Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Customers, June 2006

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Table of Contents

Disability Support Pension - Overview

Who is this Payment for?

Centrelink Disability Support Pension (DSP) is paid to people who are unable to work for at least 30 hours per week, or be re-skilled for such work, for more than two years because of a disability. DSP is intended to ensure that people with disabilities have adequate levels of income and maximum opportunities to participate in society.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for DSP a person must be 16 or over and be under Age Pension age (currently 63 for women and 65 for men); and

  • be permanently blind; or
  • have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment (assessed at 20 points or more under the Impairment Tables); and be unable to do any work for at least 30 hours a week, or be re-skilled for any work, for a period of at least two years; and
  • have become unable to work while in Australia, or have 10 years qualifying Australian residence.

Trends

As at June 2006, there were 712,163 people receiving DSP, an increase of 0.8% (5,381) over the June 2005 population of 706,782. Two thirds of the total population were aged 45 years or over; 58.4% were male; 73.6% were born in Australia; and, on average, they had been in receipt of an income support payment for 10.2 years. The three main medical conditions were musculo-skeletal and connective tissue conditions, representing 33.6% of the total DSP population, psychological/psychiatric conditions, representing 26.8%, and intellectual/learning difficulties, representing 11.3%.

The number of male DSP recipients decreased by 4,455 from June 2005 to June 2006. This decrease is due to a combination of:

  • a decrease of 13.1% in (male) claims processed for DSP;
  • an increase in the proportion of claims being rejected; and
  • more cancellations of DSP payments.

There were no significant changes in the demographics of males during the 2004/05 financial year.

Since 1982 the DSP population has been steadily increasing, with the greatest growth, of 13.3%, occurring in 1992 following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package (DSP replaced the Invalid Pension and Sheltered Employment Allowance in November 1991). Between 1996 and 2001 the growth rate reduced gradually from 7.5% to 3.6%. It increased to 5.6% in 2002, dropped to 2.2% in 2003 (with the introduction of the AWT Better Assessment and Early Intervention initiative) and increased again in 2004 to 3.5% and 1.4% in 2005. In 2006 it increased by 0.8%, the lowest increase for over 20 years. The proportion of females on DSP has increased each year since 1989 and now represents 41.6% of the total DSP population. Over 61,400 claims for DSP were granted in the 2005-06 financial year and just over 38,700 claims rejected (38.7% of total claims processed). Not being sufficiently impaired was the main reason for rejecting a claim for DSP (36.5%).

Of people receiving DSP in June 2006 who were not receiving DSP 12 months earlier, over half came from other income support payments (32.8% from Newstart, 6.5% from Parenting Payments, 2.5% from Youth Allowance and 1.7% from Sickness Allowance), while 45.9% had not been in receipt of an income support payment.

The number of people who were on DSP at June 2005 but left payment by June 2006 decreased by 7.4% over the previous 12 month period. The largest group were those transferring to the Age Pension (48.4%), likely as a result of the Age Pension age for women increasing to 63 during that period.

Source of Data

Most of the data in this report has been sourced from the Centrelink SuperStar database. Data for DSP recipient earnings and for DSP durations are sourced from different data sets and show a slight variation to the total number of DSP recipients noted throughout most of the report. These differences relate to Table 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of the report.

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1. Disability Support Pension Population Characteristics

1.1 Recipients by Gender 1972 to 2006

As at June 2006, the number of people receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) was 712,163 and has been steadily increasing since 1982, with the greatest growth period (13.3%) occurring in 1992 following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package. The growth rate in DSP for 2005-06 was 0.8%, down on the 1.4% increase in 2004-05. This is the lowest increase in the population for 24 years, and is due to fewer claims for payment and a reduction in the proportion of claims being granted.

Several factors have been suggested as contributing to the increases in the DSP recipient numbers in the last decade:

  • changed eligibility criteria for disability payments following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package;
  • loss of access to other forms of support such as Veterans'Affairs Service Pension, Widow B and Wife Pension;
  • increases in the Age Pension qualifying age for females;
  • demographic effects such as the ageing of the population; and
  • changes in the labour market which have resulted in a reduced capacity for people with disabilities to retain or find work.

The female proportion of the DSP population continues to increase, from a low of 26.2% in 1989 to the current figure of 41.6%.

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Chart 1.1 DSP Recipients by Gender June 1972 to June 2006

