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DISABILITY ACT 2006


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Purposes  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Definitions  
   3A.     Disability service provider taken to be providing residential services  
   3B.     NDIS provider taken to be providing a residential service in certain circumstances  
   3C.     Primary service providers  

   PART 2--OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES

   4.      Objectives of Act  
   5.      Principles  
   6.      Persons with an intellectual disability  
   7.      Provision of advice, notification or information under this Act  

   PART 3--ADMINISTRATION

           Division 1--The Secretary

   8.      Role and functions of the Secretary  
   9.      Power of Secretary to provide funds  
   10.     Power of Secretary to enter into contracts  
   10A.    Secretary's powers in relation to land  
   10B.    Committee of management  
   10C.    Record of dealings  
   10D.    Secretary's powers in relation to intellectual property  

           Division 2--The Victorian Disability Advisory Council

   11.     Victorian Disability Advisory Council  
   12.     Functions of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council  
   13.     Provisions applying to the Victorian Disability Advisory Council  

           Division 3--The Disability Services Commissioner

   14.     Disability Services Commissioner  
   15.     Acting Disability Services Commissioner  
   16.     Functions of the Disability Services Commissioner  
   17.     Powers of the Disability Services Commissioner  
   18.     Provision of staff and contractors  
   19.     Annual report  
   19A.    Protection from liability for Commissioner  

           Division 5--The Senior Practitioner

   23.     The Senior Practitioner  
   24.     Functions of the Senior Practitioner  
   25.     Power of Senior Practitioner to delegate  
   26.     Provision of staff and contractors  
   27.     Special powers of the Senior Practitioner  

           Division 6--Community visitors

   28.     Community visitors  
   29.     General provisions as to community visitors  
   30.     Functions of a community visitor in respect of premises where residential services are provided  
   30A.    Functions of a community visitor in respect of SDA dwellings or short-term accommodation dwellings  
   30B.    Functions of a community visitor in respect of Minister approved premises  
   31.     Certain persons deemed to be community visitors  
   32.     Community Visitors Board  
   33.     Matter may be referred  
   34.     Reports by community visitors  
   35.     Annual report of community visitors  
   36.     Secrecy provision  

   PART 4--DISABILITY SERVICES

           Division 1--General provisions

   37.     State Disability Plan  
   38.     Disability Action Plans  
   39.     Information systems  
   48A.    Secretary may exempt disability service providers from requirements  

           Division 2--Accessing disability services

   49.     Request for disability services  
   50.     Decision by Secretary as to disability  
   50A.    Application to VCAT for review of decision as to disability  
   51.     Effect of decision of Secretary  

   PART 5--RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

           Division 1--General provisions

   56.     Purpose and application of Part  
   57.     Residential statement  
   58.     Duties of disability service provider providing residential services  
   59.     Duties of residents  
   60.     Entry to a resident's room  
   61.     Manner of entry  
   61A.    Termination of residency in residential service  
   61B.    Specialist forensic disability accommodation  
   62.     Offences relating to interference with rights  

   PART 6--RIGHTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

           Division 2--Provisions relating to the management of money

   90.     Management of money  
   91.     Residents' Trust Fund  
   92.     Money to be paid into the Residents' Trust Fund by the Secretary  
   93.     Management of money of a resident  
   94.     Investment of money  
   95.     Limit on amount held  
   96.     Trust money must be paid when person leaves  

           Division 3--Monitoring of performance

   99.     Power of Secretary to give directions  
   100.    Further powers of Secretary  

           Division 5--Complaints to disability service providers

   105.    Report on complaints  

           Division 5A--Complaints to regulated service providers

   106AA.  Application of Division and references  
   106A.   Internal process of regulated service provider for complaints  
   106B.   Report on complaints  
   106C.   Duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent adverse effects  

           Division 6--Complaints to Disability Services Commissioner

   107.    Purpose of Division  
   108.    Application of Division  
   108A.   References to service provider  
   109.    What matters can be the subject of a complaint?  
   110.    Who may make a complaint?  
   111.    How do you make a complaint?  
   112.    Withdrawal of complaint  
   113.    Preliminary assessment of complaint  
   114.    Circumstances in which the Disability Services Commissioner may decline to consider a complaint  
   115.    Notice of decision to consider or not to consider complaint  
   116.    Consideration of complaint suitable for conciliation  
   117.    Dealing with a complaint  
   118.    Investigation of a complaint  
   119.    Notice of decision and procedures  
   120.    Circumstances in which notice is not to be given  
   121.    Duty to stop proceedings  
   123.    Powers not to be exercised during conciliation  

