# data[].attributes.headline
How many people in Australia reported a disability?

# data[].attributes.subject
How many people in Australia reported a disability?

# data[].attributes.body
My guess would be that only around 20% of Australian's have reported a disability, but that around 40% of Australian's experience a disability. Many disabilities can be invisible and also disability is common and inevitable as people age and Australia has an ageing population.

Upon research, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021), around 17% of people identified as disabled. As this is only people who identified, I suspect this may be an underrepresentation of the number of people who are disabled.

Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics.(2021). Disability and carers: Census.

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-and-carers-census/2021

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Key statistics

1,464,415 people identified as requiring assistance with core activities.

Females are slightly more likely to indicate they require assistance at 6.1 per cent compared to males at 5.5 per cent.

8.2 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified requiring assistance with core activities.

76.6 per cent of people identifying as requiring assistance live with family and 19.4 per cent live alone.

Articles and information papers that related to this topic include:

How Census data is used

Learn how Census data helps community groups, businesses and governments make important decisions.

Dinner on the Table uses Census data to better understand how it can support people and families living with a disability in Australia.

'With the pressures of modern life, it can be hard work getting a hearty meal on the table at the end of the day. Dinner on the Table wants to help families with that. We use the Census data in two ways. Firstly, to understand our target market. Who they are and what's important to them. But more importantly we use the Census data to understand disability in Australia. We're interested in things like how many people with a disability live in Australia. We know that they are the largest minority group in this country and that informs how we plan for the services that we provide, but also how we communicate with our key stakeholders.' Rachel Golding, Founder, Dinner on the Table.

Watch our video to learn more.

See more Census stories.

Does the person ever need someone to help with, or be with them for self-care activities?

Does the person ever need someone to help with, or be with them for, body movement activities?

Does the person ever need someone to help with, or be with them for, communication activities?

What are the reasons for the need for assistance or supervision?

The questions from the 2021 Census are output into variables. To see descriptions of the variables, including data use considerations, relevant to this topic see the 2021 Census dictionary: Disability and carers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
1,464,415 people identified as requiring assistance with core activities. Females are slightly more likely to indicate they require assistance at 6.1 per cent compared to males at 5.5 per cent. 8.2 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified requiring assistance with core activities.

# data[].attributes.body
1 in 6
There is approximately 18% of people living with a disability in Australia which is estimated at around 4.4 million people.

1 in 3
People living in Australia with a severe or profound disability is recognised as 32% which is roughly 1.4 million people.

1 in 4
Mental and behavioural disabilities make up 23% of the overall number of people living with disabilities.

# data[].attributes.headline
I feel the total number of Australians who reported a disability would have been underreported. Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world and for that reason people are living longer with "disability" this also means they are likely to have other comorbid heath conditions of which many may be underrecognized or diagnosed inadequately. The latest findings from the AIHW report that approx 1 in 6 (4.4 million) Australians are living with a disability. Taking into account the SDAC definition of disability this number is in fact probably much higher and has likely been underreported.

# data[].attributes.subject
I feel the total number of Australians who reported a disability would have been underreported. Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world and for that reason people are living longer with "disability" this also means they are likely to have other comorbid heath conditions of which many may be underrecognized or diagnosed inadequately. The latest findings from the AIHW report that approx 1 in 6 (4.4 million) Australians are living with a disability. Taking into account the SDAC definition of disability this number is in fact probably much higher and has likely been underreported.

# data[].attributes.body
As reported by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) (2022) 1 in 6 people in Australia or 4.4 million people had a disability in 2018.

Reference:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022). Australia’s health 2022: in brief,
catalogue number AUS 241. Australia’s health series number 18, AIHW, Australian Government

# data[].attributes.body
My assumption for people reporting a disability would be approximately 20%. This number would be in the high range due to Australia's demographic being an aging population and the likelihood of living with a disability does increase with age.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and welfare (2020), 4 million people in Australia have disability, calculating to around 18% of the population. My prediction was quite accurate regarding that the prevalence of disability increases with age. The AIHW (2020) stated that around 1 in 8 people aged under 65 have some level of disability however this raised to 1 in 2 people for those aged 65 and over. As we live longer the more we are likely to experience some form of disability.

# data[].attributes.body
The Australian Institute f Health and Welfare states that roughly 4 million people in Australia have a reported disability diagnosis (AIHW, 2020). However, it should be noted that this may not reflect actual disability numbers, as individuals may be undiagnosed or mis diagnosed, as well as cultural and social differences effecting someone's comfort with seeking diagnosis.