Table 1.1: DSP Recipients by Gender 1972 to 2006
At June
each year
Males
Females
Total
Count Change % of Total Count Change % of Total Count Change % Growth
1972 77,133   55.6% 61,685   44.4% 138,818    
1973 85,305 8,172 57.0% 64,304 2,619 43.0% 149,609 10,791 7.8%
1974 92,140 6,835 58.8% 64,643 339 41.2% 156,783 7,174 4.8%
1975 102,817 10,677 60.9% 65,967 1,324 39.1% 168,784 12,001 7.7%
1976 116,118 13,301 63.2% 67,669 1,702 36.8% 183,787 15,003 8.9%
1977 133,209 17,091 65.6% 69,754 2,085 34.4% 202,963 19,176 10.4%
1978 137,245 4,036 67.0% 67,699 -2,055 33.0% 204,944 1,981 1.0%
1979 149,759 12,514 68.1% 70,084 2,385 31.9% 219,843 14,899 7.3%
1980 158,327 8,568 69.1% 70,892 808 30.9% 229,219 9,376 4.3%
1981 153,889 -4,438 69.3% 68,062 -2,830 30.7% 221,951 -7,268 -3.2%
1982 151,146 -2,743 69.8% 65,503 -2,559 30.2% 216,649 -5,302 -2.4%
1983 155,672 4,526 70.7% 64,617 -886 29.3% 220,289 3,640 1.7%
1984 173,063 17,391 71.9% 67,511 2,894 28.1% 240,574 20,285 9.2%
1985 188,713 15,650 72.8% 70,449 2,938 27.2% 259,162 18,588 7.7%
1986 200,898 12,185 73.4% 72,912 2,463 26.6% 273,810 14,648 5.7%
1987 213,290 12,392 73.8% 75,760 2,848 26.2% 289,050 15,240 5.6%
1988 219,168 5,878 73.8% 77,745 1,985 26.2% 296,913 7,863 2.7%
1989 227,285 8,117 73.8% 80,510 2,765 26.2% 307,795 10,882 3.7%
1990 233,251 5,966 73.6% 83,462 2,952 26.4% 316,713 8,918 2.9%
1991 244,699 11,448 73.2% 89,535 6,073 26.8% 334,234 17,521 5.5%
1992 273,697 28,998 72.3% 104,861 15,326 27.7% 378,558 44,324 13.3%
1993 291,471 17,774 71.7% 115,101 10,240 28.3% 406,572 28,014 7.4%
1994 309,123 17,652 70.9% 127,111 12,010 29.1% 436,234 29,662 7.3%
1995 324,672 15,549 69.9% 139,758 12,647 30.1% 464,430 28,196 6.5%
1996 340,256 15,584 68.2% 158,979 19,221 31.8% 499,235 34,805 7.5%
1997 352,607 12,351 66.8% 174,907 15,928 33.2% 527,514 28,279 5.7%
1998 361,539 8,932 65.3% 191,797 16,890 34.7% 553,336 25,822 4.9%
1999 373,340 11,801 64.6% 204,342 12,545 35.4% 577,682 24,346 4.4%
2000 382,351 9,011 63.5% 219,929 15,587 36.5% 602,280 24,598 4.3%
2001 392,354 10,003 62.9% 231,572 11,643 37.1% 623,926 21,646 3.6%
2002 406,892 14,538 61.8% 252,021 20,449 38.2% 658,913 34,987 5.6%
2003 412,777 5,885 61.3% 260,557 8,536 38.7% 673,334 14,421 2.2%
2004 418,829 6,052 60.1% 277,913 17,356 39.9% 696,742 23,408 3.5%
2005 420,073 1,244 59.4% 286,709 8,796 40.6% 706,782 10,040 1.4%
2006 415,618 -4,455 58.4% 296,545 9,836 41.6% 712,163 5,381 0.8%

From 1972 to the introduction of the Disability Reform Package in 1991 the number of male recipients more than tripled (77,133 to 244,699). In the same period of time the number of female recipients increased by less than half (61,685 to 89,535).

From 1991 to 2006 the number of male recipients has less than doubled (244,699 to 415,618) while the number of female recipients has more than tripled (89,535 to 296,545).

1.2 Recipients by Age and Gender

People aged 55 years and over represent 41.0% of the overall DSP recipient population. The smaller proportion of females in the 60-64 years age group is due to the lower Age Pension qualifying age for women, currently 63 years. As the qualifying age increases for females, it is expected that this age group will grow and eventually exceed the number in the 55-59 years age group. The trend in graph 1.2 below is consistent with the trend for all Australians with a disability, which shows that the occurrence of a disability increases with age.

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Chart 1.2: DSP Recipients by Age and Gender at June 2006

Table 1.2: DSP Recipients by Age and Gender at June 2006
Age
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
16-19 10,566 2.5% 6,744 2.3% 17,310 2.4%
20-24 16,762 4.0% 12,150 4.1% 28,912 4.1%
25-29 18,486 4.4% 12,856 4.3% 31,342 4.4%
30-34 23,698 5.7% 15,849 5.3% 39,547 5.6%
35-39 30,818 7.4% 20,259 6.8% 51,077 7.2%
40-44 39,421 9.5% 26,758 9.0% 66,179 9.3%
45-49 47,218 11.4% 37,116 12.5% 84,334 11.8%
50-54 53,875 13.0% 47,305 16.0% 101,180 14.2%
55-59 72,418 17.4% 67,085 22.6% 139,503 19.6%
60-64 96,304 23.2% 49,291 16.6% 145,595 20.4%
65+ 6,052 1.5% 1,132 0.4% 7,184 1.0%
Total 415,618 100.0% 296,545 100.0% 712,163 100.0%

At June 2005 males represented the majority of recipients in all age groups. This has not continued at June 2006 as Table 1.2 shows. At June 2006 females made up 48.1% of recipients in the 55-59 year age group and only 39.8% of recipients in the 30-39 year age group. As mentioned above, the proportion of females in the 60-64 age group continues to increase (up from 29.4% in 2004 to 33.8% in 2006) as the qualifying age for Age Pension for women increases.

1.3 Recipients by State

The majority of DSP recipients can be found in the more populous Australian States. New South Wales is the largest with 32.1% of the DSP population, while the Northern Territory is the smallest with 0.9%.

The ACT has the highest percentage of females (45.3%) while the Northern Territory has the lowest (38.9%).

When compared with the ABS Census 2001, the proportion of DSP recipients living in South Australia and Tasmania is higher than the proportion of the total Australian population in these States.

