Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Recipients 2009

 

Table of Contents

  1. Population characteristics
  2. Primary medical condition
  3. Earnings and income support duration
  4. Finalised claims
  5. Where DSP recipients are coming from and going to

Introduction

This report has been published annually since 2001 and provides the characteristics of the population of Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients.

What’s new, what’s different?

The 2009 report has been significantly changed to highlight key trends over time.  The changes include:

  • more historical information in tables and figures; and
  • redesigned tables and figures.

Who is the Disability Support Pension for?

DSP is designed to give people an adequate means of support if they are unable to work for at least 15 hours per week at or above the relevant minimum wage, independent of a program of support, due to a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for DSP a person must be 16 years or over and be under age pension age at the time of claim (as at June 2009 – 63.5 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);
  • be unable to do any work of at least 15 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.

Notes

  • The information contained in this report has been sourced from Centrelink Administrative Data as at 26 June 2009 and previous editions of this report. If an alternative source of data has been used it has been noted.
  • Where items have been grouped, resulting percentages may not be equal to the sum of the constituent figures due to rounding.
  • All Figures in this report are a graphical representation of the data contained in the associated table immediately above each figure.

Highlights

DSP population

At June 2009, the DSP population was 757,118, an increase of 3.4 percent over the June 2008 population of 732,367.  Over the same period the growth in the Australian population was 2.1 percent.

DSP by sex

As at June 2009 there were 422,290 male and 334,828 female DSP recipients.  Between June 2008 and June 2009, females showed greater percentage growth than males.  Female recipient numbers increased by 5.0 percent over that year, while the number of men receiving DSP rose by 2.1 percent.

The trend for the number of women receiving DSP to grow at a faster rate than men has emerged over the last 15 years.  Since the 1990s there have been a number of policy changes that have affected women including:

  • a gradual increase in the qualifying age for Age Pension;
  • the closure to new entrants of alternative payments received primarily or solely by women (for example, Wife Pension, Widow B Pension and Partner Allowance); and
  • a tightening of the eligibility criteria for Parenting Payment as part of the Welfare to Work changes.

DSP by primary medical condition

The primary medical conditions of the DSP population are primarily represented by three main categories:

  • Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue – 30.0 percent;
  • Psychological/psychiatric – 28.2 percent; and
  • Intellectual/learning – 11.4 percent.

Since 2004 the proportion of recipients reporting against the Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue category has been falling while the proportions for Psychological/psychiatric and Intellectual/learning have been rising since 2001.

Claims processed

There were 134,654 DSP claims processed between 27 June 2008 and 26 June 2009, with 86,830 grants (64.5 percent) and 47,824 rejections (35.5 percent).  The overall grant rate1 rose from 63.0 percent in 2006-07 to 64.5 percent in 2008-09.

From age 20 the grant rate rises as the age of the claimant increases.  From the age of 30 females have a higher grant rate in all age ranges.

In 2008-09, rejections on medical grounds accounted for 68.3 percent of rejections and rejections for non-medical reasons were 31.7 percent of rejections.

The main reason for rejection (48.8 percent) was that the claimant was allocated less than 20 points under the Impairment Tables.

There has been change in the reason claims were rejected in the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.  The proportion of rejections because the claimant’s impairment was less than 20 points against the Impairment Tables was the reason for 27.7 percent of rejections in 2006-07.  In 2008-09 that proportion had risen to 48.8 percent.

Over the same period the proportion of rejections because the claimant’s disability was of a short-term nature fell, from 28.6 percent to 9.2 percent.

Entrants to DSP

At June 2009, there were 80,909 DSP recipients who were not receiving DSP in June 2008.  Of these ‘new entrants’ 2 to DSP, 47.0 percent were not in receipt of another income support payment in June 2008 and 53.0 percent were income support recipients, with 36.6 percent on Newstart Allowance at June 2008.

Exits from DSP

At June 2009, there were 56,158 ‘exits’ from DSP (ie people who were receiving DSP in June 2008 but were no longer receiving DSP as at June 2009).  Of these exits, transfers to Age Pension accounted for 60.6 percent and movement off income support payments (including deceased recipients) accounted for 35.6 percent.

From 2002 to 2007 the proportion of exits from DSP to Age Pension fell from 54.8 percent to 51.0 percent.  However, in 2008-2009 this increased to 54.5 percent.

1. Population characteristics

1.1 Population and growth

Table 1 details the DSP population and annual growth for the years from 1972 to 2009 by sex.

Table 1 – DSP population and growth by sex – June 1972 to June 2009
Year SEX Total
  Female Male
  No. Change % of total No. Change % of total No. Change Annual
growth
(%)
1972 61,685   44.4 77,133   55.6 138,818    
1973 64,304 2,619 43.0 85,305 8,172 57.0 149,609 10,791 7.8
1974 64,643 339 41.2 92,140 6,835 58.8 156,783 7,174 4.8
1975 65,967 1,324 39.1 102,817 10,677 60.9 168,784 12,001 7.7
1976 67,669 1,702 36.8 116,118 13,301 63.2 183,787 15,003 8.9
1977 69,754 2,085 34.4 133,209 17,091 65.6 202,963 19,176 10.4
1978 67,699 -2,055 33.0 137,245 4,036 67.0 204,944 1,981 1.0
1979 70,084 2,385 31.9 149,759 12,514 68.1 219,843 14,899 7.3
1980 70,892 808 30.9 158,327 8,568 69.1 229,219 9,376 4.3
1981 68,062 -2,830 30.7 153,889 -4,438 69.3 221,951 -7,268 -3.2
1982 65,503 -2,559 30.2 151,146 -2,743 69.8 216,649 -5,302 -2.4
1983 64,617 -886 29.3 155,672 4,526 70.7 220,289 3,640 1.7
1984 67,511 2,894 28.1 173,063 17,391 71.9 240,574 20,285 9.2
1985 70,449 2,938 27.2 188,713 15,650 72.8 259,162 18,588 7.7
1986 72,912 2,463 26.6 200,898 12,185 73.4 273,810 14,648 5.7
1987 75,760 2,848 26.2 213,290 12,392 73.8 289,050 15,240 5.6
1988 77,745 1,985 26.2 219,168 5,878 73.8 296,913 7,863 2.7
1989 80,510 2,765 26.2 227,285 8,117 73.8 307,795 10,882 3.7
1990 83,462 2,952 26.4 233,251 5,966 73.6 316,713 8,918 2.9
1991 89,535 6,073 26.8 244,699 11,448 73.2 334,234 17,521 5.5
1992 104,861 15,326 27.7 273,697 28,998 72.3 378,558 44,324 13.3
1993 115,101 10,240 28.3 291,471 17,774 71.7 406,572 28,014 7.4
1994 127,111 12,010 29.1 309,123 17,652 70.9 436,234 29,662 7.3
1995 139,758 12,647 30.1 324,672 15,549 69.9 464,430 28,196 6.5
1996 158,979 19,221 31.8 340,256 15,584 68.2 499,235 34,805 7.5
1997 174,907 15,928 33.2 352,607 12,351 66.8 527,514 28,279 5.7
1998 191,797 16,890 34.7 361,539 8,932 65.3 553,336 25,822 4.9
1999 204,342 12,545 35.4 373,340 11,801 64.6 577,682 24,346 4.4
2000 219,929 15,587 36.5 382,351 9,011 63.5 602,280 24,598 4.3
2001 231,572 11,643 37.1 392,354 10,003 62.9 623,926 21,646 3.6
2002 252,022 20,450 38.2 406,893 14,539 61.8 658,915 34,989 5.6
2003 260,557 8,535 38.7 412,777 5,884 61.3 673,334 14,419 2.2
2004 277,913 17,356 39.9 418,829 6,052 60.1 696,742 23,408 3.5
2005 286,709 8,796 40.6 420,073 1,244 59.4 706,782 10,040 1.4
2006 296,545 9,836 41.6 415,618 -4,455 58.4 712,163 5,381 0.8
2007 301,123 4,578 42.2 413,033 -2,585 57.8 714,156 1,993 0.3
2008 318,883 17,760 43.5 413,484 451 56.5 732,367 18,211 2.6
2009 334,828 15,945 44.2 422,290 8,806 55.8 757,118 24,751 3.4

As at June 2009, the number of people receiving DSP was 757,118.  The number of DSP recipients grew by 24,751 (3.4 percent) between June 2008 and June 2009.

At June 2009 males represented 55.8 percent of the DSP population and females 44.2 percent.  The female population increased by 5.0 percent between June 2008 and June 2009, while the male population increased by 2.1 percent.

Figure 1 shows overall trends in population by sex and growth in the years from June 1972 to June 2009.

Figure 1 –DSP population and growth – June 1972 to June 2009

Figure 1 – DSP population and growth – June 1972 to June 2009

The rate of growth in the DSP population fell from over 13 percent in the mid 1990s to a low of 0.3 percent in 2006-2007 and has since been rising.  The most recent yearly growth rate from 2008 to 2009 is 3.4 percent.

