Facts and Figures

People with an Intellectual Disability

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2008) estimates that 1.8% of the population under 65 years have an intellectual disability, with severe to profound limitations in one or more areas of daily living (i.e., self-care, mobility, communication). In the ACT this equates to more than 5000 people.

A severe or profound "core activity limitation" is defined as sometimes or always requiring personal assistance or supervision with self-care, mobility or communication.

Current rates of childhood disability in 2006 were 8.3% of all children - 4.3% having severe or profound disability. (Carers ACT 2009)

Approximately 36 young people with a moderate to profound intellectual disability leave school each year in the ACT. (ACT Dept of Education 2008)

Issues for an Ageing Population

The ageing of the Australian population is becoming a central issue of concern for all governments. By 2020, people aged 60-79 are expected to outnumber those aged 0-19, and there will be at least three times the number of people aged 80+. (Carers ACT 2009)

People with disability are also living longer and many begin to experience age related difficulties at a much younger age than average Australians. Early onset dementia is one of the issues facing many. (In Sickness and in Health, 2008)

A greater number of people requiring care will coincide with a reduction in the number of people available to provide care. At the same time, these carers will be mostly aged 40-65, who have the essential skills and experience that will be critically needed to supplement a shrinking Australian workforce. (Carers ACT 2009)

91% of carers of children with disabilities are women of prime workforce participation age. (AIHW 2007) This has serious implications for Australia’s economy in the future.

Transition into Adult Life for People with Disability

The transition into major social and economic life areas for people aged 15–64 years with intellectual disability is quite different from those without a disability. Compared to people without disability of the same ages in 2003 they were:

Less likely to complete Year 12 studies (19% versus 49%) and participate in tertiary education (6% versus 12%).
Less likely to participate in the labour force (43% versus 81%) and to be employed working full-time (19% versus 54%), or in the government sector (2% versus 13%).
More likely to be unemployed (unemployment rate 17% versus 5%).
More likely to rely on a government pension or allowance as their main source of cash income (57% versus 14%) and less likely to be wage or salary earners (23% versus 63%).
More likely to have never married (67% versus 39%). (AIHW 2008)

Supported Accommodation in the ACT

In 2006-07, 318 people with a disability in the ACT received accommodation support through Commonwealth States and Territories Disability Agreement (CSTDA) funding at a cost of $31.4 million. This included:

207 people living in group homes.
2 receiving attendant care/personal care.
114 receiving in-home support. (AIHW 2007)

(Note: the level of full time/part time services in the above data was not stated.)

2006-07 Costs per user of supported accommodation services in the ACT were:

Government provided group homes - $151,620 per person/pa
Government provided services in other community settings - $87,089 pp/pa
Non-government provided group homes - $83,276 pp/pa
Non-government provided services in other community settings - $19,785 pp/pa.

Unmet Need/Unmet Demand for Disability Services in the ACT

It is generally accepted that there is significant unmet need in relation to the provision of support and assistance for people with disabilities and the Australian Government has increased funding to the States through its funding agreements to address this issue.

In 2007-08, Disability ACT processed funding applications amounting to $11.1 million and only $2.8 million was granted, indicating that the amount of ‘known unmet demand’ was $8.3 million. (ACT Auditor-General’s Office 2009).

For an extended report on this information, click here to download the CLP Statistical Overview.