           Division 6A--Initiated investigations

   127.    Application of Division and references  
   128A.   Definition  
   128B.   Commissioner initiated investigations  
   128C.   Notice of initiated investigation  
   128D.   Decision of Commissioner on initiated investigation  
   128E.   Decision that action should be taken  
   128F.   Notice of decision of initiated investigation  
   128G.   Notice to take action  

           Division 6B--Referral investigations

   128GA.  Application of Division and references  
   128H.   Definition  
   128I.   Referral investigations  
   128J.   Publication of referral investigations  
   128K.   Notice of referral investigation  
   128L.   Decision of Commissioner on referral investigation  
   128M.   Decision that action should be taken  
   128N.   Notice to take action  

           Division 6C--Following up on investigations

   128NA.  Application of Division and references  
   128O.   Definition  
   128P.   Service provider to report on action taken  
   128Q.   Notice requiring service provider to report  
   128R.   Follow up investigations  
   128S.   Notice of follow up investigation  
   128T.   Decision of Commissioner on follow up investigation  
   128U.   Notice of decision on follow up investigation  

           Division 7--Visits by community visitors

   129AA.  Minister approved premises  
   129.    Visiting of residential service, SDA dwelling, short-term accommodation dwelling or Minister approved premises  
   130.    Powers of inspection  
   130A.   Obligations of service provider and staff  
   131.    Request to see a community visitor—resident in residential service  
   131A.   Request to see a community visitor—NDIS participants, DSOA clients or SDA residents in SDA dwelling or short-term accommodation dwelling  
   131B.   Request to see a community visitor—residents of Minister approved premises  
   132.    Record of visits  

           Division 8--Conduct of investigations, investigatory powers and related matters

   132AA.  Application of Division and references  
   132A.   Definitions  
   132B.   Appointment of authorised officers  
   132C.   Identification of authorised officers  
   132D.   Production of identification  
   132E.   Visit and inspection of premises  
   132F.   Powers during visit and inspection  
   132G.   Provisions relating to interviews  
   132H.   Search warrants  
   132I.   Obligations of person executing a warrant on entry  
   132J.   Offence to hinder or obstruct person exercising a power under this Subdivision  
   132K.   Requirement to give assistance  
   132L.   Principles applying to all investigations  
   132M.   Assistance to be provided  
   132N.   Requirements if there is no hearing  
   132O.   Requirements if there is a hearing  
   132P.   Investigation hearing notice  
   132Q.   Offence to fail to comply with investigation hearing notice  
   132R.   Variation or revocation of investigation hearing notice  
   132S.   Power to take evidence on oath or affirmation  
   132T.   Powers in relation to documents and things  
   132U.   Compellability of Commissioner or member of staff  
   132V.   Protection of participants in investigations  
   132W.   Disclosures made in good faith  
   132X.   Protection against self-incrimination  
   132Y.   Legal professional privilege and client legal privilege  
   132Z.   False statements  
   132ZA.  Person not to be penalised for making a complaint, providing information  
   132ZB.  Commissioner may give information to other persons or bodies  
   132ZC.  Offence to disclose or make a record of information  

           Division 9--General issues applying to investigations

   132ZCA. Application of Division and references  
   132ZD.  Definition  
   132ZE.  Reporting on investigations  
   132ZF.  Adverse comment on or opinion of service provider in report  
   132ZG.  Giving a report to Parliament  
   132ZH.  Avoiding unnecessary duplication  

   PART 6A--APPOINTMENT OF AUTHORISED PROGRAM OFFICERS

   132ZI.  Disability service provider or registered NDIS provider to appoint Authorised Program Officer  
   132ZJ.  Disability service provider or registered NDIS provider to seek approval from Senior Practitioner for appointment of Authorised Program Officer  
   132ZK.  Revocation of approval  
   132ZL.  Senior Practitioner to notify Social Services Regulator or NDIS Commissioner  
   132ZM.  Senior Practitioner to notify disability service provider or registered NDIS provider before refusal or revocation  
   132ZN.  Application for review of appointment decision  
   132ZO.  Senior Practitioner may issue directions  

   PART 7--USE OF RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES

   133.    Purpose and application of Part  

           Division 6--of Part 8 also contains protective provisions in relation to persons subject to a treatment plan under Part 8.