Much of the recent increase in the DSP population has been in the growth in the number of female recipients who account for 64.4 percent of the 24,751 additional recipients from 2008 to 2009.

1.2 Age

Table 2 details the DSP recipient population as at June 2009 by age range and sex.

Table 2 – Recipients by age range and sex – June 2009
Age range (years) SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
16-19 7,094 2.1 11,320 2.7 18,414 2.4
20-24 12,459 3.7 17,201 4.1 29,660 3.9
25-29 14,154 4.2 19,751 4.7 33,905 4.5
30-34 16,150 4.8 23,038 5.5 39,188 5.2
35-39 23,013 6.9 31,398 7.4 54,411 7.2
40-44 29,261 8.7 38,621 9.1 67,882 9.0
45-49 41,082 12.3 48,831 11.6 89,913 11.9
50-54 52,982 15.8 55,841 13.2 108,823 14.4
55-59 66,911 20.0 68,520 16.2 135,431 17.9
60-64 67,945 20.3 97,924 23.2 165,869 21.9
65 and over 3,777 1.1 9,845 2.3 13,622 1.8
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

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Figure 2 shows the proportion of DSP recipients by age range and sex as at June 2009.

Figure 2 – Recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

Figure 2 – Recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

The number of DSP recipients in each age range increases up to Age Pension age.  In the 50 to 59 age range the proportion of recipients by sex is nearly even with females accounting for 49.1 percent of the total.  For the 16 to 49 age range only 43.0 percent are female.

As at June 2009, over half (56.0 percent) of all DSP recipients were over 50 years old and 1.8 percent aged over 65.

Table 3 details the number and proportion of DSP recipients by age range for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Table 3 – Recipients by age range – June 2001 to June 2009
  AGE RANGE (YEARS) Total
Year 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 & over
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 39,368 6.3 66,057 10.6 108,102 17.3 168,654 27.0 238,740 38.3 3,005 0.5 623,926
2002 41,976 6.4 68,679 10.4 113,055 17.2 174,195 26.4 257,552 39.1 3,458 0.5 658,915
2003 42,748 6.3 70,132 10.4 114,719 17.0 177,055 26.3 263,525 39.1 5,155 0.8 673,334
2004 44,761 6.4 71,541 10.3 117,134 16.8 182,500 26.2 274,768 39.4 6,038 0.9 696,742
2005 46,017 6.5 71,891 10.2 117,819 16.7 185,823 26.3 278,862 39.5 6,370 0.9 706,782
2006 46,222 6.5 70,889 10.0 117,256 16.5 185,514 26.0 285,098 40.0 7,184 1.0 712,163
2007 46,013 6.4 70,198 9.8 116,629 16.3 187,529 26.3 284,539 39.8 9,248 1.3 714,156
2008 46,144 6.3 70,443 9.6 118,298 16.2 191,241 26.1 295,570 40.4 10,671 1.5 732,367
2009 48,074 6.3 73,093 9.7 122,293 16.2 198,736 26.2 301,300 39.8 13,622 1.8 757,118

Figure 3 shows the proportion of DSP recipients in each age range for the years 2001 to 2009.

Figure 3 – Recipients by age range - 2001 to 2009

Figure 3 – Recipients by age range - 2001 to 2009

From June 2001 to June 2009 the age profile of DSP recipients has changed.  With the exception of the 16 to 24 age range, which has remained steady at around 6.4 percent, the proportion of DSP recipients aged under 55 has consistently fallen while the proportion over 55 has risen.

As at June 2001, 38.7 percent of recipients were aged 55 and over, by June 2009 that proportion had risen to 41.6 percent.

Table 4 details the number and proportion of DSP recipients by sex and whether they were under or over 55 years old for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Table 4 – Recipients aged over/under 55 by sex - June 2001 to June 2009

Table 4 – Recipients aged over/under 55 by sex - June 2001 to June 2009 12
Year UNDER 55 55 & OVER Total
Female Male Total Female Male Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 159,233 25.5 222,948 35.7 382,181 61.3 72,339 11.6 169,406 27.2 241,745 38.7 623,926
2002 166,867 25.3 231,038 35.1 397,905 60.4 85,155 12.9 175,855 26.7 261,010 39.6 658,915
2003 169,770 25.2 234,884 34.9 404,654 60.1 90,787 13.5 177,893 26.4 268,680 39.9 673,334
2004 175,243 25.2 240,693 34.5 415,936 59.7 102,670 14.7 178,136 25.6 280,806 40.3 696,742
2005 178,667 25.3 242,883 34.4 421,550 59.6 108,042 15.3 177,190 25.1 285,232 40.4 706,782
2006 179,037 25.1 240,844 33.8 419,881 59.0 117,508 16.5 174,774 24.5 292,282 41.0 712,163
2007 180,813 25.3 239,556 33.5 420,369 58.9 120,310 16.8 173,477 24.3 293,787 41.1 714,156
2008 186,768 25.5 239,358 32.7 426,126 58.2 132,115 18.0 174,126 23.8 306,241 41.8 732,367
2009 196,195 25.9 246,001 32.5 442,196 58.4 138,633 18.3 176,289 23.3 314,922 41.6 757,118
                           

Figure 4 shows the change in the proportion of DSP recipients aged 55 and over by sex for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Figure 4 – Recipients aged 55 and over by sex – June 2001 to June 2009

Figure 4 – Recipients aged 55 and over by sex – June 2001 to June 2009

The overall proportion of DSP recipients who were age 55 and over at the date of data extraction rose slightly between June 2001 and June 2009.  However, the gender mix of that cohort has changed.  The proportion of male DSP recipients 55 years and over was 27.2 percent of the total DSP population in June 2001 but by June 2009 that percentage had fallen to 23.3 percent.  Conversely, the proportion of female DSP recipients aged 55 and over was 11.6 percent of the total DSP population in June 2001 but this had increased to 18.3 percent in June 2009.

The male DSP population aged 55 and over fell between June 2004 and June 2007 (from 178,136 to 173,477).  However it has since increased to 176,289 as at June 2009.

1.3 State/Territory

Table 5 details the number and proportion of DSP recipients by State or Territory of residence as at June 2009.

Table 5 – Recipients by State/Territory – June 2009
State / Territory SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
New South Wales 106,048 31.7 136,832 32.4 242,880 32.1
Victoria 85,352 25.5 99,266 23.5 184,618 24.4
Queensland 62,068 18.5 82,360 19.5 144,428 19.1
South Australia 32,185 9.6 39,993 9.5 72,178 9.5
Western Australia 26,786 8.0 33,020 7.8 59,806 7.9
Tasmania 11,399 3.4 14,691 3.5 26,090 3.4
Northern Territory 3,548 1.1 4,733 1.1 8,281 1.1
ACT 3,472 1.0 3,849 0.9 7,321 1.0
Not Coded/IOB 3,970 1.2 7,546 1.8 11,516 1.5
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

IOB is the Centrelink International Operations Branch which manages the administration of payments to Centrelink customers who are overseas.

Figure 5 shows the proportion of DSP recipients by State or Territory of residence and sex as at June 2009.

Figure 5 – Recipients by State/Territory and sex – June 2009

Figure 5 – Recipients by State/Territory and sex – June 2009

As expected, the majority of DSP recipients resided in the more populous Australian states.  New South Wales was the largest with 32.1 percent of the DSP population, while the Australian Capital Territory was the smallest with 1.0 percent.

1.4 Country of birth

Table 6 details the top 10 countries of birth of DSP recipients as at June 2009 by sex.

Table 6 – Recipients by top 10 countries of birth – June 2009
Country of Birth SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Australia 246,074 73.5 316,289 74.9 562,363 74.3
UK (incl Ireland/Eire) 17,377 5.2 22,954 5.4 40,331 5.3
New Zealand 5,848 1.7 7,122 1.7 12,970 1.7
Lebanon 4,636 1.4 6,253 1.5 10,889 1.4
Yugoslavia 4,482 1.3 5,757 1.4 10,239 1.4
Greece 4,899 1.5 5,627 1.3 10,526 1.4
Italy 4,686 1.4 5,469 1.3 10,155 1.3
Vietnam 3,721 1.1 4,520 1.1 8,241 1.1
Turkey 3,157 0.9 2,878 0.7 6,035 0.8
Malta 1,815 0.5 3,563 0.8 5,378 0.7
Other 38,133 11.4 41,858 9.9 79,991 10.6
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

Figure 6 shows the proportion of DSP recipients born outside Australia as at June 2009 by country of birth and sex.

Figure 6 – Recipients by top 10 countries of birth (excl. Australia) – June 2009

Figure 6 – Recipients by top 10 countries of birth (excl. Australia) – June 2009

Over 74 per cent of DSP recipients were born in Australia.  The second largest group of DSP recipients were born in the United Kingdom (5.3 percent).  

