Transport for People with Disabilities

The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) prohibits both direct and indirect discrimination on the grounds of disability, both to the person with a disability as well as family members, carers and friends.

The DDA allows disability standards to be formulated in a range of areas. The purpose of disability standards is to spell out in greater detail rights and obligations under the DDA, providing greater certainty about the Act's requirements. For more information on the DDA refer to the Attorney-Generals Department.

Currently, two disability standards have been formulated, one of which is the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002.

Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, as amended

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) as amended, are formulated by the Attorney-General under subsection 31 (1) of the DDA.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has responsibility for providing public transport policy advice on the Transport Standards.

The Transport Standards were initially released on 23 October 2002 and subsequently amended by the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Amendment 2004 (No.1) on 2 April 2004 and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Amendment 2004 (No.2) on 11 May 2005.

The Transport Standards seek to provide a level of certainty to operators and providers of public transport conveyances, premises and infrastructure about their responsibilities under the DDA. The Transport Standards also identify a series of target dates for compliance extending over a 30 year timeframe. The first target date for compliance was 31 December 2007.

The Accessible Public Transport National Advisory Committee and Accessible Public Transport Jurisdictional Committee are forums to discuss the implementation of the Transport Standards.

Review of the Transport Standards

Part 34 of the Transport Standards requires the Minister, in consultation with the Attorney-General, to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Transport Standards within five years of their coming into effect. The Review must include whether discrimination has been removed as far as possible, according to the requirements for compliance set out in Schedule 1 and propose any necessary amendments to the Transport Standards.

The first five year review has been undertaken by an independent consultant, Allen Consulting Group, oversighted by a Steering Committee of senior officials.

The consultant's final report was accepted by the Steering Committee in October 2009. The Government is considering its response to the report's recommendations prior to releasing the report.

The dedicated website for the Review can be accessed through the following link http://www.ddatransportreview.com.au

For information on the Review please contact Mr Derek Tarryon (02) 6274 8106.

Accessible Public Transport National Advisory Committee

The Department established the Accessible Transport Standards Consultative Committee framework in March 2001 to progress the technical review of the Transport Standards. This committee was subsequently replaced by the Accessible Public Transport National Advisory Committee (APTNAC) in March 2003.

APTNAC provides a consultative framework to progress specific national accessible transport issues and through the Department, reports on its activities within the Australian Transport Council (ATC) framework.

The membership of APTNAC comprises representatives from industry [the Bus Industry Confederation, Australian Taxi Industry Association, Australasian Railway Association, Qantas, Virgin Blue, Australian Airports Association, Regional Aviation Association of Australia and the International Association of Public Transport], the disability community [the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations], all State and Territory Governments, the Australian Local Government Association and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Attorney-General's Department (AGD) have observer status at the meetings. Representatives of other organisations may be invited to attend specific meetings to provide specialist input to discussions.

Contact details for members of APTNAC can be obtained from the APTNAC Secretariat on 02 6274 8106.

Accessible Public Transport Jurisdictional Committee

The Accessible Public Transport Jurisdictional Committee (APTJC) was also established in conjunction with APTNAC in March 2003 and provides a forum for State and Territory and Australian Governments to co-ordinate governments' positions on issues raised on the Transport Standards and at APTNAC meetings. In addition, it reports on its activities within the ATC framework. APTJC has also been tasked with providing cross-jurisdictional transport advice to the Australian Human Rights Commission on applications for exemptions from the Transport Standards.

APTJC membership includes representatives from State and Territory Transport or equivalent Departments, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and AGD (which has observer status at the meetings).

Contact details for members of APTJC can be obtained from the APTJC Secretariat on 02 6274 8106.