Disability issues minister confirms the law does not impact existing eligibility or entitlements
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill has been updated to clarify the role of families and bolster the voice of the disability community in upcoming decisions.
The changes were outlined in the social services and community select committee’s report responding to input from the community. The committee received over 3,000 submissions.
“This bill remains very important because until now, there has been no legal framework around Disability Support Services. Feedback on the bill was clear that people understood the need for clear foundations and a framework for how DSS operates”, said Louise Upston, disability issues minister. “This bill brings DSS into line with other areas of government policy where there are existing legislative frameworks and the ability to review these already in place”.
She confirmed the following reforms to the DSS legislation:
“As minister, I acknowledge the intent of the bill was not as clear as it should have been. The select committee has heard this, and I agree with their recommended changes”, Upston said.
She confirmed that the bill reflected the DSS’ current operations and would not amend existing eligibility, entitlements or support, “or introduce income or asset testing where it is not currently used”. The legislation builds on the government’s efforts in this area following the 2024 independent review by bolstering consistency, fairness, transparency and sustainability.
“Over the past two years our government has taken urgent action to introduce a nationally consistent assessment process, stabilise its services, improve its financial sustainability, and give people more choice and control over flexible funding”, Upston said. “We have also committed to $2.1bn in additional funding through successive budgets which means DSS now has more ongoing funding to support disabled people than ever before”.
She added that the government would be opening up consultation on a carers’ package as well.
If passed, the DSS bill will not impact successful claims by two people who the Supreme Court determined were employees of the state because they were compensated for caring for a family member.
At present, DSS supports approximately 55,000 disabled people in community and residential care as well as about 100,000 people accessing environmental support services products for safe and independent living. The DSS also finances child development services for roughly 26,000 children annually.
