DPO Australia members regularly contribute to United Nations treaty body reviews of Australia.
On this page, you will find links to factsheets prepared on key disability rights issues for Australia’s review under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [CRPD].
Discrimination Against Migrants and Refugees with Disability
People with disability, and families who have members with disability, consistently have their visa applications denied because they are unable to meet the strict health requirement under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
In Australia, people with disability are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as people without disability.
Forced Sterilisation of People with Disability and People with Intersex Variations
Forced sterilisation of people with disability, particularly women and girls with disability, and people with intersex variations, is an ongoing practice that remains legal and sanctioned by Governments in Australia.
Forced Treatment and Restrictive Practices
Across Australia, mental health laws, policy and practice authorise the forced treatment of people with psychosocial disability, limiting individual rights to liberty and security and equal recognition before the law.
The current education system in Australia is failing to adequately meet the needs of students with disability, and it is rare for students with disability to be provided with a genuine inclusive educational experience.
Indefinite Detention of Persons with Disability Within the Criminal Justice System
All Australian jurisdictions have in place legislation that addresses a defendant within the criminal justice system and their ‘fitness’ to stand trial.
Equality Before the Law and Supported Decision-Making
A number of Australian laws, policies and practices deny or diminish recognition of people with disability as persons before the law, or deny or diminish the right of a person with disability to exercise legal capacity.
Australia has not fully incorporated the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into Australian domestic law and there remains no comprehensive legislative, administrative, judicial framework for the protection of human rights.
Violence and Abuse Against Persons with Disability
Evidence demonstrates that people with disability frequently experience sustained and repeated episodes of violence and abuse.