Welfare expenditure reached $90 billion in 2005-06, up from $86
billion in 2004-05, according to the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare's latest expenditure report, Welfare Expenditure
Australia 2005-06.
Mr John Goss, of the Institute's Expenditure and Economics Unit,
said that at $90 billion, welfare expenditure is similar in scale
to the nation's health expenditure ($87 billion in 2005-06)
'Welfare expenditure comprises cash payments and services
specifically directed to older people, families and children,
people with disabilities and other groups such as widows and
migrants,' Mr Goss said.
'It excludes unemployment benefit payments and services, but
includes payments and services such as the Family Tax Benefit,
Maternity Allowance, the Age Pension, the Disability Support
Pension, Support for Carers, residential care services and services
for people with a disability.'
Of the $81 billion of welfare expenditure allocated to target
groups, $34 billion was directed to older people, $27 billion for
families and children, $17 billion for people with disabilities,
and the remaining $3 billion for groups such as widows, migrants
and refugees.
Over the last eight years (since 1998-99) annual welfare
expenditure has risen by over $33 billion, with annual increases
generally exceeding the inflation rate.
The Australian Government funded all cash benefits in 2005-06
($61 billion).
While governments continue to be the major funders of
welfare services, non-government community service organisations
(NGCSOs) are major providers of welfare services. NGCSOs
provided $20 billion worth out of $29 billion in welfare services
in 2005-06.
State and territory government funding of welfare services
averaged $421 per person, ranging from $358 in Queensland to $604
in the Northern Territory.
Further information: Mr John Goss, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1151, or mob. 0402 346 379.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of Welfare expenditure
Australia 2005-06.