Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Recipients June 2007

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Characteristics of Disability Support Pension Recipients June 2007

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Disability Support Pension - Overview

Who is this Payment for?

From June 2006 Centrelink Disability Support Pension (DSP) is paid to people who are unable to work for at least 15 hours per week, or be re-skilled for such work, within two years because of their disability. DSP is intended to ensure that people with disabilities have adequate levels of income and maximum opportunities to participate in society.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for DSP a person must be 16 or over and be under Age Pension age (currently 63.5 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); and 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.

Trends

As at June 2007, there were 714 156 people receiving DSP, an increase of 0.3 per cent over the June 2006 population of 712 163.

Of the total DSP population 57.8 per cent were male and 42.2 per cent female. The proportion of male recipients numbers have steadily been declining since June 2003; 73.8 per cent of DSP recipients were born in Australia; and, on average, they had been in receipt of an income support payment for 10.2 years.

The DSP population is primarily represented by four main medical conditions which are musculo-skeletal and connective tissue conditions 31.9 per cent, psychological/psychiatric conditions 27.3 per cent, intellectual/learning difficulties, 11.2 per cent and circulatory systems 5.0 per cent.

Since 1982 the DSP population has been steadily increasing, with the greatest growth, of 13.3 per cent, occurring in 1992 following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package (DSP replaced the Invalid Pension and Sheltered Employment Allowance in November 1991). Between 1996 and 2001 the growth rate reduced gradually from 7.5 per cent to 3.6 per cent. It increased to 5.6 per cent in 2002, dropped to 2.2 per cent in 2003 (with the introduction of the AWT Better Assessment and Early Intervention initiative) and increased again in 2004 to 3.5 per cent and 1.4 per cent in 2005. In 2006 the DSP population increased by 0.8 per cent and the growth in the DSP population from June 2006 to June 2007 was 0.3 per cent.

There were 101 642 claims for DSP in 2006-07, with 62 608 grants (61.6 per cent) and 39 034 rejections (38.4 per cent). The main rejection reason was disability short term which accounted for 28.5 per cent of total rejections.

Comparing June 2006 to June 2007 over half of the new DSP recipients came from other income support payments (32.8 per cent from Newstart, 7.3 per cent from Parenting Payments, 2.5 per cent from Youth Allowance and 1.7 per cent from Sickness Allowance), while 45.9 per cent had not been in receipt of an income support payment.

Of the people who were on DSP at June 2006, and had left the payment by June 2007, 53.3 per cent went to Age Pension, 24.1 per cent went off income support payment.

Source of Data

The information contained in this report has been sourced from Centrelink administration data using the Bluebook dataset as at 29 June 2007. If an alternate source for data has been used it will be noted with the relevant table.

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1. Disability Support Pension Population Characteristics

Chart 1.1 DSP Recipients by Gender June 1972 to June 2007

1.1 Recipients by Gender 1972 to 2007

As at June 2007, the number of people receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) was 714 156 and has been increasing since 1982, with the greatest growth (13.3 per cent) occurring in 1992 following the introduction of the Disability Reform Package. The growth in DSP for 2006-07 was 0.3 per cent, down on the 0.8 per cent in 2005-06. There has been fewer claims for payment and a reduction in the proportion of claims being granted due to the new continuing inability to work change from 30 hours per week to15 hours per week effective from 1 July 2006. There have been several factors suggested as contributing to the increases in the DSP recipient numbers from the early 1990's:

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

However, with a strong labour market the DSP growth slowed to 0.3 per cent from 2005-06 to 2006-07.

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

At June 2007 males represent 57.8 per cent of the DSP population. When comparing June 2006 to June 2007 the overall trend is showing a change in the gender split with the female population increasing by 1.5 per cent and the male population decreasing by 0.6 per cent.

