Availability of assistive technology

Assistive technology comprises devices or systems used by people to make tasks easier. Smart phones and remote controls are examples of such technology used daily by many people. Other types of assistive technology include grab rails, hoists, wheelchairs, hearing aids, text captioning services, home modifications, digital assistive technology, prosthetics and devices to support memory.

For people with disability, access to assistive technology supports inclusion, participation, communication and engagement in all aspects of life (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).

NDIS participants use of assistive technology

Assistive technology helps people with disability do things they may not otherwise be able to do (due to their disability) more easily or safely. It is designed to help with everyday tasks and may reduce the need for other supports over time (NDIS 2022).

The measure is intended to track the proportion that utilisation of NDIS participants’ plans on assistive technology supports. To clarify the intent of the measure, it is reported here as:

  • proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports in the last 12 months.

For reporting, the measure is limited to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500.

The desired key system outcome for this measure is that the NDIS provides participants with access to the assistive technology they require.

System measure: Proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports valued at more than $1,500 in the last 12 months

Desired outcome: Increase in the proportion

Data source: NDIA Business Systems

Results at baseline: 2021–22 Q2

  • In 2021–22 Q2 (baseline quarter), 18% of NDIS participants aged 15–64 received assistive technology supports valued at more than $1,500 in the previous 12 months.
  • The overall trend for the period leading up to and including the baseline (2017–18 Q2 to 2021–22 Q2) was unfavourable, trending downward. A regression model fitted to the data shows a modelled decrease of 0.2 of a percentage point per quarter and a modelled decrease of 16% over the reference period (Figure 5.6).
  • In 2021–22 Q2, a slightly higher proportion of female than male NDIS participants received assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500 (20% and 16%, respectively).
  • A higher proportion of NDIS participants aged 25–64 received assistive technology supports valued at more than $1,500 than those aged 15–24 (21% and 8.0%, respectively).

Latest results: 2021–22 Q4

  • In 2021–22 Q4, around 1 in 6 (16.7%) NDIS participants aged 15–64 had received assistive technology supports valued at more than $1,500 in the previous 12 months. This compares with 17.6% in the 12 months to the baseline (2021–22 Q1), indicating regress since the Strategy began. This drop may reflect the high proportion of participants entering the Scheme during 2022 in autism and developmental delay cohorts (who do not typically need significant assistive technology supports at this level) and ongoing supply chain delays.
  • There were decreases in both 2021–22 Q3 (0.7 of a percentage point) and 2021–22 Q4 (0.2 of a percentage point).
  • Compared with the modelled quarterly decrease over the period from 2018–19 Q2 to 2021–22 Q4 (0.3 of a percentage point), the observed decrease (0.7 of a percentage point) in 2021–22 Q3 was larger, while in 2021–22 Q4 it was smaller (0.2 of a percentage point).
  • The observed decrease in 2021–22 Q3 was the same as that in the previous quarter (2021–22 Q2) (0.7 of a percentage point). The observed decrease for 2021–22 Q4 was within the range of observed quarter-to-quarter changes in the historical data.

Things to consider when interpreting results

  • 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.

Latest results: 16.7% (2021–22 Q4)

Baseline: 17.6% (2020–21 Q2)

Progress status (preliminary): Regress

Figure 5.6: Proportion of NDIS participants aged 15–64 who received assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500, 2017–18 Q1 to 2021–22 Q4  

These data show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports. Data from 2017–18 Q1 to 2021–22 Q4 are used. In 2021–22 Q4, 16.7% of NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 23.3% in 2017–18 Q1.

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

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

Additional aids

People with disability may use aids or equipment to assist with their functioning, improve their independence and increase their participation in social and economic life. The use of aids and equipment varies according to a person’s living arrangements and their level of impairment (ABS 2019).

The desired population outcome for this measure is an increase in the accessibility of assistive technology for people with disability.

Population measure: Proportion of people with disability who do not need additional aids

Desired outcome: Increase in the proportion

Data source: ABS SDAC

This measure will be replaced in the future when available data are improved. During the life of the Strategy, this measure will be replaced by ‘Proportion of people with disability who can access the assistive technology they need’.

Results at baseline: 2018

  • In 2018, 94% of people with disability (of all ages) did not need additional aids.
  • Between 2012 and 2018, there was no change in the proportion of people with disability who did not need additional aids, with the proportion at 94% across all 3 time periods 2012, 2015 and 2018 (Figure 5.7).
  • Males with disability reported a slightly higher proportion of not needing additional aids than females with disability (95% and 93%, respectively).
  • In 2018, people with disability aged 15–24 (96%) were a little more likely to not need additional aids than those aged 46–64 (93%) and 65 and over (94%).
  • People with disability status other than severe or profound were more likely to not need additional aids (97%) than people with severe or profound disability (87%).

Latest results

Updated data are not yet available for this measure. New data from the 2022 ABS SDAC are expected to be available in the first half of 2024 and included in the 2024 annual report.

Things to consider when interpreting results

  • Data are restricted to people with disability living in households, excluding those who do not know if they need additional aids.

Figure 5.7: Proportion of people with disability (all ages) who do not need additional aids, 2012, 2015 and 2018

These data show the proportion of people with disability (of all ages) who do not need additional aids. Data from 2012 to 2018 are used. In 2018, 94.1% of people with disability did not need additional aids compared with 94.5% in 2012.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics – Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) | Data source overview

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Additional aids.

References

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2019) Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: summary of findings, ABS website, accessed 15 September 2022.

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (2021), Department of Social Services, Australian Government, accessed 2 August 2022.

NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) (2022) What do we mean by assistive technology?, NDIS website, Australian Government, accessed 23 September 2022. 

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