Prime Minister Scott Morrison has officially announced a disability royal commission, having gained the necessary approvals from the Governor-General and support from the states and territories.

Key points: Former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville will lead the disability royal commission

Former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville will lead the disability royal commission Six commissioners will examine violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation within the sector

Six commissioners will examine violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation within the sector The three-year inquiry will be based in Brisbane and will travel the country seeking evidence

The three-year royal commission will be based in Brisbane and will examine violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation within the disability sector.

Former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville AO, QC will lead the commission, supported by five commissioners.

"We have to establish a culture of respect for people living with disabilities and the families who support, love and care for them," Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison became choked up as he spoke about Australians living with a disability, including his brother-in-law Garry Warren who has multiple sclerosis.

"As my brother-in-law Garry also said to me, 'it is not flash being disabled but the good thing is that that's the condition you live with in Australia and that you're an Australian'," he said.

"That has always meant a lot to me."

Mr Morrison's voice then cracked, and he looked down and adjusted his papers as he paused and collected himself.

"They deserve our respect," he continued.

"This is so above politics I can't tell you."

Scott Morrison pictured with Garry and Michelle Warren. ( AAP: Mick Tsikas )

He finished his opening remarks saying "to all those Australians with a disability, their families, to Garry, this is for you".

Labor leader Bill Shorten said he was pleased the royal commission had been called before the imminent federal election.

"A royal commission into people with disabilities is overdue," he said.

"Labor supported this nearly two years ago. I'm glad the Government's come on board on election eve.

"But I'm not even worried about the Government's motivations here. This is what we wanted."

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has used the year he has spent in federal politics leading the charge for a royal commission.

"This is one of the most happy days of my life," he said.

"This is a great victory for the disability rights movement in Australia, for the Greens who have been campaigning alongside activists now for five years to get this done."

After initially welcoming the commissioners, Senator Steele-John later changed his opinion, saying he wanted two of them to step down over a potential conflict of interest.

He said two of the commissioners were former bureaucrats who had been involved in overseeing disability services in Australia.

"Unfortunately it is my obligation to call for them to voluntarily step aside from their roles, not as any mark on their character personally, but simply because it's so important the disability community are able to have confidence in the recommendations and conflict of this commission," he said.

"Conflicts such as this taint it from the very beginning.

"It is not their fault the Government sought to appoint them to this position when they shouldn't have.

"If you can hear a note of frustration and tiredness in my voice, it's because had the PM asked us as disabled people, if he'd run these suggestions by us, we would have told him the problem."

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John heckled the Prime Minister from the sidelines of the Lower House after the Government dodged a vote on a royal commission earlier this year. ( ABC News: Nick Haggarty )

Interim report expected by end of next October

Mr Morrison said the draft terms of reference had attracted 3,700 responses, a third of which came from people living with a disability.

Mr Sackville's supporting commissioners will be Barbara Bennett PSM, Dr Rhonda Galbally AC, Andrea Mason OAM, Alastair McEwin and the Honourable John Ryan AM.

"Importantly the panel of six commissioners includes those with a lived experience of disability as well as judicial and policy expertise, and including Indigenous leadership," Mr Morrison said.

"I want to thank all of those commissioners who have agreed to take on this incredibly important task."

Earlier this week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg included $527 million for the disability royal commission in his first Budget.

The Government expects the royal commission to release an interim report by the end of October next year, with a final report due by the end of April 2022.

Mr Morrison said, if re-elected next month, a Coalition government would give the royal commission more time if it needed.

He said the cost and time for the royal commission was greater than other inquiries because it would need additional resources to allow people with disabilities right across the country to give evidence.

"It is very important that those in remote communities also have a full opportunity to be engaged here," he said.

"But to provide the necessary supports for people with disabilities, the very practical supports that people with disabilities will require to engage with this royal commission will be greater, I suspect, than any royal commission we have held to date."