Chart 1.3: DSP Recipients by State/Territory and Gender at June 2006

Table 1.3: DSP Recipients by State at June 2006
STATE
Males
%
Females
%
Total
State as % of Total
ABS Census 2001
ABS Census 2001
NSW 134,470 32.4% 94,100 31.7% 228,570 32.1% 33.6% 6,371,745
VIC 95,909 23.1% 74,573 25.1% 170,482 23.9% 24.5% 4,644,950
QLD 81,703 19.7% 55,180 18.6% 136,883 19.2% 19.3% 3,655,139
SA 39,288 9.5% 28,857 9.7% 68,145 9.6% 7.7% 1,467,261
WA 34,825 8.4% 25,250 8.5% 60,075 8.4% 9.8% 1,851,252
TAS 14,666 3.5% 10,157 3.4% 24,823 3.5% 2.4% 456,652
NT 3,731 0.9% 2,380 0.8% 6,111 0.9% 1.6% 311,947
ACT 3,883 0.9% 3,212 1.1% 7,095 1.0% 1.1% 210,664
Not Specified 1,021 0.2% 461 0.2% 1,482 0.2% 0.0% 2,740
Overseas 6,122 1.5% 2,375 0.8% 8,497 1.2%    
Total 415,618 100.0% 296,545 100.0% 712,163 100.0% 100.0% 18,972,350

1.4 Recipients by Country of Birth

The following graph and table reports on the country of birth of DSP recipients. The 10 countries with the highest number of recipients are shown. Germany was previously the tenth highest country but was replaced by Vietnam in June 2005 and Vietnam maintained this position in June 2006. The majority of DSP recipients were born in Australia (73.6%). The next largest group was those born in the United Kingdom (including Ireland) (5.9%). When compared with ABS Census 2001 country of birth data, 9 out of the top 10 countries are over-represented on DSP (the exception being New Zealand). Refer to Table 1.4 below.

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Chart 1.4: DSP Recipients by Country of Birth at June 2006

Table 1.4: DSP Recipients by Country of Birth at June 2006
COUNTRY OF BIRTH
Males
%
Females
%
Total DSP
DSP %
ABS Census 2001
Australia 304,828 73.3% 219,102 73.9% 523,930 73.6% 71.8%
UK (inc. Ireland/Eire) 25,045 6.0% 16,631 5.6% 41,676 5.9% 5.7%
Greece 7,195 1.7% 5,488 1.9% 12,683 1.8% 0.6%
Yugoslavia 7,520 1.8% 4,703 1.6% 12,223 1.7% 0.3%
Italy 6,916 1.7% 4,651 1.6% 11,567 1.6% 1.2%
New Zealand 6,612 1.6% 4,743 1.6% 11,355 1.6% 1.9%
Lebanon 6,073 1.5% 3,250 1.1% 9,323 1.3% 0.4%
Malta 4,129 1.0% 1,865 0.6% 5,994 0.8% 0.2%
Turkey 3,252 0.8% 2,795 0.9% 6,047 0.8% 0.2%
Vietnam 3,729 0.9% 2,504 0.8% 6,233 0.9% 0.8%
Other 40,319 9.7% 30,813 10.4% 71,132 10.0% 16.9%
Total 415,618 100.0% 296,545 100.0% 712,163 100.0% 100.0%

While males represent 49.3% of the Australian population (ABS Resident Population 2001), they represent 58.2% of the DSP population (June 2006). Males are over represented on DSP for all ten countries listed below with Malta (68.9% of DSP compared to 51.9% reported in the ABS Resident Population 2001) and Lebanon (65.1% of DSP compared to 52.0% reported in the ABS Resident Population 2001) having the highest over representation, while Turkey recorded the smallest (53.8% and 51.5% respectively).

Table 1.4.1: DSP Recipients Percentages by Country of Birth at June 2006
COUNTRY OF BIRTH
DSP Population
ABS Resident Population
Males
Females
Difference
Male
Female
Difference
Australia 58.2% 41.8% 16.4% 49.3% 50.7% -1.5%
UK (inc. Ireland/Eire) 60.1% 39.9% 20.2% 50.2% 49.8% 0.4%
Greece 56.7% 43.3% 13.5% 50.5% 49.5% 1.0%
Yugoslavia 61.5% 38.5% 23.0% 51.6% 48.4% 3.3%
Italy 59.8% 40.2% 19.6% 52.5% 47.5% 5.0%
New Zealand 58.2% 41.8% 16.5% 50.7% 49.3% 1.3%
Lebanon 65.1% 34.9% 30.3% 52.0% 48.0% 4.0%
Malta 68.9% 31.1% 37.8% 51.9% 48.1% 3.8%
Turkey 53.8% 46.2% 7.6% 51.5% 48.5% 3.1%
Vietnam 59.8% 40.2% 19.7% 48.5% 51.5% -3.1%
Other 56.7% 43.3% 13.4% 49.1% 50.9% -1.9%
Total 58.4% 41.6% 16.7% 49.4% 50.6% -1.3%

1.5 Recipients by Marital Status and Gender

The majority of DSP recipients are not partnered (64.8%) with females more likely to not have a partner than males (68.4% of the female population are not partnered, compared to 62.3% of males).

Proportionally, males and females are similar in the de facto category (4.6% and 4.7% respectively). Males are more likely than females to be in the married or single categories while females are more likely to be divorced, separated or widowed.

