In Victoria, people with disability are protected against discrimination under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Victoria) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) (DDA).
These Acts set out that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of disability when providing goods and services and in relation to the access or use of public premises.
Disability standards and legislation
Two sets of disability standards have been made under the DDA that are relevant to DTP:
- Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT) – establishes minimum accessibility requirements that public transport operators and providers to make their services and infrastructure accessible.
- Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (the Premises Standards) – specifies how public buildings must provide access for people with disability.
The Disability Act 2006 (Victoria) requires all public sector bodies to prepare a disability action plan and report on implementation through an annual report (section 38). The purpose of a disability action plan is to:
- Reduce barriers to persons with a disability accessing goods, services and facilities,
- Reduce barriers to persons with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment,
- Promote inclusion and participation in the community of persons with a disability, and
- Achieve tangible changes in attitudes and practices which discriminate against persons with a disability.
The DDA also provides for parties that are subject to the Act to prepare action plans. The DDA specifies that disability action plans should include programs, goals and targets, and evaluation mechanisms to achieve the objects of the Act (section 61).
Developing this Action Plan acquits DTP’s obligations under both pieces of legislation and reflects a commitment to reducing and eliminating barriers for people with disability across the transport and planning portfolios.
A copy of this Action Plan has been provided to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Additional legislation
Other relevant legislation that has been considered as part of this Action Plan includes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Victoria), and the Transport Integration Act 2010 (Victoria).
State Disability Plan
The Action Plan supports Inclusive Victoria: State Disability Plan 2022-2026, the Victorian Government’s overarching framework to support all services and environments to improve the lives of Victorians with disability.
It includes a commitment to work across government to embed universal design principles in all elements of the design and delivery of infrastructure. Actions developed by DTP sit within the following pillars of the State Disability Plan:
- Pillar One - Inclusive Communities: sets a range of outcomes to improve transport accessibility, and
- Pillar Two - Health, Housing and Wellbeing: considers affordable, stable and secure, and suitable housing.
DTP’s work also supports the six systemic reforms commitments in the State Disability Plan, with many actions in this Plan supporting co-design with people with disability, and accessible communications and universal design.
DTP Strategies
The Action Plan is aligned with the strategic priorities and focus areas contained in:
- DTP’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028,
- Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2020-2024, and
- the internal facing Accessibility Action Plan 2020-2024 (separate to the Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2020-2024).
These strategies outline DTP’s commitment to advancing an inclusive workplace culture where staff are safe, diverse, engaged, valued and high performing. Along with this Action Plan, DTP’s internal and external focused accessibility activities are captured.
The Action Plan also sits alongside DTP’s commitment to self-determination and reform and to create a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for First Peoples staff, through the:
- Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Self Determination and Reform Plan 2025 – 2029
- Yani Bangal Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Careers Strategy 2023 - 2028
- Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Cultural Safety Framework: DTP Action Plan 2024-2028
- Wurrek-al Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Engagement Framework
Updated