Disability - day services | Better Health Channel
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Summary

Day services support people with a disability to participate in their local community and undertake a range of activities depending on their choice and interest. These may include areas such as daily living, pre-vocational skills, recreation, arts and other community activities.

Day services (formerly known as ‘day programs’) provide support across a range of lifestyle areas including daily living, pre-vocational skills, recreation, arts and participation in a range of other community activities.

Day services assist adult people with a disability to participate in activities that promote social inclusion and build skills according to a person’s interest and choice.

Eligibility for day services


You can access day services if you:
  • Are over 16 years of age
  • Have an intellectual, physical or sensory disability, or an acquired brain injury
  • Are better suited and choose to access day services, rather than aged care (if you are over 65 years of age)
  • Have been assessed through your regional Department of Human Services (DHS) office as a priority to receive disability supports.

Location of day services


Personalised and group activities offered through day services are provided in a range of settings, including:
  • Neighbourhood houses, community hubs and community centres
  • Local sporting, recreation or interest group clubs
  • Day services centres.

Benefits of day services


In addition to providing opportunities for social inclusion and developing skills, day services offer:
  • Support to develop and implement a self-directed plan
  • Opportunities to extend social networks and interests
  • Opportunities to try new activities
  • Support for families and carers.

Pursuing an employment goal


Participating in day services can help people access, and prepare for, an employment service. People may choose to focus on:
  • Developing literacy and numeracy skills
  • Developing or improving communication skills
  • Pre-vocational training
  • Travel training
  • Support and referral to an employment service.

Where to get help

  • Department of Human Services Tel. 1300 650 172 – to get your regional office telephone number

Things to remember

  • Day services provide support across a range of lifestyle areas.
  • Day services assist people with a disability to participate in their local community and undertake activities that reflect their choice and interest.
  • Day services can assist people to develop and self-direct their support plans.
  • Adults with a disability must be assessed by their DHS regional office to receive an individual support package of services.
You might also be interested in: Want to know more?

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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

Department of Human Services

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Department of Human Services

Last reviewed: January 2012

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.


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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Disability_day_programs?open">Disability - day services - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Day services support people with a disability to participate in their local community and undertake a range of activities depending on their choice and interest. These may include areas such as daily living, pre-vocational skills, recreation, arts and other community activities.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2012  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.