Find a range of disability information including access and inclusion, your rights, and available supports.
Finding disability services and support
Government and community services can help you, your family or your carer to access services and information.
- Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) advocates for social change and offers support services for young people with a disability.
- InfoXchange's Service Seeker tool lets you use the search fields to find disability service providers in your region.
- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing provides many disability services, including equipment, support, information and advocacy.
- Centrelink offers a range of government payments and work support programs for people with a disability.
If you have had any problems with disability services in Victoria, including services provided by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, you should contact the Victorian Disability Services Commissioner to discuss how you can resolve your issues. They can also help you work out how to deal with complaints about non-Victorian disability services.
You can register a complaint or make an enquiry by visiting their website, emailing them at complaints@odsc.vic.gov.au or calling them on 1800 677 342 (free call).
Disability rights
Victorian law protects people's rights and prevents discrimination. If you believe you've been discriminated against, there are organisations out there that can help.
- Victorian Disability Services Commissioner manages complaints about disability services in Victoria, and can also help with complaints outside Victoria.
- Office of The Public Advocate was set up to protect and promote the interests, rights and dignity of people with a disability.
- Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission works to educate people about equal rights in Victoria.
Public transport
Accessibility programs in Victoria offer ways for people with a disability or special needs to take advantage of public transport, including:
- Access Travel Pass - for people with a significant permanent disability who travel independently.
- Companion Card - providing free public transport travel for official carers and companions.
- Scooter and Wheelchair Travel Pass
- Vision Impaired Travel Pass
Learn more about accessible transport on Victoria's public transport system.
Travellers Aid is an organisation based at Southern Cross, Flinders Street Stations and some events across Melbourne. It provides assistance and support to travellers including buggy transport, mobility aid hire and medical companion assistance. You can book a service online or call them on (03) 9654 2600.
For more about public transport in Victoria, check out our getting around with public transport page.
Study
There is support available to students with a disability in both primary and secondary school. Learn more about disability and inclusive education.
If you're studying, or planning to study, at TAFE or university, it's worth getting in touch with your campus's disability liaison units. Visit your university or TAFE's website to find their contact details.
Arts, sport and recreation
Arts Access Australia works to increase opportunities and access in the arts for people with a disability. They provide arts news, artist profiles and information about opportunities for artists.
Access for All Abilities helps to connect people with a disability to sports and recreational opportunities in Victoria. You can contact them through their website, or call them direct on 1800 AAA VIC.
Disability Sport & Recreation works to make sure that Victorians with a disability have access to sport and recreation opportunities and facilities. Register to use their free Score! tool so you can find and rate sporting facilities near you based on your accessibility needs.
To help with costs and support, the Companion card allows a person's carer free entry into participating venues and events. Find out if you're eligible for the Companion card.
Links
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - disability
Information about making Victoria accessible and inclusive.
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
Information about understanding and defending disability rights.
Victorian Disability Services Commissioner
Handling complaints about disability services in Victoria and offering help with complaints outside Victoria.
Office of The Public Advocate
Protecting and promoting the interests, rights and dignity of people with a disability.
Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
Educating people about equal rights in Victoria.
InfoXchange - Service Seeker
Use the search fields to find disability service providers in your region.
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - disability
Disability services and advocacy offered by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Department of Education - inclusive education
Support for Victorian primary and secondary students with a disability.
Travellers Aid
Providing assistance to travellers at Flinders Street Station, Southern Cross Station and events across Melbourne.
Public Transport Victoria - accessible transport
Information about accessibility and support for passengers with a disability.
Centrelink - living with a disability
Payments and support services for people with a disability.
Access for All Abilities
Connecting people with a disability to sports and recreational opportunities in Victoria.
Disability Sport & Recreation
Working to ensure that Victorians with a disability have access to sport and recreation opportunities and facilities.
Arts Access Australia
Working to increase opportunities and access in the arts for people with a disability.