Table 7 details the number and proportion of DSP recipients by whether they were born in Australia or overseas for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Table 7 – Recipients by country of birth – Australia/other – June 2001 to June 2009
Year AUSTRALIAN BORN BORN OVERSEAS Total
Female Male Total Female Male Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 171,941 27.6 276,527 44.3 448,468 71.9 59,631 9.6 115,827 18.6 175,458 28.1 623,926
2002 187,296 28.4 289,169 43.9 476,465 72.3 64,726 9.8 117,724 17.9 182,450 27.7 658,915
2003 193,877 28.8 295,432 43.9 489,309 72.7 66,680 9.9 117,345 17.4 184,025 27.3 673,334
2004 205,852 29.5 302,417 43.4 508,269 72.9 72,061 10.3 116,412 16.7 188,473 27.1 696,742
2005 212,093 30.0 305,951 43.3 518,044 73.3 74,616 10.6 114,122 16.1 188,738 26.7 706,782
2006 219,102 30.8 304,828 42.8 523,930 73.6 77,443 10.9 110,790 15.6 188,233 26.4 712,163
2007 222,369 31.1 304,696 42.7 527,065 73.8 78,754 11.0 108,337 15.2 187,091 26.2 714,156
2008 234,264 32.0 307,248 42.0 541,512 73.9 84,619 11.6 106,236 14.5 190,855 26.1 732,367
2009 246,074 32.5 316,289 41.8 562,363 74.3 88,754 11.7 106,001 14.0 194,755 25.7 757,118

Figure 7 shows the proportion of Australian born DSP recipients between June 2001 and June 2009 by sex.

Figure 7 – Australian born by sex – June 2001 to June 2009

Figure 7 – Australian born by sex – June 2001 to June 2009

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In June 2001, the majority of DSP recipients (71.9 percent - 27.6 percent females and 44.3 percent males) were Australian-born.  By June 2009, the percentage of DSP recipients who were Australian born had risen to 74.3 percent – 32.5 percent female and 41.8 percent male.

Although the number of male DSP recipients has risen by 7.6 percent from 2001 to 2009 (see Table 1), the number and proportion of male recipients born overseas has fallen from 115,827 (18.6 percent) as at June 2001 to 106,001 (14.0 percent) as at June 2009.

1.5 Relationship status

Table 8 details the DSP population as at June 2009 by relationship status and sex.

Table 8 – Recipients by relationship status and sex – June 2009
Relationship status SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Married 88,716 26.5 121,707 28.8 210,423 27.8
Defacto 17,484 5.2 21,560 5.1 39,044 5.2
Single 109,478 32.7 178,498 42.3 287,976 38.0
Separated 71,305 21.3 74,974 17.8 146,279 19.3
Divorced 31,566 9.4 20,033 4.7 51,599 6.8
Widowed 16,279 4.9 5,518 1.3 21,797 2.9
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

Figure 8 shows the proportion of DSP recipients as at June 2009 by relationship status and sex.

Figure 8 – Recipients by relationship status and sex – June 2009

Figure 8 – Recipients by relationship status and sex – June 2009

As at June 2009 the majority of DSP recipients (67.1 percent), were non-partnered and 32.9 percent were partnered either in married or de facto relationships.

Males are ten percent more likely to be single (42.3 percent) than females (32.7 percent); while females are more heavily represented in the divorced, separated or widowed categories.

Table 9 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients who were partnered and non-partnered by sex for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Table 9 – Recipients by relationship status – June 2001 to June 2009
Year PARTNERED NOT PARTNERED Total
Female Male Total Female Male Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 68,295 10.9 172,666 27.7 240,961 38.6 163,277 26.2 219,688 35.2 382,965 61.4 623,926
2002 76,446 11.6 174,574 26.5 251,020 38.1 175,576 26.6 232,319 35.3 407,895 61.9 658,915
2003 79,555 11.8 172,098 25.6 251,653 37.4 181,002 26.9 240,679 35.7 421,681 62.6 673,334
2004 86,203 12.4 168,389 24.2 254,592 36.5 191,710 27.5 250,440 35.9 442,150 63.5 696,742
2005 89,363 12.6 162,936 23.1 252,299 35.7 197,346 27.9 257,137 36.4 454,483 64.3 706,782
2006 93,861 13.2 156,793 22.0 250,654 35.2 202,684 28.5 258,825 36.3 461,509 64.8 712,163
2007 95,458 13.4 150,408 21.1 245,866 34.4 205,665 28.8 262,625 36.8 468,290 65.6 714,156
2008 101,594 13.9 145,861 19.9 247,455 33.8 217,289 29.7 267,623 36.5 484,912 66.2 732,367
2009 106,200 14.0 143,267 18.9 249,467 32.9 228,628 30.2 279,023 36.9 507,651 67.1 757,118

Figure 9 shows the percentage of partnered recipients by sex for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Figure 9 – Recipients by relationship status – June 2001 to June 2009

Figure 9 – Recipients by relationship status – June 2001 to June 2009

In June 2001, partnered recipients accounted for 38.6 percent of the DSP recipient population (with 10.9 percent female and 27.7 percent male).  Over the years to June 2009, that figure fell to 32.9 percent (with 14.0 percent female and 18.9 percent male).

Although the number of male DSP recipients has risen by 7.6 percent from 2001 to 2009 (see Table 1), the number of male recipients who are partnered has fallen from 172,666 as at June 2001 to 143,267 as at June 2009, a fall of 17.0 percent.

At the same time the number of partnered females has risen by 55.5 percent while the number of females overall has risen 44.6 percent.

1.6 Home ownership

Table 10 details the June 2009 DSP recipient population by homeownership status and sex.  Homeowners are recipients who own or are buying a home.

Table 10 – Recipients by homeownership status and sex – June 2009
Relationship status SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Homeowner 114,761 34.3 127,767 30.3 242,528 32.0
Non-homeowner* 220,067 65.7 294,523 69.7 514,590 68.0
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

* Includes unknown status

Figure 10 shows the proportion of DSP recipients by homeownership status and sex as at June 2009.

Figure 10 – Recipients by homeownership status and sex - 2009

Figure 10 – Recipients by homeownership status and sex - 2009

As at June 2009, the majority of DSP recipients (68.0 percent) were non-homeowners.  A higher proportion of females receiving DSP own a home, than males (34.3 percent compared to 30.3 percent).

Table 11 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients who were homeowners by sex for the years from June 2002 to June 2009.

Table 11 – Recipients by sex by home ownership status – June 2001 to June 2009
Year FEMALE MALE TOTAL
Homeowner Non Home-owner* Homeowner Non Home-owner* Homeowner Non Home-owner*
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 79,239 34.2 152,333 65.8 149,444 38.1 242,910 61.9 228,683 36.7 395,243 63.3
2002 88,228 35.0 163,794 65.0 152,650 37.5 254,243 62.5 240,878 36.6 418,037 63.4
2003 90,753 34.8 169,804 65.2 151,369 36.7 261,408 63.3 242,122 36.0 431,212 64.0
2004 98,136 35.3 179,777 64.7 149,014 35.6 269,815 64.4 247,150 35.5 449,592 64.5
2005 100,733 35.1 185,976 64.9 144,802 34.5 275,271 65.5 245,535 34.7 461,247 65.3
2006 104,623 35.3 191,922 64.7 138,626 33.4 276,992 66.6 243,249 34.2 468,914 65.8
2007 104,088 34.6 197,035 65.4 133,437 32.3 279,596 67.7 237,525 33.3 476,631 66.7
2008 110,474 34.6 208,409 65.4 129,443 31.3 284,041 68.7 239,917 32.8 492,450 67.2
2009 114,761 34.3 220,067 65.7 127,767 30.3 294,523 69.7 242,528 32.0 514,590 68.0

* Includes unknown status

2001 data source: Pensions SuperCross database 1/6/01 – Centrelink administrative data

Figure 11 shows the homeownership rate of DSP recipients by sex for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Figure 11 – Homeownership rate by sex – June 2001 to June 2009

Figure 11 – Homeownership rate by sex – June 2001 to June 2009

In the years from June 2001 to June 2009 the homeownership rate for DSP recipients has fallen from 36.7 percent to 32.0 percent.  While the female homeownership rate has remained around 34 to 35 percent, the male homeownership rate has fallen from 38.1 percent in June 2001 to 30.3 percent in June 2009.

In June 2001 there were 149,444 male DSP recipients who were homeowners – 24.0 percent of the total DSP population.  By June 2009 this figure had fallen to 127,767 – 16.9 percent of the DSP recipient population.

1.7 Age and home ownership

Table 12 details the number and percentage of DSP recipient homeowners by age range as at June 2009.

Table 12 – Recipients by homeownership status and age range – June 2009
Year HOMEOWNERSHIP STATUS TOTAL
Homeowner Non Home-owner*
No. % No. % No. %
16-19 162 0.1 18,252 3.5 18,414 2.4
20-24 439 0.2 29,221 5.7 29,660 3.9
25-29 1,317 0.5 32,588 6.3 33,905 4.5
30-34 3,083 1.3 36,105 7.0 39,188 5.2
35-39 6,947 2.9 47,464 9.2 54,411 7.2
40-44 12,430 5.1 55,452 10.8 67,882 9.0
45-49 22,305 9.2 67,608 13.1 89,913 11.9
50-54 35,599 14.7 73,224 14.2 108,823 14.4
55-59 59,716 24.6 75,715 14.7 135,431 17.9
60-64 94,219 38.8 71,650 13.9 165,869 21.9
65 & over 6,311 2.6 7,311 1.4 13,622 1.8
Total 242,528 100.0 514,590 100.0 757,118 100.0

* Includes unknown status

Figure 12 shows the number of homeowners and non homeowners by age range as at June 2009.

