Review of 2021 Census Topics

Redacted text

The submission covers three suggestions:
1. Add a question to ask “does the person have any limitation or restriction in one of the listed (non-core) activities?”
2. Add a question to ask “is the person a participant of NDIS”?
3. Disseminate the data items separately for the existing questions 20 to 23.

Suggestion 1: People having restriction in one of non-core activities
The disability related questions since 2006 Census have provided a rich source of information for comparing the characteristics of Australians needing assistance in core activity (ASSNP) to the rest of the community. We understand that the disability related questions are not designed to be used for estimates of disability prevalence. However, they not only provide great insights into subpopulations (such as Indigenous in remote and very remote areas), they do also facilitate the estimation of disability prevalence in small areas.

One of the limitations of the data collected via these questions is the coverage. Because ASSNP is conceptually equivalent to the profound and severe disability and practically captures only about a quarter of Australian people with disability, it severely constrains the use of the Census data to its full potential.

We recommend ABS add an additional question to the 2021 Census to capture those who have limitation or restriction in non-core activities. Other ABS disability modules have established a good base for listing these non-core activities. In order to minimise the survey load, we do not propose to have individual questions for each of these non-core activities. Instead, it should allow as a whole identification of a sub-population who have restriction in any one of the non-core activities.

Given this sub-population differs from ASSNP population, it should be reported separately. The separate reporting will ensure the stability of ASSNP population as well. However together they will capture all Australians with disability.

This expansion on coverage is also timely in the context of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which by 2012 will be in place for 10 years and its participants are not limited to people needing assistance in one of the three core activities. Improved coverage of people with disability in Census collection will provide a valuable source of information to policy makers and general community.

Suggestion 2: NDIS participants
By 2021, the NDIS will be 10 years in the running. It is desirable to include a question to identify NDIS participants. Inclusion of a NDIS identifier in Census will greatly ensure the Census has direct connection and contribution to one of the nation’s major social policy reform and largest investments.

However, we recognise that data linkage between the Census data and NDIS participant data set would be a much economical and accurate way to identify the sub-population. Therefore, we encourage the two national agencies working together on this innovative approach. NDIS identifier in 2021 Census should only be considered if the data linkage fails to eventuate.

Suggestion 3: Dissemination of disability related data
We would like to use this formal opportunity to make a suggestion on disaggregation of ASSNP. Since Census 2006, ASSNP has been released as an aggregated variable that combines the results of four questions (Questions 20-24). However, answers to each of these questions are individually valuable. We ask ABS to consider providing these data items separately, at least in the more advantaged data dissemination channels (for example, TableBuilders, CURF, and potentially in MADIP). This would allow advanced data users to explore the Census statistics to the full potential.


Please feel free to contact us for further information if required.

Your sincerely

Dr Qingsheng Zhou
Senior Research Fellow
University of Sydney

Professor Gwynnyth Llewellyn
Professor Family and Disability Studies
Director, Centre for Disability Research and Policy
University of Sydney

Suggested topic 1. Data on people having restrictions in one of non-core activities is needed for policy development, planning and program monitoring at state and territory level subsequent to the introduction of the NDIS, the COAG principles in relation to responsibility for support and services remaining at state and territory level. Currently data on those needing assistance in core activity is available in Q20 to 23. This is conceptually equivalent to profound and severe disability (ABS (2010) Cat 4431.0.55.002) and only covers about a quarter of people with disability. This data is not adequate for policy development, planning or program monitoring for state and territory purposes in supporting the remaining three-quarters of people with disabilities in Australia.

Suggested topic 2. Question to identify NDIS participants to support policy development, planning and program monitoring as per distribution of responsibility for disability as noted above.

Understanding distribution of people with disabilities as per suggested topic 1 above and as per current Q20-23 as well as suggested topic 2 above in combination with other Census questions would allow for small area examination critical to policy and program planning particularly in regional and remote areas in NDIS (and other disability support) market schemes.

