Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Name	Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Formation	1990s
Type	Non-profit peak body
Headquarters	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Region served	Australia
Membership	National and state disability organisations

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations is an Australian national peak body representing organisations of people with disability, linking state and territory disability coalitions and sector members such as National Disability Insurance Scheme stakeholders, Disabled Peoples' International affiliates, and community-based service providers. It operates from a policy, advocacy, and sector-development perspective, engaging with federal bodies including the Australian Parliament committees, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and treaty processes such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The federation liaises with a wide range of institutions like the Australian Council of Social Service, the Productivity Commission (Australia), and the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

History

The federation emerged in the context of late 20th-century disability rights movements influenced by international actors such as United Nations instruments and regional networks like Asia-Pacific DEVELOPMENT Center initiatives. Early links formed with organisations including People with Disability Australia, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, and state bodies such as Disabled People's Organisations Victoria during policy debates around the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Australia), the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and inquiries by the Productivity Commission (Australia). It has participated in national campaigns alongside groups like Australian Federation of Mental Health actors and human rights advocates from the Australian Lawyers Alliance and Australian Council of Social Service.

Governance and Structure

The federation is governed by a board composed of representatives from member organisations and affiliated councils, drawing governance practice from models used by entities such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the Australian Electoral Commission for voting procedures, and corporate governance standards similar to those promulgated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Executive functions liaise with parliamentary bodies including the Senate of Australia committees, and with statutory agencies like the Australian Human Rights Commission and the National Disability Insurance Agency. Regional coordination mirrors structures used by the Council of Australian Governments for interjurisdictional collaboration.

Membership and Affiliated Organisations

Membership includes national organisations such as People with Disability Australia, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, Women with Disabilities Australia, and state-level bodies like Queensland Disability Network and Disability Advocacy Network SA. International affiliations include ties to Disabled Peoples' International and engagement with UN treaty bodies including the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Academic and research partnerships include liaison with institutions such as the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, and the Griffith University disability research centres.

Advocacy and Policy Initiatives

The federation has campaigned on issues including implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reform of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, accessibility standards akin to those debated with the Standards Australia body, and human rights litigation referenced before the High Court of Australia and tribunals such as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Australia). It has contributed submissions to commissions including the Productivity Commission (Australia) and engaged in collaborative campaigns with organisations like the Australian Council of Social Service, Human Rights Law Centre, and unions such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions on employment and discrimination matters.

Programs and Services

Programs have included capacity-building for organisations similar to training delivered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, community inclusion initiatives modelled on projects from the National Disability Services sector, and information services akin to those provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for public awareness. Services extend to policy briefings for parliamentarians in the House of Representatives (Australia), sector consultation for the National Disability Insurance Agency, and coordination of research partnerships with universities including the University of Melbourne and the Monash University social policy units.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources have included philanthropic grants from foundations comparable to the Ian Potter Foundation, partnerships with federal agencies such as the Department of Social Services (Australia), and project funding from state entities like the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. Collaborative partners include peak bodies such as National Disability Services, legal organisations like the Human Rights Law Centre, and community organisations such as the Australian Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils.

Impact and Criticism

The federation has influenced policy discourse around the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities implementation, contributing to submissions, reviews, and advocacy campaigns cited in parliamentary inquiries by the Senate of Australia and reports from the Productivity Commission (Australia). Criticism has arisen from some member organisations and external commentators affiliated with think tanks like the Grattan Institute regarding representational reach, governance transparency comparable to debates involving the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and strategic priorities amid contested reform discussions involving the National Disability Insurance Agency and state governments such as the New South Wales Government and the Queensland Government.

Category:Disability organisations based in Australia