Figure 12 - Recipients by homeownership status and age range – June 2009

Figure 12 - Recipients by homeownership status and age range – June 2009

Over half the DSP recipients who own their own home are over 50 years of age.  Only in the 60-64 age range are there more homeowners than non-homeowners.

2. Primary medical condition

2.1 Medical condition

Table 13 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients by sex and primary medical condition.

Table 13 – Recipients by sex and primary medical condition - June 2009
Primary medical condition SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Musculo-Skeletal & Connective Tissue 101,827 30.4 125,444 29.7 227,271 30.0
Psychological/Psychiatric 94,308 28.2 119,364 28.3 213,672 28.2
Intellectual/Learning 36,319 10.8 50,084 11.9 86,403 11.4
Circulatory System 11,422 3.4 24,451 5.8 35,873 4.7
Nervous System 18,076 5.4 17,733 4.2 35,809 4.7
Respiratory System 10,205 3.0 10,888 2.6 21,093 2.8
Sense Organs 9,204 2.7 11,032 2.6 20,236 2.7
Acquired Brain Impairment 5,295 1.6 12,635 3.0 17,930 2.4
Endocrine & Immune System 7,919 2.4 9,347 2.2 17,266 2.3
Cancer/Tumour 6,789 2.0 6,845 1.6 13,634 1.8
Granted Prior To 12/11/91 6,141 1.8 9,769 2.3 15,910 2.1
Congenital Anomalies 5,430 1.6 6,074 1.4 11,504 1.5
Chronic Pain 5,775 1.7 5,084 1.2 10,859 1.4
Poorly Defined Cause 6,735 2.0 2,682 0.6 9,417 1.2
Visceral Disorder 2,863 0.9 3,821 0.9 6,684 0.9
Gastro-Intestinal System 2,837 0.8 2,057 0.5 4,894 0.6
Urogenital System 1,736 0.5 1,878 0.4 3,614 0.5
Infectious Diseases 680 0.2 1,238 0.3 1,918 0.3
Amputation 291 0.1 1,206 0.3 1,497 0.2
Skin Disorder & Burns 292 0.1 352 0.1 644 0.1
Inherited Disorders 279 0.1 266 0.1 545 0.1
Reproductive System 391 0.1 16 0.0 407 0.1
Unknown 14 0.0 24 0.0 38 0.0
Total 334,828 100 422,290 100 757,118 100

 

Figure 13 shows the percentage of DSP recipients of each sex and total for the top five primary medical conditions.

Figure 13 – Recipients - top 5 primary medical conditions by sex – June 2009

Figure 13 – Recipients - top 5 primary  medical conditions by sex – June 2009

For both males and females, the most common medical categories were Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue and Psychological/psychiatric, followed by Intellectual/learning.

The distribution of primary medical conditions is very similar for both sexes.  The conditions with the largest differences are Circulatory system (over twice as many males as females – a 2.4 percentage point difference), Poorly defined cause (over two and a half times as many females as males - a 1.4 percentage point difference) and Acquired brain impairment (over twice as many males as females - a 1.4 percentage point difference).

Table 14 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients reported against the top five medical conditions and others for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Table 14 – Recipients by primary medical condition – top 5/other – June 2001 to June 2009
Year MEDICAL CONDITION Total
Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue Psychological / psychiatric Intellectual / learning Nervous system Circulatory system Other
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 202,732 32.5 140,965 22.6 63,168 10.1 19,270 3.1 33,742 5.4 164,049 26.3 623,926
2002 219,740 33.3 155,998 23.7 67,090 10.2 20,505 3.1 35,485 5.4 160,097 24.3 658,915
2003 226,989 33.7 166,040 24.7 70,747 10.5 21,538 3.2 35,654 5.3 152,366 22.6 673,334
2004 237,103 34.0 177,048 25.4 74,453 10.7 22,650 3.3 36,507 5.2 148,981 21.4 696,742
2005 239,723 33.9 185,351 26.2 77,854 11.0 23,266 3.3 36,313 5.1 144,275 20.4 706,782
2006 239,309 33.6 190,793 26.8 80,742 11.3 24,203 3.4 36,101 5.1 141,015 19.8 712,163
2007 228,134 31.9 195,059 27.3 80,260 11.2 30,927 4.3 35,461 5.0 144,315 20.2 714,156
2008 227,641 31.1 202,421 27.6 82,368 11.2 33,368 4.6 35,627 4.9 150,942 20.6 732,367
2009 227,271 30.0 213,672 28.2 86,403 11.4 35,809 4.7 35,873 4.7 158,090 20.9 757,118

 

Figure 14 shows the percentage of DSP recipients reported against the top three medical conditions for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Figure 14 – Recipients by top 3 primary medical conditions – June 2001 to June 2009

Figure 14 – Recipients by top 3 primary medical conditions – June 2001 to June 2009

As at June 2001 nearly two-thirds (65.2 percent) of DSP recipients had Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue, Psychological/psychiatric or Intellectual/learning as their primary medical condition.  By June 2009 that figure was 69.7 percent.  Of the three most common primary medical conditions, Psychological/psychiatric and Intellectual/learning have been increasing in incidence while Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue peaked at 34.0 percent of the recipient population in 2004 and has since had a decreasing representation.

Table 15 details the percentage of DSP recipients of each sex reported against the top five primary medical conditions (and others) for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Table 15 – Recipients by primary medical condition – top 5 and sex – June 2001 to June 2009
Year MEDICAL CONDITION
Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue Psychological / psychiatric Intellectual / learning Nervous system Circulatory system Other
%
Male
%
Female
%
Male
%
Female
%
Male
%
Female
%
Male
%
Female
%
Male
%
Female
%
Male
%
Female
2001 30.8 33.5 25.3 21.0 11.5 9.3 3.8 2.7 3.3 6.7 25.2 26.9
2002 32.0 34.2 26.0 22.3 11.3 9.5 3.8 2.7 3.4 6.6 23.7 24.7
2003 32.5 34.5 26.8 23.3 11.5 9.9 3.9 2.8 3.4 6.5 21.9 23.0
2004 33.4 34.5 27.0 24.3 11.3 10.3 3.9 2.8 3.5 6.4 20.9 21.7
2005 33.5 34.2 27.5 25.3 11.4 10.8 3.9 2.9 3.5 6.3 20.2 20.5
2006 33.6 33.6 27.7 26.1 11.4 11.3 4.0 3.0 3.6 6.1 19.7 19.9
2007 31.7 32.1 27.8 27.0 11.2 11.3 5.0 3.8 3.5 6.1 20.8 19.7
2008 31.3 30.9 27.8 27.5 10.9 11.5 5.2 4.1 3.5 5.9 21.4 20.0
2009 30.4 29.7 28.2 28.3 10.8 11.9 5.4 4.2 3.4 5.8 21.8 20.2

 

Figure 15 shows the percentage of DSP recipients of each sex for the top three medical conditions for the years from June 2001 to June 2009.

Figure 15 – Recipients by top 3 primary medical conditions and sex – June 2001 to June 2009

Figure 15 – Recipients by top 3 primary medical conditions and sex – June 2001 to June 2009

In the years from June 2001 to June 2009 there has been a change in the proportion of each sex with the top three medical conditions as their primary medical condition.  While the proportion of recipients with Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue recorded as their primary medical condition has been generally decreasing, that trend is more pronounced in the male population than the female.  Similarly, Psychological/ psychiatric has been increasing in proportion since 2001 and that trend is also occurring with male recipients.

The proportion of females with Intellectual/learning recorded as their primary medical condition has fallen from 11.5 percent in June 2001 to 10.8 percent in June 2009 – this is the opposite of the male recipient population where the proportion of males reporting against the category has risen from 9.3 percent in 2001 to 11.9 percent in 2009.

2.2 Top three primary medical conditions by age range and sex

Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue

Table 16 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients with Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue as their primary medical condition by age range and sex.

Table 16 – Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue recipients by age range and sex – June 2009
Age range (years) SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
16-24 840 0.8 825 0.7 1,665 0.7
25-34 2,494 2.4 3,134 2.5 5,628 2.5
35-44 8,926 8.8 13,049 10.4 21,975 9.7
45-54 27,644 27.1 32,807 26.2 60,451 26.6
55-64 60,398 59.3 71,914 57.3 132,312 58.2
65 & over 1,525 1.5 3,715 3.0 5,240 2.3
Total 101,827 100.0 125,444 100.0 227,271 100.0

 

Figure 16 shows the percentage of DSP recipients with Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue recorded as their primary medical condition by age range and sex.

Figure 16 – Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

Figure 16 – Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

The age distribution for recipients with a primary medical condition of Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue is skewed strongly towards the older age ranges.


