Develop an online safeguarding information hub
What we will do:
- Set up an online information hub to improve access to safeguarding resources. These resources can help prevent violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability.
- The hub will include:
- accessible resources. This includes Staying safe [1], a resource for people with disability, their families, carers and advocates
- information about rights and support options
- information about how to raise complaints.
Lead division: Disability, Fairness and Emergency Management
Support the reduction and elimination of the use of restrictive practices in disability settings in Victoria
What we have done and continue to do:
- Providing oversight of restrictive practices in behaviour support plans. This includes:
- collecting data on restrictive practices
- providing evidence-informed practice advice
- researching and auditing service providers.
- Regular webinars and collaboration with tertiary institutions to improve practice.
- Continuous investment in IT systems to identify restrictive practices. This will:
- improve data collection
- provide national guidance for a consistent approach.
- Co-lead a project with the Commonwealth to work with states and territories to develop a national action plan. This will aim to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices on people with disability.
Lead division: Disability, Fairness and Emergency Management and Community Operations and Practice Leadership
Strengthen legislative rights and protections for people with disability living in specialist disability accommodation
What we have done:
- Amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic). This will strengthen rights and protections for people in specialist disability accommodation. The amendments:
- resolve potential validity issues with certain agreements
- streamline residential notice requirements to reduce duplication
- ensure rights are upheld and that the law operates as intended
- expand access to the enhanced residential rights protections under Part 12A
Lead division: Disability, Fairness and Emergency Management
Work with the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) to strengthen and expand the Community Visitors Program in line with legislative reform
What we have done and continue to do:
- Made amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (Vic) and Disability Act 2026 (Vic). This will strengthen and expand the Community Visitor Program to include more properties. This recognises the program’s important safeguarding function.
Lead division: Disability, Fairness and Emergency Management
Promote nationally consistent approaches to Community Visitors Schemes (national disability quality and safeguards reforms)
What we have done and continue to do:
- Develop a national approach to Community Visitor Schemes. We will do this with the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. This will ensure all people with disability have appropriate safeguards.
Lead division: Disability, Fairness and Emergency Management
Footnote
[1] Staying safe is a multimedia education strategy that provides accessible information about issues of abuse and available supports.