Lyla Lindsey
Australia is home to a significant number of people living with disabilities, with estimates ranging from 3.96 million to 5.5 million individuals, or about 18% to 20% of the country's population. The prevalence of disability rises with age, with half of those aged 65 and above experiencing some form of disability. Among all Australians with disabilities, physical disorders are the most common main condition, affecting 75.3% of this group. Mental and behavioural disorders are also prevalent, with approximately one-quarter of people with disabilities experiencing these issues. The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines disability broadly, encompassing impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to the functioning of the mind, senses, anatomy, or physiology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of people with disability | 5.5 million |
| Percentage of people with disability | 18% |
| People with disability aged 65 and over | 2.3 million |
| Percentage of people with disability aged 65 and over | 52.3% |
| People with disability aged 0-64 | 3.2 million |
| Percentage of people with disability aged 0-64 | 15% |
| People with a physical disorder as their main condition | 4.1 million |
| People with a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition | 1.3 million |
| People with a profound limitation in core activities | 470,000 |
| People with a severe limitation in core activities | 430,000 |
| People with a hearing loss | 3.6 million |
| People who use Auslan | 16,000 |
| People who are blind or have low vision | 453,000 |
| People with a disability caused by an accident or injury | 515,000 |
| People with a disability that set in before the age of 5 | 543,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Prevalence of disability by age
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), 5.5 million Australians have a disability, which is around 21.4% of the total population. This is an increase from 4.4 million (17.7%) in 2018.
The prevalence of disability increases with age. In 2022, 15.0% of people under 65 years old had a disability, compared to 52.3% of people aged 65 and over. This is an increase from 49.6% in 2018. The rate of disability generally increased with age for both males and females, with disability prevalence being similar for both sexes. In 2019, 7% of children under 15 years old had a disability, 15% of people aged 15-64 years had a disability, and over half (53%) of people aged 65 and over reported having some form of disability.
There are notable differences in the prevalence of specific types of disabilities across age groups. For example, females aged 85 and over are more likely to have intellectual disabilities (19%) or psychosocial disabilities (27%) than males (13% and 22%, respectively). Sensory or speech disabilities are most prevalent among those aged 65 and over, while the proportion of people under 25 is higher in the case of intellectual disabilities than in the total population. Most people with physical disabilities are between 55 and 84 years old, and most people with head injuries, strokes, or acquired brain injuries are aged 45 and over. Psychosocial disabilities are distributed more evenly across all age groups than other disability types.
The prevalence of disability also varies across age groups when considering the severity of the disability. In 2019, 9.5% of males and 5.7% of females aged 0–14 had a disability. This increased with age, with 9.2% of males and 9.5% of females aged 15–24 having a disability, and 13% of males and females aged 15–64. Among those aged 65 and over, 49% of males and 50% of females had a disability.
The increase in disability prevalence among younger age groups is notable. From 2018 to 2022, the prevalence of disability increased from 3.7% to 5.7% for children aged 0–4 years and from 9.3% to 13.9% for people aged 15–24 years.
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Types of disability
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 20% of Australians (approximately 5.5 million people) have a disability. Nearly one-third of these people (32%) have a severe or profound disability, which means they sometimes or always need help with daily self-care, mobility, or communication activities. The prevalence of disability rises with age, with half of people aged 65 and over having a disability.
There are various types of disabilities, which can be broadly categorized based on the functioning of the mind or senses, or anatomy or physiology. Here are some of the main types of disabilities:
Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities affect a person's mobility, physical capacity, stamina, or dexterity. Examples include Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Chronic Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Spina Bifida, loss of limbs, and Spinal Cord Injury. Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI), which refer to any damage to the brain that occurs after birth, can also result in physical disabilities and often cause limitations in many areas of life.
Sensory Disabilities
Sensory disabilities include hearing impairments, which can range from mild to severe and can be temporary or permanent. They occur due to problems with the ear, the nerves connected to the ear, or the part of the brain that controls hearing. Deafblindness is a combined vision and hearing impairment, significantly impacting communication, socialization, mobility, and daily living.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDs)
NDs are a group of disorders that typically manifest early in development (0-18 years) and are characterized by deficits that impair personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning. Examples include Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Communication Disorders, Specific Learning Disorders, and Motor Disorders.
Psychosocial Disabilities
Psychosocial disabilities include mental and behavioral disorders, such as dementia and depression. People with these conditions are more likely to have profound or severe limitations in their core activities compared to those with physical disabilities.