Psychological/psychiatric

Table 17 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients with Psychological/psychiatric as their primary medical condition by age range and sex.

Table 17 – Psychological/psychiatric recipients by age range and sex – June 2009
Age range (years) SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
16-24 4,147 4.4 7,729 6.5 11,876 5.6
25-34 10,914 11.6 18,966 15.9 29,880 14.0
35-44 20,321 21.5 29,026 24.3 49,347 23.1
45-54 30,070 31.9 32,631 27.3 62,701 29.3
55-64 28,240 29.9 29,921 25.1 58,161 27.2
65 & over 616 0.7 1,091 0.9 1,707 0.8
Total 94,308 100.0 119,364 100.0 213,672 100.0

 

Figure 17 shows the percentage of DSP recipients with Psychological/psychiatric medical condition by age range and sex.

Figure 17 – Psychological/psychiatric recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

Figure 17 – Psychological/psychiatric recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

Psychological/psychiatric condition is the second most common primary medical condition recorded and, while more evenly distributed across age ranges than Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue conditions, also shows a high representation in the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 age ranges.

There is a difference in the proportion of DSP recipients with a Psychological/ psychiatric condition according to gender and whether they are aged over 45 years.  Females under 45 account for only 37.5 percent of all females with the condition; while for males with Psychological/psychiatric condition, 46.7 percent are under 45 years old.

Intellectual/learning

Table 18 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients with Intellectual/learning as their primary medical condition by age range and sex.

Table 18 – Intellectual/learning recipients by age range and sex – June 2009
Age range (years) SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
16-24 9,679 26.6 14,471 28.9 24,150 28.0
25-34 8,569 23.6 11,706 23.4 20,275 23.5
35-44 7,182 19.8 9,883 19.7 17,065 19.8
45-54 6,759 18.6 8,421 16.8 15,180 17.6
55-64 4,019 11.1 5,412 10.8 9,431 10.9
65 & over 111 0.3 191 0.4 302 0.3
Total 36,319 100.0 50,084 100.0 86,403 100.0

 

Figure 18 shows the percentage of DSP recipients with Intellectual/learning as their primary medical condition by age range and sex.

Figure 18 – Intellectual/learning recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

Figure 18 – Intellectual/learning recipients by age range and sex – June 2009

Recipients with intellectual/learning conditions are predominantly in the younger age ranges.

There are only slight differences in the age distribution by sex for recipients with a slightly higher proportion of males in the under 25 age ranges.

3. Earnings and income support duration

3.1 Earnings

Table 19 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients by their earnings declared in the fortnight prior to 26 June 2009 (the date of data extraction) and sex.

Table 19 – Recipients by earnings range and sex – fortnight to 26 June 2009
Earnings range SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Nil earnings 302,937 90.5 384,440 91.0 687,377 90.8
Less than $250 15,520 4.6 19,691 4.7 35,211 4.7
$250 to < $500 7,166 2.1 8,173 1.9 15,339 2.0
$500 to < $750 4,263 1.3 4,191 1.0 8,454 1.1
$750 to < $1,000 2,484 0.7 2,561 0.6 5,045 0.7
$1,000 to < $1,250 1,312 0.4 1,540 0.4 2,852 0.4
$1,250 to < $1,500 578 0.2 799 0.2 1,377 0.2
$1,500 and over 568 0.2 895 0.2 1,463 0.2
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

 

Figure 19 shows the percentage of DSP recipients of each sex by their earnings declared in the fortnight to 26 June 2009.

Figure 19 – Recipients by earnings range and sex – fortnight to 26 June 2009

Figure 19 – Recipients by earnings range and sex – fortnight to 26 June 2009

There were 69,741 DSP recipients (9.2 percent of all recipients) who declared earnings in the fortnight ending 26 June 2009.

Of those recipients who reported earnings, 50.5 percent reported earnings of less than $250.00 in the fortnight.  This is below the income free area for a couple.

A higher proportion of females declared earnings between $250 and $1250 in the fortnight than males (4.5 percent for females compared to 3.9 percent for males).

Back to top

Table 20 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients who reported earnings in the fortnight before the data extraction date, and those with no reported earnings, by sex for the years from 2007 to 2009.

Table 20 – Recipients with earnings/no earnings by sex – 2007 to 2009
Year WITH EARNINGS NO EARNINGS Total
Female Male Total Female Male Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2007 31,238 4.4 39,615 5.5 70,853 9.9 269,885 37.8 373,418 52.3 643,303 90.1 714,156
2008 32,585 4.4 39,322 5.4 71,907 9.8 286,298 39.1 374,162 51.1 660,460 90.2 732,367
2009 31,891 4.2 37,850 5.0 69,741 9.2 302,937 40.0 384,440 50.8 687,377 90.8 757,118

2008 source: DEEWR “Blue Book”, Centrelink Administrative Data.

 

Figure 20 shows the percentage of DSP recipients who reported earnings in the fortnight before the data extraction date, by sex for the years from 2007 to 2009.

Figure 20 – Recipients with earnings by sex - 2007 to 2009

Figure 20 – Recipients with earnings by sex - 2007 to 2009
The proportion of DSP recipients with earnings in the fortnight before the data extraction date has fallen from 9.9 percent in 2007 to 9.2 percent in 2009, with male recipients responsible for most of the fall.

In the years from 2007 to 2009 the number of male DSP recipients reporting earnings in the fortnight before the data extraction date fell by 1,765 – a fall of 4.5 percent - despite the total male recipient population rising by 9,257 (2.2 percent).

Over the same years, the female DSP recipient population rose by 11.2 percent and the number of females reporting earnings rose by 2.1 percent.

Table 21 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients who declared earnings by the earnings range for the years from 2007 to 2009.

Table 21 – Recipients with earnings by earnings range - 2007 to 2009
Year EARNINGS RANGE Total
Less than $250 $250 to < $500 $500 to < $750 $750 to < $1,000 $1,000 to < $1,250 $1,250 to < $1,500 $1,500 and over
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2007 37,617 53.1 14,208 20.1 8,429 11.9 5,356 7.6 2,780 3.9 1,236 1.7 1,227 1.7 70,853
2008 36,348 50.5 15,188 21.1 8,777 12.2 5,680 7.9 3,020 4.2 1,418 2.0 1,476 2.1 71,907
2009 35,211 50.5 15,339 22.0 8,454 12.1 5,045 7.2 2,852 4.1 1,377 2.0 1,463 2.1 69,741

Source: DEEWR “Blue Book”, Centrelink administrative data

Figure 21 shows the percentage of DSP recipients who declared earnings by the earnings range for the years from 2007 to 2009.

Figure 21 – Recipients with earnings by earnings range - 2007 to 2009

Figure 21 – Recipients with earnings by earnings range - 2007 to 2009
Source: DEEWR “Blue Book”, Centrelink administrative data

In the years from 2007 to 2009, the distribution of DSP recipients with earnings by the amount earned has remained relatively steady.

There has been a slight decrease in those earning less than $250 and an increase in most other categories.  In particular, the proportion of earnings in the $250 to less than $500 range has increased from 20.1 percent in June 2007 to 22.0 percent in June 2009.

3.2 Income support duration

Note: Duration on income support measures the time a person has been in receipt of DSP together with any time the person had previously been in receipt of any other income support payment(s).

Table 22 details the number and percentage of DSP recipients by the duration of income support and sex as at June 2009.

Table 22 – Recipients by income support duration and sex – June 2009
Duration SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Under 1 yr 19,371 5.8 28,608 6.8 47,979 6.3
1 to < 2 yrs 15,666 4.7 20,123 4.8 35,789 4.7
2 to < 3 yrs 14,523 4.3 18,821 4.5 33,344 4.4
3 to < 4 yrs 13,952 4.2 18,914 4.5 32,866 4.3
4 to < 5 yrs 14,830 4.4 19,248 4.6 34,078 4.5
5 to < 6 yrs 15,340 4.6 19,394 4.6 34,734 4.6
6 to < 7 yrs 14,637 4.4 19,975 4.7 34,612 4.6
7 to < 8 yrs 15,456 4.6 20,469 4.8 35,925 4.7
8 to < 9 yrs 15,122 4.5 20,556 4.9 35,678 4.7
9 to < 10 yrs 14,050 4.2 18,289 4.3 32,339 4.3
10 to < 15 yrs 88,810 26.5 99,428 23.5 188,238 24.9
15 to < 20 yrs 51,387 15.3 72,017 17.1 123,404 16.3
Over 20 yrs 41,684 12.4 46,448 11.0 88,132 11.6
Total 334,828 100.0 422,290 100.0 757,118 100.0

 

Figure 22 shows the percentage of DSP recipients by the duration of income support and sex as at June 2009.

Figure 22 – Recipients by income support duration and sex – June 2009

Figure 22 – Recipients by income support duration and sex – June 2009

Over a quarter of DSP recipients (27.9 percent) have been in receipt of either DSP or another income support payment, for more than fifteen years (27.8 percent of females and 28.1 percent of males).  Proportionally, more males have been in receipt of income support for less than ten years (48.4 percent) than females (45.7 percent).

