In 2022, the state in Australia which had the highest number of people with disabilities living there was New South Wales, in which approximately 1.5 million people were reported as having a disability. Contrastingly, it was calculated that the Northern Territory had only approximately 32,000 people living there with disabilities.

This dataset, released September 2017, contains statistics for disabilities relating to Assistance to people with a disability (unpaid), 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), All ages, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, All ages, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), 0 to 64 years, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, 0 to 64 years, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), 65 years and over,2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, 65 years and over, 2016. The data is by Population Health Area (PHA) 2016 geographic boundaries based on the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Population Health Areas, developed by PHIDU, are comprised of a combination of whole SA2s and multiple (aggregates of) SA2s, where the SA2 is an area in the ABS structure. For more information please see the data source notes on the data. Source: Compiled by PHIDU based on the ABS Census 2016 (unpublished) data AURIN has spatially enabled the original data. Data that was not shown/not applicable/not published/not available for the specific area ('#', '..', '^', 'np, 'n.a.', 'n.y.a.' in original PHIDU data) was removed.It has been replaced by by Blank cells. For other keys and abbreviations refer to PHIDU Keys.

In 2018, approximately ** percent of people with a disability living in households in Australia whose main condition was caused by an accident reported that the accident occurred on the street, road, or highway. Other leading accident locations included at work or in the home.

ABS Statistics about health and disability in Australia's Local Government Areas (LGA) for the years 2011, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

The Personal Welfare Services industry provides community and welfare services to disadvantaged individuals, including children, the elderly and Australians with long-term disabilities. The industry’s services include those designed to assist the frail and disabled in community settings, thereby circumventing the need for institutional care. As such it plays a key role in the wider care and support economy, one of Australia's fastest growing sectors and a key focus area of the current Labor Government. High and increasing government funding, including funding associated with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), has benefited community and welfare service providers in Australia over the past decade. However, according to the Australian Council of Social Service, many of the social service organisations that deliver youth outreach services, disability support, and community legal services are now at a breaking point. This is because of unprecedented demand for their services following a series of external shocks in recent years – including bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis – with current funding levels proving inadequate to meet this additional demand. Inflationary cost pressures are adding to profit margin pressures and threatening the viability of several social assistance organisations. Industry revenue is expected to expand at an annualised 9.9% over the five years through 2024-25 to $43.2 billion. This rate includes anticipated growth of 6.8% in 2024-25 as a forecast rise in the unemployment rate, combined with high interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis, continues to take its toll, especially on disadvantaged Australians. However, funding shortfalls will constrain the industry’s ability to respond. Australia's ageing population will bolster demand for social assistance services in the coming years, particularly for in-home aged-care services. Simultaneously, new regulations governing the provision of aged care services and disability support services will influence the industry’s operating landscape. Changes to the industry's operating backdrop in view of the Government's care and support economy reform agenda will also shape the industry going forwards. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to climb by an annualised 5.8% over the five years through 2029-30, to $57.3 billion.

Burden Of Disease by state and territory

Rate were age-standardised to the 2001 Australian Standard Population, and expressed per 1000 people Rate ratios compare the state/territory rate of burden with the Australian rate of burden * The value is less than the value shown
DALY (disability-adjusted life years): Measure (in years) of healthy life lost, either through premature death defined as dying before the expected life span at the age of death (YLL) or, equivalently, through living with ill health due to illness or injury (YLD). YLD (years lived with disability): A measure of the years of what could have been a healthy life but were instead spent in states of less than full health. YLD represent non-fatal burden. YLL (years of life lost): Years of life lost due to premature death, defined as dying before the global ideal life span at the age of death. YLL represent fatal burden.

The data is presented by the ACT Government for the purpose of disseminating information for the benefit of the public. The ACT Government has taken great care to ensure the information in this report is as correct and accurate as possible. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. Differences in statistical methods and calculations, data updates and guidelines may result in the information contained in this report varying from previously published information.

People with a profound or severe disability, with those living in the community also separately reported, and unpaid assistance to those with a disability by SA2, for the year 2011.

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program is a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative. It funds services which support people who are frail, aged and younger people with a disability (and their carers), who live at home and whose capacity for independent living is at risk or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. The broad aim is to offer maintenance and support services to help frail older people and younger people with disabilities to continue living in their communities. HACC services may be offered in the home or local community by an HACC agency, community health centre or local council. Services include centre-based and other respite, social support and counselling, personal care, home modification and maintenance, transport, meals and other food services, information, advocacy and assessment, support for carers, allied health services, domestic assistance and community nursing. Data are presented by LGA 2011 for 2012 and 2013.

This dataset presents a range of data items sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The data is derived from the November 2024 release of Data by region. Individual data items present the latest reference year data available on Data by region. This layer presents data by Local Government Areas (LGA), 2021.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples theme is based on groupings of data within Data by region. Concepts, sources and methods for each dataset can be found on the Data by region methodology page.