Table 1.1 DSP Recipients by Gender 1972 to 2007
At June
each year
Males
Females
Total
Count
Change
% of Total
Count
Change
% of Total
Count
Change
% Growth
1972 77,133   55.6% 61,685   44.4% 138,818    
1973 85,305 8,172 57.0% 64,304 2,619 43.0% 149,609 10,791 7.8%
1974 92,140 6,835 58.8% 64,643 339 41.2% 156,783 7,174 4.8%
1975 102,817 10,677 60.9% 65,967 1,324 39.1% 168,784 12,001 7.7%
1976 116,118 13,301 63.2% 67,669 1,702 36.8% 183,787 15,003 8.9%
1977 133,209 17,091 65.6% 69,754 2,085 34.4% 202,963 19,176 10.4%
1978 137,245 4,036 67.0% 67,699 -2,055 33.0% 204,944 1,981 1.0%
1979 149,759 12,514 68.1% 70,084 2,385 31.9% 219,843 14,899 7.3%
1980 158,327 8,568 69.1% 70,892 808 30.9% 229,219 9,376 4.3%
1981 153,889 -4,438 69.3% 68,062 -2,830 30.7% 221,951 -7,268 -3.2%
1982 151,146 -2,743 69.8% 65,503 -2,559 30.2% 216,649 -5,302 -2.4%
1983 155,672 4,526 70.7% 64,617 -886 29.3% 220,289 3,640 1.7%
1984 173,063 17,391 71.9% 67,511 2,894 28.1% 240,574 20,285 9.2%
1985 188,713 15,650 72.8% 70,449 2,938 27.2% 259,162 18,588 7.7%
1986 200,898 12,185 73.4% 72,912 2,463 26.6% 273,810 14,648 5.7%
1987 213,290 12,392 73.8% 75,760 2,848 26.2% 289,050 15,240 5.6%
1988 219,168 5,878 73.8% 77,745 1,985 26.2% 296,913 7,863 2.7%
1989 227,285 8,117 73.8% 80,510 2,765 26.2% 307,795 10,882 3.7%
1990 233,251 5,966 73.6% 83,462 2,952 26.4% 316,713 8,918 2.9%
1991 244,699 11,448 73.2% 89,535 6,073 26.8% 334,234 17,521 5.5%
1992 273,697 28,998 72.3% 104,861 15,326 27.7% 378,558 44,324 13.3%
1993 291,471 17,774 71.7% 115,101 10,240 28.3% 406,572 28,014 7.4%
1994 309,123 17,652 70.9% 127,111 12,010 29.1% 436,234 29,662 7.3%
1995 324,672 15,549 69.9% 139,758 12,647 30.1% 464,430 28,196 6.5%
1996 340,256 15,584 68.2% 158,979 19,221 31.8% 499,235 34,805 7.5%
1997 352,607 12,351 66.8% 174,907 15,928 33.2% 527,514 28,279 5.7%
1998 361,539 8,932 65.3% 191,797 16,890 34.7% 553,336 25,822 4.9%
1999 373,340 11,801 64.6% 204,342 12,545 35.4% 577,682 24,346 4.4%
2000 382,351 9,011 63.5% 219,929 15,587 36.5% 602,280 24,598 4.3%
2001 392,354 10,003 62.9% 231,572 11,643 37.1% 623,926 21,646 3.6%
2002 406,892 14,538 61.8% 252,021 20,449 38.2% 658,913 34,987 5.6%
2003 412,777 5,885 61.3% 260,557 8,536 38.7% 673,334 14,421 2.2%
2004 418,829 6,052 60.1% 277,913 17,356 39.9% 696,742 23,408 3.5%
2005 420,073 1,244 59.4% 286,709 8,796 40.6% 706,782 10,040 1.4%
2006 415,618 -4,455 58.4% 296,545 9,836 41.6% 712,163 5,381 0.8%
2007 413,033 -2,585 57.8% 301,123 4,578 42.2% 714,156 1,993 0.3%

1.2 Recipients by Age and Gender

People aged 55 years and over represent 41.1 per cent of the overall DSP population. The proportion of females in the 60-64 years age group has increased by 1 per cent since June 2006. This is due to the Age Pension qualifying age for women increasing to 63.5 years from 1 July 2007. As the Age Pension qualifying age increases for females, it is expected that this age group will grow and eventually exceed the number in the 55-59 years age group.

Chart 1.2 DSP Recipients by Age and Gender at June 2007

Table 1.2: DSP Recipients by Age and Gender at June 2007
Age
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
16-19 10,536 2.6% 6,663 2.2% 17,199 2.4%
20-24 16,685 4.0% 12,129 4.0% 28,814 4.0%
25-29 18,664 4.5% 13,246 4.4% 31,910 4.5%
30-34 22,908 5.5% 15,380 5.1% 38,288 5.4%
35-39 30,730 7.4% 20,792 6.9% 57,522 8.1%
40-44 38,394 9.3% 26,713 8.9% 65,107 9.1%
45-49 47,665 11.5% 37,663 12.5% 85,328 11.9%
50-54 53,974 13.1% 48,227 16.0% 102,201 14.3%
55-59 68,668 16.6% 65,280 21.7% 133,948 18.8%
60-64 97,582 23.6% 53,009 17.6% 150,591 21.1%
65+ 7,227 1.7% 2,021 0.7% 9,248 1.3%
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0%

1.3 Recipients by State

The majority of DSP recipients can be found in the more populous Australian States. New South Wales is the largest with 31.8 per cent of the DSP population, while the Northern Territory is the smallest with 0.9 per cent.

When comparing the ABS Census 2006 state populations, the proportion of DSP recipients by state generally aligns with the census proportions for the total Australian population by state.

Overseas recipients are included in the not specified group due to the extract source that was used.

