Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Customers, June 2001
Attachments
Table of Contents
- Overview
- 1. Disability Support Pension Population Characteristics
- 2. Medical Condition
- 3. Earnings and Duration on Income Support
- 4. New Claims
- 5. Where DSP Recipients are Coming From and Going To
Disability Support Pension - Overview
Who is this Payment for?
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:
- have turned 16; 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, 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 2001, there were 623,926 people in receipt of DSP. Two thirds of these customers were aged over 45 years; 63% were male; 77% were born in Australia; only 9% had income from employment though 17% were on reduced rates due to their or their partner's income or assets; and they had an average duration of 7 years in receipt of DSP. The three largest medical conditions are musculo-skeletal or connective tissue conditions, representing 32% of the total DSP population, psychological/psychiatric conditions, representing 23%, and intellectual/learning disabilities, representing 10%.
Since 1977 the DSP customer population has been steadily increasing, with the greatest growth, of 13%, occurring in the 1991-92 financial year following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package. This growth has slowed in recent years to a rate of around 4% each year and the current trend suggests it will fall to a rate of around 3% per year up until at least 2005-06.
There were around over 77,000 new DSP customers in the 2000-01 financial year with 37% of these coming directly from Newstart or Youth Allowance, 6% from Parenting Payments and 2% from Sickness Allowance. 45% were not previously in receipt of another Centrelink payment.
The proportion of females is also increasing and females now represent 37% of the total DSP population.
This report was prepared by the Disability Payments and Services Section, Office of Disability Branch.
1:Disability Support Pension Population Characteristics
1:Disability Support Pension Population Characteristics
1.1 Customers by Gender 1980 to 2001
As at June 2001, the number of people receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) was 623,926 and has been steadily increasing since 1982, with the greatest growth period (13%) occurring in 1992 following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package.
The DSP population size is now growing at a slower rate. In June 2001 the population was 3.6% higher than it was in June 2000.
A number of factors have been suggested as contributing to the increases in the DSP customer 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;
- changes in the labour market which have resulted in a reduced capacity for people with disabilities to retain or find work.
- increases in the Age Pension qualifying age for females;
The proportion of the DSP population that is female has been increasing, from a low of 26% in 1989 to the current figure of 37% of the DSP population. This is comparable to the trend of the proportion of females with disabilities in the Australian population, which has risen from 13% in 1981 to 17% in 1998.
Source: Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Customers (June 2000); Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
Males
|
Females
|
Total Persons
|
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Count | Change | % of total | Count | Change | % of total | Count | % Growth |