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Chart 1.5: DSP Recipients by Marital Status and Gender at June 2006

Table 1.5: DSP Recipients by Marital Status and Gender at June 2006
Marital Status
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
Married 137,560 33.1% 79,923 27.0% 217,483 30.5%
Defacto 19,233 4.6% 13,938 4.7% 33,171 4.7%
Single 167,099 40.2% 99,598 33.6% 266,697 37.4%
Separated 67,638 16.3% 59,214 20.0% 126,852 17.8%
Divorced 18,812 4.5% 28,633 9.7% 47,445 6.7%
Widow 5,276 1.3% 15,239 5.1% 20,515 2.9%
Total 415,618 100.0% 296,545 100.0% 712,163 100.0%

1.6 Recipients by Gender and Home Ownership

The majority of DSP recipients do not own their home (65.0%). Females receiving DSP are marginally more likely to own a home, including paying it off, than males (35.3% compared to 33.4%). The proportion of homeowners increased from 34.4% in 1975 to 43.8% in 1989. Since 1989 the proportion has been steadily decreasing and stands at 34.2% at June 2006.

Chart 1.6: DSP Recipients by Gender and Homeownership at June 2006

Table 1.6 DSP Recipients by Gender and Homeownership at June 2006
Housing Status
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
Home Owner 138,626 33.4% 104,623 35.3% 243,249 34.2%
Non-Home Owner 273,557 65.8% 189,505 63.9% 463,062 65.0%
Other 3,435 0.8% 2,417 0.8% 5,852 0.8%
Total 415,618 100.0% 296,545 100.0% 712,163 100.0%

Of those who are non-homeowners 112,642 are residing in government housing (59,093 males and 53,549 females).

1.7 Recipients by Age and Home Ownership

DSP recipients who own their own home (either own their home outright or are paying it off) tend to be skewed towards the older age groups, with the 60-64 age group being the only group containing more homeowners than non-homeowners. Of the total population aged 16-39, 92.3% are non-homeowners.

Chart 1.7: DSP Recipients by Age and Homeownership at June 2006

Table 1.7: DSP Recipients by Age and Homeownership at June 2006
Age Group
Home Owner
%
Non Home Owner
%
Other
%
Total
%
16-19 135 0.1% 17,171 3.7% 4 0.1% 17,310 2.4%
20-24 464 0.2% 28,424 6.1% 24 0.4% 28,912 4.1%
25-29 1,416 0.6% 29,886 6.5% 40 0.7% 31,342 4.4%
30-34 3,506 1.4% 35,975 7.8% 66 1.1% 39,547 5.6%
35-39 7,372 3.0% 43,585 9.4% 120 2.1% 51,077 7.2%
40-44 13,668 5.6% 52,253 11.3% 258 4.4% 66,179 9.3%
45-49 23,338 9.6% 60,496 13.1% 500 8.5% 84,334 11.8%
50-54 36,422 15.0% 63,834 13.8% 924 15.8% 101,180 14.2%
55-59 67,885 27.9% 69,944 15.1% 1,674 28.6% 139,503 19.6%
60-64 85,786 35.3% 57,756 12.5% 2,053 35.1% 145,595 20.4%
65+ 3,257 1.3% 3,738 0.8% 189 3.2% 7,184 1.0%
Total 243,249 100.0% 463,062 100.0% 5,852 100.0% 712,163 100.0%

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2. Medical Condition

2.1 Recipients by Medical Condition

With the introduction of the Disability Reform Package in November 1991those on the Invalid Pension were transferred to DSP. These recipients did not have a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record. While they are being progressively reviewed and ascribed a medical condition, at June 2006 ex-Invalid Pension recipients without a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record made up 2.8% of the total DSP population.

The medical conditions reported in graph 2.1 below represent the primary condition that is recorded on a recipient's record.

The three largest groups are recipients with musculo-skeletal/connective tissue (33.6%), psychological/ psychiatric (26.8%) or intellectual/learning medical conditions (11.3%).

11,063 (1.6%) of DSP recipients are identified as being blind, a slight increase from 10,803 at June 2005 (1.5% of all DSP recipients).

Chart 2.1: DSP Recipients by Medical Condition at June 2006

2.2 Recipients by Medical Condition and Gender

Males and females show a similar distribution of medical conditions. The only noticeable differences (ie. a greater than 2 percentage point difference) are for recipients with circulatory conditions (6.1% male and 3.6% female). Refer to top section of Table 2.1 overleaf for a list of all conditions.

More males were former Invalid Pension recipients (granted prior to 1991) than females and therefore do not have their medical condition coded. This needs to be taken into account when interpreting the data as this may contribute to situations where the percentage of females with a particular condition appears greater than the percentage of males.

Nonetheless, there are some significant differences in the percentage of male recipients against the percentage of female recipients for a number of conditions. The major ones include acquired brain impairment (71.6% male and 28.4% female), amputation (80.3% to 19.7%), circulatory system (70.7% to 29.3%) and reproductive system (12.3% to 87.7%). (Note that the male/female proportion of DSP recipients is 58.4%/41.6%). Refer to bottom section of Table 2.1 overleaf for a list of all conditions.

