The 2023–24 May Budget includes a number of measures dedicated to improving support for people with disability and delivering outcomes under Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031. Measures focus on boosting the workforce participation and opportunities for people with disability, progressing the National Autism Strategy and establishing the National Disability Data Asset.
$41 million
Commits $41 million over 3 years to increase the capacity of the supported employment sector to support people with disability with high support needs.
$3.2 million
Additional funding of $3.2 million to extend the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline and the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service, to ensure a continued service for users of disability services including Australian Disability Enterprises, for two years.
$31.4 million
$31.4 million committed to deliver the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) which will streamline and improve disability data collection.
$11.7 million
$11.7 million over 4 years to establish a disability employment advocacy and information program for supported employees, and their families and carers.
$1.1 million
Dedicates $1.1 million to consultation and design of the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence which will better support JobSeekers with disability, including supported employees, employers and employment service providers.
$10.2 million
Delivers $10.2 million over 4 years from 2023–24 to establish the Central Coordination of Disability Policy that will drive whole-of-government action under Australia’s Disability Strategy.
$3.7 million
$3.7 million investment in the research and consultation phase of the National Autism Strategy to support co-design of the Strategy to improve life outcomes for autistic people.
$22.1 million
$22.1 million over four years to deliver two new evidence based pre-emptive early intervention pilots for infants with early signs of autism. The early years are a window of opportunity to positively influence children’s development. The pilots align with the Early Years Strategy and the National Autism Strategy both currently under consultation for development.
4.4 million people in Australia identify as having a disability
Number of People with Disability
New South Wales - 1,346,200
Victoria - 1,098,200
Queensland - 938,100
South Australia - 332,500
Western Australia - 411,500
Tasmania - 140,100
Northern Territory - 20,700
Australian Capital Territory - 80,000
Total - 4,367,200
Data Source: ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, 2018 - accessed from ABS Table Builder
For information about the 2023–24 May Budget, visit the Australian Government budget website