1980 | 158,327 | 8,568 | 69.07% | 70,892 | 808 | 30.93% | 229,219 | 4.30% |
1981 | 153,889 | -4,438 | 69.33% | 68,062 | -2,830 | 30.67% | 221,951 | -3.17% |
1982 | 151,146 | -2,743 | 69.77% | 65,503 | -2,559 | 30.23% | 216,649 | -2.39% |
1983 | 155,672 | 4,526 | 70.67% | 64,617 | -886 | 29.33% | 220,289 | 1.68% |
1984 | 173,063 | 17,391 | 71.94% | 67,511 | 2,894 | 28.06% | 240,574 | 9.21% |
1985 | 188,713 | 15,650 | 72.82% | 70,449 | 2,938 | 27.18% | 259,162 | 7.73% |
1986 | 200,898 | 12,185 | 73.37% | 72,912 | 2,463 | 26.63% | 273,810 | 5.65% |
1987 | 213,290 | 12,392 | 73.79% | 75,760 | 2,848 | 26.21% | 289,050 | 5.57% |
1988 | 219,168 | 5,878 | 73.82% | 77,745 | 1,985 | 26.18% | 296,913 | 2.72% |
1989 | 227,285 | 8,117 | 73.84% | 80,510 | 2,765 | 26.16% | 307,795 | 3.67% |
1990 | 233,251 | 5,966 | 73.65% | 83,462 | 2,952 | 26.35% | 316,713 | 2.90% |
1991 | 244,699 | 11,448 | 73.21% | 89,535 | 6,073 | 26.79% | 334,234 | 5.53% |
1992 | 273,697 | 28,998 | 72.30% | 104,861 | 15,326 | 27.70% | 378,558 | 13.26% |
1993 | 291,471 | 17,774 | 71.69% | 115,101 | 10,240 | 28.31% | 406,572 | 7.40% |
1994 | 309,123 | 17,652 | 70.86% | 127,111 | 12,010 | 29.14% | 436,234 | 7.30% |
1995 | 324,672 | 15,549 | 69.91% | 139,758 | 12,647 | 30.09% | 464,430 | 6.46% |
1996 | 340,256 | 15,584 | 68.16% | 158,979 | 19,221 | 31.84% | 499,235 | 7.49% |
1997 | 352,607 | 12,351 | 66.84% | 174,907 | 15,928 | 33.16% | 527,514 | 5.66% |
1998 | 361,539 | 8,932 | 65.34% | 191,797 | 16,890 | 34.66% | 553,336 | 4.90% |
1999 | 373,340 | 11,801 | 64.63% | 204,342 | 12,545 | 35.37% | 577,682 | 4.40% |
2000 | 382,351 | 9,011 | 63.48% | 219,929 | 15,587 | 36.52% | 602,280 | 4.26% |
2001 | 392,354 | 10,003 | 62.88% | 231,572 | 11,643 | 37.12% | 623,926 | 3.59% |
Source: Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Customers (June 2000); Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
1.2 Customers by Age and Gender
People age 55 years and over represent 39% of the overall DSP customer population. The very small proportion of females in the 60 to 64 years age group is due to the lower Age Pension qualifying age for women. As the qualifying age increases for females, it is expected that this age group will grow and eventually exceed the number in the 55 to 59 years age group. This trend in the graph below is consistent with the trend for all Australians with a disability, which shows that the occurrence of a disability increases with age.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
Age |
Males
|
%
|
Females
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16-19 | 9,245 | 2.36% | 6,148 | 2.65% | 15,393 | 2.47% |
20-24 | 13,967 | 3.56% | 10,008 | 4.32% | 23,975 | 3.84% |
25-29 | 17,130 | 4.37% | 11,875 | 5.13% | 29,005 | 4.65% |
30-34 | 22,619 | 5.76% | 14,433 | 6.23% | 37,052 | 5.94% |
35-39 | 29,760 | 7.58% | 17,977 | 7.76% | 47,737 | 7.65% |
40-44 | 36,391 | 9.28% | 23,974 | 10.35% | 60,365 | 9.68% |
45-49 | 41,283 | 10.52% | 30,784 | 13.29% | 72,067 | 11.55% |
50-54 | 52,553 | 13.39% | 44,034 | 19.02% | 96,587 | 15.48% |
55-59 | 69,807 | 17.79% | 53,662 | 23.17% | 123,469 | 19.79% |
60-64 | 96,851 | 24.68% | 18,420 | 7.95% | 115,271 | 18.48% |
65+ | 2,748 | 0.70% | 257 | 0.11% | 3,005 | 0.48% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
1.3 Customers by Geographic State
As expected the majority of DSP customers can be found in the more populous Australian States. New South Wales is the largest with 34% of the DSP population, while the Northern Territory is the smallest with 0.8%.