Table 23 details the DSP recipient population by their duration on income support for the years June 2007 to June 2009.

Table 23 – Recipients by income support duration – June 2007 to June 2009
Year INCOME SUPPORT DURATION (RANGE) Total
Less than 5 years 5 years to <10 years 10 years to <15 years 15 years to <20 years 20 years and over
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2007 166,330 23.3 187,734 26.3 192,530 27.0 89,705 12.6 77,857 10.9 714,156
2008 165,434 22.6 180,155 24.6 196,656 26.9 106,831 14.6 83,291 11.4 732,367
2009 184,056 24.3 173,288 22.9 188,238 24.9 123,404 16.3 88,132 11.6 757,118

 

Figure 23 shows the percentage of DSP recipients in each of the income support duration ranges for the years from June 2007 to June 2009.

Figure 23 – Recipients by income support duration – June 2007 to June 2009

Figure 23 – Recipients by income support duration – June 2007 to June 2009
As at June 2007 over three quarters (76.5 percent) of DSP recipients had been in receipt of income support for less than fifteen years.  By June 2009 that figure had fallen to 72.1 percent and 27.9 percent of recipients had been receiving income support for fifteen years or more.

Table 24 details the number and proportion of each sex of DSP recipients by whether they have been in receipt of income support for under or over fifteen years for the years from June 2007 to June 2009.

Table 24 – Recipients - income support duration under/over 15 yrs –June 2007 to June 2009
Year FEMALE MALE TOTAL
Under 15 yrs 15 yrs & over Under 15 yrs 15 yrs & over Under 15 yrs 15 yrs & over
No. % of Sex No. % of Sex No. % of Sex No. % of Sex No. % No. %
2007 230,535 76.6 70,588 23.4 316,059 76.5 96,974 23.5 546,594 76.5 167,562 23.5
2008 236,911 74.3 81,972 25.7 305,334 73.8 108,150 26.2 542,245 74.0 190,122 26.0
2009 241,757 72.2 93,071 27.8 303,825 71.9 118,465 28.1 545,582 72.1 211,536 27.9

 

Figure 24 shows the proportion of each sex of DSP recipients with a total income support duration of fifteen years and over for the years from June 2007 to June 2009.

Figure 24 – Recipients on income support for over 15 years duration by sex – June 2007 to June 2009

Figure 24 – Recipients on income support for over 15 years duration by sex – June 2007 to June 2009

For the years from June 2007 to June 2009 the gender balance of recipients who have been in receipt of income support for more than fifteen years has remained steady, and the proportion for both sexes has been growing at around 2 percent per year.

4. Finalised claims

4.1 Finalised claims by age and sex

Table 25 details the volume and proportion of finalised claims by age range and sex for the period from June 2008 to June 2009.

Table 25 – Finalised claims by age range and sex - 2008-09
Age range (years) GRANTS Grant Rate (%) REJECTIONS TOTAL CLAIMS
Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
No. % GR* No. % GR*
16-19 2,718 68.1 4,184 70.8 6,902 69.7 1,275 1,729 3,004 3,993 5,913 9,906
20-24 1,208 51.0 1,582 53.3 2,790 52.3 1,160 1,388 2,548 2,368 2,970 5,338
25-29 1,285 53.7 2,021 55.7 3,306 54.9 1,108 1,606 2,714 2,393 3,627 6,020
30-34 1,965 59.1 2,485 57.3 4,450 58.1 1,360 1,853 3,213 3,325 4,338 7,663
35-39 3,239 60.5 3,483 58.4 6,722 59.4 2,111 2,483 4,594 5,350 5,966 11,316
40-44 4,304 62.4 3,961 60.2 8,265 61.3 2,591 2,617 5,208 6,895 6,578 13,473
45-49 5,796 63.6 4,654 61.8 10,450 62.8 3,321 2,882 6,203 9,117 7,536 16,653
50-54 6,639 65.3 5,358 64.6 11,997 65.0 3,532 2,930 6,462 10,171 8,288 18,459
55-59 7,821 68.9 7,296 66.7 15,117 67.8 3,530 3,648 7,178 11,351 10,944 22,295
60 & over 6,855 73.1 9,976 70.5 16,831 71.5 2,521 4,179 6,700 9,376< 14,155 23,531
Total 41,830 65.0 45,000 64.0 86,830 64.5 22,509 25,315 47,824 64,339 70,315 134,654

* GR=Grant rate

Figure 25 shows the proportion of each sex granted DSP and the overall grant rate 3for each age range in the period from June 2008 to June 2009.

Figure 25 – Grant rate by age range and sex – 2008-09

Figure 25 – Grant rate by age range and  sex – 2008-09

From June 2008 to June 2009, there were 134,654 claims for DSP processed. Of these, 86,830 (64.5 percent) were granted DSP and 47,824 (35.5 percent) were rejected.

Excluding the 16 to 19 age range, the number of grants in each age range increases as the age of the claimant rises, from 2,790 for 20 to 24 year olds to 16,831 for those claimants 60 years old and over.

Just over half (51.8 percent) of DSP grants were to males, and 48.2 percent were to females.  The majority of grants to claimants aged under 45 and over 60 were to males.  The majority of grants in the 40 to 60 age range were to females.

The 16 to 19 year old range has a grant rate of 69.7 percent.  For the other age ranges, the grant rate rises with each age increment from 52.3% for 20 to 24 year olds to 71.5% for those aged 60 and over.

The grant rate for females is slightly higher than that for males.  With the exception of the under 30 age range, a higher proportion of females than males are granted in each age range.

Table 26 details the number and proportion of each sex granted and rejected DSP, and total claims for each year for the years 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Table 26 – Finalised claims and grant rate – 2006-07 to 2008-09
Year GRANTS Grant Rate (%) REJECTIONS TOTAL CLAIMS
Female % Male % Total Female Male Total Female Male Total
2006-07 28,669 63.2 33,939 62.8 62,608 63.0 16,723 20,087 36,810 45,392 54,026 99,418
2007-08 36,901 64.5 37,778 63.7 74,679 64.1 20,296 21,555 41,851 57,197 59,333 116,530
2008-09 41,830 65.0 45,000 64.0 86,830 64.5 22,509 25,315 47,824 64,339 70,315 134,654

 

Figure 26 shows the proportion of grants for each sex for the years from 2006 -07 to 2008-09.

Figure 26 – Grant rate by sex – 2006-07 to 2008-09

Figure 26 – Grant rate by sex – 2006-07 to 2008-09
The number of DSP claims finalised rose from 99,418 in 2006-07 to 134,654 in 2008‑09.  In 2006-07 females accounted for 45.7 percent of claims finalised and by 2008-09 that figure was 47.8 percent.  The grant rate rose from 63.0 percent in 2006‑07 to 64.5 percent in 2008-09.

The grant rate for females is consistently above the rate for males and the gap is expanding.  In 2006-07 female DSP claimants were 0.4 percent more likely than male claimants to be granted.  By 2008-09 the difference in grant rates was 1.0 percent.

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4.2 Grants by primary medical condition

Table 27 details the number and percentage of DSP grants between June 2008 and June 2009 by the primary medical condition of the claimant.

Table 27 – Grants by primary medical condition – 2008-09
Primary medical condition SEX Total
Female Male
No. % No. % No. %
Musculo-Skeletal & Connective Tissue 13,135 31.4 12,344 27.4 25,479 29.3
Psychological/Psychiatric 11,224 26.8 11,910 26.5 23,134 26.6
Intellectual/Learning 2,394 5.7 3,577 7.9 5,971 6.9
Cancer/Tumour 2,609 6.2 3,104 6.9 5,713 6.6
Circulatory System 1,760 4.2 3,574 7.9 5,334 6.1
Nervous System 2,223 5.3 1,996 4.4 4,219 4.9
Respiratory System 1,524 3.6 1,637 3.6 3,161 3.6
Endocrine & Immune System 1,069 2.6 1,021 2.3 2,090 2.4
Chronic Pain 1,052 2.5 895 2.0 1,947 2.2
Acquired Brain Impairment 628 1.5 1,289 2.9 1,917 2.2
Sense Organs 917 2.2 989 2.2 1,906 2.2
Poorly Defined Cause 1,328 3.2 444 1.0 1,772 2.0
Gastro-Intestinal System 605 1.4 446 1.0 1,051 1.2
Urogenital System 393 0.9 451 1.0 844 1.0
Congenital Anomalies 379 0.9 406 0.9 785 0.9
Visceral Disorder 181 0.4 402 0.9 583 0.7
Infectious Diseases 135 0.3 226 0.5 361 0.4
Other 274 0.7 289 0.6 563 0.6
Total 41,830 100.0 45,000 100.0 86,830 100.0

Figure 27 shows the percentage of grants in the period from June 2008 to June 2009 by the top five primary medical conditions and sex.

