OPA's Community Visitors are volunteers empowered by law to visit Victorian disability accommodation services, supported residential services and mental health facilities.

Community Visitors observe the environment and staff interaction with residents and patients, make enquiries and inspect documents, and where possible communicate with residents and patients to ensure they are being cared for and supported with dignity and respect, and to identify any issues of concern.

They visit unannounced and write a brief report at the conclusion of the visit detailing who they have spoken to, what documents they have looked at, any issues of concern, as well as good practice they have observed.

Community Visitors raise issues with management of the service and the Department of Health and Human Services, and in cases of abuse or neglect Community Visitors notify the Public Advocate.

The findings, observations and recommendations of Community Visitors are compiled in their annual report to Victorian Parliament.

To request a visit from a Community Visitor to a Victorian disability accommodation service, supported residential service or mental health facilities, contact OPA's Advice Service.

Contact OPA's Advice Service

Volunteer as a Community Visitor