Spending on welfare services (not including social security cash
payments) in 1997-98 was $10.9 billion - almost 2% of Gross
Domestic Product - 64% of this expenditure was by the government
sector. Almost 25% of the expenditure came from clients' fees and
11.8% from non-government community services organisations.
Welfare Services Expenditure Bulletin No. 5, released
today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, shows that
government welfare services spending in 1997-98 accounted for 3.6%
of total government outlays, up from 2.8% in 1992-93. This compared
with 23% of total government expenditure on social security
benefits, 16% on health, and 13% on education in 1997-98.
Between 1992-93 and 1997-98, total spending per person on
welfare services increased from $414 to $583 per person. In real
terms, this constituted a 5.3% annual increase. Total public
sector-funded welfare services cost an average of $375 per person
in 1997-98 and the non-government sector contributed $208 per
person, on average.
Family and child welfare services, and services for the aged
(excluding nursing homes) each accounted for a third of
Commonwealth, State and Territory government recurrent welfare
services expenditure in 1997-98, with disability services
accounting for 28% of expenditure.
The Bulletin author, Ms Maneerat Pinyopusarerk, said
'non-government community services organisations play a major role
in the delivery of services. Services they delivered accounted for
59% of the total value of welfare services expenditure.'
'On the other hand, governments are the major funders. In
1997-98 they funded $7 billion worth of welfare services. The
Commonwealth provided 48% of this, State and Territory governments
provided 49%, and the rest was provided by local governments.'
Other findings in Welfare Services Expenditure Bulletin No.
5 include:
- The national average expenditure per person by State and
Territory governments in 1997-98 was $179, ranging from $110 in
Queensland to $224 in the Northern Territory.
- The average annual growth rate in government spending on
welfare services, in constant prices, between 1992-93 and 1997-98
was 8.2%. For aged care services it was 14.4%; for family and child
welfare services, 7.5%; for services for people with a disability,
4.7%, and 4.1% for other welfare services. Growth rates varied
across states.
Note: Welfare services do not include cash
payments under the various social security income support benefit
schemes.
23 July 1999
Further information: Ms Maneerat Pinyopusarerk,
ph. 02 6244 1161, or Mr John Goss, ph. 02 6244 1151.
For media copies of the report: Lena Searle, ph.
02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.