Chart 1.3 DSP Recipients by State/Territory by Gender at June 2007

Table 1.3: DSP Recipients by State/Territory and Gender at June 2007
STATE
Males
%
Females
%
Total
State as
% of Total
ABS Census
2006
ABS Census
2006
NSW 132,529 32.1% 94,426 31.4% 226,955 31.8% 33.0% 6,549,177
VIC 94,733 22.9% 74,961 24.9% 169,694 23.8% 24.8% 4,932,422
QLD 80,331 19.4% 55,532 18.4% 135,863 19.0% 19.7% 3,904,534
SA 38,937 9.4% 29,222 9.7% 68,159 9.5% 7.6% 1,514,336
WA 33,562 8.1% 24,905 8.3% 58,467 8.2% 9.9% 1,959,086
TAS 14,571 3.5% 10,377 3.4% 24,948 3.5% 2.4% 476,480
NT 3,762 0.9% 2,576 0.9% 6,338 0.9% 1.0% 192,899
ACT 3,776 0.9% 3,162 1.1% 6,938 1.0% 1.6% 324,034
Not Specified 10,832 2.6% 5,962 2.0% 16,794 2.4% 0.01% 2,320
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0% 100.0% 19,855,288

1.4 Recipients by Country of Birth

The ten countries of birth with the highest numbers of DSP recipients are outlined below:

The majority of DSP recipients were born in Australia (70.9 per cent). The second largest group was the United Kingdom (including Ireland) (5.2 per cent). When compared with ABS Census 2006 country of birth data, 9 out of the top 10 countries are over-represented on DSP (the exception being New Zealand). Refer to Table 1.4 below.

Chart 1.4 DSP Recipients by Country of Birth at June 2007

Table 1.4: DSP Recipients by Country of Birth at June 2007
COUNTRY OF
BIRTH
Males
%
Females
%
Total DSP
DSP %
ABS Census
2006
Australia 304,696 73.8% 222,369 73.8% 527,065 73.8% 70.9%
UK (inc. Ireland/Eire) 23,144 5.6% 15,887 5.3% 39,031 5.5% 5.2%
Greece 6,534 1.6% 5,184 1.7% 11,718 1.6% 0.6%
New Zealand 6,681 1.6% 4,919 1.6% 11,600 1.6% 2.0%
Yugoslavia 6,753 1.6% 4,493 1.5% 11,246 1.6% 0.2%
Italy 6,388 1.5% 4,538 1.5% 10,926 1.5% 1.0%
Lebanon 6,157 1.5% 3,595 1.2% 9,752 1.4% 0.4%
Vietnam 3,940 1.0% 2,762 0.9% 6,702 0.9% 0.8%
Turkey 3,137 0.8% 2,836 0.9% 5,973 0.8% 0.2%
Malta 4,045 1.0% 1,812 0.6% 5,857 0.8% 0.2%
Other 41,558 10.1% 32,728 10.9% 74,286 10.4% 18.6%
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0% 100.0%

1.5 Recipients by Marital Status and Gender

The majority of DSP recipients are not partnered. The largest group by marital status and gender of DSP recipients are single males 41 per cent males.

Proportionally, males and females are similar in the de facto category (4.8 per cent and 4.9 per cent respectively). Information shows that males are more likely than females to be in the married or single categories while the proportion of females are more likely to be in the divorced, separated or widowed category.

Chart 1.5 DSP Recipients by Marital Status and Gender at June 2007

Table 1.5: DSP Recipients by Marital Status and Gender at June 2007
Marital Status
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
Married 130,730 31.7% 80,590 26.8% 211,320 29.6%
Defacto 19,678 4.8% 14,868 4.9% 34,546 4.8%
Single 169,153 41.0% 100,864 33.5% 270,017 37.8%
Separated 69,029 16.7% 61,037 20.3% 130,066 18.2%
Divorced 19,154 4.6% 28,917 9.6% 48,071 6.7%
Widow 5,289 1.3% 14,847 4.9% 20,136 2.8%
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0%

1.6 Recipients by Gender and Home Ownership

The majority of DSP recipients are non-home owners (65.8 per cent). Females receiving DSP are marginally more likely to own a home, including paying it off, than males (34.6 per cent compared to 32.3 per cent).

The proportion of homeowners increased from 34.4 per cent in 1975 to 43.8 per cent in 1989. Since 1989 the proportion has been steadily decreasing and stands at 33.3 per cent at June 2007.

Chart 1.6 DSP Recipients by Gender and Home Owner Status at June 2007

Table 1.6 DSP Recipients by Gender and Homeownership at June 2007
Housing Status
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
Home Owner 133,437 32.3% 104,088 34.6% 237,525 33.3%
Non-Home Owner 276,151 66.9% 194,015 64.4% 470,166 65.8%
Other 3,445 0.8% 3,020 1.0% 6,465 0.9%
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0%