   134.    Authorised Program Officers  
   135.    Use of regulated restrictive practice only permitted after authorisation and approval given  
   136.    Authorisation for use of regulated restrictive practices  
   137.    Use of regulated restrictive practice permitted in certain circumstances—disability service provider  
   138.    Behaviour support plan to be prepared and include use of regulated restrictive practice—disability service providers  
   139.    Review of behaviour support plan—disability service providers  
   140.    Independent person  
   141.    Powers of Public Advocate  
   142.    Information to be provided  
   143.    Approval by Senior Practitioner to use certain regulated restrictive practices  
   144.    Review by VCAT  
   145.    Authorisation for use of regulated restrictive practices in emergencies  
   146.    Directions and other requirements of Senior Practitioner  
   147.    Reporting emergency use of regulated restrictive practices—disability service providers  
   148.    Reporting use of regulated restrictive practices—disability service providers  
   149.    Offences  

   PART 8--COMPULSORY TREATMENT

           Division 1AA--Preliminary

   150A.   Restrictions on liberty or freedom of movement  

           Division 1--Residential treatment facilities

   151.    Proclamation of residential treatment facility  
   152.    Admission to a residential treatment facility  
   152A.   Information to be provided to resident  
   152B.   Secretary may extend admission to residential treatment facility  
   153.    Authorised Program Officer must prepare treatment plan  

           Division 6--of this Part contains provisions in relation to the use of restrictive practices in accordance with, and the inclusion of restrictive practices in, a treatment plan.

   154.    Annual review of treatment plan  
   155.    Application for review of treatment plan  
   156.    Leave of absence  
   157.    Special leave  
   158.    Suspension of leave of absence or special leave  
   159.    Security conditions  
   159A.   Secretary to approve certain security conditions  
   160.    Apprehension of resident absent without leave  
   161.    Transfer of resident to another residential treatment facility  

           Division 2--Provisions applying to RTO residents

   162.    Extended leave  
   163.    Appeals regarding extended leave  
   164.    Suspension and revocation of extended leave  
   165.    Appeals regarding revocation of extended leave  

           Division 3--Provisions applying to security residents

   166.    Transfer of person with an intellectual disability from a prison  
   167.    Preparation of treatment plan  

           Division 6--of this Part contains provisions in relation to the use of restrictive practices in accordance with, and the inclusion of restrictive practices in, a treatment plan.

   168.    Annual review of security order and treatment plan  
   169.    Application for review of treatment plan  
   175.    Termination of a security order  
   176.    Death of security resident  
   177.    Request for transfer to prison  
   179.    Notice of transfer of security resident to another residential treatment facility  

           Division 4--Provisions applying to forensic residents

   180.    Transfer of persons detained in prison under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997  

           Division 6--of this Part contains provisions in relation to the use of restrictive practices in accordance with, and the inclusion of restrictive practices in, a treatment plan.

   181.    Status of forensic residents  
   182.    Leave of absence for forensic resident  

           Division 5--Supervised treatment orders for implementation by disability service providers or registered NDIS providers

   183.    Purpose of Division  
   184.    Certain disability service providers not required to comply with Division  
   185.    Provision of services to persons subject to supervised treatment order  
   186.    Authorised Program Officers  
   187.    Senior Practitioner may approve accommodation for supervised treatment  
   188.    Senior Practitioner must notify Public Advocate of approved accommodation  
   189.    Treatment plans  

           Division 6--contains provisions in relation to the use of restrictive practices in accordance with, and the inclusion of restrictive practices in, a treatment plan.

   190.    Authorised Program Officer must give treatment plan to person  
   191.    Application for supervised treatment order  
   191A.   Information to be included in application for supervised treatment order  
   191B.   Senior Practitioner must notify NDIS Commissioner if certificate issued  
   191C.   Notification of application and parties to proceeding  
   192.    Authorised Program Officer may request interim supervised treatment order  
   193.    Supervised treatment order for persons with a disability and NDIS participants  
   194.    Application by the Public Advocate  
   194A.   Responsibilities of Authorised Program Officers for primary service providers  
   194B.   Responsibilities of disability service providers and registered NDIS providers  
   194C.   Authorised Program Officer responsible for implementing treatment plan  
   195.    Supervision of supervised treatment order  
   196.    Application for review, variation or revocation  
   196A.   Process concerning expiry of supervised treatment order  
   196B.   Senior Practitioner to notify NDIS Commissioner about certain matters  
   197.    Application for rehearing  
   198.    Rehearing  
   199.    Senior Practitioner may make assessment order  
   199A.   Application for review of assessment order  
   199B.   Senior Practitioner to notify NDIS Commissioner about assessment orders  
   200.    Supervised treatment order to prevail over guardianship order  
   201.    Apprehension of person subject to a supervised treatment order absent without approval  