Chart 2.2: DSP Recipients by Gender and Medical Condition at June 2006

Table 2.1: DSP Recipients by Gender and Medical Condition at June 2006
Medical Condition
Males
%
Females
%
2006
%
Acquired brain impairment 12,365 3.0% 4,900 1.7% 17,265 2.4%
Amputation 1,286 0.3% 315 0.1% 1,601 0.2%
Cancer/tumour 6,980 1.7% 6,466 2.2% 13,446 1.9%
Chronic fatigue/post viral syndrome 1,101 0.3% 1,512 0.5% 2,613 0.4%
Chronic pain 2,701 0.6% 3,413 1.2% 6,114 0.9%
Circulatory system 25,514 6.1% 10,587 3.6% 36,101 5.1%
Congenital abnormality 6,243 1.5% 5,340 1.8% 11,583 1.6%
Endocrine and immune system 10,269 2.5% 7,918 2.7% 18,187 2.6%
Gastro-intestinal system 531 0.1% 723 0.2% 1,254 0.2%
Granted prior to 12.11.91 13,809 3.3% 6,335 2.1% 20,144 2.8%
Intellectual/learning 46,922 11.3% 33,820 11.4% 80,742 11.3%
Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue 139,773 33.6% 99,536 33.6% 239,309 33.6%
Nervous system 12,318 3.0% 11,885 4.0% 24,203 3.4%
Psychological/psychiatric 108,588 26.1% 82,205 27.7% 190,793 26.8%
Reproductive system 15 0.0% 107 0.0% 122 0.0%
Respiratory system 10,603 2.6% 8,396 2.8% 18,999 2.7%
Sense organs 9,705 2.3% 7,470 2.5% 17,175 2.4%
Skin disorders and burns 1,009 0.2% 778 0.3% 1,787 0.3%
Urogenital system 266 0.1% 240 0.1% 506 0.1%
Visceral disorder 5,435 1.3% 4,452 1.5% 9,887 1.4%
Not Coded 185 0.0% 147 0.0% 332 0.0%
Total 415,618 100.0% 296,545 100.0% 712,163 100.0%

Of the medical condition groups listed in table 2.2, females outnumbered males in only four groups. These groups are chronic fatigue/post viral syndrome (57.9%), chronic pain (55.8%), gastro-intestinal system (57.7%) and reproductive system (87.7%). Male recipients make up 80.3% of the amputation medical condition group. The next highest male dominated group is acquired brain impairment with 71.6% followed by circulatory system with 70.7%.

2.3 Recipients by Musculo-skeletal/Connective tissue Medical Conditions

The age distribution for recipients with musculo-skeletal/connective tissue conditions is skewed strongly towards the older age groups. This indicates a strong correlation between this type of condition and age.

Chart 2.3: DSP Recipients by Age at June 2006 Medical condition: Musculo-skeletal /Connective tissue

2.4 Recipients by Psychological/Psychiatric Medical Conditions

Psychological/psychiatric conditions also show a high representation in the older age groups but substantial numbers are in the younger age groups, leading to a more even distribution.

Chart 2.4: DSP Recipients by Age at June 2006 Medical Condition: Psychological/Psychiatric

2.5 Recipients by Intellectual Medical Conditions

Recipients with intellectual/learning disabilities vary again in that they are skewed towards the younger age groups. The majority of these recipients are born with their condition and may have a reduced lifespan as a result of their condition. This is reflected in information on duration on DSP for recipients with these disabilities, where the average duration on payment is 14 years.

Chart 2.5: DSP Recipients by Age at June 2006 Medical Condition: Intellectual /Learning Disabilities

2.6 New Grants by Age and Medical Condition: July 2005 to June 2006

A comparison of the age distributions of the total DSP population to recipients granted in the 2005-06 financial year shows that:

  • new recipients with musculo-skeletal/connective tissue conditions have similar age distributions to the overall DSP population with the same condition;
  • new recipients with psychological/psychiatric conditions tend to be in the younger age groups (less than 45 years old) than the overall DSP population with the same condition; and
  • new recipients with intellectual/learning difficulties show a higher proportion of young recipients (under 20 years) coming onto payment.

Chart 2.6: DSP New Grants by Age and Medical Condition July 2005 to June 2006

 

Table 2.2: DSP New Grants by Age and Medical Condition July 2006 to June 2006
Age
Musculo-skeletal
/Connective Tissue
Intellectual
/ Learning
Psychological
/ Psychiatric
16-19 233 3,100 1,217
20-24 199 346 1,108
25-29 319 152 1,440
30-34 677 154 1,686
35-39 1,265 135 1,819
40-44 1,942 137 1,951
45-49 2,653 105 1,986
50-54 3,408 79 1,625
55-59 5,661 68 1,706
60-64 4,475 46 891
65+ 30 0 1
Total 20,862 4,322 15,430

2.7 Recipients by Blind Indicator

There were 11,063 recipients identified as permanently blind (1.6% of the total DSP population). Of these, 55.9% were male, compared to the total DSP population where 58.4% were male. Recipients who are blind tend to be slightly younger than the total DSP population with nearly half (47.1%) aged 35-54.

Chart 2.7: DSP Recipients by Blind Indicator by Age at June 2006

 

Table 2.3: DSP Recipients by Blind Indicator by Age and Gender at June 2006
Age
Blind Recipients
Total DSP recipients
Male
%
Female
%
Total
%
Total
%
16-19 180 2.9% 157 3.2% 337 3.0% 17,310 2.4%
20-24 358 5.8% 252 5.2% 610 5.5% 28,912 4.1%
25-29 372 6.0% 285 5.8% 657 5.9% 31,342 4.4%
30-34 494 8.0% 421 8.6% 915 8.3% 39,547 5.6%
35-39 622 10.1% 521 10.7% 1,143 10.3% 51,077 7.2%
40-44 683 11.0% 563 11.5% 1,246 11.3% 66,179 9.3%
45-49 691 11.2% 619 12.7% 1,310 11.8% 84,334 11.8%
50-54 826 13.4% 695 14.2% 1,521 13.7% 101,180 14.2%
55-59 905 14.6% 840 17.2% 1,745 15.8% 139,503 19.6%
60-64 956 15.5% 513 10.5% 1,469 13.3% 145,595 20.4%
65+ 97 1.6% 13 0.3% 110 1.0% 7,184 1.0%
Total 6,184 55.9% 4,879 44.1% 11,063 1.6% 712,163 100.0%

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3. Earnings and Duration on Income Support

3.1 Recipients with Earnings from Employment

10.2% of DSP recipients declared income from employment. This is an increase on the 9.4% in June 2005. 55.6% of recipients earn less than $150 per week, although just over one quarter earned $300 or more per week.