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

1.7 Recipients by Age and Home Ownership

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

Chart 1.7 DSP Recipients by Age and Home Owner Status at June 2007

Table 1.7: DSP Recipients by Age and Homeownership at June 2007
Age Group
Home
Owner
%
Non Home
Owner
%
Other
%
Total
%
16-19 123 0.1% 17,031 3.6% 45 0.7% 17,199 2.4%
20-24 463 0.2% 28,340 6.0% 11 0.2% 28,814 4.0%
25-29 1,307 0.6% 30,584 6.5% 19 0.3% 31,910 4.5%
30-34 3,247 1.4% 35,000 7.4% 41 0.6% 38,288 5.4%
35-39 7,114 3.0% 44,214 9.4% 194 3.0% 51,522 7.2%
40-44 12,974 5.5% 51,979 11.1% 154 2.4% 65,107 9.1%
45-49 22,556 9.5% 62,218 13.2% 554 8.6% 85,328 11.9%
50-54 35,624 15.0% 65,531 13.9% 1,046 16.2% 102,201 14.3%
55-59 62,901 26.5% 69,387 14.8% 1,660 25.7% 133,948 18.8%
60-64 86,984 36.6% 61,122 13.0% 2,485 38.4% 150,591 21.1%
65+ 4,232 1.8% 4,760 1.0% 256 4.0% 9,248 1.3%
Total 237,525 100.0% 470,166 100.0% 6,465 100.0% 714,156 100.0%

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2. Medical Condition

2.1 Recipients by Medical Condition

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

With the introduction of the Disability Reform Package in November 1991those on the Invalid Pension were transferred to DSP. These recipients did not have a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record. While they are being progressively reviewed and ascribed a medical condition, at June 2007 ex-Invalid Pension recipients without a medical condition recorded on their Centrelink record made up 2.7 per cent of the total DSP population.

The four largest groups are recipients with musculo-skeletal/connective tissue (31.9 per cent), psychological/ psychiatric (27.3 per cent), intellectual/learning medical conditions (11.2 per cent) and circulatory system (5 per cent).

11 342 (1.6per cent) of DSP recipients are identified as being blind, a slight increase from 11 063 at June 2006 (1.6 per cent of all DSP recipients).

Chart 2.1: DSP Recipients by Medical Condition at June 2007

2.2 Recipients by Medical Condition and Gender

Males and females show a similar distribution of medical conditions. The only noticeable differences (ie. a greater than 2 percentage point difference) are for recipients with circulatory conditions (6.1 per cent male and 3.5 per cent female). Table 2.2 provides a list of all medical categories by gender.

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

For both males and females, the most common medical condition was musculo-skeletal and connective tissue and psychological / psychiatric conditions, followed by intellectual / learning conditions. This is consistent with June 2006.

Of the medical condition groups listed in Table 2.2, females outnumbered males in four groups. These groups are chronic fatigue/post viral syndrome (57.9 per cent), chronic pain (55.8 per cent), gastro-intestinal system (57.7 per cent), reproductive system (87.7 per cent) and poorly define cause (1.3 per cent).

Male recipients make up 80.3 per cent of the amputation medical condition group. The next highest male dominated group is acquired brain impairment with 71.8 per cent followed by circulatory system with 70.7 per cent.

Table 2.2 DSP Recipients by Gender and Medical Condition at June 2007
Medical Condition
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
Acquired brain impairment 12,086 2.9% 4,741 1.6% 16,827 2.4%
Amputation 1,260 0.3% 308 0.1% 1,568 0.2%
Cancer/tumour 6,765 1.6% 6,268 2.1% 13,033 1.8%
Poorly defined cause 1,650 0.4% 3,922 1.3% 5,572 0.8%
Chronic pain 3,552 0.9% 4,044 1.3% 7,596 1.1%
Circulatory system 24,991 6.1% 10,470 3.5% 35,461 5.0%
Congenital abnormality / Inherited Disorders 5,790 1.4% 5,104 1.7% 10,894 1.5%
Endocrine and immune system 9,502 2.3% 7,228 2.4% 16,730 2.3%
Gastro-intestinal system 1,307 0.3% 1,673 0.6% 2,980 0.4%
Infectious Diseases 787 0.2% 398 0.1% 1,185 0.2%
Intellectual/learning 46,614 11.3% 33,646 11.2% 80,260 11.2%
Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue 132,596 32.1% 95,538 31.7% 228,134 31.9%
Nervous system 15,787 3.8% 15,140 5.0% 30,927 4.3%
Psychological/psychiatric 111,398 27.0% 83,661 27.8% 195,059 27.3%
Reproductive system 10 0.0% 227 0.1% 237 0.0%
Respiratory system 10,662 2.6% 8,879 2.9% 19,541 2.7%
Sense organs 10,470 2.5% 8,109 2.7% 18,579 2.6%
Skin disorders and burns 265 0.1% 184 0.1% 449 0.1%
Urogenital system 1,216 0.3% 1,064 0.4% 2,280 0.3%
Visceral disorder 4,350 1.1% 3,297 1.1% 7,647 1.1%
Not Coded 11,975 2.9% 7,222 2.4% 19,197 2.7%
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0%
Table 2.2.1 DSP Recipients by Age and Medical Condition at June 2007
Medical Condition
16-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65+
total
Acquired brain impairment 229 627 885 1195 1560 1911 2376 2504 2684 2699 157 16827
Amputation 13 32 51 56 86 197 228 255 301 329 20 1568
Cancer/tumour 104 208 234 288 473 805 1337 1970 3276 4158 180 13033
Poorly defined cause 84 277 317 307 418 659 988 940 971 602 9 5572
Chronic pain 17 75 131 283 519 883 1217 1347 1635 1438 51 7596
Circulatory system 107 206 295 385 695 1277 2502 4536 9170 15425 863 35461
Congenital abnormality
/ Inherited Disorders
923 1551 1214 1194 1283 1195 1088 877 857 695 18 10894
Endocrine and immune system 83 267 401 591 1180 1765 2461 2917 3432 3492 141 16730
Gastro-intestinal system 74 109 92 168 256 340 423 402 536 573 7 2980
Infectious Diseases 4 9 26 62 99 187 333 285 123 55 2 1185
Intellectual/learning 9744 13655 10128 8076 8535 8038 7706 6171 5075 3065 67 80260
Musculo-skeletal and
connective tissue
580 1357 2076 4059 8358 14872 24739 37071 58455 73096 3471 228134
Nervous system 1034 1307 1738 1911 2466 3146 3982 4432 5444 5191 276 30927
Psychological
/psychiatric
3295 7602 12378 16456 21129 24181 28545 29023 28763 22808 879 195059
Reproductive system 5 13 18 29 30 35 36 27 23 21 0 237
Respiratory system 92 223 259 297 469 866 1569 2833 5162 7382 389 19541
Sense organs 726 1049 1072 1173 1492 1735 2018 2363 3080 3603 268 18579
Skin disorders and burns 14 11 22 25 50 55 73 58 75 65 1 449
Urogenital system 51 93 72 138 190 226 317 324 444 411 14 2280
Visceral disorder 19 98 161 297 466 733 1070 1401 1637 1693 72 7647
Not Coded 1 45 340 1299 1768 2003 2320 2465 2805 3790 2363 19197
Total 17199 28814 31910 38288 51522 65107 85328 102201 133948 150591 9248 714156

