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

Accessible and well-designed housing supports independence and social and economic participation. Increasing the accessibility and availability of housing provides choices on one’s living situation, enabling people with disability to visit, socialise and connect with neighbours, family and friends (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).  

NDIS participants housing satisfaction

Housing plays a key role in the health and wellbeing of people with disability by providing shelter, safety and security. People with disability may have specific housing‑related needs. These can include the need to modify their dwelling, move to more suitable accommodation, or move closer to other services (AIHW 2022). Adequate housing contributes to the health of NDIS participants and their engagement in the community (NDIS 2022). The NDIS aims to give participants more choice and control over where they live, who they live with and how they are supported in their home (NDIS 2021).

Data for this measure are collected as part of the NDIS Short Form questionnaire. Data include NDIS participants who answered ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Thinking about where you currently live in relation to your disability support needs: Are you happy with the home you live in?’

The desired population outcome for this measure is to see an increase in people with disability who live in a suitable and accessible home.

Results at baseline: 2021–22 Q2

• In 2021–22 Q2, almost three-quarters (73%) of NDIS participants aged 15–64 reported that, in relation to their disability support needs, they are happy with their current home. This was 3 percentage points lower than in 2018–19 Q2 (76%) (Figure 3.3).
• The overall trend for the period leading up to and including the baseline (2018–19 Q2 to 2021–22 Q2) was unfavourable, as indicated by a slight downward trend. Fitting a regression model to the data shows a modelled decrease of 0.2 of a percentage point per quarter and a modelled decrease of 3% over the reference period.
• In 2021–22 Q2, a slightly higher proportion of male than female participants reported that they were happy with their current home (74% and 72%, respectively).
• A higher proportion of younger participants aged 15–24 (82%) than older participants aged 25–64 (70%) reported that they were happy with their current home.

Latest results: 2021–22 Q3 and Q4

• In 2021–22 Q4, almost three-quarters (73.2%) of NDIS participants aged 15–64 responded that they were happy with their current home. There has been a very small decrease of 0.2 of a percentage point since baseline (2021–22 Q2) (73.4%), indicating no change since the Strategy began. There was a decrease of 0.1 of a percentage point in both post-baseline quarters 2021–22 Q3 and 2021–22 Q4, similar to those seen in the previous quarters 2021–22 Q1 and 2021–22 Q2 (0.1 and 0.0 of a percentage point, respectively).
• The observed decreases in 2021–22 Q3 and 2021–22 Q4 were smaller than the modelled quarterly decrease (0.2 of a percentage point) over the period 2018–19 Q2 to 2021–22 Q4.

Things to consider when interpreting results

• The reported data capture satisfaction with current housing for NDIS participants; however, they do not capture what the housing issues are for those participants who are not satisfied.
• Time series analysis for the NDIS data presented here provides a series of data points, each representing a snapshot of NDIS participants at a given point in time. This is different from the longitudinal approach taken in NDIS reporting.

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | NDIS participants housing satisfaction.