Resources - Advocacy/ Legal
On this page, we have provided information regarding general advocacy and legislation, including discrimination law.
For tenancy law/ rental issues, refer to our Tenancy Resources page.
General
Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
DANA is the the national representative body for a network of independent disability advocacy organisations throughout Australia. It also coordinates services between a number of key Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) that engage in systematic advocacy on behalf of people with disability.
DANA's 'Find an Advocate' webpage can help you to find a disability advocacy organisation in your state or territory.
To the 'Resources/ links' on this page we have included links to the Human Rights Commission and community legal services for each state and territory.
Rights & Inclusion Australia (R&IA)
R&IA is the host of Let's talk Opening Doors , and the lead partner of the Opening the Door project.
R&IA is a national DRO promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disability. Our main areas of focus in Australia are the built environment, accessible housing and achieving equity of inclusion for First Nations people with disability.
National Shelter
National Shelter is Australia's non-government peak organisation that aims to improve housing access, affordability, appropriateness, safety and security for people on low incomes. National Shelter is also a partner in the Opening the Door project.
At the National Shelter Members webpage you can find details for state and territory Shelter organisations.
National Shelter's work includes the annual publication of the national Rental Affordability Index (RAI) with SGS Economics & Planning, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and Beyond Bank Australia. The RAI is a price index for Australia's housing rental markets, and is a clear and concise indicator of rental affordability relative to household incomes.
Homelessness Australia
Homelessness Australia is the national peak body for homelessness. It provides systemic advocacy for the homelessness sector.
Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD)
ANUHD is a key network advocating for minimum standards of accessibility for all new housing in Australia. You can find out more about ANUHD's ongoing advocacy here.
Its website includes examples of universal design in housing.
Legislation
National legislation
National legislation can be accessed at the Federal Register of Legislation website.
Key Commonwealth legislation that may be of interest:
- Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010(Note: this does not apply to all housing)
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023
- National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act)
State and Territory legislation
To the 'Resources/ links' on this page we have included links to legislation websites and key legislation for each state and territory.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) is the key international convention that guides much of Australia's national, state and territory legislation. This is referenced in the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.
You can view the CRPD, including Easy Read versions here.
We talk more about what Adequate Housing is in this video.
ABCB Livable Housing Design Standard
The Livable Housing Design Standard is referenced to the National Construction Code 2022 (NCC). This Standard is being adopted in all states and territories other than NSW and Western Australia, with allowance for some exemptions.
In general, the provisions of this Standard are designed for application to Class 1a buildings (houses and the like) and Class 2 sole-occupancy units (apartments), as defined in the NCC.
You can see the Livable Housing Design Standard (PDF) here, and the voluntary 'gold' level Standard (PDF) here.