Available Support

Please see some options for support and funding of people with albinism below under these headings:

  • AFA Support
  • Service Providers
  • Government support
  • Australian Government
  • State Governments
  • Discrimination and Human Rights

Support for children – see information under the “For Parents” tab.

AFA Support

We are there to answer your questions, connect you to other members or to suggest services available in your area. Use our 1300 number or email your state rep or a committee member. Our National Biennial Conference or state run events can provide you with an opportunity to hear from the experts on a range of albinism related topics or to simply meet up with a lot of like-minded people who “get” what it means to have albinism. They are also a lot of fun!

You will also receive emails with the latest news, which may include coming activities, items of interest, any albinism medical news or reseach, and stories of success from members of all ages. Our facebook page provides an online connection with hundreds of others in Australia.

Grants to attend the AFA Conference

Financial members of the AFA who are otherwise unable to afford to attend our conference, may be eligible to apply to the AFA for a grant to subsidise their registration and/or travel or accommodation. Before each conference, the AFA applies for an Australian Government grant to support those who would otherwise not be able to attend the conference. As soon as we know if we have been successful for the next conference, we will let members know how to apply to us for support!

See also the NDIS tab for an AFA letter of support to include conference registration costs in your NDIS plan.

Financial Support to attend other AFA conducted or AFA sanctioned events

  • There generally will be no entry charge to attend most local AFA get togethers, although members will often pay for food ordered from a menu. Non-members will be asked to contribute via an entry fee.
  • The AFA committee may offer a grant for financial members to attend events run by other approved authorities, especially those for Juniors.

Service Providers

Please see below a list of the major low vision service providers that members use. Please note that the AFA does not make recommendations and services may vary depending on the State you live in. Contact the providers below for further information.

Guide Dogs Australia

Operates in all states (in WA and Tas they are in partnership with VisAbility) to provide a range of services (not just dogs). They have an OT clinician in NT (contact SA). For ACT contact NSW office.

Next Sense (formerly RIDBC)

Based in NSW, is a non-government provider of therapy, education and diagnostic services for people living with hearing or vision loss.

Royal Society for the Blind (RSB)

Located in SA, they provide services mainly for adults.

VisAbility    (in Tas and WA)

Support Group for those with low vision in Western Australia and in partnership with Guide Dogs in Tasmania.

Vision Australia

Offers all vision services in Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland (city and regional areas in 2019). They have some visiting clinicians in other areas.

Smaller Providers

With the arrival of NDIS there are many more providers appearing in the market. While we do not make recommendations, or guarantee their services, we may review and add to the list, any providers that members recommend to us.

Government Support

Australian Government Funding

You can include our conference registration costs in your NDIS plan. Go to the NDIS tab in this section for a letter of support.

State Government Funding

The following funding options are generally only available for people with Albinism with a visual acuity measurement greater than 6/60 (legally blind), although there may be some exceptions. Please note the funding available will differ from person to person depending on your individual circumstances and may also vary from state to state.  The list below is a guide to provide a starting point to explore options for yourself. (Enter the title and your state for each option in a search engine to find the relevant government information)

  • Companion Card – enables eligible people with lifelong disability to participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their companion.
  • The Vision Impaired/Impairment Travel Pass – provides free public transport travel for those who are legally blind.
  • Disabled Parking permits – in some states these are issued by local councils (eg Victoria).
  • Taxi Users Subsidy scheme or Transport Subsidy Scheme – for those unable to use public transport because of their disability.

Support for Higher Education Students

The Australian Government provides funding for higher education providers to support students with disabilities. Go to the education provider for information on supports available. See further information in our “Education” tab.

Discrimination and Human Rights

People with albinism (“PWA”) may at various points in their lives experience discrimination, both because of their vision impairment and their physical appearance compared to other members of their community. It’s therefore important for PWA and their supporters to have an understanding of the options available to deal with discrimination.

Numerous laws and agencies exist throughout Australia to combat discrimination and human rights abuses for different groups in society. This website aims to provide basic information about those laws and agencies in order to educate and empower PWA, and their supporters. This website is intended as a guide only, and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. If you need advice about your particular situation, you should contact the relevant human rights/anti-discrimination agency or a qualified lawyer in your State or Territory. Information about where you can access legal advice is available at the bottom of this page.

The following AFA prepared documents may assist you to understand these systems:

Useful Links for Human Rights Issues

Equal opportunity law

Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII)  

This website will provide you with a link to all of the legislation to which we have referred on this page, plus a range of other resources including legal decisions for most jurisdictions (Federal, State and Territory).  

This is not a substitute for legal advice. If you believe that you or someone you are supporting has experienced unlawful discrimination, we strongly recommend that you seek legal advice about your particular situation.

Legal advice

National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC)  

NACLC is the peak body for community legal centres across Australia. NACLC can refer you to a community legal centre near you that can provide you with legal advice on discrimination, free of charge.  Contact details are on their website.

Some community legal centres specialise in disability discrimination law. They include:

You can also find free legal advice by contacting the Legal Aid Commission in your State or Territory. For a referral to a private lawyer, you can contact the Law Society or Law Council in your State or Territory.