NDIS participants pursuing interests

What is being tracked?

Measure: Proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them

This measure is part of the Social inclusion and participation priority of the Strategy. This priority is about supporting the inclusion of people with disability in their communities.

The desired outcome is that more National Disability Insurance Scheme participants spend free time doing things they enjoy.

This measure will be replaced during the life of the Strategy once available data allow the following to be tracked – number of community, political, social, recreational, sporting, religious and cultural groups that have active inclusion policies for people with disability.

Last updated: 04 Apr 2024

Outcome area: Inclusive homes and communities Priority: Social inclusion and participation

Baseline value

66%in 2021–22 Q2
Latest value

64%in 2023–24 Q2

Regress the measure is not moving in the direction the Strategy wants

View the data source

Trends

Has the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them increased over time?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them. Data from 2018–19 Q2 to 2023–24 Q2 are used. In 2023–24 Q2, 64% of NDIS participants spent free time doing activities that interest them, compared with 70% in 2018–19 Q2.

Quarter	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
2018–19: Q2	70%
2018–19: Q3	70%
2018–19: Q4	69%
2019–20: Q1	68%
2019–20: Q2	68%
2019–20: Q3	67%
2019–20: Q4	67%
2020–21: Q1	67%
2020–21: Q2	66%
2020–21: Q3	66%
2020–21: Q4	66%
2021–22: Q1	66%
2021–22: Q2	66%
2021–22: Q3	65%
2021–22: Q4	65%
2022–23: Q1	65%
2022–23: Q2	65%
2022–23: Q3	64%
2022–23: Q4	64%
2023–24: Q1	64%
2023–24: Q2	64%

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview

State and territory

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary between states and territories?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, grouped by Australian states and territories. In 2023–24 Q2, in Tasmania, 72% of NDIS participants spent free time doing activities that interest them, as did 59% in Victoria.

State/Territory	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
National	64%
New South Wales	67%
Victoria	59%
Queensland	63%
Western Australia	67%
South Australia	69%
Tasmania	72%
Australian Capital Territory	68%
Northern Territory	64%

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview

Population groups

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary for First Nations and non-Indigenous participants?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, by Indigenous status. In 2023–24 Q2, 59% of First Nations NDIS participants spent free time doing activities that interest them, compared with 63% of non-Indigenous participants.
Indigenous status % of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest

First Nations 59%

Non-Indigenous 63%

Missing/Not stated 70%

All persons 64%

Notes:
Denominator includes participants who answer either "Yes" or "No" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Numerator includes participants who answer "Yes" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Eligibility requirements for the NDIS include that the disability is caused by an impairment, is likely to be permanent, the permanent impairment substantially reduces the individual's functional capacity, affects their ability to work, study or take part in social life, and that the individual is likely to need support under the NDIS for their whole life.
Data are for participants aged 15–64.
Indigenous status is voluntarily self-reported based on the ABS Indigenous Status Standard.
Indigenous status was not reported for 18% of NDIS participants who answered either "Yes" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?" (numerator).
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business Systems.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by gender?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, for males and females. In 2023–24 Q2, 67% of male NDIS participants spent free time doing activities that interest them, compared with 60% of female participants.
Gender % of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest

Males 67%

Females 60%

All persons 64%

Notes:
Denominator includes participants who answer either "Yes" or "No" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Numerator includes participants who answer "Yes" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Eligibility requirements for the NDIS include that the disability is caused by an impairment, is likely to be permanent, the permanent impairment substantially reduces the individual's functional capacity, affects their ability to work, study or take part in social life, and that the individual is likely to need support under the NDIS for their whole life.
Data are for participants aged 15–64.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business Systems.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by age?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, grouped by age. In 2023–24 Q2, 75% of NDIS participants aged 15–24 spent free time doing activities that interest them, as did 57% in the 45–64 age group.
Age group % of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest

15–24 75%

25–44 64%

45–64 57%

All ages 64%

Notes:
Denominator includes participants who answer either "Yes" or "No" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Numerator includes participants who answer "Yes" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Eligibility requirements for the NDIS include that the disability is caused by an impairment, is likely to be permanent, the permanent impairment substantially reduces the individual's functional capacity, affects their ability to work, study or take part in social life, and that the individual is likely to need support under the NDIS for their whole life.
Data are for participants aged 15–64.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business Systems.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by cultural and linguistic diversity background?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) status. In 2023–24 Q2, 54% of NDIS participants from CALD backgrounds spent free time doing activities that interest them, compared with 65% among the non-CALD group.
Cultural and linguistic diversity status % of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest

CALD 54%

Non-CALD 65%

All persons 64%

Notes:
Denominator includes participants who answer either "Yes" or "No" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Numerator includes participants who answer "Yes" to "Do you spend your free time doing activities that interest you?".
Eligibility requirements for the NDIS include that the disability is caused by an impairment, is likely to be permanent, the permanent impairment substantially reduces the individual's functional capacity, affects their ability to work, study or take part in social life, and that the individual is likely to need support under the NDIS for their whole life.
Data are for participants aged 15–64.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) cohort includes people born in countries other than main English-speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, Republic of Ireland, and South Africa), and/or those who mainly speak a language other than English at home.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business Systems.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview

Indigenous status	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
First Nations	59%
Non-Indigenous	63%
Missing/Not stated	70%
All persons	64%

Gender	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
Males	67%
Females	60%
All persons	64%

Age group	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
15–24	75%
25–44	64%
45–64	57%
All ages	64%

Cultural and linguistic diversity status	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
CALD	54%
Non-CALD	65%
All persons	64%

Remoteness

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by remoteness?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, grouped by remoteness. In 2023–24 Q2, in regional areas with populations between 15,000 and 50,000, 69% of NDIS participants spent free time doing activities that interest them, as did 62% in major cities.

Remoteness	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
Major cities	62%
Regional – population greater than 50,000	67%
Regional – population between 15,000 and 50,000	69%
Regional – population between 5,000 and 15,000	68%
Regional – population less than 5,000	67%
Remote and very remote	66%
All areas	64%

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview

Disability group

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by disability group?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who spend free time doing activities that interest them, by disability group. In 2023–24 Q2, of participants with Down syndrome, 86% spent free time doing activities that interest them, as did 44% of NDIS participants with psychosocial disability.

Disability group	% of NDIS participants pursuing activities of interest
Acquired brain injury	55%
Autism	72%
Cerebral palsy	78%
Down syndrome	86%
Hearing impairment	79%
Intellectual disability	75%
Multiple sclerosis	56%
Psychosocial disability	44%
Spinal cord injury	64%
Stroke	46%
Visual impairment	65%
Other neurological	58%
Other physical	59%
Other sensory/speech	73%
Other	49%
All disabilities	64%

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview

Where did these data come from?

Data on NDIS participants pursuing interests come from administrative data collected by the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Learn more about these data

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NDIS participants pursuing interests

What is being tracked?

Baseline value

Latest value

Trends

Has the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them increased over time?

State and territory

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary between states and territories?

Population groups

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary for First Nations and non-Indigenous participants?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by gender?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by age?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by cultural and linguistic diversity background?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by remoteness?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who spend free time doing activities that interest them vary by disability group?

Where did these data come from?

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