Source: Human Rights Commission web site
What is the legal understanding of an assistance animal?
An assistance animal is a trained support designed to facilitate the participation of people with disability in accessing various aspects of personal and public life. They are sometimes mistaken as a pet but provide an essential function for some people with disability.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) in Section 9, sets out the legal definition of an assistance dog or other animal that:
- is accredited under a State or Territory law to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of disability; or
- is accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed in the regulations; or
- is trained to assist a person with disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.
Further information is available on the ADCET web site
Can my student bring their pet rabbit/rat/cat/guinea pig/budgie/goldfish to campus?
No. The Deakin University Animal Management and Governance Committee does not allow any animals on campus except for Guide Dogs or other support animals (excludes animals used for research).
My student says their pet rabbit/rat/cat/guinea pig/budgie/goldfish is a support animal – is that okay?
No. Support animals must meet the legal definition as outlined above.
Can an assistance animal in the process of being trained come onto campus?
Yes. Dogs who are actively being trained by an accredited trainer can come onto campus.