When compared with the incidence of disability in the Australian population (as reported by the 1998 ABS Survey of Disability Ageing and Carers), DSP follows the same approximate State distribution.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
STATE |
Males
|
%
|
Females
|
%
|
Total DSP
|
DSP %
|
Aust pop. with Disabilities
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory | 3,660 | 0.93% | 2,681 | 1.16% | 6,341 | 1.02% | 1.00% |
New South Wales | 131,012 | 33.39% | 76,035 | 32.84% | 207,047 | 33.19% | 33.87% |
Northern Territory | 3,259 | 0.83% | 1,754 | 0.76% | 5,013 | 0.80% | 0.81% |
Queensland | 74,416 | 18.97% | 42,069 | 18.17% | 116,485 | 18.67% | 18.64% |
South Australia | 37,253 | 9.50% | 22,687 | 9.80% | 59,940 | 9.61% | 9.71% |
Tasmania | 20,378 | 5.19% | 9,974 | 4.31% | 30,352 | 4.87% | 3.54% |
Victoria | 89,824 | 22.90% | 57,256 | 24.73% | 147,080 | 23.58% | 24.01% |
Western Australian | 32,510 | 8.29% | 19,093 | 8.25% | 51,603 | 8.27% | 8.42% |
Total | 392,312 | 100.00% | 231,549 | 100.00% | 623,861 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001; ABS Survey of Disability Ageing and Carers 1998, 4430.0.
1.4 Customers by Country of Birth
The majority of DSP customers were born in Australia (71.9%). The next largest group was those born in the United Kingdom (6.1%).
When compared with ABS migration data collected in 1996, countries such as Greece, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Lebanon and Malta are over-represented on DSP.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
COUNTRY OF BIRTH |
Males
|
%
|
Females
|
%
|
Total DSP
|
DSP % |
ABS 1996
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 276,527 | 70.48% | 171,941 | 74.25% | 448,468 | 71.88% | 76.74% |
UK (inc. Ireland) | 24,951 | 6.36% | 12,784 | 5.52% | 37,735 | 6.05% | 6.20% |
Greece | 10,258 | 2.61% | 5,374 | 2.32% | 15,632 | 2.51% | 0.77% |
Italy | 10,121 | 2.58% | 4,322 | 1.87% | 14,443 | 2.31% | 1.42% |
Former Yugoslavia | 10,120 | 2.58% | 4,517 | 1.95% | 14,637 | 2.35% | 1.05% |
New Zealand | 5,447 | 1.39% | 3,306 | 1.43 | 8,753 | 1.40% | 1.72% |
Lebanon | 5,949 | 1.52% | 2,266 | 0.98% | 8,215 | 1.32% | 0.42% |
Malta | 4,558 | 1.16% | 1,496 | 0.65% | 6,054 | 0.97% | 0.30% |
Turkey | 3,320 | 0.85% | 2,400 | 1.04% | 5,720 | 0.92% | N/A |
Other | 41,103 | 10.48% | 23,166 | 10.00% | 64,269 | 10.30% | 11.23% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001; ABS Migration 3412.0, 1997-1998.
1.5 Customers by Marital Status and Gender
The majority of DSP customers are unmarried (61.4%) with females more likely to be unmarried then males (70.5% of the female population unmarried, compared to 56.0% of males). Proportionally, males and females are similar in the defacto and single categories. Males are more likely to be married while females are more likely to be divorced, separated or widowed.
The higher percentages of divorced, separated and widowed women could be the result of a number of factors:
- Women who have separated from a spouse who was the main income earner which resulted in them having to seek income support;
- The closing off of payments such as Widow B pension; and
- The shorter lifespan of men increasing the probability of widowhood among women.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/200
MARITAL STATUS |
Males
|
%
|
Females
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Defacto | 14,184 | 3.62% | 8,280 | 3.58% | 22,464 | 3.60% |
Divorced | 17,247 | 4.40% | 23,216 | 10.03% | 40,463 | 6.49% |
