that imposes operational obligations on funded providers. Key scope expansions include mandatory safeguarding and complaints policies with annual review requirements (ss 3A–3B), an express prohibition on victimisation by funded providers with dual pathways for remedy (s 5A), and stronger performance‑agreement and monitoring powers linked to funding (s 5). The Schedules were also updated to expressly recognise the UN Convention as guiding principles (Sch 1 cl 5). These changes shift the Act’s practical effect from passive statement of principles toward active regulation of provider behaviour through funding conditions and administrative oversight."},"complexity_factors":["Single Act with 10 substantive sections plus 2 schedules (moderate length)","Around 5 main defined terms in the interpretation section (disability; disability services; prescribed disability service provider; research or development activities; researcher)","Added specialised provisions (ss 3A, 3B, 5A) that impose procedural requirements (safeguarding, complaints, victimisation)","Multiple forms of legal instrument interaction: cross-reference to the Equal Opportunity Act (s.5A), incorporation of external codes/standards via regulation (s.10(4))","Discretion concentrated in the Minister: funding approvals, performance agreement conditions, delegations, and regulatory gaps (s.4, s.5, s.8, s.10)","Conditional and alternative remedies for victimisation (tort or Equal Opportunity Act) create choice-with-exclusion logic (s.5A(2))","Monitoring and reporting obligations and triennial reviews add recurring compliance obligations (s.5(4), s.7)","Regulations may create varied application or exemptions and set penalties (s.10)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanics)**\n\n- Establishes a legal framework for funding and overseeing disability services and related research (see s.4, s.5).\n- Defines who counts as a person with a disability and what services fall within ‘disability services’ (see s.3).  \n- Requires organisations that are government bodies or that receive funding under the Act (\"prescribed disability service providers\") to apply stated principles and objectives when they deliver services or carry out funded research (see s.5 and Schedules 1–2).\n- Requires prescribed providers to have written safeguarding policies (s.3A) and complaints policies (s.3B), and to review safeguarding policies at least annually (s.3A(2)).\n- Allows the Minister to attach conditions to funding, including written performance agreements and monitoring requirements (s.5(2)–(4)).\n- Prohibits victimisation by funded providers against people who complain or disclose information; victims may pursue remedies either in tort (civil law) or under the Equal Opportunity Act, but not both (s.5A).\n- Requires consultation with people with disabilities and carers before major funding or service decisions (s.6) and periodic review of funded services at least every three years (s.7).\n- Gives the Minister delegation powers and broad regulation-making powers, including the ability to adopt external codes or standards into regulations (s.8, s.10).\n- States that nothing in the Act by itself creates a civil cause of action (s.9).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- People with disabilities who receive funded disability services and their carers (s.3, Schedules).  \n- Organisations that provide disability services and receive government funding under the Act (described as ‘prescribed disability service providers’) — this includes government agencies and funded non‑government providers (s.3).  \n- Researchers or bodies receiving funding for disability research and development (s.3, s.4).  \n- The Minister and the administering department, which decide on funding, attach performance conditions and make regulations (s.4, s.5, s.8, s.10).\n\n**Why it matters (policy purpose and how it operates in practice)**\n\n- The Act is framed to (and explicitly states it intends to) promote choice, safety and protection for people with disabilities, to set guiding principles and objectives and to tie funding to compliance with those principles (s.2; Schedules 1–2; s.5).  \n- To achieve that, it shifts regulatory effects onto funded providers: the state pays for services (s.4), but makes funding conditional on written agreements, safeguarding and complaints procedures, and monitoring (s.5, s.3A, s.3B).  This creates compliance obligations for providers and an enforcement channel via funding conditions.\n\n**Practical consequences, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Who pays: the government funds services or gives grants to people/providers for services (s.4). Funding carries compliance costs that providers must meet (s.5).  \n- Who decides: the Minister has substantial discretion — to approve funding, set conditions through performance agreements, delegate powers and make regulations that can incorporate external standards (s.4, s.5, s.8, s.10). That concentrates decision-making within the executive branch.  \n- Behaviour changes expected: funded providers must develop, keep current and publish accessible complaints and safeguarding procedures; they must apply the Act’s principles and objectives when delivering services; and they can be required to supply information for monitoring and reviews (s.3A, s.3B, s.5, s.7). These requirements increase administrative and compliance workload for providers.\n- Costs and compliance burden: providers — especially smaller non‑government organisations — will incur costs for drafting, implementing and annually reviewing policies, training staff, record-keeping and meeting monitoring/reporting obligations under performance agreements (s.3A, s.3B, s.5(4), s.7(2)).\n- Implementation risk and bureaucratic discretion: the Minister’s broad powers to set conditions and adopt external standards (s.5(2), s.10(4)) create implementation flexibility but also create risk of uneven application across providers, or regulatory uncertainty if standards change. Delegations (s.8) permit administrative agents to make operational decisions.\n- Effects on private choice and competition: the Act ties continued access to public funding to compliance. That can favour providers able to bear compliance costs; it does not itself bar private providers from operating, but it makes funded access conditional, which may influence market participation and the structure of service provision (s.4, s.5).\n- Remedies and dispute channels: victims of ‘victimisation’ by funded providers have civil remedies or may lodge complaints under the Equal Opportunity Act, but they must choose one path (s.5A). The Act also requires referral to statutory complaint bodies where appropriate (s.3B(b)).\n\n**Trade-offs and opportunity costs to note**\n\n- The instrument prefers regulatory oversight via funding conditions rather than a prescriptive licensing regime; this focuses state leverage on those who accept public money (s.4, s.5) but leaves unfunded providers outside some obligations.  \n- Recognising international best practice (the UN Convention) in the principles (Sch.1 cl.5) provides policy direction but also introduces interpretive questions about how that recognition translates into operational requirements.\n\n**Final practical point**\n\n- If you are a funded provider, expect explicit written performance conditions, annual policy reviews, reporting for periodic reviews and exposure to remedies for victimisation claims. If you are a person with a disability or carer, the Act enshrines consultation, access to complaints channels and protection from reprisals — with enforcement occurring through funding conditions, civil or equal‑opportunity processes."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1993 Act appears to have been primarily a funding mechanism with general principles. The 2013 amendments significantly expanded the regulatory scope by adding mandatory safeguarding policies (section 3A), complaints handling requirements (section 3B), and anti-victimisation protections (section 5A). These changes transformed the Act from a simple funding vehicle into a more comprehensive regulatory framework with active compliance obligations on service providers. The 2018 Disability Inclusion Act will repeal this legislation, indicating the scope has evolved to the point where new legislation was needed."},"complexity_factors":["Relatively short statute (approximately 10 main sections plus 2 schedules)","Straightforward structure with clear subject headings","Moderate number of defined terms (5 main definitions in section 3, plus 'detriment' in section 5A)","Some conditional logic in funding provisions (section 4) and delegation powers (section 8)","Cross-references limited to Schedules 1 and 2 for principles/objectives, and reference to Equal Opportunity Act 1984 in section 5A","Nested structure in disability definition (three cumulative criteria with sub-paragraphs)","Incorporation by reference of external documents possible under section 10(4)-(5) but not heavily used in the Act itself","Legislative history shows multiple amendments (particularly 2013) adding safeguarding and complaints provisions, but core structure remains intact"],"plain_english_summary":"This is South Australia’s primary law for funding and regulating disability services: it lets the government fund organisations (and sometimes individuals or carers) to provide supports like accommodation, therapy and respite, and sets standards for safety, complaints handling, performance agreements, consultation and periodic reviews. It affects people with disabilities, their carers, service providers and researchers, and affirms human-rights‑based principles while clarifying it does not create new civil causes of action. It matters because it ties public funding to rights, safety and accountability."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/sa-disability-services-act-1993","history":"/api/acts/sa-disability-services-act-1993/history","analysis":"/api/acts/sa-disability-services-act-1993/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/sa-disability-services-act-1993/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/sa-disability-services-act-1993/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/sa-disability-services-act-1993/documents"}}