Advocacy services
Services tailored to you
The Tasmanian Government funds three organisations that deliver individual disability advocacy support. These organisations enable people with disability to increase the control they have over their lives.
Advocacy organisations can help with things like:
- Making a complaint about a service you receive.
- Making a complaint about a service someone you know or care for receives.
- Making a complaint about abuse or neglect.
- Making something better for you and services for people with disability.
- Talking about something a service can improve on.
Advocacy organisations
Advocacy Tasmania
Advocacy Tasmania provides free, confidential advocacy and rights information service for older people, people with disability, people with mental health issues and people who use alcohol or other drugs.
The Association for Children with Disability
The Association for Children with Disability (also known as ACD Tas) provides services to families, children and young people with disability in Tasmania:
- information and training
- advocacy
- case coordination (NDIS support coordination)
- peer support.
Speak Out Association of Tasmania
Speak Out Association of Tasmania provides support across Tasmania for people with intellectual or cognitive disability. They provide individual advocacy and support people to get information about their personal rights.
Making complaints and giving feedback
Making a complaint about NDIS providers or services
The NDIS Commission is responsible for the quality and safety of services funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia. They can accept complaints about services for NDIS participants.
Making a complaint about NDIS decisions or participant plans
If you have complaints about things like access to the NDIS or decisions about NDIS participant plans, you can contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) through the NDIS website.
Disability Commissioner Tasmania
Tasmania's Disability Commissioner can accept reports about harm or respond to any concerns you have about safety and inclusion. The Disability Commissioner has powers to investigate complaints. They can also refer you to other services that might be better able to respond to your complaint.
Support services
List of support services
Advocacy Tasmania is a non-profit, non-government advocacy and rights information service.
The Association for Children with Disability Tasmania provides services that empower participation in society and improve the life outcomes of children and young people with disability, their families and carers
Beyond Blue provides free, immediate, short-term counselling, advice and referral services.
Blue Knot provides information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma.
Carers Tasmania represents and provides support for local carers across Tasmania.
Citizen Advocacy Launceston Region is an independent program that promotes, facilitates and supports advocacy for people with intellectual disability.
The Department for Education, Children and Young People has information about specialist services to support the access, participation and engagement of students with disability in Tasmanian Government schools.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is an Australian Government agency that works on a range of policy initiatives and programs relating to disability.
The Department of Social Services is an Australian Government agency that works on a range of programs and policies to support vulnerable Australians.
Disability Commissioner Tasmania helps protect the rights of people with disability in Tasmania. They do this by listening, investigating, educating, and working with others to create safer, more inclusive communities.
Disability Employment Portal is for people with disability looking for jobs in the Tasmanian State Service.
Disability Employment Services is a national employment service for people with disability, injury or health condition. They also offer recruitment support and guidance for employers.
Disability Gateway helps people with disability, their families and carers find the information, services and support they need.
Disability Voices Tasmania is a community organisation run by people with disability working with people with disability, families and allies to build a collective voice.
Homes Tasmania can help Tasmanians with affordable housing solutions including housing assistance, crisis accommodation, social housing and affordable housing.
Office of the Senior Practitioner works to protect and promote the human rights of people with disability. They authorise and oversee the implementation of restrictive practices in Tasmania.
Keeping Children Safe has resources and support available to uphold the rights of children and young people and keep them safe.
Lifeline is a confidential service providing you with support if you feel overwhelmed, have difficulty coping, or are thinking about suicide.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme has information about applying to the NDIS and information for participants and providers.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission registers and regulates NDIS providers. They work with people with disability to improve the quality and safety of their NDIS supports.
National Disability Services is the national peak industry body for disability service organisations. They have a Tasmanian branch.
Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Tasmania upholds the Anti-Discrimination Act by investigating complaints and delivering education programs.
Office of the Ombudsman and Health Complaints Commissioner promotes and protects the rights of consumers and works to help resolve issues between consumers and health service providers.
The Regional Autistic Engagement Network is an autistic and ADHD created, led and managed network that facilitates peer groups and provides community, training and advocacy.
Service Tasmania provides one-stop access to Tasmanian Government transactions, services and information.
Speak Out Association of Tasmania is a statewide service that supports people with disability and provides individual advocacy
Strong Families Safe Kids is a place to report concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child.
Working it Out Tasmania is a statewide sexuality, gender and intersex support, education and advocacy service.
1800Respect supports people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.