           Division 6--Use of restrictive practices in implementing treatment plans

   201A.   Purpose and application of Division  
   201B.   Use of restrictive practices  
   201C.   Authorised Program Officers  
   201D.   Use of regulated restrictive practices  
   201E.   Use of regulated restrictive practices must be included in treatment plan  
   201F.   Reports  
   201G.   Offence  
   201H.   Senior Practitioner may issue guidelines and standards and give directions  
   201I.   Senior Practitioner may lodge evidence regarding use of regulated restrictive practices  

   PART 8A--USE AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

   202AA.  Definitions  
   202AB.  Disclosure, use or transfer of protected information  
   202AC.  Use, transfer or disclosure of information relating to disability services or disability service providers  
   202AD.  Disclosure of information about worker screening  
   202AE.  Application of Part  

   PART 9--GENERAL PROVISIONS

   202.    False and misleading statements  
   203.    Defacing documents  
   204.    Delegation  
   205.    Provision of staff services  
   206.    Special powers of Secretary  
   207.    Appointment of authorised officers  
   208.    Identity cards  
   209.    Production of identity card  
   210.    Powers of authorised officers  
   211.    Offence to give false or misleading information  
   212.    Offence to hinder or obstruct authorised officer  
   213.    Offence to impersonate authorised officer  
   214.    Protection against self-incrimination  
   215.    Legal professional privilege or client legal privilege  
   217.    Persons who are liable for offences  
   218.    Power to bring proceedings  
   219.    Evidentiary  
   220.    Recapture of person  
   221.    Regulations  

   PART 10--MISCELLANEOUS

           Division 1--Savings and transitional

   222.    Repeals and Savings  
   225.    Transitional regulations  
   225A.    Order specifying land, leases, licences and interests in land to be transferred to Secretary  
   225B.   Vesting of land, leases, licences and interests in land in the Secretary  
   225C.   Action by Registrar of Titles  
   225D.   Taxes  
   225E.   Land etc. vests subject to encumbrances  
   226.    Community visitors  
   227.    Behaviour support plans  
   230.    Group homes  

           Division 2--Transitional provisions--Disability Amendment Act 2017

   232.    Definitions  
   233.    Pre-existing complaints  
   234.    Information provisions  

           Division 3--Transitional provisions--Serious Offenders Act 2018

   235.    Saving of orders continued in effect after commencement by Serious Offenders Act 2018  

           Division 4--Transitional provisions--Disability (National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition) Amendment Act 2019

   236.    Declaration of residential service as a group home  
   237.    Behaviour support plans taken to be NDIS behaviour support plans  
   238.    Matters concerning persons subject to supervised treatment orders on becoming NDIS participants  
   239.    Supervised treatment orders  
   240.    Assessment orders  
   242.    Long Term Residential Program taken to be residential treatment facility  

           Division 5--Transitional provisions--Worker Screening Act 2020

   243.    Definition  
   244.    Transfer of information to Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety  
   245.    Continuation of safety screening requirements for notifications about persons providing services to NDIS participants  

           Division 6--Transitional provisions--Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023

   246.    Definition  
   247.    Authorised Program Officers  
   248.    Decisions as to disability  
   249.    Approval of accommodation  
   250.    Pending applications and requests  
   251.    Supervised treatment orders  
   252.    Treatment plans  
   253.    Guidelines, directions and standards  
   254.    Offences  
   255.    Regulated restrictive practices  
   256.    Behaviour support plans  
   257.    Public Advocate reports  
   258.    Security conditions  
   259.    Residential statements  
   260.    Regulations dealing with transitional matters  
   261.    Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023—use and disclosure of information  
   262.    Residential treatment facilities  
   263.    Secretary must assess existing long-term residents in residential treatment facilities  

           Division 7--Transitional provisions--Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023--Residential tenancies

   264.    Definition  
   265.    Supervised treatment orders and interim supervised treatment orders  
   266.    Pending applications  
   267.    Assessment orders  
   268.    Savings provisions—Division 2 of Part 5  
           ENDNOTES
           SCHEDULE 2


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