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Code of Practice

mdaa cultural abilitiesprovides professional development opportunities for staff and volunteers employed across the community services sector.

mdaa cultural abilities provides these opportunities within a learning culture characterised by broad-based, integrated learning and assessment strategies and activities that include cultural diversity and allow for non-discriminatory access to learning by all participants.

As an accredited training organisation, mdaa cultural abilities activities include:

• A comprehensive training program including VETAB recognised training delivered through an annual "Training Calendar of Courses" and customised training programs at venues across NSW;
• The development of training resources;
• Delivery of nationally recognised qualifications and/or statements of attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

MDAA is an advocacy service funded under the Disability Services Act 1986 (Cth) and the Disability Services Act 1993 (NSW). The Disability Services laws and standards regulate the way services funded under those laws are provided to people with disability, to ensure that their rights are protected, their quality of life is enhanced and services are accountable for their actions towards people with disability. MDAA and mdaa cultural abilites operate in accordance with those laws and the Disability Services Standards developed under them.

MDAA and mdaa cultural abilities also operate in accordance with the following legislation, which protects people from discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, sexual preference, marital status, pregnancy or disability and empowers the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board and the Human Rights Commission to investigate complaints from anyone who believes they have been unlawfully discriminated against or whose human rights have been abused:

• Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
• Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
• Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth)

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2002) (NSW) protect the privacy of people who provide personal and health information to services. These laws require the services to keep those personal details and health information confidential in a secure place.

The following laws regulate workplace safety and relations between employers and their employees. They are designed to protect workers by ensuring safe workplaces free from hazards, including sexual harassment, and by providing adequate compensation and return to work arrangements for employees injured either at work or going to or from work.

• Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW)
• Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW)
• Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW)

MDAA and mdaa cultural abilities also operate in accordance with the following laws that provide for a system of training leading to the national recognition of qualifications obtained in each state/ territory:

• Australian National Training Authority Act 1992 (Cth)
• Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Act 1990 (NSW)

In addition MDAA and mdaa cultural abilities are guided by a range of frameworks and regulations, which include

• The Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (1994) and the National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia (1989);
• MDAA's 2004-2007 strategic plan which identifies the key priorities, objectives and performance indicators for the Association in consultation with the stakeholders;
• Regular and ongoing consultation with the community service industry, funding bodies and training participants to evaluate and develop relevant, accessible training options.

 

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