Topics in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples theme include:

Estimated resident population Language (Census) Engagement in employment, education or training (Census) Labour force status (Census) Unpaid assistance to person with disability (Census) Unpaid childcare (Census) Voluntary work (Census) Tenure type (Census)

The Closing the Gap topics that are informed by Census data are included in the update:

Target 5: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20-24 years attaining Year 12 or an equivalent qualification to 96 per cent. Target 6: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent. Target 7: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 15-24 years who are in employment, education or training to 67 per cent. Target 8: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-64 years who are employed to 62 per cent. Target 9A: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent.

When analysing these statistics:

Time periods, definitions, methodologies, scope, and coverage can differ across collections.
Some data values have been randomly adjusted or suppressed to avoid the release of confidential data, this means

    some small cells have been randomly set to zero
    care should be taken when interpreting cells with small numbers or zeros.

Data and geography references

Source data publication: Data by region Geographic boundary information: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 Further information: Data by region methodology, reference period 2011-24 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Made possible by the Digital Atlas of Australia

The Digital Atlas of Australia is a key Australian Government initiative being led by Geoscience Australia, highlighted in the Data and Digital Government Strategy. It brings together trusted datasets from across government in an interactive, secure, and easy-to-use geospatial platform. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is working in partnership with Geoscience Australia to establish a set of web services to make ABS data available in the Digital Atlas of Australia.

Contact the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Email geography@abs.gov.au if you have any questions or feedback about this web service.
Subscribe to get updates on ABS web services and geospatial products.

Privacy at the Australian Bureau of Statistics Read how the ABS manages personal information - ABS privacy policy.

This dataset, released September 2017, contains statistics for disabilities relating to Assistance to people with a disability (unpaid), 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), All ages, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, All ages, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), 0 to 64 years, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, 0 to 64 years, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), 65 years and over,2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, 65 years and over, 2016. The data is by Population Health Area (PHA) 2016 geographic boundaries based on the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Population Health Areas, developed by PHIDU, are comprised of a combination of whole SA2s and multiple (aggregates of) SA2s, where the SA2 is an area in the ABS structure. For more information please see the data source notes on the data.

The data within this dashboard shows how we are performing against our objective to encourage and assist seniors, women and people with disability to participate in social and economic life by:\r \r •\tsupporting seniors to be healthy and active as they age\r \r •\treducing barriers to people with disability participating in daily life\r \r •\tincreasing the proportion of women on boards\r \r •\tincreasing the proportion of women in non-traditional trades.

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program is a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative. It funds services which support people who are frail, aged and younger people with a disability (and their carers), who live at home and whose capacity for independent living is at risk or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. The broad aim is to offer maintenance and support services to help frail older people and younger people with disabilities to continue living in their communities. HACC services may be offered in the home or local community by an HACC agency, community health centre or local council. Services include centre-based and other respite, social support and counselling, personal care, home modification and maintenance, transport, meals and other food services, information, advocacy and assessment, support for carers, allied health services, domestic assistance and community nursing.. Data are presented by SLA 2011 for 2012 to 2013.

The Crisis and Care Accommodation industry forms part of Australia's community welfare sector and provides services for some of the most economically vulnerable people in Australian society, including children, those with long-term disabilities and the elderly. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, a growing number of Australians were at increased risk of homelessness, with many experiencing financial hardship, persistent disadvantage and social exclusion. Stagnant wage growth in inflation-adjusted terms, heightened housing stress and associated incidences of family breakdown and family violence have boosted demand for crisis and care accommodation over the past few years. Given high inflation and rising rental costs, many of the industry’s clients have become increasingly vulnerable and their needs are also becoming more complex. Rising disability prevalence is creating additional challenges for residential care providers, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics finding that 5.5 million Australians had a disability in 2022 (latest data available). However, the ability to meet increased demand hasn't necessarily been matched by additional funding, constraining industry and profit growth. In light of these socio-economic variables and supply constraints, industry revenue growth is expected to be a modest 4.3% annualised over the five years through 2024-25 to $5.7 billion, including anticipated growth of 4.0% in the current year. Solid demand for residential care services will persist in the coming years, bolstered by a strong need for homelessness services as high rents and inflation exacerbate Australia’s housing crisis. An ageing population is set to continue driving demand for palliative care and respite services, while the existence of deep and persistent disadvantage among Australia’s most vulnerable population cohorts will continue to sustain demand for crisis and rehabilitation care. Government policies and associated regulatory reforms – including those stemming from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability – will dictate the industry's operating environment. Industry growth rates will remain modest at 2.7% annualised through 2029-30, to reach $6.5 billion.

