Community Visitor Schemes - Public consultation

Overview

The Australian Government’s (the government’s) initial response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) on 31 July 2024 announced $4.4 million over two financial years (2024-25 to 2025-26) to drive nationally consistent approaches to state and territory operated disability Community Visitor Schemes (CVS). The Disability Royal Commission Recommendation 11.12 calls for all Australian governments to establish nationally consistent approaches to CVS in all states and territories.

Community visitors are statutorily appointed members of the community with powers to visit, inspect, and report on the experience of people with disability in institutional and supported accommodation. While most jurisdictions have established a CVS, the schemes are not consistent, varying in their legislative foundations, powers, coverage, and operations.

This consultation is seeking views on CVS from people with disability across Australia, and the disability sector more broadly. We are looking to identify opportunities to ensure CVS continues to uphold the rights and wellbeing of people with disability, and how nationally consistent approaches might support this goal.

This consultation is being facilitated by an independent expert supplier, Whereto Research, on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This project is part of broader safeguarding work underway across the disability sector, including in response to recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission.

For details on how to get involved, visit our How to Participate section.

We acknowledge that some states do not currently have an operating CVS in their jurisdiction. Any consideration of future establishment or arrangements will need to be determined independently by respective state and territory governments. We welcome views from members of the public in all jurisdictions and will consider any feedback with this context in mind.

What We’ve Heard So Far

We recognise that many people, especially those with disability experience, are being asked to contribute to multiple consultations across the disability sector. This includes work flowing from the Disability Royal Commission, the Independent Review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Review) and Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.

We deeply value these ongoing contributions and are committed to building on, rather than duplicating, the insights already shared. We will ensure the consultation process is informed by the contributions already made by:

• people with disability
• carers
• families
• advocates
• service providers.

Why Public Consultation Matters

While many key issues have been raised, these consultations provide an important opportunity to gather more specific input about CVS across jurisdictions. This includes understanding:

• the current operation of CVS in a changing disability service environment
• specific challenges and gaps
• opportunities to improve consistency, effectiveness, and outcomes.

Why Your Views Matter

We are committed to ensuring policy conversations relating to CVS include the voices of people whose lives are impacted by CVS. 

Your input will help us:

• understand community and sector views on current CVS
• identify the strengths, gaps and opportunities for national consistency.

We want to hear from:

• people with disability
• families, friends and carers
• disability accommodation and service providers
• representative organisations, advocates and supporters of people with disability
• community visitors
• peak bodies and government agencies.

Your feedback will directly inform the ongoing work of considering opportunities to drive nationally consistent approaches for CVS across Australia.

Consultation Materials

Please download and read the consultation materials that best meets your needs before providing your feedback:

• Discussion Paper (PDF) 
• Discussion Paper - Easy Read summary (PDF) 
• Discussion Paper - Plain English summary (PDF) 
• Questionnaire - Easy Read summary (PDF) 
• Discussion Paper and Questions - Auslan summary (Download video here 1.8GB) Please note this file is 1.8GB we are working to embed a version of the video on this page

Please contact us if you require materials in an alternative format at CVSproject@wheretoresearch.com.au.

Privacy

Your submission may contain personal information. When submitted, this information may be stored in both physical and digital formats. Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Please note that personal information will be collected through Qualtrics by Whereto Research on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. For more information, you can access the Privacy Collection Notice of WhereTo research parent company Ipsos Australia Pty Ltd.

Details about how your personal information will be collected, used, and protected are outlined in our Privacy Collection Notice. 

Contact Us

If you have questions about the consultation or need assistance, please contact the consultation team:

Email: CVSproject@wheretoresearch.com.au