2.3 Recipients by Musculo-skeletal/Connective tissue Medical Conditions

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

Chart 2.3: DSP Recipients by Age at June 2007 Medical Condition: Musculo-skeletal / Connective Tissue

2.4 Recipients by Psychological/Psychiatric Medical Conditions

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

Chart 2.4: DSP Recipients by Age at June 2007 Medical Condition: Psychological/Psychiatric

2.5 Recipients by Intellectual Medical Conditions

Recipients with intellectual/learning disabilities are predominately in the 16 to 29 year age bracket. The majority of these recipients are born with their condition and may have a reduced lifespan as a result of their condition. This is reflected in information on duration on DSP for recipients with these disabilities.

Chart 2.5: DSP Recipients by Age at June 2007 Medical Condition: Intellectual /Learning Disabilities

2.6 Recipients by Circulatory Medical Conditions

The age distribution for recipients with Circulatory conditions is skewed strongly towards the older age groups. This indicates a strong correlation between this type of condition and age.

Chart 2.6: DSP recipients by Age at June 2007 Medical Condition: Circulatory System

2.7 Recipients by Blind Indicator

There were 11,063 recipients identified as permanently blind (1.6% of the total DSP population). Of these, 55.9% were male, compared to the total DSP population where 58.4% were male.

Recipients who are blind tend to be slightly younger than the total DSP population with nearly half (47.1%) aged 35-54.

Chart 2.7 DSP recipients by Blind Indicator by Age and Gender at June 2007

Table 2.3: DSP Recipients by Blind Indicator by Age and Gender at June 2007
Age
Blind Recipients
Total DSP recipients
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
Total
%
16-19 196 3.1% 162 3.2% 358 3.2% 17,199 2.4%
20-24 356 5.6% 254 5.1% 610 5.4% 28,814 4.0%
25-29 378 6.0% 286 5.7% 664 5.9% 31,910 4.5%
30-34 477 7.5% 398 7.9% 875 7.7% 38,288 5.4%
35-39 647 10.2% 525 10.5% 1,172 10.3% 51,522 7.2%
40-44 647 10.2% 585 11.7% 1,232 10.9% 65,107 9.1%
45-49 733 11.6% 651 13.0% 1,384 12.2% 85,328 11.9%
50-54 824 13.0% 677 13.5% 1,501 13.2% 102,201 14.3%
55-59 907 14.3% 844 16.8% 1,751 15.4% 133,948 18.8%
60-64 1004 15.9% 597 11.9% 1,601 14.1% 150,591 21.1%
65+ 155 2.5% 39 0.8% 194 1.7% 9,248 1.3%
Total 6,324 55.8% 5,018 44.2% 11,342 1.6% 714,156 100.0%

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3. Earnings and Duration on Income Support

3.1 Recipients with Earnings from Employment

In June 2007, 9.9 per cent of DSP recipients declared income from employment. This is a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from June 2006. Of DSP earners, 22.1 per cent report earnings of less than $100 per fortnight and 19.5 per cent report earnings of between $500 to less than $1000 per fortnight.

Under the current income test, a single DSP recipient can earn up to $132 per fortnight without their payment being reduced. A couple can have a combined income of up to $232 per fortnight before the payment rate is affected.

Due to a change in extract source for June 2007, DSP earnings from employment are now reported as fortnightly income.