The data for both our suggested topics is central to research on the disparities between people with disabilities of all ages and their non-disabled peers in Australia and to developing targeted as well as population and sub-population based policy, planning and program development and monitoring.

Suggested topic 1 People having a restriction in one of non-core activities.
This data is needed for small population groups and for small geographic areas to complement the existing data on ASSNP from Q20-23 to provide data from Census of the whole population of people with disabilities in Australia.

The value of the topic is enhanced through combining with other characteristics collected in the Census. This is not possible currently with data from SDAC.

Suggested topic 2 NDIS participants
This data is needed as NDIS participants are not equivalent to ASSNP respondents. With ASSNP, and the two suggested topics 1 and 2, full population coverage will be achieved, and in addition, the value of this will be enhanced through combining with other characteristics collected in the Census

The data for both our suggested topics is central to research on the disparities between people with disabilities of all ages and their non-disabled peers in Australia and to developing targeted as well as population and sub-population including small geographic area based policy, planning and program development and monitoring.

Suggested topic 1 People having a restriction in non-core activities
This topic can be collected in a simple question or questions, is easy and quick to answer, easily understood, and has been done successfully in modules already developed by the ABS

Suggested topic 2 NDIS participants
This topic is likely to be easily understood by participants as participation requires application, eligibility assessment, support plan development, and annual review. Collecting this information would require a simple yes/ no response.

Suggested topic 1. People having restriction in one of non-core activities.
The topic complements the already existing question on core activities which is robust and in use since 2006 Census; it would be expected that respondents would react similarly to the suggested included topic.

Suggested topic 2. NDIS participants
The NDIS is significant, ongoing disability support reform receiving bi-partisan and strong community support. It is anticipated that respondents would be willing to answer; as a yes/ no question it is highly likely that respondents would be able to answer accurately

Suggested topic 1. People having restriction in one of non-core activities
Other ABS disability modules have established a good base for listing these non-core activities. In an ideal world, the question would replicate Q20-24 but for non-core activities. If this is not possible, in order to minimise the survey load, we do not propose to have individual questions for each of these non-core activities. Instead, it should allow as a whole identification of a sub-population who have restriction in any one of the non-core activities.

Suggested topic 2. NDIS participants
As a simple yes/ no question this suggestion will not present major difficulties for coding, not require extensive processing, will not require a lengthy instruction or explanation

Suggested topic 1 People having restriction in one of non-core activities
The increasing age profile of the Australian population and the increasing incidence of disability from 65 years supports the inclusion of this topic as relevant for now and into the future. It is also critical for time series data to assist with policy, planning and program projections and specifically in relation to distribution spread (and small areas), and small populations (with other characteristics such as ATSI and CALD).

Suggested topic 2. NDIS participants
The NDIS as a national insurance scheme will remain relevant in the future; time series data on this topic in combination with other characteristics from the Census will provide critical population data for policy, planning and program purposes.

Suggested topic 1. People having restriction in one of non-core activities. There are no other data sources for this information. This information complements the existing ASSNP data available in the Census at Q20-24. This data would not be able to be produced through integration of existing data sources, including administrative data from the states and territories due to the legislated and administrative frameworks subsequent to the NDIS implementation.

Suggested topic 2. NDIS participants
We recognise that data linkage between the Census data and NDIS participant data set would be a much economical and accurate way to identify the sub-population of NDIS participants. Therefore, we encourage the two national agencies working together on this innovative approach. NDIS identifier in 2021 Census should only be considered if the data linkage fails to eventuate.

Suggestion 3 Dissemination of disability related data
We would like to use this formal opportunity to make a suggestion on disaggregation of ASSNP. Since Census 2006, ASSNP has been released as an aggregated variable that combines the results of four questions (Questions 20-24). However, answers to each of these questions are individually valuable. We ask ABS to consider providing these data items separately, at least in the more advantaged data dissemination channels (for example, TableBuilders, CURF, and potentially in MADIP). This would allow advanced data users to explore the Census statistics to the full potential.