Under the current income test, a single DSP recipient can earn up to $62 per week without their payment being reduced. A couple can have a combined income of up to $110 per week before the DSP recipient's rate is affected.

Chart 3.1(a): Percentage of DSP Recipients with Earnings at June 2006

Chart 3.1(b): DSP Recipients with Earnings by amount of Income at June 2006

Table 3.1: DSP Recipients by Earned Income Range at June 2006
Weekly earnings
Total
Earned only %
Total %
No Earnings 639,867 na 89.8%
$0.01 to <$25pw 6,372 8.8% 0.9%
$25 to <$50pw 8,991 12.4% 1.3%
$50 to <$75pw 9,995 13.8% 1.4%
$75 to <$100pw 5,903 8.2% 0.8%
$100 to <$150pw 8,956 12.4% 1.3%
$150 to <$200pw 5,404 7.5% 0.8%
$200 to <$250pw 4,320 6.0% 0.6%
$250 to <$300pw 3,487 4.8% 0.5%
$300+ pw 18,909 26.1% 2.7%
Total 712,204 10.2% 100.0%

3.2 Recipients by Duration on Income Support and Gender

Note: Duration on income support includes the period of time a recipient has been on DSP together with the period of time the recipient may have spent on any other income support payment/s prior to being granted DSP. This differs to the methodology used for reports pre 2004. Duration data contained in the 2004 version of this report counted the time spent on any pension rather than the time spent on any income support payment.

The distribution of DSP recipients by duration on income support is fairly even between 1 to less than 2 years and 9 to less than 10 years (around 5.7%). Of this group the largest category is recipients who have been on income support payment for 4 to less than 5 years, representing 6.6% of all recipients. A significant proportion of recipients have been in receipt of DSP for 10 years or more (42.9%).

The average duration on income support for male recipients was 10.0 years, female recipients 10.6 years and 10.2 years for all DSP recipients.

Chart 3.2: DSP Recipicents by Duration on Payment and Gender at June 2006

Table 3.2: DSP Customers by Duration on Payment and Gender at June 2006
Duration
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
< 1 year 17,272 4.2% 10,174 3.4% 27,446 3.9%
1 to < 2 Years 22,006 5.3% 14,678 4.9% 36,684 5.2%
2 to < 3 Years 24,202 5.8% 16,837 5.7% 41,039 5.8%
3 to < 4 Years 26,382 6.4% 16,953 5.7% 43,335 6.1%
4 to < 5 Years 28,338 6.8% 18,393 6.2% 46,731 6.6%
5 to < 6 Years 27,365 6.6% 18,497 6.2% 45,862 6.4%
6 to < 7 Years 24,635 5.9% 18,207 6.1% 42,842 6.0%
7 to < 8 Years 23,229 5.6% 17,174 5.8% 40,403 5.7%
8 to < 9 Years 25,249 6.1% 17,818 6.0% 43,067 6.0%
9 to < 10 Years 23,346 5.6% 16,119 5.4% 39,465 5.5%
10 to < 15 Years 98,074 23.6% 74,164 25.0% 172,238 24.2%
15 to < 20 years 35,106 8.5% 25,959 8.7% 61,065 8.6%
20+ years 40,124 9.7% 31,824 10.7% 71,948 10.1%
Total 415,328 100.0% 296,797 100.0% 712,125 100.0%

3.3 Recipients by Duration on Income Support and Gender by those aged less than 50 and those aged 50 and over

Note: Duration on income support includes the period of time a recipient has been on DSP together with the period of time the recipient may have spent on any other income support payment/s prior to being granted DSP. This differs to the methodology used for reports pre 2004. Duration data contained in the 2004 version of this report counted the time spent on any pension rather than the time spent on any income support payment.

DSP recipients aged 50 years or over make up over half of the total DSP population (55.2%). These recipients also tend to have been on an income support payment for longer periods than recipients aged less than 50 years (average of 11.1 years compared to 10.0 years respectively).

Chart 3.3: DSP Recipients by Duration with a 50 Year Age Split at June 2006

Table 3.3: DSP Recipients by Gender, Duration and 50 year Age Split at June 2006
Duration
Males
Females
Total
% of total
<50 yrs
Male
Female
Total
% of total
<50 yrs
< 1 year 8,625 4,359 12,984 4.1% 8,647 5,815 14,462 3.7%
1 to < 2 Years 10,598 6,340 16,938 5.3% 11,408 8,338 19,746 5.0%
2 to < 3 Years 11,719 7,427 19,146 6.0% 12,483 9,410 21,893 5.6%
3 to < 4 Years 12,227 7,928 20,155 6.3% 14,155 9,025 23,180 5.9%
4 to < 5 Years 12,976 8,385 21,361 6.7% 15,362 10,008 25,370 6.4%
5 to < 6 Years 13,061 8,728 21,789 6.8% 14,304 9,769 24,073 6.1%
6 to < 7 Years 11,903 8,772 20,675 6.5% 12,732 9,435 22,167 5.6%
7 to < 8 Years 10,890 7,847 18,737 5.9% 12,339 9,327 21,666 5.5%
8 to < 9 Years 13,221 8,949 22,170 7.0% 12,028 8,869 20,897 5.3%
9 to < 10 Years 10,993 7,243 18,236 5.7% 12,353 8,876 21,229 5.4%
10 to < 15 Years 40,508 30,688 71,196 22.3% 57,566 43,476 101,042 25.7%
15 to < 20 years 14,647 11,672 26,319 8.3% 20,459 14,287 34,746 8.8%
> 20 years 15,560 13,473 29,033 9.1% 24,564 18,351 42,915 10.9%
Total 186,928 131,811 318,739 100.0% 228,400 164,986 393,386 100.0%

