In 2002, the then Department of Families, Housing and Community Affairs, now FaHCSIA (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) introduced the 12 Disability Standards. 

The 12 Disability standards aim to:

• give people with a disability confidence in the quality of service delivery and employment outcomes achieved by Australian Government-funded disability employment and rehabilitation services
• make sure all services meet the Disability Services Standards (as a minimum)
• make it easier to measure service quality more objectively
• link certification to funding
• reduce government intervention in the day-to-day operation of services
• help organisations to review and improve their services continuously

All funded Disability Employment Service providers, including The Deaf Society of New South Wales, must be independently audited every year for:

• application of the Federal Government’s Continuous Improvement Quality Assurance Model
• compliance with and quality certification against the 12 Disability Standards
• upholding the Standards’ Code of Ethics, which includes:
5a) People with disabilities and their support persons receive timely, easy English information about the audit process, i.e. with enough detail and notice to allow for a full and informed contribution
5b) All consumers have the right and opportunity to be involved and consulted
5c) Consumers have the right not to be involved
5d) Consumer's confidentiality and privacy are to be respected
5e) Consumers have the right to support to assist with having their say

The Deaf Society Employment Service follows and supports this legislation. After each annual audit, its services are Quality Certified (IS0 9000/2000).