Accessibility and disability inclusion

We are committed to equitable participation and inclusion of people with disability in our community. Our vision is to strengthen the Port Phillip community as a place in which people with disability feel valued and have a positive sense of belonging. We aim to put the community first, be inclusive and fair.

Latest updates

If you would like to receive notifications about the latest news on accessibility and disability inclusion in Port Phillip, you can subscribe to our email list.

Hot off the press!

Have local news to share? Please get in touch with the Access and Inclusion Planner via our friendly ASSIST team.

In other news

• Creating a more inclusive Port Phillip - we asked for your feedback on our draft Accessibility Action Plan 2023-2025 The draft plan is our commitment to improving the participation and inclusion of people with disability in our community. It has been developed in consultation with our community and other key stakeholders in 2021 and 2022. 

  The draft plan outlines the actions that we will be taking over the next three years to make Port Phillip a more inclusive City to live, work and play.  

  We are required to develop a plan under the Victorian Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and our draft plan demonstrates how we will implement change with the goal of eliminating discrimination against people with disability. 

  Consultation is now closed. Follow our Have Your Say Page for updates and to find out more about the plan: Accessibility Action Plan (AAP) 2023 - 2025 | Have Your Say Port Phillip. For questions on the plan, call ASSIST on 03 9209 6777.

  View the engagement report that informed the draft plan to find out more: Community Engagement report (DOCX 919 KB) or Community Engagement report (PDF 1.4 MB).
• Check out the virtual tours you can now take in some of our council venues. Such a great way to help plan your trip to some of council's venues. View the Find a venue page, select a venue with a virtual tour available and enjoy the tour!
• Did you know we have a Carer Information Hub? This hub aims to provide you with information and resources to support community members in their role of carer. Local carer support groups and other resources are just some of the services available in Port Phillip.
• Alfred Health Carer Services is inviting male carers to complete an expression of interest form to participate in an online Carer's Crew, Male Carers Group. The group is to meet fortnightly on Fridays. Questions? Get on contact with the team
  Phone: 03 9076 6644 between 9 am and 4 pm Monday to Friday
  Email: carerevents@alfred.org.au
• THRIVE at Open House celebrates local Deaf and disabled artists. Thrive is an exciting program presenting performances, visual art and film inspired by the geography of Emerald Hill. It has been produced by Arts Access Victoria with support from City of Port Phillip and occurs alongside Open House Melbourne. For information, sponsorship opportunities, questions or feedback, contact Creative Producer Sarah Houbolt:
  Email: shoubolt@artsaccess.com.au
  Phone: 03 9699 8299
• Disability Liaison Officer service at Alfred Health is available to support with navigating the experience of vaccine and COVID testing. For more information please contact Alfred Health:
  Email: disabilityteam@alfred.org.au
  Phone: 0428 950 038
• Transdev Access Card - if you are a traveller with specific needs, you can use a Transdev Access Card to communicate any assistance you require to drivers or other passengers. To learn more and to download an access cards view Transdev Accessibility or phone 03 9488 2100.
• To learn more about the Beach Wheelchair equipment and beach matting in Port Phillip please visit Accessible Beaches.
• Enjoy learning about how local businesses such as Middle Park Post Office, St Kilda's Sisters of Soul and South Pacific Health Club demonstrate inclusive practice.

State and Nationwide updates

• Victorian Disability Worker Registration launches 1 July 2021. The Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria will assess registered workers to be safe, skilled and professional. Registration is voluntary and supports a safer, stronger disability sector. Registration will be valid until 30 September each year. For more information:
  Phone: 1800 497 132 between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday
  Email: info@vdwc.vic.gov.au
• Working with Women with Disabilities e-learning course - A free, nationally accredited training for front line workers in Australia. You’ll learn how to recognise the signs of domestic and family violence, how to respond to women with disabilities with appropriate care, and how to refer them to support services. For more information contact DV-Alert at training.dvalert@lifeline.org.au
• Women with Disabilities Victoria has introduced pilot online awareness raising micro courses. These courses explore violence against women with disabilities. The first course increases awareness of the impact of violence against women with disabilities and the second course introduces prevention of violence against women with disabilities.
• Australian Communication Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has compiled a list of telecommunication provider offers for targeted groups to help stay connected if you are struggling with the cost of your internet or mobile service. For further information contact ACCAN:
  Email: info@accan.org.au
  Phone: 02 9288 4000
• Big Dreamers Personal Development Program runs for six months with 15 inspiring Young Carers aged 14 to 18. The aim of the program is to empower, develop resilience and provide the opportunity for building new skills and finding hidden talents. Apply for the Program and for more information
  Phone: 1800 717 515
• Disability Support Pension information was broadcast on SBS radio This segment promotes eligibility for Disability Support Pension, the pre-claim guide, Program of Support and how to claim. The audio files (2-3 minutes) are available on Services Australia’s SoundCloud account and will be available on the website shortly. *Transcripts are not available on SoundCloud. Languages offered include:
  • Turkish
  • Serbian
  • Arabic
  • Mandarin
  • Cantonese
  • Persian
  • Dari
  • Vietnamese
  • Assyrian
  • Bosnian.

Council aims to provide you with information and resources to support community members to be included. Information provided above are just some of the initiatives available locally and are not endorsed by or affiliated with Council.

Engage with us

Would you like to provide feedback, have a question or enquiry about accessibility and disability inclusion matters within Port Phillip? Contact our friendly ASSIST team.

Or contact us with the National Relay Service and ask to connect with our Access and Inclusion Planner.

City of Port Phillip programs and services

Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-21

The Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-21 is Council's third disability action plan. Our Access and Inclusion Plan was developed with improvements in the accessible design of our services, programs and physical environment in mind. Whilst development of our new Accessibility Action Plan is underway, the current Access and Inclusion Plan will remain in place until such time Council endorses a new Accessibility Action Plan. Council has endorsed the extension of the current plan at the council meeting held 1 December 2021. For more information about this endorsement, please view the Council meetings page.

The current plan is available:

• Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-21 (PDF 2 MB)
• Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-21 (DOCX 2.9 MB)
• Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-21 - easy English (PDF 0.9 MB)

Accessible beaches

Port Melbourne Life Saving Club, St Kilda Life Saving Club and Life Saving Victoria, in partnership with the City of Port Phillip, have accessible beach equipment available to the community.

This equipment removes some of the barriers that can prevent people with disability from enjoying our beaches.

Accessibility map

Information about accessible facilities and locations including beaches, parking, public toilets and beach showers are available by viewing the Accessibility Map.

Carer Information Hub

This Hub aims to provide information and resources to support community members in their role of carer. We say 'carer' to describe someone who provides care to another person who has a disability, a mental illness, is older or has an ongoing medical condition (including terminal or chronic illness or dementia). This care is typically more than expected in their usual role as a family member, friend or neighbour, and is unpaid. To learn more about carers, please visit the Carer Information Hub.

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services

The City of Port Phillip provides older people, people with disability and their carers access to a variety of support services to maximise independence at home and in the community. Find out more about our CHSP service at Independent Living.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme for supporting people under the age of 65 who live with a significant and lasting disability that affects their daily life.

The City of Port Phillip is not registered as an NDIS provider. Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) is the designated Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for the Bayside Peninsula area. Port Phillip residents can contact the NDIS BSL Local Area Coordinator for assistance and advice in finding out more about the NDIS and eligibility.

National Relay Service

If you're deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us via the National Relay Service (NRS):

• view the NRS call numbers page
• ask for ASSIST - Port Phillip at phone number 03 9209 6777