A royal commission into the mistreatment of disabled Australians is one step closer, with the Federal Government unveiling a draft terms of reference today.

Key points: Around one in five Australians have a disability

Around one in five Australians have a disability The scope of the royal commission is close to being finalised, and experts have praised its inclusiveness

The scope of the royal commission is close to being finalised, and experts have praised its inclusiveness The federal election could delay the commission being established

The public will have just two weeks to give feedback on the scope and details of the proposed inquiry as the Coalition tries to finalise it before calling an election.

The proposed terms of reference encompass not just abuse of people with a disability, but also neglect, violence and exploitation "in all settings and contexts," including schools, workplaces, homes and hospitals.

Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher has told the ABC the draft terms of reference are deliberately broad to ensure no-one falls through the cracks.

The term "disability" would also cover "all kinds of impairment from birth or acquired through illness, accident or the ageing process … it [also] includes cognitive impairment, as well as physical, sensory, intellectual, and psycho-social disability", Mr Fletcher said.

The disability advocacy sector has welcomed the wide-ranging remit.

"It looks to me as if they have pretty well covered off the areas people are concerned about," Disability Advocacy Network Australia chief executive Mary Mallett said.

"Many people with a disability have experienced not just one instance of being abused, but a lifetime of it.

"It's part of their life really, almost a constant. They haven't had the same sort of freedom other Australians have."

About one in five Australians have a disability.

Mr Fletcher said he was encouraging disabled Australians and their advocates and carers to offer feedback on the draft between now and March 28 "in case there's anything that has been missed".

Federal election could cause delays

The Prime Minister has confirmed the royal commission will be funded solely by the Federal Government.

"The Commonwealth will be fully funding the royal commission into disabilities of course," Scott Morrison said.

"But the states and territories have all given me their commitment to issue joint letters patent on this issue, so that we can proceed."

With the federal election due to be called shortly after submissions on the draft terms of reference close, Mr Fletcher said he could not guarantee the royal commission would be established before the Government goes into caretaker mode.

"People with a disability all around the country would be very disappointed if that were to happen," Ms Mallett said.

"People need it. They need this opportunity. The time has come and we want the Government to get on with it."

The Federal Government is "very alive to the timing constraints," Mr Fletcher said.

Royal commission 'set to be lengthy and complex'

Ms Mallett said she believed the task of the royal commission would be enormous, and added it would need to run for several years.

She said she was pushing to ensure the royal commission be made accessible to everyone, with information provided in various formats such as braille, Australian sign language and "easy read" sheets for those with low literacy levels.

Sorry, this video has expired Jordon Steele-John breaks down listing those who have died in disability care

Ms Mallett pointed out that those with an intellectual disability or difficulty speaking need extra support as they are often the most at risk of abuse.

She also called for the royal commission's funding to extend to counselling sessions for victims, as the process will likely bring up traumatic events they might struggle to cope with.

She said she hoped the inquiry would bring a societal shift in the way Australians view and treat those in the disabled community.

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While the royal commission will make a number of recommendations, it will take some time and Greens senator Jordon Steele-John said action is needed now to protect people with disabilities.

"We need to urgently increase funding to disability advocacy organisations to undertake some temporary work to set up process by which people can report," he said.

One of those organisations is People with Disability Australia, and their chief executive Matthew Bowden said extra funding is essential.

"The disability advocacy sector already has a high demand for [people wanting] support," he said.

"That demand currently outstrips the capacity of the sector to respond, we have to turn people away.

"It's only going to grow with this royal commission and so definitely resources need to go into the sector to be able to adequately respond to the requests that come forward."