Figure 27 – Grants by primary medical condition – top 5 conditions 2008-09

Figure 27 – Grants by primary medical condition – top 5 conditions 2008-09

Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue and Psychological/psychiatric are the largest categories granted accounting for 56.0 percent of grants.  This is similar to the proportion in the recipient population (see Table 14) where these two primary medical conditions account for 58.2 percent of the population.

Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue and Psychological/psychiatric are the primary medical conditions for 58.2 percent of all grants to females and 53.9 percent of all grants to males.

Table 28 details the number and proportion of DSP grants by medical condition (top five and others) for the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Table 28 – Grants by top 5 primary medical conditions - 2006-07 to 2008-09
Year PRIMARY MEDICAL CONDITION Total
Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue Psychological / psychiatric Intellectual / learning Cancer / Tumour Circulatory system Other
No. % No. % No % No. % No. % No. %
2006-07 18,807 30.0 15,020 24.0 3,674 5.9 4,889 7.8 4,248 6.8 15,970 25.5 62,608
2007-08 22,728 30.4 18,500 24.8 4,404 5.9 5,200 7.0 4,901 6.6 18,946 25.4 74,679
2008-09 25,479 29.3 23,134 26.6 5,971 6.9 5,713 6.6 5,334 6.1 21,199 24.4 86,830

 

Figure 28 shows the proportion of DSP grants by the top five primary medical conditions for the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Figure 28 – Grants by top 5 primary medical conditions – 2006-07 to 2008-09

Figure 28 – Grants by top 5 primary medical conditions – 2006-07 to 2008-09

In the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09, the proportion of new grants in the Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue, Cancer/tumour and Circulatory system categories have fallen from 44.6 percentto 42.1 percent.  In the same period, Psychological/ psychiatric and Intellectual/learning have risen in proportion from 29.9 percent to 33.5 percent of grants.

Table 29 details the proportion of new claims granted for each sex for the top five primary medical conditions for the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Table 29 – Grants by sex by primary medical condition – 2006-07 to 2008-09
Year PRIMARY MEDICAL CONDITION
Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue Psychological / psychiatric Intellectual / learning Cancer / Tumour Circulatory system Other
No. % No. % No % No. % No. % No. %
2006-07 32.0 28.4 24.0 24.0 5.0 6.6 7.3 8.2 4.6 8.7 27.1 24.1
2007-08 32.5 28.4 25.3 24.3 4.8 6.9 6.2 7.7 4.4 8.6 26.8 24.1
2008-09 31.4 27.4 26.8 26.5 5.7 7.9 6.2 6.9 4.2 7.9 25.7 23.4

 

Figure 29 shows the proportion of each sex granted DSP for the top three primary medical conditions for the years 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Figure 29 – Grants by sex by primary medical condition – 2006-07 to 2008-09

Figure 29 – Grants by sex by primary medical condition – 2006-07 to 2008-09

The higher proportion of females granted with Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue conditions than males has been consistent throughout the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09, as has the lower proportion of females granted with Intellectual/learning conditions.

Table 30 details the DSP grants made from June 2008 to June 2009 by the top five primary medical conditions and age range.

Table 30 – Grants by top 5 primary medical conditions and age range – 2008-09
Year PRIMARY MEDICAL CONDITION
Musculo-skeletal & connective tissue Psychological / psychiatric Intellectual / learning Cancer / Tumour Circulatory system
No. % No. % No % No. % No. %
16-24 333 1.3 3,144 13.6 4,035 67.6 133 2.3 81 1.5
25-34 1,042 4.1 4,082 17.6 606 10.1 213 3.7 130 2.4
35-44 3,614 14.2 6,083 26.3 664 11.1 599 10.5 437 8.2
45-54 7,290 28.6 5,900 25.5 476 8.0 1,674 29.3 1,237 23.2
55 & over 13,200 51.8 3,925 17.0 190 3.2 3,094 54.2 3,449 64.7
Total 25,479 100.0 23,134 100.0 5,971 100.0 5,713 100.0 5,334 100.0

Figure 30 shows the proportion of the 2008-09 grants in each of the top five primary medical conditions by age range.

 

Figure 30 – Grants for top 5 medical conditions by age range – 2008-09

Figure 30 – Grants for top 5 medical conditions by age range – 2008-09

Where Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue was recorded as the primary medical condition, the majority of granted claims (51.8 percent) were for people aged 55 years and above.  The number of claims granted rises as the age of the claimant increases.

Granted claims for people with Psychological/psychiatric as the primary medical condition are fairly evenly spread across all of the age ranges.  The incidence increases in the 35 to 54 year range and then drops off in the 55 years and over.

Over two thirds (67.6 percent) of claims granted where Intellectual/learning was recorded as the primary medical condition, were to claimants in the 16 to 24 year age range.

The distribution of claims granted across age ranges for claimants with Cancer/tumour and Circulatory system recorded as their primary medical condition is a similar pattern to that of the Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue category with the number of claims granted rising as the age of the claimant increases.

4.3 Rejections

Table 31 details the number and proportion of claims rejected in the period from June 2008 to June 2009 by rejection reason and sex.

Table 31 – Rejections by reason and sex – 2008-09
Rejection reason Female Male Total
No. % No. % No. %
Medical rejection reasons
Less than 20 points impaired 11,343 50.4 11,998 47.4 23,341 48.8
Disability is short-term 2,042 9.1 2,346 9.3 4,388 9.2
Manifest - temporary 758 3.4 886 3.5 1,644 3.4
>20 pts impaired / can work 15+ hrs p/w 634 2.8 830 3.3 1,464 3.1
>20 pts Impaired / reskill 15+ hrs p/w 658 2.9 799 3.2 1,457 3.0
Manifest - can work 15 hrs p/w 94 0.4 57 0.2 151 0.3
Manifest - not sufficient impairment 61 0.3 80 0.3 141 0.3
Manifest - can work 30 hrs p/w 12 0.1 13 0.1 25 0.1
>20 pts impaired / can work full-time 13 0.1 10 0.0 23 0.0
>20 pts impaired / can be re-skilled 5 0.0 2 0.0 7 0.0
Not permanently blind 7 0.0 3 0.0 10 0.0
Total medical rejections 15,627 69.4 17,024 67.2 32,651 68.3
Non-medical rejection reasons
Failed to supply requested information 4,155 18.5 5,183 20.5 9,338 19.5
Excess income 715 3.2 573 2.3 1,288 2.7
Fail to attend assessment/med exam 438 1.9 532 2.1 970 2.0
Compensation related 202 0.9 394 1.6 596 1.2
Residence related 299 1.3 250 1.0 549 1.1
Failed agreement specific rules 195 0.9 198 0.8 393 0.8
Assets over limit 126 0.6 160 0.6 286 0.6
Withdrawn / voluntary surrender 144 0.6 175 0.7 319 0.7
Other  608 2.7 826 3.3 1,434 3.0
Total non-medical rejection reasons 6,882 30.6 8,291 32.8 15,173 31.7

 

Figure 31 shows the proportion of claims rejected for each sex in the period from June 2009 to June 2009, by the top five rejection reasons.

Figure 31 – Rejections by top 5 reasons and sex – 2008-09

Figure 31 – Rejections by top 5 reasons and sex – 2008-09
During the year June 2008 to June 2009 there were 134,654 claims for DSP finalised.  Of these, 47,824 were rejected (35.5 percent).  Medical rejections comprised 68.3 percent of all rejections, while non medical rejections comprised 31.7 percent.

The main reason for rejection of DSP claims was that claimants’ impairments were assessed at less than twenty points under the Impairment Tables (48.8 percent of all rejections), followed by failure to supply requested information (19.5 percent).  

Males accounted for 52.9 percent of total rejections and females for 47.1 percent.  Medical rejections comprised 69.4 percent of female rejections and 67.2 percent of male rejections.

For females, 50.4 percent of all rejections were because their impairment was assessed as less than twenty points under the Impairment Tables, for males this figure was 47.4 percent.  Conversely, 20.5 percent of males and 18.5 percent of females were rejected for failing to provide requested information.

Table 32 details the number and proportion of DSP rejections by top five rejection reasons and others for the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Table 32 – Rejections by top 5 reasons – 2006-07 to 2008-09
Year REJECTION REASON Total
<20 points impaired Failed to supply info Disability short - term Manifest - temporary >20 pts but 15+ hrs work Other
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2006-07 10,178 27.7 5,765 15.7 10,517 28.6 1,071 2.9 1,678 4.6 7,601 20.6 36,810
2007-08 18,338 43.8 7,760 18.5 5,876 14.0 937 2.2 1,717 4.1 7,223 17.3 41,851
2008-09 23,341 48.8 9,338 19.5 4,388 9.2 1,644 3.4 1,464 3.1 7,649 16.0 47,824

 

Figure 32 shows the proportion of DSP rejections for the top three reasons for rejections for the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Figure 32 – Rejections by top 3 reasons – 2006-07 to 2008-09

Figure 32 – Rejections by top 3 reasons – 2006-07 to 2008-09

There has been a change in the reason for claims being rejected in the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09.  In 2006-07, the proportion of rejections due to the claimant’s impairment being assessed as less than twenty points (against the Impairment Tables) was 27.7 percent.  In 2008-09 that proportion had risen to 48.8 percent.