# data[].attributes.body
My estimate for the prevalence of disability in Australia is around 20% due to Australia's increased life expectancy and increased amount of co-morbidities that our ageing population is currently living with.

# data[].attributes.body
I definitely think that due to Australia's ageing population, the number of individuals who live with a disability is rising. However, I think that maybe 1/7 people live with a disability due to the Survey of Disability Ageing and Carers definition of what a disability is.

# data[].attributes.body
It is reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) that approximately 18% (1 in 6) of Australians are living with a disability. As the life expectancy and population increases there is a rise in people living with chronic illness and disability. The number could potentially not reflect the actual number of people living with disability due to misdiagnosis, stigma, cultural differences or dual diagnosis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

# data[].attributes.body
The People with Disability in Australia report states that 1 in 6 Australians have a disability but this could be an under-estimation due to under reporting.  Factors affecting under reporting are a lack of understanding what the definition parameters of a disability are and cultural differences in accepting/admitting disability.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.body
Before research, I believed that a large percentage of Australians would be living with a disability or have at least once in their lifetime. This is because of the ageing population the world is experiencing, and therefore, a larger population is more susceptible to developing diseases that can lead to a disability.

The ABS (2018) has stated that 4.4 million Australians (17.7%), which is a decrease from the 2015 findings of 18.3%. However, the prevalence of disability is increasing with with age.

# data[].attributes.body
Due to Australia having an increasing ageing population, I believe reported rates of disability would be increasing. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare one in six Australians have a disability, which equates to about 4.4 million people.  Also considering the increasing life-expectancy, it would be expected that individuals are living with a disability for longer periods of time. However I do believe their would be discrepancy in statistics, as self-diagnosis does depend on an individual's perception of 'disability', likely increasing misdiagnosis rates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.body
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) reports that greater than 4 million Australians experience a disability, which is around 18% of the population.

Reference
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved September 7, 2022 from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia-2020-in-brief/contents/how-many-people-have-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

# data[].attributes.headline
Estimation on how many people in Australia reported a disability

# data[].attributes.subject
Estimation on how many people in Australia reported a disability

# data[].attributes.body
Approximately 20 percent is the figure I would estimate. However, factors such as culture, stigma, misdiagnosis, gender, work environment may affect this figure.

# data[].attributes.body
I feel the total number of Australians who reported a disability would have been underreported. Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world and for that reason people are living longer with "disability" this also means they are likely to have other comorbid heath conditions of which many may be underrecognized or diagnosed inadequately. The latest findings from the AIHW report that approx 1 in 6 (4.4 million) Australians are living with a disability. Taking into account the SDAC definition of disability this number is in fact probably much higher and has likely been underreported.

Reference
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.body
I think that the number of people reporting a disability in Australia would be much higher today than it has been previously. However, I still think that there would be disparity between the number of reported cases and the number of disability. According the to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020), in 2018, 4 million people reported having a disability. This equates to approximately 1 in 6 people.

# data[].attributes.body
According to AIHW (2020), in 2018 there were 4.4 million people living with a disability in Australia. This equated to approximately 1 in 6 Australians, or 18%.
Due to the fact that Australia is an aging population, this impacts on the number of people living with disability as 44.5% of all people living with disability are over the age of 65 (AIHW, 2020).
I think that the actual number of people living with a disability in Australia is probable much higher, with many left unreported, misdiagnosed and the potential impact that cultural beliefs, levels of support, stigma, and carer rights may have on an individuals willingness to seek help and gain a formal diagnosis.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.body
According to the AIHW (2020), 4.4 million Australians reported a disability in 2019. This is about 1 in 6, or 18% of Australians. This statistic only reflects what has been reported by the public, so the actual number/percentage may be high if there are many people who have not reported their disability.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.body
Approx 4 million people reported a disability. (AIHW, 2022).

# data[].attributes.body
Large percentage of Australians report having a disability. it is likely this number will continue to grow, or is likely larger than reported depending of understanding of disability within Australia.  Approx. 18% of Australians are reported to be living with disability.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia-2020-in-brief/contents/how-many-people-have-disability

# data[].attributes.body
Approximately 1 in 6 (18%) people in Australia are currently living with a disability. This equates to around 4.4 million people in Australia. The prevalence of individuals with a disability increases with age with the highest proportion being people aged 65 and over. In this age group 50% of people reported to have a disability.

AIHW. (2020). People with disability in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.body
In 2018 there were 4.4 million Australians with disability which equals approximately 17.7% of the population. this number is down from 18.3% in 2015.