Chart 3.1 DSP Recipients by Forthnight Earned Income Range at June 2007

Table 3.1: DSP Recipients by Fortnightly Earned Income Range at June 2007
Fortnightly Earnings
Total
Earned only %
Total %
No Earnings 643,303 na 90.1%
Less than $100 15,677 22.1% 2.2%
$100 to < $200 16,226 22.9% 2.3%
$200 to < $300 9,293 13.1% 1.3%
$300 to < $400 5,945 8.4% 0.8%
$400 to < $500 4,684 6.6% 0.7%
$500 to < $1000 13,785 19.5% 1.9%
$1000 to < $1500 3,975 5.6% 0.6%
Over $1500 1,268 1.8% 0.2%
Total 714,156 9.9% 100.0%

3.2 Recipients by Duration on Income Support and Gender

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

The distribution of DSP recipients by duration in income support is evenly spilt across less than 1 year to the less than 10 year periods. 23.3 per cent have been in receipt of an income support payment for less than 5 years with 26.3 per cent having duration of between 5 years to less than 10 and overall 49.6 per cent have been in receipt of an income support payment for less than 10 years.

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

Chart 3.2 DSP Duration on Payment by Gender at June 2007

Table 3.2: DSP Customers by Duration on Payment and Gender at June 2007
Duration
Males
%
Females
%
Total
%
< 1 year 13,877 3.4% 10,276 3.4% 24,153 3.4%
1 to < 2 Years 18,698 4.5% 12,911 4.3% 31,609 4.4%
2 to < 3 Years 20,463 5.0% 14,577 4.8% 35,040 4.9%
3 to < 4 Years 21,936 5.3% 15,637 5.2% 37,573 5.3%
4 to < 5 Years 22,956 5.6% 14,999 5.0% 37,955 5.3%
5 to < 6 Years 23,688 5.7% 16,091 5.3% 39,779 5.6%
6 to < 7 Years 23,483 5.7% 15,597 5.2% 39,080 5.5%
7 to < 8 Years 20,965 5.1% 14,493 4.8% 35,458 5.0%
8 to < 9 Years 19,935 4.8% 14,256 4.7% 34,191 4.8%
9 to < 10 Years 22,831 5.5% 16,395 5.4% 39,226 5.5%
10 to < 15 Years 107,227 26.0% 85,303 28.3% 192,530 27.0%
15 to < 20 years 54,147 13.1% 35,558 11.8% 89,705 12.6%
20+ years 42,827 10.4% 35,030 11.6% 77,857 10.9%
Total 413,033 100.0% 301,123 100.0% 714,156 100.0%

Duration is based on Income Support Duration.

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

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

DSP recipients aged 50 years or over make up 55.4 per cent of the DSP population, these recipients also tend to have been on an income support payment for longer periods than recipients aged less than 50 years. The average duration on income support is current 10.2 years.

Chart 3.3 DSP by Duration by Gender and 50 Year Age Split at June 2007

Table 3.3: DSP Recipients by Gender, Duration and 50 year Age Split at June 2007
Duration
<50 yrs
50+ yrs
Males
Females
Total
% of total
<50 yrs
Male
Female
Total
% of total
50+ yrs
< 1 year 6,191 4,323 10,514 3.3% 7,686 5,953 13,639 3.4%
1 to < 2 Years 8,933 5,585 14,518 4.6% 9,765 7,326 17,091 4.3%
2 to < 3 Years 9,796 6,290 16,086 5.1% 10,667 8,287 18,954 4.8%
3 to < 4 Years 10,556 6,797 17,353 5.5% 11,380 8,840 20,220 5.1%
4 to < 5 Years 10,490 6,736 17,226 5.4% 12,466 8,263 20,729 5.2%
5 to < 6 Years 10,830 7,097 17,927 5.6% 12,858 8,994 21,852 5.5%
6 to < 7 Years 11,159 7,091 18,250 5.7% 12,324 8,506 20,830 5.3%
7 to < 8 Years 10,171 6,609 16,780 5.7% 10,794 7,884 18,678 4.7%
8 to < 9 Years 9,587 6,513 16,100 5.1% 10,348 7,743 18,091 4.6%
9 to < 10 Years 11,938 8,420 20,358 6.4% 10,893 7,975 18,868 4.8%
10 to < 15 Years 47,169 37,233 84,402 26.5% 60,058 48,070 108,128 27.3%
15 to < 20 years 22,618 15,566 38,184 12.0% 31,529 19,992 51,521 13.0%
> 20 years 16,144 14,326 30,470 9.6% 26,683 20,704 47,387 12.0%
Total 185,582 132,586 318,168 100.0% 227,451 168,537 395,988 100.0%

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4. New Claims

4.1 New Claims Granted by Age and Gender

During the period July 2006 to June 2007, there were 99,418 new claims for DSP processed. Of these, 62,608 were granted (63 per cent).

