The Disability Royal Commission: What's Actually Changed
Disability Royal Commission outcomes explained: the 222 recommendations, where commissioners disagreed, the government response, and what has changed.
For four and a half years, the Disability Royal Commission listened to thousands of people with disability, their families and workers, and then handed down a very large report. If you have wondered what came of it all, this guide is an honest, plain-English account of the Disability Royal Commission outcomes — what it recommended, where the commissioners themselves disagreed, how governments…
What the Royal Commission was
The Final Report
Where the commissioners disagreed
How governments responded
What has actually changed or is underway
What is still unresolved and criticised
What it means for you and your family
Where to follow the progress
Frequently asked questions
How many recommendations did the Disability Royal Commission make?
The Final Report, delivered on 29 September 2023, contained 222 recommendations across 12 volumes. They span safety, housing, education, employment, health, justice and the NDIS, ranging from immediate safeguards to long-term structural change like the future of group homes and segregated education.
Did the government accept all the recommendations?
No. In the joint government response of 31 July 2024, many recommendations were accepted in principle or marked as subject to further consideration, rather than a simple yes. Governments agreed with many goals but signalled more work was needed on how and when, which frustrated some advocates.
Why did the commissioners disagree?
They were divided on the biggest questions about segregation. Some supported phasing out group homes and special schools over the long term; others favoured keeping them, ideally near mainstream settings. Because the commissioners did not agree, governments were left with a genuine choice rather…
What has actually changed since the report?
Governments set up a Disability Reform Roadmap, a National Monitoring and Reporting Framework and annual progress reporting to track all 222 recommendations. Related NDIS reforms, including legal changes and mandatory provider registration, are rolling out. The most contested questions about ending…