Reference
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019).

Disability, ageing and carers, Australia: Summary of findings. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
11/06/2021 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) to present analysis of disability prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the scope of the survey. Commentary includes analysis of severity and type of disability, assistance needed and received due to disability, education, employment, income, and discrimination. Along with the commentary, this release includes a data cube.

28/09/20 - Psychosocial disability: the psychological disability data cube on the data downloads page of the Psychosocial disability article was updated to include an additional footnote (Tables 5 and 6), and to correct an error in the data (Table 5 row 13).

25/09/2020-Psychosocial disability: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) to present analysis on the prevalence of psychosocial disability in Australia including information around demographic characteristics, need for and receipt of assistance, education, employment, income and experience of discrimination. Along with the commentary, this release includes two data cubes - one containing psychosocial disability data and the other psychological disability data (for time series purposes).

10/09/2020 Small area estimates: Two data cubes containing modelled small area estimates for persons with disability and carers by age and sex for Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) of usual residence and Local Government Areas have been added to the Data downloads section. A section in the Methodology has also been added, providing summary information about how these small area estimates were modelled. For full details email disability.statistics@abs.gov.au for a copy of the 2018 SDAC Small Area Estimates Explanatory Notes PDF.

31/07/2020 - Dementia: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), to present an analysis on people living with dementia in Australia. Commentary includes analysis of prevalence and severity of dementia, and assistance needed and received for dementia. Along with the commentary, this release includes a data cube.

24/07/2020 - Disability and the Labour Force: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), to present an analysis on labour force participation of people with disability. Commentary includes participation by disability severity and group, employment restrictions and experiences of discrimination in the workplace. Along with the commentary, this release includes a data cube.

21/07/2020 - Use of technology by people with disability, older people and primary carers: This article uses 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) data to present analysis of the use of information technology by these three groups, including use of the Internet, SMS/text message, email and social networking/chat rooms, as well as reasons they were not used. Along with the commentary, this release includes a data cube which is available from the Data downloads section.

05/02/2020 - State and Territory data cubes are available from the Data downloads section.

10/12/2019 - Children with Disability: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), to present an analysis on children with disability including the prevalence of disability among children aged 0-14 years, and the types of disability most common among children. Along with the analysis, this release includes a data cube which is available from the Data downloads section.

29/11/2019 - Autism in Australia: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), to present an updated analysis of the prevalence of autism in Australia, and the impact the condition has on those living with Autism. Along with the analysis, this release includes a data cube which is available from the Data downloads section.

04/11/2019 - The Data Item List has been replaced to correct a column label in the 'Transport - Private' tab. A link in the Quality Declaration has been updated.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
11/06/2021 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability: This article uses results from the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) to present analysis of disability prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the scope of the survey.

# data[].attributes.body
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) reports that more than 4 million people living in Australia have a disability, which equates to around 18% of the population.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

# data[].attributes.body
Australia is reported to have 4 Million Australian that have disability or about 18% of the population of Australia (AIHW, 2020).

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.headline
Q1 how many people in Australia do you think reported a disability?

# data[].attributes.subject
Q1 how many people in Australia do you think reported a disability?

# data[].attributes.body
According to AIHW (2020), roughly 18% of australians live with a disability. More than 4 million people

# data[].attributes.body
I think the prevalence of disability in Australia would be quite high. As we are an aging popoulation, and age is associated with comorbidities, disability would be higher in this age group. I also believe as we have such a diverse population, prevalence of disability will vary between these.

AIHW report Around 1 in 6 (18%) people in Australia – or about 4.4 million – have disability

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2022), 1,464,415 people identified as requiring assistance with core activities.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Disability and carers: Census. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-and-carers-census/2021

# data[].attributes.headline
Roughly 18% of Australians report having a disability. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Roughly 18% of Australians report having a disability. 

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.headline
Approximately how many people in Australia do you think reported a disability?

# data[].attributes.subject
Approximately how many people in Australia do you think reported a disability?

# data[].attributes.body
As the population ages, the prevalence of having a disability is most likely rising since aging is a contributing factor. According to the AIHW (2020), 1 in 6 Australians live with a disability.

# data[].attributes.headline
What is my estimation of the prevalence of disability in Australia?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is my estimation of the prevalence of disability in Australia?

# data[].attributes.body
I would have guessed about one in ten which was pretty close to what I learned was the number for under 65s ((Around 1 in 8 (12%))!