Males make up 54.2 per cent of new grants for DSP while females comprise 45.8 per cent, this compares with 56 per cent for males and 44 per cent for females in 2005-06. These proportions are similar to the percentage distribution of males and females in the overall DSP population (males currently make up 57.8 per cent of the total DSP population and females 42.2 per cent. The age distribution of new grants shows a higher percentage of recipients in the age groups 50- 64 years which aligns with the 2005-06 financial year.

Chart 4.1 DSP Grants by Gender and Age for 2006-07

Table 4.1: DSP New Grants by Age and Gender 2006-07
Age
New grants
Male
%
Female
%
Total
%
16-19 3,248 9.6% 2,187 7.6% 5,435 8.7%
20-24 1,196 3.5% 819 2.9% 2,015 3.2%
25-29 1,320 3.9% 895 3.1% 2,215 3.5%
30-34 1,757 5.2% 1,278 4.5% 3,035 4.8%
35-39 2,351 6.9% 1,945 6.8% 4,296 6.9%
40-44 2,967 8.7% 2,801 9.8% 5,768 9.2%
45-49 3,461 10.2% 3,841 13.4% 7,302 11.7%
50-54 4,083 12.0% 4,602 16.1% 8,685 13.9%
55-59 6,036 17.8% 6,308 22.0% 12,344 19.7%
60-64 7,483 22.0% 3,992 13.9% 11,475 18.3%
65+ 37 0.1% 1 0.0% 38 0.1%
Unknown 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Total 33,939 100.0% 28,669 100.0% 62,608 100.0%

4.2 Comparison of New Grants and Current Recipients by Medical Condition

The overall grant numbers by medical condition for 2006-07 continues to highlight the four main categories with the inclusion of cancer/ tumor at 7.8 per cent of the total grants slightly higher than intellectual / learning 5.9 per cent and circulatory system 6.8 per cent. Musculo-skeletal continues to be the main medical condition for grants with 30 per cent followed by psychological / psychiatric with 24 per cent.

However, when comparing grants for 2005-06 to 2006-07 there has been an increase in chronic pain 1.6 percentage points, gastro-intestinal system 0.9 percentage points and nervous system 1.3 percentage points.

Table 4.2: DSP New Grants and Current Recipients by Medical Condition: 2006-07
Medical Condition
Male
%
Female
%
New Grants
%
Total Recipients
%
Acquired brain impairment 763 2.2% 352 1.2% 1,115 1.8% 16,827 2.4%
Amputation 121 0.4% 28 0.1% 149 0.2% 1,568 0.2%
Cancer/tumour 2,790 8.2% 2,099 7.3% 4,889 7.8% 13,033 1.8%
Poorly Defined Cause 368 1.1% 956 3.3% 1,324 2.1% 5,572 0.8%
Chronic Pain 751 2.2% 767 2.7% 1,518 2.4% 7,596 1.1%
Circulatory system 2,943 8.7% 1,305 4.6% 4,248 6.8% 35,461 5.0%
Congenital abnormality / Inherited Disorders 388 1.1% 354 1.2% 742 1.2% 10,894 1.5%
Endocrine and immune system 705 2.1% 656 2.3% 1,361 2.2% 16,730 2.5%
Gastro-intestinal system 328 1.0% 420 1.5% 748 1.2% 2,980 0.4%
Intellectual/learning 2,235 6.6% 1,439 5.0% 3,674 5.9% 80,260 11.2%
Infectious Diseases 174 0.5% 87 0.3% 261 0.4% 1,185 0.2%
Musculo-skeletal and connective tissue 9,637 28.4% 9,170 32.0% 18,807 30.0% 228,134 31.9%
Nervous system 1,699 5.0% 1,744 6.1% 3,443 5.5% 30,927 4.3%
Psychological/psychiatric 8,140 24.0% 6,880 24.0% 15,020 24.0% 195,059 27.3%
Reproductive system 3 0.0% 71 0.2% 74 0.1% 237 0.0%
Respiratory system 1,288 3.8% 1,105 3.9% 2,393 3.8% 19,541 2.7%
Sense organs 41 0.2% 729 2.5% 1,606 2.6% 18,579 2.6%
Skin disorders and burns 877 2.6% 51 0.2% 92 0.1% 449 0.1%
Urogenital system 374 1.1% 300 1.0% 674 1.1% 2,280 0.3%
Visceral disorder 294 0.9% 145 0.5% 439 0.7% 7,647 1.1%
Not Coded 20 0.1% 11 0.0% 31 0.0% 19,197 2.7%
Total 33,939 100.0% 28,669 100.0% 62,608 100.0% 714 156 100.0%

4.3 DSP Grants by Age for the 5 main Medical Categories in 2006-07.

DSP grants for the 5 main medical conditions in the 2006-07 financial year shows that:

  • new recipients with musculo-skeletal/connective tissue conditions increases for recipients aged 40 years and above, this aligns with the overall DSP population with the same condition;
  • new recipients with psychological/psychiatric conditions is evenly spread across all of the age brackets. The incidence does increase from 40 years and over this aligns with the overall DSP population with the same condition;
  • new recipients with intellectual / learning difficulties shows a higher incidence of grant in the 16 – 19 year age bracket. The grant numbers for this condition significantly drop from 20 years onwards.
  • New recipients with cancer / tumor shows a higher incidence in the 55 – 64 age bracket this is consistent with the overall DSP population.