Married | 158,482 | 40.39% | 60,015 | 25.92% | 218,497 | 35.02% |
Separated | 52,195 | 13.30% | 44,211 | 19.09% | 96,406 | 15.45% |
Single | 145,005 | 36.96% | 82,387 | 35.58% | 227,392 | 36.45% |
Widow | 5,241 | 1.34% | 13,463 | 5.81% | 18,704 | 3.00% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
1.6 Customers by Gender and Home Ownership
The majority of DSP customers do not own their home (62.6%). Males receiving DSP are marginally more likely to own a home than females.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
HOUSING STATUS |
Males
|
%
|
Females
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home owner | 149,444 | 38.09% | 79,239 | 34.22% | 228,683 | 36.65% |
Non homeowner | 239,929 | 61.15% | 150,493 | 64.99% | 390,422 | 62.58% |
Not coded | 2,981 | 0.76% | 1,840 | 0.79% | 4,821 | 0.77% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
1.7 Customers by Age and Home Ownership
DSP customers who own their own home (36.7%) tend to be skewed towards the older age groups with the 55+ age groups containing more homeowners then non-homeowners.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
AGE |
Home owner
|
%
|
Non home owner
|
%
|
Not coded
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16-19 | 86 | 0.04% | 15,302 | 3.92% | 5 | 0.10% | 15,393 | 2.47% |
20-24 | 345 | 0.15% | 23,599 | 6.04% | 31 | 0.64% | 23,975 | 3.84% |
25-29 | 1,291 | 0.56% | 27,667 | 7.09% | 47 | 0.97% | 29,005 | 4.65% |
30-34 | 3,503 | 1.53% | 33,459 | 8.57% | 90 | 1.87% | 37,052 | 5.94% |
35-39 | 7,507 | 3.28% | 40,082 | 10.27% | 148 | 3.07% | 47,737 | 7.65 |
40-44 | 13,818 | 6.04% | 46,276 | 11.85% | 271 | 5.62% | 60,365 | 9.68% |
45-49 | 22,072 | 9.65% | 49,501 | 12.68% | 494 | 10.25% | 72,067 | 11.55% |
50-54 | 40,183 | 17.57% | 55,499 | 14.22% | 905 | 18.77% | 96,587 | 15.48% |
55-59 | 65,617 | 28.69% | 56,517 | 14.48% | 1,335 | 27.69% | 123,469 | 19.79% |
60-64 | 72,622 | 31.76% | 41,178 | 10.55% | 1,471 | 30.51% | 115,271 | 18.48% |
65+ | 1,639 | 0.72% | 1,342 | 0.34% | 24 | 0.50% | 3,005 | 0.48% |
Total | 228,683 | 100.00% | 390,422 | 100.00% | 4,821 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
2:Medical Condition
2.1 Customers by Medical Condition
With the introduction of the DSP in 1991, the medical condition of customers was collected and recorded on their administrative file. Many of those customers who were already on payment have had their condition recorded or have left payment, although a significant number still have their medical condition unclassified (such as Invalid Pensioners who were granted prior to 12.11.91 who comprise 9% of the DSP population as at June 2001).
The medical conditions reported here represent the primary condition that is recorded on a customer's record. A customer may have multiple medical conditions but only the primary condition will be recorded.
The three largest groups are customers with Musculo-skeletal, Psychological/ Psychiatric or Intellectual/Learning medical conditions. 9,798 DSP customers are identified as being blind.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
2.2 Customers by Medical Condition and Gender
Males and females show a similar distribution of medical conditions. The only noticeable differences (ie. a greater than 3 percentage point difference) are in regards to Psychological/Psychiatric customers (25.3% female compared to 21.0% male) and those with circulatory conditions (6.7% male and 3.3% female).