# data[].attributes.body
How many people reported a disability in Australia?

According to the AIHW, 1 in 6 people or 4.4 million Australians reported having a disability.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (2020), one in six (18%) people are living with disability. This equates to approximately 4.4 million people in Australia.

However, I feel this does not paint the full picture of disability in our community. Many people may be living with undiagnosed health conditions or disabilities, or a met with difficulty receiving a diagnosis, and therefore this statistic could in fact be much higher.

Reference: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/summary

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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, healthcare, 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).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Summary - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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, healthcare, housing and justice. While many people with disability routinely and actively participate in these areas, some face challenges doing so.

# data[].attributes.body
Given our rising population, I assume the number of cases in Australia would be pretty large. However, I believe it may be higher because there are numerous other external elements to consider, such as the possible stigma associated with having a disability, which prevents individuals from reporting or seeking help, those who are misdiagnosed, culture and age.

# data[].attributes.body
According to this website, there are  1 in 6 (18%) people in Australia—or about 4.4 million—have disability.                          Reference:https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

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According to the Australian Network of disability (2021), over 4.4 million Australians live with some form of disability. The likelihood of living with disability increases as population ages, disability is presented slightly higher in females (17.8%) compared to males (17.6%). As life expectancy is increasing in Australia, the number of Australians aged 65 and over, represents 44.5% of all people living with disability. 2.1 million people on working age (15-64) have disability and 35.9% of 8.9 million Australian Household include a person with disability.
https://www.and.org.au/resources/disability-statistics/#:~:text=Over%204.4%20million%20people%20in,That's%201%20in%205%20people.

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This is a really interesting question while the prevalence rate is recorded around 18% I imagine that the rate is higher. I work with youth at risk of homelessness and some young people have opted to not get diagnosed. Additionally, people from disadvantaged backgrounds may have gaps in their educational, medical background and other aspects of their life. This could possibly result in not having a diagnosis for an underlying issue.

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According to the 2020 AIWA statistics 1 in 6 Australians live with a disability which amounts to 18% of the population (4.4 million). This can be partly attributed to the increasing life expectancy of the population as the prevalence of disability increases with age. I think it’s highly likely that this figure may be higher than what is actually reported as the older population may just accept their personal health issues as being a result of the ageing process rather than a disability and consequently be too proud to seek medical assistance due to their “she’ll be right” mentality. Also some of these may be relatively mild disabilities that are yet to be officially diagnosed. Other factors may include cultural differences whereby western medicine is not readily accepted in their culture and therefore go unreported, gender differences particularly amongst elderly males who downplay the severity of their issues and fail to seek assistance, and finally individuals who live in remote regions are perhaps less likely to seek medical help and simply learn to live with it. So overall I think it’s highly likely that the disability rate is higher than what is actually reported for the above reasons.

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Due to the ageing population of Australia, i believe the number of reported disabilities would be quite high. However, i believe there would be inconsistency between the number of reported cases of disability and the actual number of cases. This can be due to misdiagnoses, lack of awareness of disability in individuals with a lessened severity, and possibly the stigma surrounding disability preventing individuals from wanting to disclose this information.

According to the AIHW, 1 in 6 Australians have a disability accounting for 18% of the population. The prevalence of disability increases with age; meaning the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience disability. Therefore, while looking at the statistics it's important to consider this along with other factors such as dual diagnosis and those who have yet to report having a disability.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia-2020-in-brief/contents/how-many-people-have-disability

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

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People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

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The current prevalence of disability in Australia is 1 in 6 persons, which is more than I thought. That makes up 18% or 4.4 million of Australians.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

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People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

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I think the number of people (4.4 million) in Australia living with a disability may be in-correct due to discrepancies in the definition of disability across different data sources. It is my opinion that the number may actually be much higher if all responses were based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Many people who live with disabilities (as based on the ICF) may not view themselves as having a disability, either due to an internal self-belief, or due to external social stigma. Therefore, data from some sources may be inconsistent and incorrect.

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The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) reports that more than 4 million people or approximately 18% of the Australian population are reported to have a disability. A figure that is increasing with age.
Reference
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia-2020-in-brief/how-many-people-have-disability

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I think that the actual amount to people with a disability in Australia would contrast the reported percentage, as there are gender, age and severity (i.e., profound vs. severe) differences in report rates.

According the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare, there is currently 4.4 million people diagnosed with a disability in Australia, which is 1 in 6 (18%) of Australians (AIHW, 2020).

