Assistance dogs are trained to work with people who have a disability. The team, (dog and handler) are required to meet standards set by each Australian state regarding Public Access Rights.
To ensure the handlers of assistance dogs receive the same public access rights as others in the community, it is important to understand the role assistance dogs play when they are working.
Assistance dogs perform many physical tasks to aid their handlers, as well as making their handlers feel confident, safe, and calm when out in the world.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA 1992) recognises that a trained Assistance dog is an important aide to a person with a disability and allows these qualified animals to accompany their handler in most public places, public passenger vehicles and places of accommodation.
In Queensland, assistance dog teams undergo a Public Access Test, which establishes a minimum standard for Guide, Hearing, and Assistance dogs to be certified under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009. For more information on the rights and responsibilities regarding Assistance Dogs in Queensland, visit https://www.dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au/
All content, including photos and graphics, displayed on this website are protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction of this website’s content and special artwork to a 3rd party website or any other form of media is strictly prohibited.
