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Resolved complaint (209) about assistance animal discrimination in goods, services and facilities

Learn how a complaint (209) about assistance animal discrimination in goods, services and facilities was resolved through conciliation.

Disability rights Conciliation register entry

Summary

  • Year: 2025
  • Relevant Act: Disability Discrimination Act
  • Grounds: Assistance animal; Disability
  • Area(s): Goods, services and facilities
  • Settlement terms:
    • Apology - private
    • Goods/services/facilities

About the complaint

The complainant has depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and has an assistance dog. He alleged the respondent restaurant refused him and his wife a table in the restaurant because he was accompanied by his assistance dog.

The restaurant said the staff member who first spoke with the complainant had limited English. The restaurant said a different staff member later welcomed the complainant and his wife into the restaurant.

The complaint was resolved by conciliation after the restaurant apologised to the complainant for his experience and undertook to display stickers welcoming patrons with assistance dogs.

Guidance on the use of these summaries

This is a summary of a selected complaint that has been resolved through our conciliation process. It's designed to help people better understand how complaints might be resolved and what outcomes are possible.

These summaries are for general guidance only and are not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, you should seek independent legal support.

Please note:

  • all complaints are de-identified
  • complaints are resolved on a 'without admission of liability' basis
  • some content may include confronting or offensive language.

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