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As of 2018 according to the AIWH there are over 4 million Australians living with a disability. However this reported value is not up to date and figures would be higher due to the ageing population, CALD ,  dual diagnosis and others that have not reported living with a disability.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/7005c061-1c6e-490c-90c2-f2dd2773eb89/aihw-dis-77.pdf.aspx?inline=true

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I think there would be a discrepancy between the actual number of people with a disability in Australia vs. the reported cases.  This could be due to unconfirmed dual-diagnoses, where a disability is seen as just a symptom of the initial diagnosis and not a condition in itself.  Gender differences can impact reporting impeding health issues. Cultural differences can impact reporting as well, with some backgrounds being uncomfortable with western medicine. Based on the SDAC definition of disability, there would be many people who may not be aware that the limitations they are experiencing would be considered a disability.

Going by the reported cases, 1 in 6 Australians have a disability (AIHW, 2020).

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

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People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

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In 2020, the AIHW reported that approximately 4.4 million Australians (18%) are living with a disability.

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In 2020, the AIHW reported that approximately 4.4 million Australians (18%) are living with a disability.

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With reference to AIHW (2020), 1 in 6 Australians live with a disability. This is more than 4 million people.

AIHW. (2020). People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia-2020-in-brief/contents/how-many-people-have-disability

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

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People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

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I think the number of people reporting a disability would be quite high given Australia’s demographic being an ageing population as well as recent health trends indicating an increase in chronic diseases for example.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020), as of 2018 approximately 4.4 million people in Australia have a disability – that equates to 18% or 1 in 6 people. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if this number was in fact greater in reality as these statistics only reflect what’s been reported or what’s been retrieved from data and there could very well be more people living with a disability than these statistics recognise.

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The AIHW (2020) reports that around 1 in 6 or 18% of Australians have a disability. Which is approximately 4.4 million people.

AIHW. (2020).People with disability in Australia. Retrieved from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

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People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

# data[].attributes.body
Around 1 in 6 (18%) people in Australia reported having a disability. This is 4.4 million people.

Reference: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia, Prevalence of disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. Some people with...

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20 per cent

Almost 20 per cent of Australians have a disability (3.96 million people). This proportion is increasing, particularly as the population ages. 19.8 per cent of all males and 20.1 per cent of all females report having a disability.

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The AIHW (2020) reported that approximately 4.4 million people or 1 in 6 Australians live with a disability.

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According to 2020 report (AIHW): 1 in 6 Australians are estimated to have disability, or about 4.4 million people.
REFERENCE: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/data
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/summary

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According to Australian Bureau of Statistics  

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According to Australian Bureau of Statistics  

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20% of the Australian Population reported having chronic health conditions, that is approximately 4  million people, however among these 4 people, not all having their health conditions restricting their daily or work activities

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I think just under 4 million Australians report a disability as many are unaware that their condition can be classified as a disability

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The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020) reported that more than 4 million Australians live with a disability, or around 18% of the population. It was also found that the prevalence increases with age, so the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability.

People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance. For example, of people with disability:

1 in 4 (23%) have a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition, including:

6.5% with intellectual and developmental disorders (including autism)

3.8% with mood affective disorders, such as depression

2.7% with dementia or Alzheimer disease

1 in 3 (32%) have severe or profound disability

1 in 3 (30%) need help with health care

1 in 4 (27%) need help with property maintenance

1 in 4 (23%) need help with household chores

1 in 2 (48%) aged 5 and over have a schooling or employment restriction (2018).

The prevalence of disability increases with age. Around 1 in 8 (12%) people aged under 65 have some level of disability, rising to 1 in 2 (50%) for those aged 65 and over. This means that the longer we live, the more likely we are to experience some form of disability.

The disability-free life expectancy of people in Australia (that is, the estimated number of years people can expect to live without disability) is increasing over time.

Sex

Overall life expectancy of people born in 2018

Expected years of life without disability

Expected years of life with disability

Males

81 years

64 years

17 years

Females

85 years

66 years

19 years

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People with disability in Australia 2020: in brief, How many people have disability? - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 4 million people in Australia have disability, or around 18% of the population (2018). This is also known as the prevalence of disability. People with disability are diverse-having different types and levels of disability, coming from all demographic and socioeconomic groups, and having varying needs for assistance.

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There were 4.4 million Australians living with a disability in 2018 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019). Furthering this,  The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019) found that 5.7% of all Australians had a profound or severe disability.

Reference:
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings: October 2019 cat. no. 4430.0. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/C258C88A7AA5A87ECA2568A9001393E8?Opendocument