Common Terms
Explanations of General Terms
Access
People throughout Australia being able to get the services they need.
Advocacy
The assistance given to people to help them get their rights and make decisions for themselves: related to this is self advocacy, which means people living with disability having the skills, opportunities and necessary supports to make decisions about their own lives.
Commonwealth State & Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA)
Special documents signed by the Prime Minister and the Premiers that set out the responsibilities of the Commonwealth and State Governments for disability services in the future: the Agreement is intended to ensure better services and improved efficiency.
Consumer outcomes
Positive results for consumers that come about through the services they received.
DCSI
State Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
DSS
Commonwealth Department of Social Services.
DHS
Australian Government Department of Human Services – includes Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support & Australian Hearing
Duty of care
A requirement that organisations take reasonable care in providing services and protecting people from unnecessary risk.
Entry & Exit policies
Services’ rules about people joining or leaving services.
Equity
People throughout Australia receiving rights, benefits and entitlement without discrimination and in accordance with their needs.
Guardianship Board
A government agency appointed to protect the rights of people who may not be able to make the best decisions for themselves.
Individual needs analysis
A method of working out the support needs of people so that services can be tailored to suit them.
NDAP
National Disability Advocacy Program - provides people with disability access to effective disability advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights enabling community participation.
NDIA
National Disability Insurance Agency
NDIS
National Disability Insurance Scheme - supports people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities
Needs based planning
An approach to planning for the provision of services, using information about the needs of local communities.
Ombudsman
A public official appointed to investigate complaints by people against government departments and agencies.
OPA
Office of the Public Advocate
Public advocates
People appointed by governments to represent the interests of particular disadvantaged groups.
For a guide to acronymns and abbreviations in South Australia please go to the
