Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 Outcomes Framework: 4th annual report

Why is this outcome area important?

People with disability want fair access to employment and financial security. This requires:

• creating inclusive job opportunities
• supporting meaningful career development
• guaranteeing a sufficient income to meet everyday needs. 

What are the policy priorities?

1. Economic participation (5 measures): Supporting people with disability to find and keep jobs.
2. Transition to employment (3 measures): Supporting young people with disability who leave school to find work.
3. Economic independence (2 measures): Supporting people with disability to earn enough money to live well, plan for their future and have choice and control over their own lives.

2025 summary

Data are available for all 10 measures for the first time in 2025. Of these:

• 6 measures were updated (Table 2.1)
• 1 measure had data available for the first time which will be the baseline (Table 2.2)
• 3 measures were not updated.

Of the 6 updated measures:

• 4 showed improvements
• 1 showed no change
• 1 showed a regression. 

Overall, this Outcome Area is showing improvement since 2021.

• Two of the 5 measures for Economic participation showed an improvement, with 1 measure regressing.
• Two of the 3 measures for Transition to employment showed an improvement.
• There has been no change to Economic independence.

Key findings

• The number of valid claims for people with disability using Disability Employment Services (DES) who were able to successfully secure employment for at least a year improved (from 16,041 claims in 2020–21 to 19,297 in 2024–25). However, the number of claims peaked in 2022–23 at 31,281 claims, falling by 11,984 claims in 2024–25 (Figure 2.1). This decline is partly due to changes to eligibility criteria and labour market demand post COVID-19 lockdowns.
• The percentage of NDIS participants aged 15–64 who were in ‘open employment at full award wage’ has increased steadily from 20% in 2021–22 Q2 to 24% in 2024–25 Q3 (Figure 2.3). 
• The percentage of VET graduates with disability who were able to secure employment following completion of their training has also improved over time, from 52% in 2021 to 59% in 2024. The proportion peaked at 62% in 2023 and has since decreased to 59% in 2024 (Figure 2.4).
• The engagement of NDIS participants aged 15–24 who are employed has increased from 18% in 2021–22 Q2 to peaking and holding steady at 20% in 2024–25 Q3 (Figure 2.5).
• Although the percentage of APS employees with disability is trending upwards, it is not a significant difference since baseline (5.1% in 2021 and 5.5% in 2024, Figure 2.6).
• The percentage of NDIS participants who received the support they needed to do their jobs slightly declined in 2024–25 (from 66% in 2021–22 Q2 to 63% in 2024–25 Q3). Although there has been an increase of one percentage point from Q2 to Q4 of 2023–24 (Figure 2.2).

Information on each measure below includes the latest update, baseline and progress status, key demographic insights, and charts showing the direction of change since baseline and new data available for the first time.

*Measure wording has been revised to reflect available data more accurately or clarify the measure's intent. See relevant measure section below for more information.

pp = percentage points; VET = vocational education and training

(a) This measure will be replaced in the future by 'Proportion of NDIS participants with an employment goal in receipt of employment income in the last 12 months'.

(b) Due to historical updates, the baseline value may have changed from earlier releases.

(a) From 4 July 2022, jobactive was replaced with Workforce Australia Services. These programs are not comparable, and as a result, the measure has replaced jobactive data with Workforce Australia Services data and a new baseline has been set.