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4. New Claims

4.1 New Claims Granted by Age and Gender

During the period July 2005 to June 2006, there were 100,441 new claims for DSP processed. Of these, 61,396 were granted (61.1%).

Males make up 56.0% of new grants for DSP while females comprise 44.0% (this compares to 56.1% for males and 43.9% for females in 2004-05). These proportions are similar to the percentage distribution of males and females in the overall DSP population (males currently make up 58.4% of the total DSP population and females 41.6%). The age distribution of new grants also shows a higher percentage of recipients in the age groups 16-19, 40-44, and 55-59 than is found in the total DSP population.

Chart 4.1: DSP New Grants by Age and Gender from July 2005 to June 2006

Table 4.1: DSP New Grants by Age and Gender from July 2005 to June 2006
Age
New grants
Total DSP Recipients
Male
%
Female
%
Total
%
Total
%
16-19 3,438 10.0% 2,214 8.2% 5,652 9.2% 17,310 2.4%
20-24 1,293 3.8% 874 3.2% 2,167 3.5% 28,912 4.1%
25-29 1,560 4.5% 905 3.3% 2,465 4.0% 31,342 4.4%
30-34 2,005 5.8% 1,343 5.0% 3,348 5.4% 39,547 5.6%
35-39 2,498 7.3% 1,864 6.9% 4,362 7.1% 51,077 7.2%
40-44 3,043 8.8% 2,703 10.0% 5,746 9.4% 66,179 9.3%
45-49 3,463 10.1% 3,573 13.2% 7,036 11.4% 84,334 11.8%
50-54 4,026 11.7% 4,213 15.6% 8,239 13.4% 101,180 14.2%
55-59 6,145 17.9% 6,101 22.6% 12,246 19.9% 139,503 19.6%
60-64 6,815 19.8% 3,201 11.8% 10,016 16.3% 145,595 20.4%
65+ 66 0.2% 4 0.0% 70 0.1% 7,184 1.0%
Unknown 40 0.2% 9 0.2% 49 0.2% 0 0.0%
Total 34,413 100.0% 27,038 100.0% 61,396 100.0% 712,163 100.0%

4.2 Comparison of New Grants and Current Recipients by Medical Condition

The distributions of new grants and current recipients by medical condition are very similar. A few notable exceptions are the reduced percentage of new grants of recipients with intellectual/learning disabilities (7.2% of new grants compared to 11.7% of total DSP population) and psychological/psychiatric (25.1% of new grants compared to 27.6% of the total DSP population); and the increased number of new grants for recipients with cancer/tumour (7.8% of new grants compared to 1.9% of total DSP population) and circulatory system (7.3% of new grants compared to 5.2% of total DSP population).

When Invalid Pension ceased in November 1991, these recipients were transferred to DSP. These recipients did not have a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record. They are being progressively reviewed and ascribed a medical condition, but at June 2006, ex-Invalid Pension recipients without a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record made up 2.8% of the total DSP population.

By including these recipients when looking at medical conditions, it has the effect of reducing the percentages in the other categories. Therefore, recipients granted DSP prior to 12 November 1991 have been excluded from graph 4.2 below to provide a clearer picture of the relationship between current recipients and new grants.

 

Chart 4.2: Percentage Comparison of DSP New Grants 2005/06 and Total DSP Recipients at June 2006 by Medical Condition

Table 4.2: DSP New Grants and Current Recipients by Medical Condition: 2005-06
Medical Condition
Male
%
Female
%
New Grants
%
Total Recipients
%
Acquired brain impairment 786 2.3% 293 1.1% 1,079 1.8% 17,265 2.5%
Amputation 93 0.3% 27 0.1% 120 0.2% 1,601 0.2%
Cancer/tumour 2,780 8.1% 2,040 7.6% 4,820 7.9% 13,446 1.9%
Chronic fatigue/post viral syndrome 2 0.0% 0 0.0% 2 0.0% 2,613 0.4%
Chronic Pain 200 0.6% 289 1.1% 489 0.8% 6,114 0.9%
Circulatory system 2,983 8.7% 1,502 5.6% 4,485 7.3% 36,101 5.2%
Congenital abnormality 200 0.6% 198 0.7% 398 0.6% 11,583 1.7%
Endocrine and immune system 896 2.6% 771 2.9% 1,667 2.7% 18,187 2.6%
Gastro-intestinal system 106 0.3% 91 0.3% 197 0.3% 1,254 0.2%
Intellectual/learning 2,778 8.1% 1,619 6.0% 4,397 7.2% 80,742 11.7%
Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue 11,006 32.0% 9,839 36.4% 20,845 34.0% 239,309 34.6%
Nervous system 1,318 3.8% 1,237 4.6% 2,555 4.2% 24,203 3.5%
Psychological/psychiatric 8,466 24.6% 6,964 25.8% 15,430 25.1% 190,793 27.6%
Reproductive system 1 0.0% 10 0.0% 11 0.0% 122 0.0%
Respiratory system 1,033 3.0% 775 2.9% 1,808 2.9% 18,999 2.7%
Sense organs 814 2.4% 604 2.2% 1,418 2.3% 17,175 2.5%
Skin disorders and burns 84 0.2% 67 0.2% 151 0.2% 1,787 0.3%
Urogenital system 40 0.1% 31 0.1% 71 0.1% 506 0.1%
Visceral disorder 795 2.3% 658 2.4% 1,453 2.4% 9,887 1.4%
Not coded 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 332 0.0%
Total 34,381 100.0% 27,015 100.0% 61,396 100.0% 692,019 100.0%

