Summary

Like everyone, people with disability want a high quality of life. To achieve this, they seek access to, and pursue outcomes across, all areas of life, such as education, employment, health care, housing and justice.

While many people with disability routinely and actively participate in these areas, some face challenges doing so. This is influenced by factors such as the nature of the opportunities, services and assistance available to them; the accessibility of their environment; and their experiences of discrimination (see Defining disability).

Living with disability in Australia data visualisation.

Summary cards showing key statistics in 8 areas: people with disability, health, housing, social support, education and skills, justice and safety, income and finance, and employment. The reader can select to display the statistics for three indicator types: participation, need for assistance, and outcomes.

Participation indicators panel shows:

  • People with disability: 1 in 6 Australians are estimated to have disability, or about 4.4 million people.
  • Health: 2 in 3 people with disability aged under 65 saw a medical specialist in the last year.
  • Housing: 96% of people with disability live in private dwellings.
  • Social support: About 433,000 people with disability are active NDIS participants with approved plans.
  • Justice and safety: 1 in 10 people aged 15 and over experienced disability discrimination in the last year.
  • Income and finance: 38% of people aged 15-64 with disability receive a government payment as their main source of income
  • Employment: 53% of people aged 15-64 with disability are participating in the labour force.
  • Education and skills: 9 in 10 school-aged children with disability go to school.

Need for Assistance indicators panel shows:

  • People with disability: 3 in 5 people with disability living in households need help with at least 1 activity of daily living.
  • Health: 3 in 10 people with disability waited more than 1 days after making an appointment to see a GP for urgent care.
  • Housing: 1 in 8 people with disability have modified their accommodation because of their age or condition.
  • Social support: About 40% of people with disability need assistance from formal providers.
  • Justice and safety: 47% of adults with disability have experienced violence after age 15.
  • Income and finance: 37% of Disability Support Pension recipients aged 16 to 64 have a psychological or psychiatric condition.
  • Employment: 68% of people aged 15-64 with disability have 1 or more employment restrictions.
  • Education and skills: 4 in 5 school students with disability have 1 or more schooling restrictions.

Outcomes indicators panel shows:

  • People with disability: The disability-free life expectancy of Australians has improved over time.
  • Health: 3 in 5 people aged 15 and over with disability rate their health as good, very good or excellent.
  • Housing: 64% of people with disability who are non-dependents are home owners.
  • Social support: 82% of people with disability aged 15 and over are satisfied with the quality of assistance received from organised services.
  • Justice and safety: In the last year 2 in 3 people aged 15 and over with disability have not avoided situations because of disability.
  • Income and finance: 94% of people aged 15 and over with disability have a source of personal income.
  • Employment: 88% of employed wage or salary earners aged 15-64 with disability do not require support to work.
  • Education and skills: 9 in 10 school students with disability go to a mainstream school.