Our work is governed by the legislation we administer and two agreements with the Australian Government.

Legislation

We administer the following legislation:

• Disability Services Act 1993
  Provision of disability services in NSW, and terms and conditions for funding of organisations.

• Home Care Service Act 1988
  Objects and functions of the Home Care Service in NSW.
  

• Youth and Community Services Act 1973
  Licensing of residential centres for people with a disability.
  
  
• Carers (Recognition) Act 2010
  Enacts NSW Carers Charter and establishes Carers Council.

• Guardianship Act 1987
  Protecting and empowering people with a decision-making disability.

• Community Services (Complaints, Reviews and Monitoring) Act 1993
  Resolving complaints about community services and programs (jointly administered by the Minister for Community Services, Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services).

• Community Welfare Act 1987
  Improving the wellbeing of the people of NSW and monitoring government policy implementation.

Other legislation

Other state and Australian government legislation relevant to older people and people with a disability include:

• Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
• Powers of Attorney Act 2003 (NSW)
• NSW Trustee and Guardian Act 2009 (NSW)
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth)
• Disability Services Act 1986 (Commonwealth)
• Home and Community Care Act 1985 (Commonwealth)
• Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection Act) 1998 (NSW)

Agreements

Most of our funding (ninety-nine per cent) comes from two agreements with the Australian Government.

Home and Community Care (HACC) Agreement

Joint Australian, state and territory governments agreement to deliver community support services to frail older people, people with a disability and their carers to help them live in their own homes.

• View the HACC Review Agreement (PDF) 

National Disability Agreement (NDA)

Establishes the national reform priorities and the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth, state and territories for providing specialist services for people with a disability.

• View the National Disability Agreement

The Disability Policy and Research Working Group (DPRWG) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the NDA.

• Access DPRWG Website