The Department of Communities (Communities) is inviting consultation to inform the development of legislation for the authorisation of restrictive practices within disability services in Western Australia.

This legislation will replace the interim Authorisation Policy currently in place. The future authorisation process and legislation are intended to apply to the disability sector only, which includes NDIS and State-funded disability services.

The consultation provides an opportunity for people with disability, relevant disability service organisations and other key stakeholders to shape how Western Australia regulates the authorisation of restrictive practices in disability services.

Communities invites you and your networks to share your views through written submissions, online surveys, an online feedback form and/or attendance at community drop-in events, workshops and 1-1 meetings.

Consultation closes on 11.59pm Sunday, 22 August 2021.

Following the public consultation process, an interim issues paper will be released, and a Deliberative Panel convened. The Panel will comprise of selected Government, community and sector representatives and will be independently facilitated to consider the issues in depth. The Panel will produce a report and recommendations for consideration by Communities. An expression of interest process will be used to recruit members.

Recommendations for the State Government will be developed based on public consultation and the Deliberative Panel outcomes. Communities will also engage with relevant Government agencies in other service sectors throughout the project to identify and consider interface issues with other sectors.