People with disabilities are important and they deserve to be happy, safe and cared for
– Sherry (Parent of a person with disability)
(DRC Final Report Volume 1: Voices of people with disability – Book 2)
What was the DRC?
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) was a national inquiry into the violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation experienced by people with disability in Australia.
Established in 2019, the Commission heard directly from people with disability, families, carers, and advocates across the country through public hearings, private sessions, submissions and community engagement.
Based on this evidence, the Commission identified widespread systemic failures and made 222 recommendations to improve safety, rights and inclusion for people with disability.
The final report released in September 2023, provides a clear roadmap across key areas of life — including education, employment, housing, justice, and disability services.
Quick facts: Disability Royal Commission
- Engagement: 32 public hearings, 1785 private hearings, 7944 formal submissions, 700 community engagement activities, 17824 phone enquiries.
- Final report released: September 2023
- Total recommendations: 222
- Report structure: 12 volumes (8 with recommendations)
- Focus: Safety, rights, inclusion, and accountability
Why the DRC Still Matters
The Disability Royal Commission matters because it:
- centres the lived experience of people with disability.
- exposes systemic failures across multiple sectors.
- provides a clear, evidence-based roadmap for reform.
- highlights the need for independent accountability and long-term change.
However, recommendations do not create change on their own. They must be implemented — and governments must be held accountable for delivering on what was promised.
What happens after a Royal Commission ends?
Once a Royal Commission hands down its final report, responsibility shifts to governments to respond to and implement the recommendations.
In the case of the Disability Royal Commission:
- governments committed to respond to the 222 recommendations.
- progress reporting was promised through national and state processes.
- implementation was expected to be monitored over time.
However, progress has been slow and inconsistent, with many recommendations showing little to no movement. Independent monitoring is essential to ensure the intent of the DRC is not lost.
Timeline
What did the Disability Royal Commission recommend?
The final report consists of 12 volumes, each focusing on a different issue or system. Eight of these volumes include recommendations.
Below is a high-level overview of each volume and the key areas it addresses. Our tracker examines what governments have done in response to each of these recommendations. recommendations.
Volumes 1-3: Background and context
These volumes explain:
- Why the Disability Royal Commission was established.
- How it operated.
- What evidence and lived experiences were shared.
These volumes do not include recommendations, but provide important context.
Read the final report on volumes 1-3:
Volume 4: Human rights and legal protections
Focus: Disability rights in Australia
The Commission found that Australia is not fully meeting its human rights obligations to people with disability.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthen legal protections.
- Align Australian laws with international human rights standards.
- Improving accountability when rights are breached.
Read the final report on Volume 4.
Volume 5: Disability leadership and governance
Focus: Government leadership and coordination
This volume highlights gaps in how disability policy is led and coordinated across governments.
Key recommendations include:
- Establishing a National Disability Commission.
- Embedding lived experience in leadership and decision-making.
- Improving coordination across governments and systems.
Read the final report on Volume 5.
Volume 6: Access, autonomy and independence
Focus: Choice and control
This volume centres the right of people with disability to make decisions about their own lives.
Key recommendations include:
- Promoting dignity, autonomy and self-determination.
- Removing barriers to access.
- Strengthening supports that enable independence.
Read the final report on Volume 6.
Volume 7: Inclusive education, employment and housing
Focus: Everyday systems and participation
This volume examines barriers across:
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
Key recommendations include:
- Ending segregation in education, employment and housing.
- Improving access to inclusive schooling, jobs and housing.
- Increasing access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing.
Read the final report on Volume 7.
Volume 8: Disability and the criminal justice system
Focus: Justice and overrepresentation
The Commission found that people with disability are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and face higher risks of harm.
Key recommendations include:
- Reducing incarceration and harm experienced by people with disability.
- Strengthening legal safeguards.
- Raising the age of criminal responsibility.
Read the final report on Volume 8.
Volume 9: First Nations people with disability
Focus: Intersection of disability and First Nations experiences
This volume highlights the compounded and intersecting discrimination and systemic barriers faced by First Nations people with disability.
Key recommendations include
- Addressing systemic racism and discrimination.
- Ensuring culturally safe services.
- Strengthening First Nations leadership and self-determination.
Read the final report on Volume 9.
Volume 10: Disability services and supports (including NDIS)
Focus: Service quality and safety
This volume examines how disability services operate in practice.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening safeguards against abuse and neglect.
- Improving service quality and provider accountability.
- Enhancing oversight of disability service systems.
Read the final report on Volume 10.
Volume 11: Oversight, complaints and accountability
Focus: Independent monitoring
This volume focuses on the systems that should prevent harm and respond when things go wrong.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening complaints mechanisms.
- Improving independent oversight.
- Ensuring systems respond effectively to harm.
Read the final report on Volume 11.
Volume 12: Implementation, monitoring and reporting
Focus: Turning recommendations into action
This volume sets out how governments should implement and track progress.
Key recommendations include:
- Transparent public reporting.
- Independent monitoring of progress.
- Clear accountability frameworks.
Read the final report on Volume 12.
What happens next? Tracking progress on the 222 recommendations
Governments are responsible for implementing the Disability Royal Commission recommendations.
Independent, disability-led monitoring helps ensure:
- Progress is visible.
- Commitments are scrutinised.
- The intent of the DRC is upheld over time.
This is why tracking implementation, not just publishing reports matters. Our work helps ensure the DRC leads to real, lasting change.