Australia has a complex and well-developed social protection system in place that is designed to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate both socially and economically within the community.
Key features of our system include:
- Comprehensive income security coverage;
- Access and equity framework;
- Legal framework to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities, their families and carers;
- Comprehensive health care system;
- Rehabilitation framework;
- Flexible employment systems to meet a variety of needs;
- Free state education systems which include supports for students with disabilities and special education for those who cannot attend a main stream school; and
- Extensive prevention and early intervention strategies.
Community consultation is an important feature of the Australian policy development process.
Key Social Pressures
Australia, like most industrialised countries, is experiencing an ageing of its population. This is already beginning to place some pressure on government spending. However, much larger pressures are expected to emerge when the ‘babyboomer' generation starts reaching old age in the middle of the next decade.
This is likely to create escalating growth in three key social areas, health, aged care and age pensions. Health spending will increase because the population is ageing, but more importantly, because people want and expect access to the latest medical advancements.
Despite strong economic growth in Australia, many in our society are still at the margins of the labour market and society for a variety of reasons. Some people have difficulty remaining in employment while others have difficulty taking advantage of labour market opportunities, without additional help.
Addressing welfare dependence among Australians of working age is the focus of ongoing welfare reform initiatives. New approaches are being tested and findings from longitudinal research are informing the development of new policies and programs. There are inevitable trade-offs between targeting those most in need and 2 investing in early intervention and prevention measures within the limited resources available to meet the needs of an ageing population.
The Australian Parliamentary Structure
Since 1901, Australia has had a federal system of government with origins in the British system of government and law. The Constitution established a Commonwealth Government with specific powers. There are six States and two Territories, each of these has a Parliament. Responsibility for social protection is divided between the Commonwealth and the State/Territory Governments. The three levels of Government contained within this complex structure are involved in the provision of disability services in Australia. Disability and Carers in Australia More than 3.6 million Australians, or 19 percent of the population have a disability. Of these 6 percent have a severe or profound disability. Over the past five years the Commonwealth Government has spent $37.8 billion on income support and services for people with disabilities and carers. In 2001-02 it spent $6.98 billion on income support for people with disabilities. Income support to carers in 2001-02 totalled $1.24 billion.
There are 2.3 million carers in Australia.
Disability and Carers in Australia
More than 3.6 million Australians, or 19 percent of the population have a disability. Of these 6 percent have a severe or profound disability. Over the past five years the Commonwealth Government has spent $37.8 billion on income support and services for people with disabilities and carers. In 2001-02 it spent $6.98 billion on income support for people with disabilities. Income support to carers in 2001-02 totalled $1.24 billion. There are 2.3 million carers in Australia.