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Disability and employment
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 5.5 million Australians have a disability, which is about 18% of the population. The prevalence of disability increases with age, with around 1 in 8 people under 65 having a disability, rising to 1 in 2 people for those aged 65 and over. This means that as people get older, they are more likely to experience some form of disability.
When it comes to employment, people with disabilities face several challenges and barriers. Firstly, 86% of people with disabilities experience limitations in core activities such as self-care, mobility, or communication, which can impact their ability to work. Additionally, people with mental or behavioural conditions are more likely to have profound or severe limitations on their core activities than those with physical conditions. This can make it difficult for them to find and retain jobs that accommodate their needs.
Fewer people with disabilities participate in the workforce than those without disabilities. This is partly due to the decline in lower-level positions, where people with disabilities have historically been more represented. Additionally, some employers may have concerns about the cost and complexity of accommodating employees with disabilities, or they may have unconscious biases or lack awareness about disability issues.
However, there are also positive signs and efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Some State governments, such as NSW, have higher rates of employment for people with disabilities in the public sector. Additionally, organisations like the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) are working to identify issues affecting people with disabilities and employment, and to improve their employment rates.
Furthermore, there is a growing recognition of the benefits of employing people with disabilities. For example, people with disabilities tend to have lower rates of absenteeism and turnover, and they bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the workplace. By providing reasonable accommodations and promoting inclusive practices, employers can tap into a talented and dedicated workforce.
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Disability and carers
Australia is home to a significant number of individuals with disabilities, with estimates ranging from 3.96 million to over 5 million people. This represents around 18% of the country's population. The prevalence of disability rises with age, with half of those aged 65 and above (50%) living with a disability.
Among all Australians with disabilities, approximately 2.3 million are aged 65 and above, and over half of these individuals have a physical disorder as their main condition. Around a quarter
The impact of disability on daily life is significant, with 86% of people with disabilities facing limitations in core activities such as self-care, mobility, or communication, as well as restrictions in schooling or employment. To address these challenges, 60.5% of Australians with disabilities (3.2 million people) require assistance with daily activities. This support can come from informal sources, such as family and friends, or formal providers like government or private organisations.
Caring for individuals with disabilities is a vital aspect of supporting their well-being and inclusion in society. Australia recognises the contributions of 3 million unpaid carers, who make up nearly 12% of the population. Notably, a significant proportion of carers (30% to 40%) live with disabilities themselves. This highlights the dedication and resilience of carers, many of whom navigate their own challenges while supporting others.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines a carer as someone who provides informal assistance, help, or supervision to individuals with disabilities or older people aged 65 and above. This definition encompasses a wide range of support roles that carers undertake to enable individuals with disabilities to participate more fully in their communities.
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Disability and social activities
As of 2022, there are 5.5 million people with disabilities in Australia, which represents 21.4% of the total population. This is an increase from 16.1% in 2018. The rate of disability increases with age, with over half of people aged 65 and above having a disability. This age group is also more likely to experience chronic pain or discomfort.
People with disabilities face various barriers to participating in social and community activities. In the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), a person is considered to have a disability if they have any limitation, restriction, or impairment that restricts everyday activities and has lasted or is likely to last for six months or more. According to SDAC data, 44% of older Australians reported experiencing barriers to social participation, with the recipient's disability, condition, or old age being the most common barrier.
Additionally, 40% of people with disabilities aged 15 and over avoided certain situations due to their disability, such as going to shops or banks. This is often a result of discrimination, as 22% of this age group experienced disability discrimination in 2019, leading to poorer health and socio-economic outcomes. Furthermore, people with disabilities are more likely to face barriers when accessing health services, and nearly one-third report that their customer needs are often unmet.
However, social support services are available for people with disabilities, and the government provides funding for essential disability-related services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In June 2023, the NDIS had around 610,500 active participants, with 43% being under the age of 15. Social assistance sectors, such as healthcare, have the largest proportion of people with disabilities in their workforce, at 21.7%.
Overall, while people with disabilities in Australia face challenges in social participation, there are efforts to improve inclusion and support through government initiatives and community assistance.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2022, there are 5.3 million people with disabilities in Australia, making up around 18% of the population.
About 1.4 million people in Australia have severe or profound disabilities, constituting 5.7% of the population.
Half (50%) of Australians aged 65 and over have a disability, representing over half (52.3%) of all older Australians.
Physical disorders are the most common type of disability in Australia, with 75.3% of people with disabilities reporting a physical condition as their main issue. Mental and behavioural disorders are the second most common, affecting 11.3% of people with disabilities.
