In 1996-97 total spending on welfare services was $9.9 billion,
or 1.9% of Gross Domestic Product, according to figures released
today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Welfare Services Expenditure Bulletin No. 4 shows that
Government expenditure on welfare services increased to $6.2
billion in 1996-97, up 7.4% on the previous year. Total public
sector-funded welfare services cost on average $337 per person.
Of the $9.9 billion worth of welfare services delivered in
1996-97, almost 63% ($6.2 billion) were funded by the government
sector. The remainder were funded by clients of the services in the
form of fees (26%), and by non-government community service
organisations (NGCSOs) (11%).
The bulletin's author, Ms Maneerat Pinyopusarerk, said that in
the Welfare Services Expenditure Bulletin welfare services include
family and child welfare services, services for aged persons and
people with a disability, and a variety of other services such as
supported accommodation assistance. They do not include income
security payments such as unemployment benefits and pensions.
Ms Pinyopusarerk said that of the $6.2 billion government
welfare services expenditure in 1996-97, 52% was funded by the
Commonwealth, 46% by State and Territory Governments, and the
remaining 2% by local governments. 'The Commonwealth Government is
mainly a funder rather than a provider of welfare services-although
it funded $3.2 billion worth of services, it delivered only $339
million worth of welfare services.'
'Non-government community service organisations delivered $6
billion worth of services to the community and are the main welfare
service providers. Funding for these organisations comes from
governments (47%), clients (35%), and their own sources of income
(19%).'
The national average funding per person for welfare services
provided by State and Territiory Governments in 1996-97 was $145,
ranging from $75 in Queensland to $213 in the Northern Territory.
Ms Pinyopusarerk said that the differences are due to differences
in historical development and in demographic structure.
Other findings of Welfare Expenditure Bulletin No. 4
include:
- Almost 60% of Commonwealth recurrent outlays and 56% of State
and Territory funds were allocated to services for the aged and
people with a disability.
- Family and child care services received 35% of total
Commonwealth welfare services recurrent outlays, and 33% of State
and Territory recurrent outlays.
9 October 1998
Further information: Ms Maneerat Pinyopusarerk,
Health and Welfare Expenditure Unit, ph. 02 6244 1161.
For media copies of the report: Lena Searle, ph.
02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.