Welfare system: Social support outcomes

Context statement: Indicator of employment restriction for people with disability many of whom are restricted in the type or amount of work they can do, or need special assistance in the workplace.

People with disability have a lower labour force participation rate than people without disability. 

Labour force participation for people aged 15–64 with disability remained stable from 2009 to 2018 at approximately 53%. In contrast, the participation rate for people aged 15–64 without disability increased from 83% in 2009 to 84% in 2018 (ABS 2020).

For further information see People with disability in Australia.

Reference: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2020. Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Disability and the Labour Force; Reference period 2018. Canberra: ABS.

Context statement: Indicator of social participation restriction for people with disability, many of whom are restricted from full engagement in social activities because of mobility or communication limitations.

In 2018, 92.4% of people with a disability aged 15–64 living in households had social participation away from home in the previous 3 months, and 95.1% had social participation at home. These rates have changed little since 2003 (AIHW 2020).

For more information see Disability.

Reference: AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) analysis of ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

Context statement: Indicator of appropriate and sufficient support services for older people, many of whom express a desire to stay in their home for as long as possible.

In 2018, almost two-thirds (65.9%) of older Australians living at home who needed some assistance with everyday activities had their need fully met. This was down from 69.2% in 2015 but similar to that in 2012 (66.2%) (ABS 2019).

For further information see Older people.

Reference: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2019. Disability, ageing and carers, Australia: summary of findings; Reference period: 2018. Canberra: ABS.