Availability of support
On this page:
People with disability need access to personal and community supports that meet their needs. This includes both formal specialist disability services and mainstream services, as well as informal support provided by family, friends and the community.
Quality of formal support
People with disability who require formal assistance can seek either targeted or universal formal support services. A range of organisations and individuals can provide formal assistance. In the ABS SDAC, formal providers of assistance for people with disability are defined as help provided by:
- organisations or individuals representing organisations (whether profit making or non-profit making, government or private), or
- other persons (excluding informal assistance/providers), on a regular, paid basis, who are not associated with any organisation (ABS 2024).
The desired key system outcome for this measure is that people with disability receive the supports they need.
System measure: Proportion of people with disability (aged 15 and over) who are satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers
Desired outcome: Increase in the proportion
Data source: ABS SDAC
Latest results: 2022
- In 2022, 4 in 5 (80%) people with disability aged 15–64 years were satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers. Based on values rounded to one decimal place, this was 0.5 percentage points higher than the baseline value in 2018 (79%).
- For people with disability aged 65 years and over, 86% of people with disability were satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers in 2022. This was 1.6 percentage points higher than the baseline value in 2018 (84%).
- The changes between baseline and latest values for people with disability aged 15–64 years and 65 years and over were not statistically significant, indicating a status of no change (Figure 5.1a and 5.1b).
Latest results: 79.6% (aged 15–64 years); 85.7% (aged 65 years and over) (2022)
Baseline: 79.2% (aged 15–64 years); 84.1% (aged 65 years and over) (2018)
Progress status: No change
Figure 5.1a: Proportion of people with disability (aged 15–64) who are satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers
The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability aged 15–64 who are satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers. Data from 2012 to 2022 are used. In 2022, 80% of people with disability were satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers in 2022, as were 81% in 2012.
More detailed data by age group are shown in the table.
| Year | % of people with disability satisfied with quality of formal assistance | 95% Confidence Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 15–64 | ||
| 2012 | 81% | (78.6%–83.1%) |
| 2015 | 80% | (77.6%–82.7%) |
| 2018 | 79% | (76.1%–82.2%) |
| 2022 | 80% | (75.4%–83.8%) |
| Aged 65 and over | ||
| 2012 | 88% | (86.0%–89.5%) |
| 2015 | 89% | (86.6%–91.1%) |
| 2018 | 84% | (81.9%–86.3%) |
| 2022 | 86% | (83.0%–88.5%) |
| Aged 15 and over | ||
| 2012 | 85% | (83.3%–86.1%) |
| 2015 | 85% | (83.2%–86.6%) |
| 2018 | 82% | (80.3%–83.8%) |
| 2022 | 83% | (80.6%–85.7%) |
Notes:
- Restricted to people with disability aged 15 and over living in households who received assistance from organised services in the last 6 months, excluding those who completed a proxy interview or satisfaction level was recorded as 'not stated'.
- In 2022, satisfied includes people who responded 'very satisfied' or 'somewhat satisfied'.
Sources:
- ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2024. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2022, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 6 September 2024.
- ABS 2019. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2018, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 19 July 2022.
- ABS 2016. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2015, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 19 July 2022.
- ABS 2013. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2012, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 19 July 2022.
Source:
Australian Bureau of Statistics – Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
|
Data source overview
Figure 5.1b: Proportion of people with disability (aged 65 and over) who are satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers
The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability aged 65 and over who are satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers. Data from 2012 to 2022 are used. In 2022, 86% of people with disability were satisfied with the quality of assistance received from formal service providers, compared with 88% in 2012.