There is also a greater percentage of males who were former Invalid Pension recipients 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.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
MEDICAL CONDITION |
Males
|
%
|
Females
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acquired brain impairment | 11,522 | 2.94% | 4,442 | 1.92% | 15,964 | 2.56% |
Amputation | 1,350 | 0.34% | 298 | 0.13% | 1,648 | 0.26% |
Cancer/tumour | 6,801 | 1.73% | 5,356 | 2.31% | 12,157 | 1.95% |
Chronic fatigue/post viral syndrome | 2,313 | 0.59% | 3,177 | 1.37% | 5,490 | 0.88% |
Congenital abnormality | 5,558 | 1.42% | 4,580 | 1.98% | 10,138 | 1.62% |
Chronic pain | 1,960 | 0.50% | 2,214 | 0.96% | 4,174 | 0.67% |
Circulatory system | 26,103 | 6.65% | 7,639 | 3.30% | 33,742 | 5.41% |
Endocrine and immune system | 8,464 | 2.16% | 5,241 | 2.26% | 13,705 | 2.20% |
Intellectual/learning | 36,453 | 9.29% | 26,715 | 11.54% | 63,168 | 10.12% |
Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue | 131,414 | 33.49% | 71,318 | 30.80% | 202,732 | 32.49% |
Nervous system | 10,454 | 2.66% | 8,816 | 3.81% | 19,270 | 3.09% |
Psychological/psychiatric | 82,312 | 20.98% | 58,653 | 25.33% | 140,965 | 22.59% |
Respiratory system | 11,937 | 3.04% | 7,219 | 3.12% | 19,156 | 3.07% |
Skin disorders and burns | 973 | 0.25% | 612 | 0.26% | 1,585 | 0.25% |
Sense organs | 8,451 | 2.15% | 5,445 | 2.35% | 13,896 | 2.23% |
Granted prior to 12.11.91 | 40,639 | 10.36% | 15,786 | 6.82% | 56,425 | 9.04% |
Visceral disorder | 5,438 | 1.39% | 3,873 | 1.67% | 9,311 | 1.49% |
Not coded | 212 | 0.05% | 188 | 0.08% | 400 | 0.06% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
2.3 Customers by Musculo-skeletal, Psychological/Psychiatric and Intellectual Medical Conditions
The age distribution for Musculo-skeletal customers is skewed strongly towards the older age groups. This indicates a strong correlation between this type of condition and age.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
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.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
Customers with Intellectual or Learning disabilities vary again in that they are skewed towards the younger age groups. The majority of these customers are born with their condition and may suffer a reduced lifespan that causes them to be grouped in the younger categories.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
A comparison of the age distributions of the total DSP population to customers granted in the 12 months to June 2001 shows that:
- new customers with musculo-skeletal conditions have similar age distributions to the overall DSP population with the same condition
- new customers with psychological/psychiatric conditions tend to be in the younger age groups (less than 45 years old) than is shown in the distribution across the overall DSP population with the same conditions, which shows a majority of customers aged over 45 years; and
- new customers with Intellectual/Learning difficulties show a higher proportion of young customers (less than 20 years) coming onto payment.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
3:Earnings, Payment Rates and Duration
3.1 Customers with Earnings from Employment
Only a small percentage of DSP customers have earnings related to work (9.1%). This has increased from 8.4% in June 2000.
The majority of customers have earnings in the lower income ranges. A small group of customers, comprising 18.0% of all those with earned income, earn in excess of $300 per week.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
Annual Earnings |
Male
|
Earned
only % |
Female
|
Earned
only % |
Total
|
Earned
only % |
Total %
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 357,296 | na | 209,575 | na | 566,871 | na | 90.86% |
$1 to $1,299 (<$25pw) | 5,155 | 14.70% | 3,760 | 17.09% | 8,915 | 15.63% | 1.43% |
$1,300 to $2,599 (<$50pw) | 6,601 | 18.83% | 4,373 | 19.88% | 10,974 | 19.23% | 1.76% |
$2,600 to $3,899 (<$75pw) | 4,774 | 13.62% | 2,811 | 12.78% | 7,585 | 13.29% | 1.22% |
$3,900 to $5,199 (<$100pw) | 3,220 | 9.18% | 1,594 | 7.25% | 4,814 | 8.44% | 0.77% |
$5,200 to $7,799 (<$150pw) | 3,440 | 9.81% | 2,281 | 10.37% | 5,721 | 10.03% | 0.92% |
$7,800 to $10,399 (<$200pw) | 2,028 | 5.78% | 1,448 | 6.58% | 3,476 | 6.09% | 0.56% |
$10,400 to $12,999 (<$250pw) | 1,671 | 4.77% | 1,230 | 5.59% | 2,901 | 5.08% | 0.46% |
$13,000 to $15,599 (<$300pw) | 1,387 | 3.96% | 1,014 | 4.61% | 2,401 | 4.21% | 0.38% |
$15,600 or more | 6,782 | 19.35% | 3,486 | 15.85% | 10,268 | 18.00% | 1.65% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
When comparing the characteristics of customers with earnings from employment to the characteristics of the overall DSP population it was found that:
- Single customers represented 50% of the customers with employment earnings but represented only 36% of the total DSP population.
