What is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is Australian law, overseen by the Australian Human Rights Commission, that makes digital discrimination unlawful. The Commission's 2025 Guidelines on equal access to digital goods and services recommend WCAG 2.2 AA, and Australian Government ICT procurement follows AS EN 301 549.

What WCAG level does the DDA require?

WCAG 2.2 AA is the level recommended by the Australian Human Rights Commission's 2025 Guidelines on equal access to digital goods and services (guidance, not law). There is no single fixed technical spec written into the Act itself. Enforcement is complaint-based via the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) rather than a prescriptive technical standard.

Who does the DDA apply to?

The DDA applies to all Australian organisations providing goods or services. It is not limited to government or large businesses. Any organisation whose digital services create a barrier for people with disability can be the subject of a complaint.

How is the DDA enforced?

The DDA uses complaint-based enforcement via the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), rather than proactive government audits. A person who experiences a digital accessibility barrier can lodge a complaint with the AHRC.

What does Australian government procurement require?

Australian Government ICT procurement follows AS EN 301 549, the Australian adoption of the EN 301 549 standard also used across the EU. It references WCAG 2.1, and government guidance says to use WCAG 2.2 where appropriate.

Legal · Australia

Australia Accessibility

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes digital discrimination unlawful in Australia. This guide covers the WCAG 2.2 AA benchmark, AHRC complaint enforcement, and government procurement requirements.

Standard: WCAG 2.2 AA (recommended)DDA: Since 1992Regulator: AHRC

What Is the Disability Discrimination Act?

Makes Digital Discrimination Unlawful

The DDA (1992), overseen by the Australian Human Rights Commission, makes digital discrimination unlawful. WCAG 2.2 AA is the benchmark used to assess whether a digital service is accessible.

Government Procurement: AS EN 301 549

Australian Government ICT procurement follows AS EN 301 549, the Australian adoption of the EN 301 549 technical standard.

How DDA Enforcement Works

Unlike a proactive government audit regime, the DDA relies on complaint-based enforcement via the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Step 1

A person experiencing a digital barrier lodges a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).

Step 2

The AHRC typically offers conciliation between the complainant and the organisation before matters proceed further.

Step 3

If conciliation does not resolve the complaint, the matter can proceed to the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court under the DDA.

Australia Compliance Checklist

A practical action list for Australian organisations reducing DDA complaint risk.

Audit your website and digital services against WCAG 2.2 AA

Critical

Fix identified barriers that could support a discrimination complaint

Critical

If selling to Australian government agencies, ensure AS EN 301 549 conformance

Critical

Publish an accessibility statement describing your conformance status

High

Provide a feedback channel for people to report accessibility barriers

High

Document a remediation roadmap for any unresolved WCAG failures

Medium

Who Is Covered?

All Australian Organisations Providing Goods/Services

The DDA's scope is broad and not limited by sector or size. Any organisation whose digital services are inaccessible can be the subject of an AHRC complaint.

Government Suppliers

Organisations selling to Australian government agencies face the more prescriptive AS EN 301 549 procurement requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer for compliance advice specific to your organisation.

Check Your Site Against WCAG 2.2 AA

Scan your site against the DDA's recommended benchmark and generate an Australia Edition VPAT for government procurement.

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