NDIS participants use of assistive technology

What is being tracked?

Measure: Proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports

The Strategy was set to see the following tracked – proportion utilisation of NDIS participants' plans on assistive technology supports. Measure wording has been revised to clarify its intent.

This measure is part of the Availability of assistive technology priority of the Strategy. This priority is about improving access to assistive technologies and aids for people with disability.

The desired outcome is that more National Disability Insurance Scheme participants' plans provide access to assistive technologies.

Last updated: 04 Jul 2023

Outcome area: Personal and community support Priority: Availability of assistive technology

Baseline value

49%in 2021–22 Q2
Latest value

49%in 2022–23 Q3

No change the latest data are similar to the baseline

View the data source

Trends

Has the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports changed over time?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports. Data from 2017–18 Q1 to 2022–23 Q3 are used. In 2022–23 Q3, 49% of NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 32% in 2017–18 Q1.

Quarter	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
2017–18: Q1	32%
2017–18: Q2	33%
2017–18: Q3	34%
2017–18: Q4	36%
2018–19: Q1	36%
2018–19: Q2	37%
2018–19: Q3	38%
2018–19: Q4	40%
2019–20: Q1	42%
2019–20: Q2	43%
2019–20: Q3	44%
2019–20: Q4	47%
2020–21: Q1	49%
2020–21: Q2	50%
2020–21: Q3	51%
2020–21: Q4	50%
2021–22: Q1	49%
2021–22: Q2	49%
2021–22: Q3	49%
2021–22: Q4	48%
2022–23: Q1	48%
2022–23: Q2	48%
2022–23: Q3	49%

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

State and territory

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary between states and territories?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports, grouped by Australian states and territories. In 2022–23 Q3, in Queensland, 54% of NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 44% in Tasmania.

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State/Territory	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
National	49%
New South Wales	45%
Victoria	51%
Queensland	54%
Western Australia	45%
South Australia	46%
Tasmania	44%
Australian Capital Territory	45%
Northern Territory	47%

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

Population groups

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports, by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status. In 2022–23 Q3, 40% of Indigenous NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 49% of non-Indigenous participants.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status % of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports

Indigenous 40%

Non-Indigenous 49%

All persons 49%

Notes:
Data presented measures the proportion of active NDIS participants receiving assistive technology supports of any value in the last 12 months. This differs from the December 2022 and March 2023 releases of these webpages where data was restricted to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500. The change is due to additional data becoming available, which means that measure data are more complete.
Data are for NDIS participants aged 15–64 who had an active plan at the start and end of the 12-month period.
Participants are likely to still be using and benefitting from assistive technology (as a capital investment) even if there are no costs incurred during a 12-month period.
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 as at 31 March 2023. This is a three-month lag to the latest quarter. Results may change as a result of lagged claims.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status is voluntarily self-reported based on the ABS Indigenous Status Standard.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business System.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by gender?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports, for males and females. In 2022–23 Q3, 43% of male NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 57% of female participants.
Gender % of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports

Males 43%

Females 57%

All persons 49%

Notes:
Data presented measures the proportion of active NDIS participants receiving assistive technology supports of any value in the last 12 months. This differs from the December 2022 and March 2023 releases of these webpages where data was restricted to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500. The change is due to additional data becoming available, which means that measure data are more complete.
Data are for NDIS participants aged 15–64 who had an active plan at the start and end of the 12-month period.
Participants are likely to still be using and benefitting from assistive technology (as a capital investment) even if there are no costs incurred during a 12-month period.
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 as at 31 March 2023. This is a three-month lag to the latest quarter. Results may change as a result of lagged claims.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business System.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by age?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports, grouped by age. In 2022–23 Q3, 61% of NDIS participants aged 45–64 received assistive technology supports, compared with 37% for the 15–24 age group.
Age group % of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports

15–24 37%

25–44 44%

45–64 61%

All ages 49%

Notes:
Data presented measures the proportion of active NDIS participants receiving assistive technology supports of any value in the last 12 months. This differs from the December 2022 and March 2023 releases of these webpages where data was restricted to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500. The change is due to additional data becoming available, which means that measure data are more complete.
Data are for NDIS participants aged 15–64 who had an active plan at the start and end of the 12-month period.
Participants are likely to still be using and benefitting from assistive technology (as a capital investment) even if there are no costs incurred during a 12-month period.
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 as at 31 March 2023. This is a three month-lag to the latest quarter. Results may change as a result of lagged claims.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business System.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports 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 received assistive technology supports, by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) status. In 2022–23 Q3, 53% of NDIS participants from CALD backgrounds received assistive technology supports, compared with 48% among the non-CALD group.
Cultural and linguistic diversity status % of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports

CALD 53%

Non-CALD 48%

All persons 49%

Notes:
Data presented measures the proportion of active NDIS participants receiving assistive technology supports of any value in the last 12 months. This differs from the December 2022 and March 2023 releases of these webpages where data was restricted to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500. The change is due to additional data becoming available, which means that measure data are more complete.
Data are for NDIS participants aged 15–64 who had an active plan at the start and end of the 12-month period.
Participants are likely to still be using and benefitting from assistive technology (as a capital investment) even if there are no costs incurred during a 12-month period.
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 as at 31 March 2023. This is a three-month lag to the latest quarter. Results may change as a result of lagged claims.
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 System.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – Business Systems | Data source overview
Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by remoteness?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports, grouped by remoteness. In 2022–23 Q3, in major cities, 49% of NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 44% in remote and very remote areas.
Remoteness % of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports

Major cities 49%

Inner regional 47%

Outer regional 47%

Remote and very remote 44%

All areas 49%

Notes:
Data presented measures the proportion of active NDIS participants receiving assistive technology supports of any value in the last 12 months. This differs from the December 2022 and March 2023 releases of these webpages where data was restricted to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500. The change is due to additional data becoming available, which means that measure data are more complete.
Data are for NDIS participants aged 15–64 who had an active plan at the start and end of the 12-month period.
Participants are likely to still be using and benefitting from assistive technology (as a capital investment) even if there are no costs incurred during a 12-month period.
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 as at 31 March 2023. This is a three-month lag to the latest quarter. Results may change as a result of lagged claims.
Areas of remoteness are classified using the ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business System.

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

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
Indigenous	40%
Non-Indigenous	49%
All persons	49%

Gender	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
Males	43%
Females	57%
All persons	49%

Age group	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
15–24	37%
25–44	44%
45–64	61%
All ages	49%

Cultural and linguistic diversity status	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
CALD	53%
Non-CALD	48%
All persons	49%

Remoteness	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
Major cities	49%
Inner regional	47%
Outer regional	47%
Remote and very remote	44%
All areas	49%

Disability group

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by disability group?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports, by disability group. In 2022–23 Q3, of NDIS participants with spinal cord injury, 93% had received assistive technology supports, compared with 25% of participants with other sensory/speech disability.

Disability group	% of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports
Acquired brain injury	59%
Autism	33%
Cerebral palsy	82%
Down syndrome	46%
Hearing impairment	68%
Intellectual disability	38%
Multiple sclerosis	85%
Psychosocial disability	35%
Spinal cord injury	93%
Stroke	79%
Visual impairment	66%
Other neurological	77%
Other physical	83%
Other sensory/speech	25%
Other	79%
All disabilities	49%

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

Where did these data come from?

Data on NDIS participants use of assistive technology come from administrative data collected by the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Learn more about these data

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NDIS participants use of assistive technology

What is being tracked?

Baseline value

Latest value

Trends

Has the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports changed over time?

State and territory

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary between states and territories?

Sort by:

Population groups

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by gender?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by age?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by cultural and linguistic diversity background?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by remoteness?

Does the proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports vary by disability group?

Where did these data come from?

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