Abbreviations 5
Preface 6
Contributors 9
Executive summary 11
The Commission's Model 12
Recommendations 15
Chapter 1
Background 22
Introduction 22
Origins Of The Report 23
Victorian Context 24
Our Process 26
Structure Of Report 29
Terminology 30
Chapter 2
Assistance Animals in Victoria 34
Current Practice 34
Who Uses Assistance Animals? 40
What Benefits Do Assistance Animals Bring? 41
Who Trains Assistance Animals? 46
Assistance Animal Organisations That Provide Services To Victorians 49
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia 50
Will Assistance Animals Become More Common? 55
Summary 56
Chapter 3
Current Law 64
Current Law 64
State Legislation 64
Commonwealth Legislation 74
Federal Case Law On Assistance Animals 78
Current Problems 82
Extent Of Discrimination 83
Conclusions 87
Chapter 4
Changes to the Equal Opportunity Act 96
Changes To The Equal Opportunity Act 96
Principles Of Reform 96
Clarifying The Meaning Of "Assistance Animal" In Victorian Law 98
Removing Inequities In Protection 109
Enabling The Right 110
Consistent And Comprehensive Protection 129
Chapter 5
Establishing a Training and Accreditation Scheme 138
Current practice 138
Consultation Proposals 139
Responsibility for regulating assistance animals 140
Conclusions 147
Should there be an advisory committee? 149
Accrediting Trainers 151
Who Should Be Eligible For Accreditation? 152
Accreditation Standards For Trainers 158
Public Access Test 163
Chapter 6
Registration and Identification 178
Registration And Identification 178
Registration Of Assistance Animals 179
Identification 184
Chapter 7
Other Issues 195
Transitional arrangements 195
Civil liability 196
Community Education 199
National consistency 203
Appendix 1 207
Submissions 207
Appendix 2 209
Consultation Meetings 209
Appendix 3 210
Other jurisdictions 210
Appendix 4 225
Glossary 227
Bibliography 230