In 1992 the Australian government passed the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) providing protection for everyone in Australia against discrimination based on disability. It encourages everyone to be involved in implementing the Act and to share in the overall benefits to the community and the economy that flow from participation by the widest range of people.

Disability discrimination happens when people with disability are treated less fairly than people without disability. Disability discrimination also occurs when people are treated less fairly because they are relatives, friends, carers, co-workers or associates of a person with disability.

The definition of "disability" in the DDA comprises a variety of disabilities including visible and invisible disabilities to ensure that everyone with a disability is protected. It also protects people that have disability now, in the past, in the future or who may have a disability.