Disability Services

Disability Services is a Business Unit within the Human Services Group of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The vision of Disability Services is "A society where all people with disabilities are able to achieve their maximum potential."

Disability Services are provided by dedicated Area Offices in Launceston, Burnie and Hobart. State Office in Hobart also provides a range of services to support the Area Offices, such as business support and quality improvement.

Who can receive a service?

The target population for Disability Services is defined by the Tasmanian Disability Services Act 1992. This includes people with intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical disabilities, as well as individuals with cognitive limitations. It includes people whose disabilities:

  • Are permanent or likely to be permanent;
  • Result in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility;
  • Require continuing support services; and
  • May or may not be of a chronic episodic nature.

Under the Disability Services Act 1992 and the Disability Framework for Action Disability Services is responsible for providing specialist disability services and supports to people with a disability, their families and carers.

What services are available?

Disability Services provides the following services:

  • Respite
    Is provided for clients using 'in home' and centre based facilities.
  • Short Term Support
    Support services for clients in their own homes or in a range of community settings.

  • Service Coordination
    Focusing on the client, working with services to achieve appropriate access to services.

  • Resource Support
    Provides support and information for people with disabilities and their networks, such as psychology, social work, speech pathology and physiotherapy.
  • Day Options
    Provides a range of activities based on identified individual client needs and may include work, leisure/recreation, education, skills development and community access.
  • Residential
    Long-term accommodation support is provided for some clients.

How can I access these services?

To contact Disability Services you can call 1300 799 530 Statewide for the price of a local call.

Click here for a list of your nearest Area Office.