Section 9 — Disability Discrimination Act 1992: Carer, assistant, assistance animal and disability aid definitions

Meanings of carer or assistant, assistance animal and disability aid (1) For the purposes of this Act, a carer or assistant, in relation to a person with a disability, is one of the following who provides assistance or services to the person because of the disability: (a) a carer; (b) an assistant; (c) an interpreter; (d) a reader. (2) For the purposes of this Act, an assistance animal is a dog or other animal: (a) accredited under a law of a State or Territory that provides for the accreditation of animals trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability; or (b) accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; or (c) trained: (i) to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability; and (ii) to meet standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place. Note: For exemptions from Part 2 for discrimination in relation to assistance animals, see section 54A. (3) For the purposes of this Act, a disability aid, in relation to a person with a disability, is equipment (including a palliative or therapeutic device) that: (a) is used by the person; and (b) provides assistance to alleviate the effect of the disability. Having a carer, assistant, assistance animal or disability aid (4) The following table has effect: Having a carer, assistant, assistance animal or disability aid Item For the purposes of this Act, a person with a disability has … if the person … 1 a carer or assistant (a) is presently accompanied by the carer or assistant; or (b) was previously accompanied by the carer or assistant; or (c) may be accompanied by the carer or assistant in the future; or (d) is imputed to be accompanied by the carer or assistant. 2 an assistance animal or disability aid (a) is presently accompanied by, or possesses, the animal or aid; or (b) was previously accompanied by, or possessed, the animal or aid; or (c) may be accompanied by, or possess, the animal or aid in the future; or (d) is imputed to be accompanied by, or to possess, the animal or aid.