Our History

A brief time line of Disability Services Australia:

1956

A group of people who had sons and daughters with disabilities formed a charitable society called Aid Retarded Persons NSW to provide employment for people with a disability.

1958

Aid Retarded Persons opened a workshop at Camperdown with seven employees.

1982

The organisation renamed itself Amaroo Industries Limited.  Amaroo had factories at Redfern and Condell Park, employing 200 people.

1986

Amforce Labour Solutions established to take employees to customers premises to work.

1992

Amaroo Support Service started with 10 employees and supported 14 people.

1994

Amaroo established 121 Employment to help people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities find and keep mainstream employment.  Amaroo achieved quality certification to AS3902 (now ISO9002).

1995

Amaroo Industries changed its name to Disability Services Australia.

2002

Established a Specialist Intervention Service to provide support to people with complex and challenging behaviours.  Created our new logo. 

2006

Acquired METS, a Registered Training Organisation.  Growth in all divisions experienced.

2007

Opened a new factory at Mascot. Opened the Bankstown Training and Employment Centre.

2009

Opened new day options centres in Moss Vale, Macarthur and Queanbeyan. DSA now encompasses four factories, three regional CSS offices, three regional Vocational Services offices, multiple day programs and supported accommodation services, and over 900 staff and employees.