- Customers with intellectual or learning disabilities represented 23% of customers with employment earnings but only represented 10% of the total DSP population. Even though this group was more likely to have employment earnings, the majority only had earnings of less than $75 per week.
- Customers aged less than 50 years were more likely to have earnings from employment than older customers. 64% of customers aged less than 50 years had employment earnings but only represented 48% of the total population.
3.2 Customers with Maximum/Reduced Rates of Payment
The majority of DSP recipients (82.7%) receive a full rate of pension. Customers may be receiving a part rate of payment due to:
- their income;
- partner income;
- repaying a debt; or
- repaying an advance.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
MAX RATE IND. |
Male
|
%
|
Female
|
%
|
Count
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum rate | 324,985 | 82.83% | 190,854 | 82.42% | 515,839 | 82.68% |
Reduced rate | 67,369 | 17.17% | 40,718 | 17.58% | 108,087 | 17.32% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
3.3 Customers by Current Duration on Payment and Gender
The distribution of duration on payment shows that the largest category is customers who have been continuously receiving DSP for 4 to 5 years, representing 15.2% of all DSP recipients. A third (33.4%) of DSP recipients have been on payment for 2 years or less.
Over half of the customers receiving DSP have been in continuous receipt of payment for 5 years or less. There is also a significant proportion of customers who have been in continuous receipt of DSP for 6 to 10 years (22% of all DSP customers).
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
Duration |
Male
|
%
|
Female
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
< 1 year | 49,121 | 12.52% | 29,160 | 12.59% | 78,281 | 12.55% |
1 year | 42,539 | 10.84% | 27,690 | 11.96% | 70,229 | 11.26% |
2 years | 36,275 | 9.25% | 23,776 | 10.27% | 60,051 | 9.62% |
3 years | 30,985 | 7.90% | 20,029 | 8.65% | 51,014 | 8.18% |
4 to 5 years | 59,759 | 15.23% | 34,816 | 15.03% | 94,575 | 15.16% |
6 to 7 years | 43,362 | 11.05% | 23,355 | 10.09% | 66,717 | 10.69 |
8 to 9 years | 35,793 | 9.12% | 18,375 | 7.93% | 54,168 | 8.68% |
10 years | 11,729 | 2.99% | 6,113 | 2.64% | 17,842 | 2.86% |
11 to 15 years | 35,280 | 8.99% | 18,564 | 8.02% | 53,844 | 8.63% |
16 to 20 years | 20,732 | 5.28% | 10,940 | 4.72% | 31,672 | 5.08% |
> 20 years | 20,732 | 6.83% | 18,754 | 8.10% | 45,533 | 7.30% |
Total | 392,354 | 100.00% | 231,572 | 100.00% | 623,926 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
3.4 Customers by Current Duration on Payment and Gender with a 50 Year Age Split
DSP customers aged 50 years or over make up just over half of the total DSP population. DSP customers over 50 years tend to have been on payment for longer periods than customers aged less than 50 years.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
<50 yrs
|
50+ yrs
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duration |
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
% of total <50 yrs
|
Male
|
Female | Total |
% of total 50+ yrs
|
< 1 year | 26,004 | 16,129 | 42,133 | 14.75% | 23,117 | 13,031 | 36,148 | 10.68% |
1 year | 21,219 | 14,665 | 35,884 | 12.56% | 21,320 | 13,025 | 34,345 | 10.15% |