* Excludes 20,144 recipients granted prior to 12 November 1991

4.3 New Claims Rejected by Reason and Gender

During the period July 2005 to June 2006, there were 100,441 new claims for DSP processed. Of these, 39,045 were rejected (38.9%). The main reasons for rejecting the claim were because the recipient had less than 20 points impairment as assessed under the Impairment Tables (36.5%), or had a short-term disability (19.6%).

Of the medical rejection reasons, females were more likely than males to be rejected because their disability was short term or their impairment level was less than 20 points. Males were more likely than females to be rejected because their impairment level was greater than 20% but they could return to full time work or be re-skilled.

Table 4.3: DSP New Claims Rejected by Reason and Gender - 2005/06
Medical Rejection Reasons
Male
%
Female
%
Total
%
Less than 20% impaired 7,391 34.9% 6,732 37.7% 14,123 36.2%
Disability is short term 4,025 19.0% 3,570 20.0% 7,595 19.5%
Manifest - temporary 2,346 11.1% 2,076 11.6% 4,422 11.3%
>20% impaired/can work full time 612 2.9% 393 2.2% 1,005 2.6%
>20% impaired/can work 15+ hours per week            
>20% impaired/can be re-skilled 318 1.5% 202 1.1% 520 1.3%
Manifest - can work 30 HRS P/W 134 0.6% 106 0.6% 240 0.6%
Manifest - not sufficient impairment 37 0.2% 32 0.2% 69 0.2%
Not permanently blind 17 0.1% 18 0.1% 35 0.1%
Incapacitated/blinded overseas 7 0.0% 6 0.0% 13 0.0%
             
Non-medical Rejection Reasons
Male
%
Female
%
Total
%
Failed to supply requested information 2,891 13.7% 2,135 11.9% 5,026 12.9%
Fail to attend assess/medical exam/interview 962 4.5% 727 4.1% 1,689 4.3%
Compensation 608 2.9% 277 1.5% 885 2.3%
Customer request 363 1.7% 329 1.8% 692 1.8%
Excess income 330 1.6% 367 2.1% 697 1.8%
Not residentially qualified 278 1.3% 267 1.5% 545 1.4%
Assets over limit 233 1.1% 154 0.9% 387 1.0%
Failed agreement specific rules 117 0.6% 99 0.6% 216 0.6%
Not Coded 48 0.2% 60 0.3% 108 0.3%
Other 445 2.1% 322 1.8% 767 2.0%
             
Total 21,162 100.0% 17,872 100.0% 39,034 100.0%

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5. Where DSP Recipients are Coming From and Going To

5.1 Where DSP Recipients Are Coming From

There were 57,798 people receiving DSP in June 2006 who were not receiving DSP in June 2005. These "new recipients"represent 8.1% of the total DSP population as at June 2006. The largest group of people entering DSP are those who were not previously receiving an income support payment. These comprise 45.9% of new recipients on payment. The next largest source of DSP recipients is transfers from Newstart Allowance with 32.8% of new recipients, up from 32.7% in 2004-05, followed by Parenting Payment (both Single and Partnered) with 6.5% of new DSP recipients. A small group of recipients (5.4%) have their origins from a range of other payments, being Youth Allowance, Sickness Allowance and Partner Allowance. The numbers from each payment are small and these proportions have remained fairly static for at least the last few financial years.

It should be noted that figures for recipient transfers do not exactly match those for new grants due to the different business rules used in extracting these data sets, for example, some new grants can be for the same recipient or a recipient may be granted DSP and then leave DSP within the same year.

Chart 5.1:Origins Percentages of People Entering DSP From June 2005 to June 2006

Table 5.1: People Entering DSP from June 2005 to June 2006
Origin Count %
Non Client 26,547 45.9%
Newstart Allowance 18,954 32.8%
Parenting Payments 3,751 6.5%
Youth Allowance 1,424 2.5%
Sickness Allowance 980 1.7%
Partner Allowance 718 1.2%
Other payments 5,424 9.4%
Total 57,798 100.0%

5.2 Where DSP Recipients Are Going To

The majority of recipients who were on DSP in June 2004 but were not on DSP in June 2005 moved on to Age Pension (48.4%). As recipients reach Age Pension eligibility age the vast majority transfer across although a very small percentage of recipients choose to remain on DSP.

Of the people who left DSP, 26.9% left payments entirely. A substantial proportion (17.9%) of exits from DSP was because of the death of the recipient.

Chart 5.2: Destination Percentages of DSP Customers Leaving Payment from June 2005 to June 2006

Table 5.2: DSP Recipients Leaving Payment from June 2005 to June 2006
Destination Count %
Age Pension 26,224 48.4%
Non Client 14,558 26.9%
Deceased 9,687 17.9%
Newstart/Youth Allowance 1,046 1.9%
Other payments 2,646 4.9%
Total 54,161 100.0%

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