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Resolved complaint (236) about disability discrimination in access to premises and goods, services and facilities

Learn how a complaint (236): disability discrimination in access to premises and goods, services and facilities — resolved by conciliation.

Disability rights Conciliation register entry 19 March 2026

Summary

  • Year: 2025
  • Relevant Act: Disability Discrimination Act
  • Grounds: Disability aid; Disability
  • Area(s): Access to premises; Disability Standards; Goods, services and facilities
  • Settlement terms:
    • Apology - private
    • Goods/services/facilities - adjustments provided

About the complaint

The complainant has poor mobility and uses a wheelchair. He alleged he was unable to access public dental health services because the building was not wheelchair accessible.

The government department responsible for operation of the dental health service acknowledged that the clinic the complainant wished to access was not wheelchair accessible. The department said patients requiring wheelchair access could access dental care at a nearby public hospital clinic or be offered a voucher for private dental care.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the department write to the complainant apologising for the distress he experienced and issue him with a voucher for private dental care. The department confirmed relevant administrative staff were trained in appropriate referral pathways for patients in similar situations.

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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