Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs has urged the Department of Social Services (DSS) to adopt a series of proposed National Principals for assistance animals.
The principals, currently being reviewed by the DSS, advocate for the for national recognition and accreditation of assistance animals.
Assistance animals are legally allowed to accompany people on public transport and in different types of premises; however, current rules around training and accreditation differ across states and territories.
“This has been years in the making. We’ve long advocated for more legislative clarity in this area"
— Chris Edwards, Vision Australia General Manager Corporate Affairs and Advocacy.
The DSS has proposed six principles, which Vision Australia has made a submission in support of:
Nationally consistent accreditation requirements for assistance animal trainers and/or training organisations
Nationally consistent minimum assistance animal training standards
A single national Public Access Test for assistance animals
Nationally consistent requirements for evidence of disability and a need for an assistance animal
National identity card and logo, and
Wellbeing of the assistance animal, including during and after its working life.
While Seeing Eye Dogs are legally allowed to enter public spaces, handlers are unfortunately still too often denied this right.
The adoption of the principles will lead to better outcomes for everybody and hopefully address some of the common challenges handlers currently face.
“For handlers, they will continue to be assured their service dogs are well trained accredited and that standards will be consistent, no matter where you are in Australia,” Chris said.
“The principles will also help the general public know when they are dealing with a genuine assistance animal and the obligations that come with that. We think this will be a positive step toward reducing incidents where handlers are denied access to locations they are legally entitled to enter.
“For training organisations there will be greater clarity for the specific training requirements in Australia above any internationally recognised standards they already comply with.”