Refer to Table 2.2.1 for Medical Categories by age for total DSP population.

Table 4.3 DSP Grants by Age for the 5 main Medical Categories for 2006-07
Age
Musculo-Skeletal /
Connective Tissue
Psychological
/ Psychiatric
Caner
/ Tumor
Circulatory
System
Intellectual
/ Learning
16-19 145 1268 74 42 2716
20-24 166 1043 57 26 243
25-29 274 1197 71 44 132
30-34 528 1474 133 53 101
35-39 994 1803 214 106 110
40-44 1591 1938 350 204 113
45-49 2276 1942 606 371 113
50-54 3140 1750 851 603 63
55-59 5013 1566 1280 1197 56
60-64 4688 1036 1248 1596 27
65+ 12 3 5 6 0
Total 18 807 15 020 4889 4248 3674

4.4 New Claims Rejected by Reason and Gender

During the period July 2006 to June 2007, there were 99,418 new claims for DSP processed. Of these, 36,810 were rejected (37 per cent). The main reason for medical rejections of DSP claims was disability short-term (28.57 per cent) followed by less than 20% impairment (27.65 per cent).

The non medical rejections are 33.7 per cent of total rejections with the main rejection reason being failed to supply requested information (15.66 per cent).

In 2006-07 male rejections were 54.6 per cent with females 45.4 per cent.

Table 4.4: DSP New Claims Rejected by Reason and Gender - 2006/07
Medical Rejection Reasons
Males
%
Female
%
Total
%
Less than 20% impaired 5,414 26.95% 4,765 28.49% 10,179 27.65%
Disability is short term 5,703 28.39% 4,814 28.79% 10,517 28.57%
Manifest - temporary 538 2.68% 533 3.19% 1,071 2.91%
>20% impaired/can work full time 47 0.23% 25 0.15% 72 0.20%
>20% impaired/can work 15+ hours per week 976 4.86% 702 4.20% 1,678 4.56%
>20% impaired/can be re-skilled 59 0.29% 34 0.20% 93 0.25%
Manifest - can work 15 HRS P/W 92 0.46% 81 0.48% 173 0.47%
Manifest - can work 30 HRS P/W 86 0.43% 50 0.30% 136 0.37%
Manifest - not sufficient impairment 209 1.04% 216 1.29% 425 1.15%
Not permanently blind 14 0.07% 15 0.09% 29 0.08%
Non-medical Rejection Reasons            
Failed to supply requested information 3,225 16.06% 2,540 15.19% 5,765 15.66%
Fail to attend assess/medical exam/interview 529 2.63% 442 2.64% 971 2.64%
Excess income/Assets no medical exam 33 0.16% 42 0.25% 75 0.20%
Assets over limit 240 1.19% 144 0.86% 384 1.04%
Other 2,922 14.5% 2,320 13.87% 5,242 14.24%
Total 20,087 100% 16,723 100% 36,810 100%

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5. Where DSP Recipients are Coming From and Going To

5.1 Where DSP Recipients Are Coming From

There were 61,063 people receiving DSP in June 2007 who were not receiving DSP in June 2006. These "new recipients" represent 8.6 per cent of the total DSP population as at June 2007. The largest group of people entering DSP are those who were not previously receiving an income support payment 44.2 per cent, followed by Newstart 34.1 per cent which is up from 32.8 per cent in 2005-06.

21.6 per cent of recipients moving onto DSP have their origins from a range of other payments, being Parenting Payment (Single & Partnered), Youth Allowance, Sickness Allowance and Partner Allowance. The numbers from each payment are small and these proportions have remained fairly static for at least the last few financial years.

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

Chart 5.1: Origins Percentages of People Entering DSP from June 2006 to June 2007

Table 5.1: People Entering DSP from June 2006 to June 2007
Origin Count %
Non Client 27,008 44.2%
Newstart Allowance 20,839 34.1%
Parenting Payments 4,471 7.3%
Youth Allowance 1,276 2.1%
Sickness Allowance 958 1.6%
Partner Allowance 617 1.0%
Other payments 5,894 9.7%
Total 61,063 100.0%

5.2 Where DSP Recipients Are Going To

The majority of recipients who were on DSP in June 2006 but were not on DSP in June 2007 moved on to Age Pension (53.3 per cent).

Of the people who left DSP, 24.1 per cent left payments entirely. A substantial proportion (16.6 per cent) of exits from DSP was because of the death of the recipient.

Chart 5.2: Destination Percentages of DSP Customers Leaving Payment from June 2006 to June 2007

Table 5.2: DSP Recipients Leaving Payment from June 2006 to June 2007
Origin
Count
%
Age Pension 32,160 53.3%
Non Client 14,507 24.1%
Deceased 9,987 16.6%
Newstart/Youth Allowance 784 1.3%
Other payments 2,857 4.7%
Total 61,063 100.0%

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