MEDIA RELEASE
UNDER EMBARGOstrictly not for publication before
1.00am Thursday 3 December 2009
Almost one quarter of a million people used
disability services in 200708
The number of people using disability support services increased from 188,000 to 245,700,
between 200304 and 200708, according to a report released today by the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
This represents a 31% increase in service users over the four years, said Nick Thompson of
the AIHWs Functioning and Disability Unit.
Over the same four years, total government spending on specialist disability services
increased in real terms by 22%.
Of the different types of services available, respite and employment services had the highest
increases in service users, at 53% and 40% respectively over the period.
According to the report, Disability support services 200708, about 31,500 people used respite
services in 200708.
Use of respite services has grown from 96 users per 1,000 people in the target population in
200304 to 137 users per 1,000 in 200708, Mr Thompson said.
Government spending per respite service user fell by 16% over the period, although total
expenditure on respite rose by 29%.
Close to 11,000 outlets delivered services funded under the Commonwealth State/Territory
Disability Agreement in 200708an increase of almost 25% since 200304.
The report also found that specialist disability employment services were provided almost
entirely by non-government organisations and three-quarters of people who received state
and territory-funded services accessed those services through non-government
organisations.
Intellectual disability continues as the most frequent primary disability, accounting for
around one-third of service users in 200708. The service user population is ageing and of
growing cultural diversity.
Over 112,000 people who used specialist disability services in 2007-08 also had a personal
carer, with nearly 60% of these carers being the mothers of the service user.
Canberra, 1 December 2009
Further information: Mr Nick Thompson, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1212, mob. 0407 915 851 or Ms
Cathy Hales, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1135.
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer 02 6244 1032
This report can be downloaded for free off our website.