Accessing emergency services

Population groups

• Indigenous status

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by Indigenous status?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by Indigenous status. In 2024, 76% of First Nations people with disability and 87% of non-Indigenous people with disability were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services (please note that the proportion for the First Nations group has a high margin of error and should be used with caution).

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  Indigenous status	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  First Nations	#76%	(64.6%–87.7%)
  Non-Indigenous	87%	(84.7%–88.7%)
  All persons	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  • # Should be used with caution: proportion has a Margin of Error (MoE) >10 percentage points and/or proportion ± MoE equals <0% or >100%.

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.
  4. Indigenous status is voluntarily self-reported based on the ABS Indigenous Status Standard.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  # Should be used with caution: proportion has a Margin of Error (MoE) >10 percentage points and/or proportion ± MoE equals <0% or >100%.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Gender

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by gender?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, grouped by gender. In 2024, 89% of men with disability were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, as were 85% of women with disability (please note that the proportion for 'Non-binary/Other' gender category could not be published due to small sample numbers).

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  Gender	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  Men	89%	(85.6%–91.6%)
  Women	85%	(82.4%–87.5%)
  Non-binary/other	n.p.	n.p.
  All persons	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  • n.p. (not published) Data have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people.

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  n.p. (not published) Data have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Age group

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by age?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by age group. In 2024, 93% of people with disability aged 65 and over were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, compared with 83% of people with disability aged 45–64.

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  Age group	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  18–24	84%	(79.2%–88.4%)
  25–44	84%	(78.8%–88.3%)
  45–64	83%	(79.2%–86.6%)
  65 and over	93%	(90.5%–94.9%)
  All ages	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Cultural and linguistic diversity status

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by cultural and linguistic diversity background?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) status. In 2024, 84% of people with disability from CALD backgrounds were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, and 87% of people in the non-CALD group.

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  Cultural and linguistic diversity status	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  CALD	84%	(78.7%–89.9%)
  Non-CALD	87%	(84.8%–89.0%)
  All persons	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.
  4. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) cohort includes people not born in a main English-speaking country and/or who mainly speak a language other than English at home.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Location

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by location?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by location. In 2024, 85% of people with disability in greater capital city areas were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, as were 88% of people in the rest of state or territory locations.

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  Location	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  Greater Capital City	85%	(82.0%–87.7%)
  Rest of state/territory	88%	(85.8%–91.0%)
  All locations	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.
  4. Locations are based on the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs) classification.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Severity of disability

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by severity of disability?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by severity of disability. In 2024, 82% of people with severe or profound disability were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, compared with 88% of people with milder forms of disability.

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  Severity of disability	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  Severe or profound disability	82%	(77.8%–86.1%)
  Other disability status	88%	(85.4%–89.9%)
  All with disability	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.
  4. Severe or profound disability means always or sometimes needing assistance or supervision with self-care, mobility, and/or communication.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Disability group

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by disability group?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by disability group. In 2024, 86% of people with sensory or speech disability were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, compared with 77% of people with disability related to head injury, stroke or acquired brain injury.

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  Disability group	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  Sensory and speech	86%	(82.4%–88.7%)
  Intellectual	82%	(75.9%–87.3%)
  Physical restriction	85%	(82.8%–87.4%)
  Psychosocial	82%	(78.8%–85.3%)
  Head injury, stroke or acquired brain injury	77%	(67.9%–86.0%)
  Other disability	86%	(82.9%–88.1%)
  All with disability	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.
  4. Components will not add to total as people may report impairments related to more than one disability group. In such cases, people are counted separately for each disability group but are only counted once in the aggregated total.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Education

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by level of education?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by highest level of education. In 2024, 88% of people with disability whose highest education was Year 12 or a bachelor degree or higher were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, as were 84% of people with disability who completed a certificate or diploma.

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  Highest level of education	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  None or below Year 12	86%	(80.7%–90.8%)
  Year 12	88%	(83.3%–92.9%)
  Certificate/Diploma	84%	(81.0%–87.8%)
  Bachelor Degree or higher	88%	(85.5%–90.8%)
  All persons	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Employment status

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by employment status?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by employment status. In 2024, 87% of people with disability who were not employed were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, as were 86% of employed people with disability.

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  Employment status	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  Employed	86%	(83.1%–88.7%)
  Not employed	87%	(83.9%–89.5%)
  All persons	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview
  

• Sexual orientation

  Does the proportion of people with disability satisfied with the accessibility of emergency services and disaster preparedness and response information vary by sexual orientation?

  The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (aged 18 and over) who were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, by sexual orientation. In 2024, 87% of straight (heterosexual) people with disability were satisfied with accessibility of disaster preparedness information and emergency services, as were 83% of people with disability whose sexual orientation was gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other.

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  Sexual orientation	% of people with disability who are satisfied with accessibility of disaster/emergency information and services	95% Confidence Interval
  Straight (heterosexual)	87%	(84.7%–88.9%)
  Gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other	83%	(77.6%–89.1%)
  All persons	86%	(84.3%–88.2%)

  Notes

  1. Restricted to people aged 18 and over with disability who tried to access disaster preparedness information and/or contacted emergency services in the last 12 months.
  2. The measure was calculated as the number of people who answered 'Very satisfied' or 'Somewhat satisfied' to the questions 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you that you were able to easily find this information?' and/or [as applicable] 'How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the emergency service's accessibility?' divided by the number of people who responded to either or both questions. People who both tried to access disaster preparedness information and contacted emergency services in the last 12 months were considered satisfied if they were satisfied with accessibility of both, and not satisfied if they were dissatisfied with at least one. People who were not sure or did not provide a response were excluded from the calculation.
  3. For this measure, people with disability are those who both have, and self-identify as having, disability or a long-term health condition.

  Source: DHDA (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing) 2025. Australia's Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us 2024, DHDA, AIHW analysis of unit record data, accessed 17 March 2025.

  Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us | Data source overview