2 years | 16,446 | 11,640 | 28,086 | 9.83% | 19,829 | 12,136 | 31,965 | 9.45% |
3 years | 13,615 | 9,616 | 23,231 | 8.13% | 17,370 | 10,413 | 27,783 | 8.21% |
4 to 5 years | 22,905 | 15,679 | 38,584 | 13.51% | 36,854 | 19,137 | 55,991 | 16.55% |
6 to 7 years | 16,521 | 10,714 | 27,235 | 9.54% | 26,841 | 12,641 | 39,482 | 11.67% |
8 to 9 years | 14,205 | 8,349 | 22,554 | 7.90% | 21,588 | 10,026 | 31,614 | 9.34% |
10 years | 4,736 | 2,825 | 7,561 | 2.65% | 6,993 | 3,288 | 10,281 | 3.04% |
11 to 15 years | 14,042 | 9,339 | 23,381 | 8.19% | 21,238 | 9,225 | 30,463 | 9.00% |
16 to 20 years | 8,879 | 6,389 | 15,268 | 5.35% | 11,853 | 4,551 | 16,404 | 4.85% |
> 20 years | 11,823 | 9,854 | 21,677 | 7.59% | 14,956 | 8,900 | 23,856 | 7.05% |
Total | 170,395 | 115,199 | 285,594 | 100.00% | 221,959 | 116,373 | 338,332 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
4:New Claims
4.1 New Grants by Age and Gender
There were 78,281 new grants of DSP during the year to 1 June 2001. New grants comprise 12.5% of the total DSP population. Males make up 62.7% of new grants for DSP while females comprise 37.3%. These proportions are similar to the percentage distribution of males and females in the overall DSP population. Females currently make up 37.1% of the total DSP population. The age distribution of new grants also shows more customers in the younger age groups than is found in the total DSP population.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
Age |
Male
|
%
|
Female
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16-19 | 3,145 | 6.40% | 1,965 | 6.74% | 5,110 | 6.53% |
20-24 | 2,394 | 4.87% | 1,965 | 4.16% | 3,608 | 4.61% |
25-29 | 2,787 | 5.67% | 1,519 | 5.21% | 4,306 | 5.50% |
30-34 | 3,596 | 7.32% | 1,749 | 6.00% | 5,345 | 6.83% |
35-39 | 4,387 | 8.93% | 2,185 | 7.49% | 6,572 | 8.40% |
40-44 | 4,737 | 9.64% | 3,321 | 11.39% | 8,058 | 10.29% |
45-49 | 4,958 | 10.09% | 4,176 | 14.32% | 9,134 | 11.67% |
50-54 | 6,147 | 12.51% | 5,356 | 18.37% | 11,503 | 14.69% |
55-59 | 8,205 | 16.70% | 6,027 | 20.67% | 14,232 | 18.18% |
60-64 | 8,614 | 17.54% | 1,644 | 5.64% | 10,258 | 13.10% |
65+ | 151 | 0.31% | 4 | 0.01% | 155 | 0.20% |
Total | 49,121 | 100.00% | 29,160 | 100.00% | 78,281 | 100.00% |
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
4.2 Comparison of New Grants and Current Customers by Medical Condition
The distributions of new grants and current customers by medical condition are very similar. A few notable exceptions are the slightly reduced percentage of new grants of customers with intellectual/learning disabilities and the increased number of new grants for customers with cancer, tumour or musculo-skeletal conditions.
When Invalid Pension ceased in November 1991, current customers were transferred to DSP. These customers did not have a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record. They are being progressively reviewed and ascribed a medical condition, but as at June 2001, approximately 9% of the DSP population was still comprised of ex-Invalid Pension customers without a medical condition recorded.
By including these customers when looking at medical conditions, it has the effect of reducing the percentages in the other categories. Therefore, ex-Invalid Pensioners have been excluded from this graph to provide a clearer picture of the relationship between current customers and new grants.
