ARTICLE · 15 NOVEMBER 2024

Assistance animals, discrimination and the law

Hall Payne Lawyers

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General overview of discrimination laws in Queensland and on the federal law with regard to assistance animals.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

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The law involving assistance animals is complex and it can be difficult to find the right information if you already have an assistance animal or if you have a disability and are looking to receive the support of an assistance animal.

Discrimination against handlers and their assistance animals is also not uncommon due to the complexity and misunderstanding of legal entitlements and obligations. This article provides a general overview of discrimination laws in Queensland and on the federal law with regard to assistance animals.

What is an assistance animal?

Assistance animals are essentially trained animals that can assist you in your day-to-day life if you have a physical or psychosocial disability. They are specifically trained to alleviate the effects of a disability. They are medical aids that require specialist training and have accreditation and/or acknowledgement under law for the tasks they perform.

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