Over the same years the proportion of rejections because the claimant’s disability was of a short-term nature fell from 28.6 percent to 9.2 percent.

Table 33 details the number and percentage of clients of each sex with rejected DSP claims by the top five rejection reasons for the years 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Table 33 – Rejections by sex by top 5 rejection reasons – 2006-07 to 2008-09
Year REJECTION REASON
<20 points impaired Failed to supply info Disability short - term Manifest - temporary >20 pts but 15+ hrs work Other
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2006-07 28.5 26.9 15.2 16.1 28.8 28.4 3.2 2.7 4.2 4.9 20.1 21.0
2007-08 45.4 42.3 17.7 19.3 14.2 13.9 2.2 2.3 3.8 4.4 16.7 17.8
2008-09 50.4 47.4 18.5 20.5 9.1 9.3 3.4 3.5 2.8 3.3 15.8 16.0

 

Figure 33 shows the percentage of each sex with rejected DSP claims by the top three rejection reasons for the years 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Figure 33 – Rejections by sex by top 3 rejection reasons – 2006-07 to 2008-09

Figure 33 – Rejections by sex by top 3 rejection reasons – 2006-07 to 2008-09

For the years from 2006-07 to 2008-09, a higher proportion of females than males were rejected on the basis that their impairment was assessed at less than twenty points against the Impairment Tables.  A higher proportion of males than females were rejected for failing to supply requested information.  Rejections because the claimant’s disability is short-term have remained gender-balanced.

5. Where DSP recipients are coming from and going to

5.1 Where DSP recipients are coming from

Table 34 details the number and proportion of ‘new entrants’4 between June 2008 and June 2009 by their previous income support payment.

Table 34 – New entrants by previous income support payment type - 2009
Previous status / income support payment No. %
Non Client 38,010 47.0
Newstart Allowance (NSA) 29,584 36.6
Parenting Payments (PP) 6,453 8.0
Youth Allowance (YA) 1,835 2.3
Carer Payment (CP) 1,782 2.2
Sickness Allowance (SA) 1,146 1.4
Widow Allowance (WA) 820 1.0
Partner Allowance (PA) 490 0.6
Other Income Support Payments 789 1.0
Total 80,909 100.0

 

Figure 34 shows the proportion of new entrants between June 2008 and June 2009 by their previous income support payment.

Figure 34 – New entrants by previous income support payment type - 2009

Figure 34 – New entrants by previous income support payment type - 2009

There were 80,909 DSP recipients in June 2009 who were not receiving DSP in June 2008. Of these ‘new entrants’, 47.0 percent were not receiving an income support payment in June 2008, while 53.0 percent were in receipt of another income support payment with Newstart Allowance being the most common accounting for 36.6 percent.

The remaining 16.4 percent of ‘new entrants’ to DSP were receiving one of a range of other payments, including Parenting Payment (Single & Partnered), Youth Allowance, Sickness Allowance and Partner Allowance.
Table 35 details the number and proportion of ‘new entrants’ for each reporting year by their previous income support type for the reporting years from 2001 to 2009.

Table 35 – New entrants by prior income support payment type – 2001 to 2009
Year INCOME SUPPORT TYPE Total Income Support Non Client Total new entrants
Newstart Allowance Parenting Payments Other
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 26,543 34.4 4,314 5.6 11,788 15.3 42,645 55.2 34,554 44.8 77,199
2002 27,787 35.0 3,754 4.7 12,839 16.2 44,380 55.9 35,070 44.1 79,450
2003 22,180 32.9 3,745 5.6 10,862 16.1 36,787 54.6 30,622 45.4 67,409
2004 22,739 32.3 4,045 5.7 11,698 16.6 38,482 54.6 32,024 45.4 70,506
2005 21,238 32.7 4,108 6.3 10,198 15.7 35,544 54.7 29,410 45.3 64,954
2006 18,954 32.8 3,751 6.5 8,546 14.8 31,251 54.1 26,547 45.9 57,798
2007 20,839 34.1 4,471 7.3 8,745 14.3 34,055 55.8 27,008 44.2 61,063
2008 24,398 35.2 8,326 12.0 6,172 8.9 38,896 56.2 30,355 43.8 69,251
2009 29,584 36.6 6,453 8.0 6,862 8.5 42,899 53.0 38,010 47.0 80,909

* Denotes year of report – ie clients counted were in receipt of DSP as at June of that year but not June of the year before.

Figure 35 shows the proportion of ‘new entrants’ for each reporting year by their previous income support payment type for the reporting years from 2001 to 2009.

Figure 35 – New entrants by prior income support payment type – 2001 to 2009

Figure 35 – New entrants by prior income support payment type – 2001 to 2009

* Denotes year of report – ie clients counted were in receipt of DSP as at June of that year but not June of the year before.

In the 2001 reporting year, the proportion of ‘new entrants’ to DSP whose previous income support payment type was Newstart Allowance was 34.4 percent.  That figure fell to 32.3 percent in 2004, and since then has risen to 36.6 percent in 2009.

In the 2008 reporting year, there was a sharp increase in proportion of new entrants whose previous income support payment type was Parenting Payment.

The proportion of ‘new entrants’ who were not in receipt of another income support payment a year before the report date has been reasonably steady at around 45 percent in the reporting years from 2001 to 2008, rising to 47.0 percent in the 2009 reporting year.

5.2 Where DSP recipients are exiting to

Table 36 details the number and proportion of clients who were DSP recipients as at June 2008 but no longer in receipt as at June 2009 (‘exits from DSP’) by their subsequent status or income support payment type.

Table 36 – Exits by subsequent status/income support payment type - 2009
Subsequent status / income support type No. %
Age Pension 34,018 60.6
Non Client 19,983 35.6
Newstart/Youth Allowance 1,230 2.2
Carer Payment 479 0.9
Parenting Payment 153 0.3
Other Income Support Payments 295 0.5
Total 56,158 100.0

 

Figure 36 shows the proportion of ‘exits from DSP’ by subsequent status or income support payment type as at June 2009.

Figure 36 – Exits by subsequent status/income support payment type – 2009

Figure 36 – Exits by subsequent status/income support payment type – 2009

There were 56,158 clients who were in receipt of DSP as at June 2008 who were no longer receiving that pension in June 2009.  Of these, 34,018 (60.6 percent) exited to Age Pension and 19,983 (35.6 percent) were no longer in receipt of income support or were deceased.

Table 37 details the number and proportion of ‘exits from DSP’ by their subsequent status or income support payment type for the reporting years from 2001 to 2009.

Table 37 – Exits by subsequent income support payment type – 2001 to 2009
Year INCOME SUPPORT TYPE Total income support Non Client (includes deceased) Total exits
Age Pension Other
No. % No. % No. % No. %
2001 30,028 58.3 2,268 4.4 32,296 62.7 19,211 37.3 51,507
2002 25,315 52.5 2,511 5.2 27,826 57.8 20,354 42.2 48,180
2003 31,146 56.7 2,681 4.9 33,827 61.6 21,112 38.4 54,939
2004 24,246 50.2 2,828 5.9 27,074 56.0 21,260 44.0 48,334
2005 32,521 55.6 2,898 5.0 35,419 60.5 23,085 39.5 58,504
2006 26,224 48.4 3,692 6.8 29,916 55.2 24,245 44.8 54,161
2007 32,160 53.3 3,641 6.0 35,801 59.4 24,494 40.6 60,295
2008 24,431 47.8 3,652 7.1 28,083 54.9 23,047 45.1 51,130
2009 34,018 60.6 2,157 3.8 36,175 64.4 19,983 35.6 56,158

* Denotes the reporting year – ie the clients counted were not receiving DSP in June of that year but were DSP recipients in June of the previous year.

In the reporting years from 2001 to 2009 there is a fluctuation in the number of recipients exiting to Age Pension with odd numbered years having a higher value and even numbered years a lower value.  This pattern coincides with the changing Age Pension qualification age for women, which has been rising by six months every two years.

Figure 37 shows the proportion of ‘exits from DSP’ by the subsequent status or income support payment type for the reporting years from 2002 to 2009.  Reporting years have been paired to eliminate the fluctuation mentioned above.

Figure 37 – Exits by subsequent income support payment type – 2002 to 2009

Figure 37 – Exits by subsequent income support payment type – 2002 to 2009

In the years from 2002 to 2007 the proportion of exits from DSP to Age Pension fell from 54.8 percent to 51.0 percent.  In 2008-2009 it increased to 54.5 percent.

  1. Grant rate (%) = Grants/(Grants + Rejections) x 100
  2. Note that the number of ‘new entrants’ is not the same as the number of grants. This is because ‘new entrants’ are people receiving DSP in June 2009 who were not receiving DSP in June 2008, while the number of grants is a count of claims granted during a period and some clients may be granted more than once in the period, ie they may be granted, cancelled and re-granted or no longer be receiving DSP as at June 2009.
  3. See footnote 1
  4. See footnote 2

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