People with a profound or severe disability, with those living in the community also separately reported, and unpaid assistance to those with a disability by LGA 2011, for the year 2011.

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program is a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative. It funds services which support people who are frail, aged and younger people with a disability (and their carers), who live at home and whose capacity for independent living is at risk or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. The broad aim is to offer maintenance and support services to help frail older people and younger people with disabilities to continue living in their communities. HACC services may be offered in the home or local community by an HACC agency, community health centre or local council. Services include centre-based and other respite, social support and counselling, personal care, home modification and maintenance, transport, meals and other food services, information, advocacy and assessment, support for carers, allied health services, domestic assistance and community nursing.. Data are presented by SLA 2011 for 2012 to 2013.

Statistical tool designed to measure, in a quantifiable way, the progress made by FACS each year in achieving the following objectives:

• Improving the lives of children and young people

• Supporting people with a disability to realise their potential

• Breaking disadvantage with social housing assistance

• Participation in social and economic life

• Reducing domestic and family violence

• Working with Aboriginal people and communities

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is the Australian Government’s preeminent source of advice on social policy and works in partnership with other government and non-government organisations to manage a diverse range of programs and services designed to support and improve the lives of Australians. DSS has whole of government responsibility

• Families and Children

• Housing Support

• Seniors

• Communities and Vulnerable People

• Disability and Carers

• Women's Safety

• Mental Health

• Settlement and Multicultural Affairs

• Ageing and Aged Care

• Review of Australia’s Welfare System

This statistical overview presents information about income support payments and customers administered by a number of Australian Government departments.

Unless otherwise indicated, the statistics relate to the relevant pay periods closest to 30 June. These periods will generally be within a fortnight either side of that date.

Key sections of the overview are:

• payments for older people,

• people with disability and

• those caring for people with disability, severe medical conditions,

• or those who are frail aged

• student and labour market related payments

• family assistance

• other payments and services

• pensioners paid overseas.

Payment and allowance information, including eligibility criteria, are included within each section. When The Department of Social Services was formed in September 2013 the publishing of the Statistical Paper series ceased. The DSS Payments Demographic Data Set is updated quarterly and covers the majority of the information contained in the Statistical Paper series. Please contact the Data Requests team if you have any questions in relation to this publication or the DSS Payment Demographic Data Set.

Further information to assist with the interpretation of statistics is available from the DSS and Human Services websites:

Department of Human Services (DHS)

Department of Social Services (DSS).

Making life good in the community is a three year research project that examed how best to support people with an intellectual disability living in group homes to lead fulfilling lives.

Mobility aids play an integral role in assisting the disabled and elderly in their day-to-day lives by aiding mobility and increasing independence. Both temporary users, like those recovering from an injury and long-term users, such as those with an ongoing condition, often require mobility aids. Australia's ageing population is supporting industry revenue. This trend reflects the direct correlation between increased age and disability rates. As Australia's population continues to age, the number of people with a disability will gradually climb. Some older Australians may be able to access government funding for mobility aids via various aged care programs, including the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the Home Care Packages Program. States and territories also provide several assistive technology (AT) aids and equipment programs to elderly Australians. Younger eligible Australians may have AT supports provided as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The disparate nature of current government-funded pathways for AT purchases not covered by the NDIS means many customers pay the full cost of their mobility equipment purchases. This means that real household disposable income trends also sway the industry’s performance. Industry revenue is expected to contract by an annualised 0.2% over the five years through 2024-25 to reach $720.0 million, with the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis contributing to consumers cutting back on discretionary expenditure on aids and appliances. This contraction is despite expected growth of 2.8% in 2024-25. Growth rates are forecast to become relatively more robust, climbing an annualised 2.8% over the five years to 2029-30 to total $826.5 million. Australia's ageing population, as well as rising arthritis and obesity, will drive industry revenue and profit growth. Technological advancements, including a continued shift from manual to motorised wheelchairs and ongoing product ergonomics enhancements, will also benefit mobility equipment retailers, as will any moves to introduce a new national government-funded AT program to cover disabled Australians who are ineligible for NDIS support.

The Burden of Disease study uses methods developed originally for the Global Burden of Disease study refined and adapted to the Victorian context. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the …Show full descriptionThe Burden of Disease study uses methods developed originally for the Global Burden of Disease study refined and adapted to the Victorian context. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the amount of ill health in Victoria, Australia, measured in Years Lived with Disability (YLD) arising from most diseases and injuries. Years Lived with Disability are the morbidity component of the DALY that captures the burden in a population due to years lived in less than full health. It represents the years of healthy life lost due to living with disability; disease or injury; adjusted for severity. The Burden of Disease 'data' are modelled estimates, using methods developed originally for the Global Burden of Disease study but refined and adapted to the Victorian context