Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report on the Transformation of services for persons with disabilities.

Australia recognises the importance of moving away from traditional service and support models based on impairments to focus on the creation of universal systems which support the rights and agency of all people.

We remain committed to implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 sets out a vision for an inclusive Australian society in which there are no barriers to people with disability fulfilling their potential.

Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme provides individualised support to eligible persons living with disability, enabling autonomy and control in the pursuit of their goals. The scheme enables independence and equal social and economic participation and the planning and delivery of their support.

Internationally, Australia continues to work with partner governments to take a human rights-based approach to development. We will develop a new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy to guide this work in 2023.

We ask the Special Rapporteur: how should member states address workforce shortages preventing implementation of comprehensive, individualised services in the disability and support sector?