Source: Superstar Pensions Database 01/06/2001
MEDICAL CONDITION |
Male
|
%
|
Female
|
%
|
New Grants
|
%
|
Total customers
|
%
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acquired brain impairment | 1,306 | 2.69% | 442 | 1.52% | 1,748 | 2.25% | 15,964 | 2.82% |
Amputation | 159 | 0.33% | 39 | 0.13% | 198 | 0.26% | 1,648 | 0.29% |
Cancer/tumour | 2,001 | 4.12% | 1,434 | 4.95% | 3,435 | 4.43% | 12,157 | 2.14% |
Chronic fatigue/post viral syndrome | 393 | 0.81% | 562 | 1.94% | 955 | 1.23% | 5,490 | 0.97% |
Congenital abnormality | 417 | 0.86% | 324 | 1.12% | 741 | 0.96% | 10,138 | 1.79% |
Chronic pain | 408 | 0.84% | 441 | 1.52% | 849 | 1.09% | 4,174 | 0.74% |
Circulatory system | 3,696 | 7.61% | 1,175 | 4.05% | 4,871 | 6.28% | 33,742 | 5.95% |
Endocrine and immune system | 1,403 | 2.89% | 792 | 2.73% | 2,195 | 2.83% | 13,705 | 2.42% |
Intellectual/learning | 3,285 | 6.76% | 1,582 | 5.46% | 4,867 | 6.28% | 63,168 | 11.14% |
Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue | 18,600 | 38.29% | 11,177 | 38.56% | 29,777 | 38.39% | 202,732 | 35.75% |
Nervous system | 1,178 | 2.43% | 997 | 3.44% | 2,175 | 2.80% | 19,270 | 3.40% |
Psychological/psychiatric | 12,306 | 25.33% | 7,879 | 27.18% | 20,185 | 26.03% | 140,965 | 24.86% |
Respiratory system | 1,664 | 3.43% | 966 | 3.33% | 2,630 | 3.39% | 19,156 | 3.38% |
Skin disorders and burns | 136 | 0.28% | 97 | 0.33% | 233 | 0.30% | 1,585 | 0.28% |
Sense organs | 964 | 1.98% | 616 | 2.13% | 1,580 | 2.04% | 13,896 | 2.45% |
Visceral disorder | 658 | 1.35% | 462 | 1.59% | 1,120 | 1.44% | 9,311 | 1.64% |
Total | 48,574 | 100.00% | 28,985 | 100.00% | 77,559 | 100.00% | 567,101 | 100.00% |
*Excludes customers granted prior to 12/11/91 and customers whose medical condition is not coded.
5:Where DSP Customers Are Coming From And Going To
5.1 Where DSP customers are coming from
The largest group of people entering DSP are those who were not previously receiving an income support payment. These comprise 44.8% of new clients on payment. The next largest source of DSP customers is transfers from Newstart Allowance with 34.4% of new customers, followed by Parenting Payment (both Single and Partnered) with 5.6% of new DSP customers. A large group of customers (15.3%) have their origins from a range of other payments such as Youth Allowance, Carer Payment and Special Benefit although the numbers from each payment are small.
It should be noted that figures for customer transfers do not exactly match those for new grants and cancellations due to the different business rules used in extracting these data sets.
Source: Information Strategies Branch, FaCSOrigin |
Count
|
%
|
---|---|---|
Non Client | 34,554 | 44.76% |
Newstart Allowance | 26,543 | 34.38% |
Parenting Payments | 4,314 | 5.59% |
Sickness Allowance | 1,736 | 2.25% |
Youth Allowance | 1,825 | 2.36% |
Other payments | 8,227 | 10.66% |
Total | 77,199 | 100.00% |
Source: Information Strategies Branch, FaCS
5.2 Where DSP customers are going to
The majority of customers who were on DSP in June 2000 but were not on DSP in June2001 moved on to Age Pension (58.3%). As customers reach Age Pension eligibility age the vast majority transfer across although a small percentage of customers choose to remain on DSP. A further 19.1% of customers left payments entirely. A substantial proportion (18.2%) of exits from DSP was because of the death of the customer.
Source: Information Strategies Branch, FaCS
Destination |
Count
|
%
|
---|---|---|
Age Pension | 30,028 | 58.30% |
Non Client | 9,814 | 19.05% |
Deceased | 9,397 | 18.24% |
Other payments | 2,268 | 4.40% |
Total | 51,507 | 100.00% |
Source: Information Strategies Branch, FaCS
Last updated: