Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability
Indigenous Australians have rates of ill-health and disability substantially higher than other Australians. Census 2006 data suggest that Indigenous people are 2-3 times more likely to need assistance with the core activities of daily living (self-care, communication and mobility) than non–Indigenous people.
Rate ratio for need for assistance with core activities: rate compared to non-Indigenous Australians, 2006
Profile of Indigenous Australians with disability
- The employment rate among Indigenous Australians aged 15–64 years with disability (13%) is significantly lower than among Indigenous people without disability (51%).
- Reliance on Government pensions and allowances as the principal source of income among Indigenous people (aged 18–64 years) with severe or profound disability is similar to that for all Australians (of similar age and severity of disability).
- Indigenous Australians with severe or profound disability have very low rates of year 12 high school attainment (16%) compared with Indigenous Australians without disability (28%) in the same age range (18–64 years).
- On average 14% of Indigenous women and 9% of Indigenous men shoulder caring responsibilities.
- 30% of Indigenous Australians aged 18–64 years with the most severe levels of disability had wanted to pursue further study in the 12 months prior to survey and 13% were unable to do so because of caring or family reasons.
- Daily smoking is more common among Indigenous Australians with more severe disability (52%) than Indigenous Australians without disability or long-term health conditions (42%) in the 18–64 years age group.
Services and support
- There are 12,068 Indigenous Australians aged 0–64 years who use specialist disability services in Australia. Indigenous service users comprise 5% of all service users.
- Case management (as part of community support) and open employment support are the most commonly used service types among Indigenous Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement-funded (CSTDA) service users.
- 46% of Indigenous Australians aged 18–64 years with severe or profound core activity limitations report problems accessing service providers.
More information
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability (769KB PDF) explores the experience of Indigenous people with disability compared with Indigenous people without disability and all Australians with similar severity of disability. It shows how they are faring in terms of five key areas reflecting aspects of participation.