More detailed data by age group are shown in the table.
| Year | % of people with disability satisfied with quality of formal assistance | 95% Confidence Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 15–64 | ||
| 2012 | 81% | (78.6%–83.1%) |
| 2015 | 80% | (77.6%–82.7%) |
| 2018 | 79% | (76.1%–82.2%) |
| 2022 | 80% | (75.4%–83.8%) |
| Aged 65 and over | ||
| 2012 | 88% | (86.0%–89.5%) |
| 2015 | 89% | (86.6%–91.1%) |
| 2018 | 84% | (81.9%–86.3%) |
| 2022 | 86% | (83.0%–88.5%) |
| Aged 15 and over | ||
| 2012 | 85% | (83.3%–86.1%) |
| 2015 | 85% | (83.2%–86.6%) |
| 2018 | 82% | (80.3%–83.8%) |
| 2022 | 83% | (80.6%–85.7%) |
Notes:
- Restricted to people with disability aged 15 and over living in households who received assistance from organised services in the last 6 months, excluding those who completed a proxy interview or satisfaction level was recorded as 'not stated'.
- In 2022, satisfied includes people who responded 'very satisfied' or 'somewhat satisfied'.
Sources:
- ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2024. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2022, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 6 September 2024.
- ABS 2019. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2018, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 19 July 2022.
- ABS 2016. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2015, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 19 July 2022.
- ABS 2013. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2012, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 19 July 2022.
Source:
Australian Bureau of Statistics – Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
|
Data source overview
For figure notes, see Appendix C: Figure notes and sources.
For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Quality of formal support.
Needs fully met
Some people with disability require support to maintain everyday wellness at home and to be fully included in community activities (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).
People needing support may seek formal assistance, such as specialist and mainstream services provided by formal organisations or other paid providers (including the NDIS or Disability Employment Services). These services may supplement other support that a person with disability receives, such as informal care provided by family, friends or neighbours (AIHW 2023).
The desired population outcome for this measure is an increase in people with disability accessing the services they need.
Population measure: Proportion of people with disability who had their needs fully met
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 who report that they can access mainstream support services when they need them’.
Latest results: 2022
- In 2022, 62% of people with disability had their needs fully met.
- This was 10 percentage points lower than the proportion of people with disability who had their needs fully met in 2018 (72%), indicating a regress (Figure 5.2).
Things to consider when interpreting results
- People who have their needs fully met are those who do not need assistance or do not need any more assistance with activities. People who do not have their needs fully met are those who need more assistance with at least one activity, regardless of whether any assistance is currently received. People who responded ‘other (too young, activity not undertaken or not assessed)’ and ‘do not know if need more assistance with activities due to disability or old age’ were excluded.
- In 2022, major updates were made to the question modules and sequencing from which these data were derived. These updates may have an impact on the number of people reporting that they do or do not need assistance with activities.
Latest results: 62.1% (2022)
Baseline: 72.2% (2018)
Progress status: Regress
Figure 5.2: Proportion of people with disability who had their needs fully met
The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of people with disability (of all ages) who had their needs for assistance fully met. Data from 2012 to 2022 are used. In 2022, 62% of people with disability had their needs fully met, as did 73% in 2012.
| Year | % of people with disability with needs fully met | 95% Confidence Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 73% | (71.8%–73.6%) |
| 2015 | 74% | (73.3%–75.1%) |
| 2018 | 72% | (71.0%–73.3%) |
| 2022 | 62% | (60.7%–63.5%) |
Notes:
- Restricted to people with disability living in households.
- People who have their needs fully met are those who do not need any (more) assistance with activities. People who do not have needs fully met are those who need more assistance with at least one activity, regardless of any assistance already received. Excludes people who responded 'other' or 'do not know'.
- Data for 2022 and earlier years should be compared with caution, as the survey questionnaire sequencing has changed in 2022 due to the removal of some questions and structural changes to other questions.
Sources:
- ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2024. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2022, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 6 September 2024.
- ABS 2019. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2018, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 31 March 2022.
- ABS 2016. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2015, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 31 March 2022.
- ABS 2013. Microdata: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2012, ABS cat. no. 4430.0.30.002, ABS, AIHW analysis of detailed microdata in DataLab, accessed 31 March 2022.
Source:
Australian Bureau of Statistics – Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
|
Data source overview
For figure notes, see Appendix C: Figure notes and sources.
For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Needs fully met.
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2024) Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings methodology, ABS website, accessed 23 July 2024.
AIHW (2023) Specialised supports for people with disability, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 23 July 2024.
Previous page
Personal and community support
Next page
People with complex, high needs are supported