1143.0.55.001 - Directory of Culture and Leisure Statistics, 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/08/2002   
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Contents >> Alphabetic index of collections >> Disability, ageing and carers

DISABILITY, AGEING AND CARERS

PURPOSE

To measure the prevalence of disability in Australia and consequent need for support; to provide a demographic and socioeconomic profile of people with disabilities and older people compared with the general population; and to provide information about people who provide care to those with disabilities. The survey includes information on cultural and recreational activities undertaken by older people and people with disabilities.

DESCRIPTION

The survey covers all persons in Australia except certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments, members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependants) stationed in Australia, and overseas residents visiting Australia. The sample includes private dwellings and selected non-private dwellings (such as hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes and other establishments providing cared accommodation but excluding corrective institutions). The survey is conducted in both urban and rural areas in all States and Territories, but since 1997 excludes persons living in some remote and sparsely settled parts of Australia.

In 1998 the survey went to approximately 16,000 households; 800 health establishments, including hospitals, nursing homes and retirement villages; and 200 non-private dwellings such as caravan parks and motels. The data were collected by mail questionnaire completed by the administrators of health establishments, and by personal interview from other dwellings.

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Australia

FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION

Five yearly

DATA ITEMS

Number of persons

The total number of persons aged 5 years and over in Australia.

Social or community participation at home in the last three months

Records whether people aged 5 years or more with a disability, or aged 60 years and over, living in households, have undertaken any of the following activities at home in the last three months:
Visits from family or friends
Telephone calls with family or friends
Craftwork for or with other people
Church or special community activities
Voluntary work (including advocacy)
None of the above

Social or community participation away from home in the last three months

Records whether people aged 5 years or more with a disability, or aged 60 years and over, living in households, have undertaken any of the following activities away from home in the last three months:
Visited relatives or friends
Restaurant or club
Church activities
Voluntary activity
Performing arts group activities
Art/craft group activity
Other special interest group activities
Other
Does not leave home

Culture or leisure participation away from home in the last twelve months

Records whether people aged 5 years or more with a disability, or aged 60 years and over, living in households, have undertaken any of the following activities away from home in the last twelve months:
Visited museum or art gallery
Visited a library
Attended a theatre or concert
Attended a cinema
Visited botanical gardens or animal/marine park
Took part in sport or physical recreation
Attended a sporting event as a spectator
None of the above
Does not leave home

Main social or community activity participates in away from home

Records, for people aged 5 years or more with a disability, or aged 60 years and over, living in households, which of the following activities is the main one undertaken away from home:
Museum or art gallery visit
Library
Theatre or concerts
Cinema
Botanical gardens, animal or marine parks
Attending sporting activities
Participating in sport or physical recreation
Visits to relatives or friends
Going to restaurant or club
Church-related activities
Volunteer work
Performing arts group activity
Organised art or craft group activity
Other special interest group activities
None of the above

Other social and community participation data

Other information on social and community activities, undertaken by people aged 5 years or more with a disability, or aged 60 years and over, living in households, includes:
Whether used a computer at home in the last 3 months, and purpose (including games)
Whether can go out as often as would like
Main reason does not go out as often as would like
Main reason does not leave home at all
Person usually accompanying respondent to main activity outside home

Disability and Ageing

Long term health conditions
Disability status
Number of people with disability in household
Impairments and restrictions
Aids and equipment
Assistance - need for assistance, in the following activities

  • Self-care
  • Mobility
  • Communication
  • Health care
  • Housework
  • Light property maintenance
  • Meal preparation
  • Paperwork
  • Transport
  • Guidance, which includes thinking things through and making decisions, coping with emotions, making and maintaining relationships, managing behaviour (children)
Assistance - receipt of assistance (in activities as above, except guidance)
Ability to use, use and availability of public transport
Core activity restriction
  • Self-care
  • Mobility
  • Communication
Schooling restriction (persons aged 5-20)
Employment restriction (persons aged 15-64)

Primary Carers


Carer status
Relationship to recipient(s) of care
Assistance provided by carer
Effect of caring role-personal
Effect of caring role-work
Support access
Whether usually speaks to main recipient in English
Whether primary carer lives with main recipient

Why primary carer took on the caring role

Other Selected Topics

Employment
Income
Education
Housing

Demographic and Family Information

Age
Sex
Relationship in household
Social marital status
Birthplace
Year of arrival in Australia
Family type
Age of youngest dependent child in family
Number of children in family
Number of older people in family
Relationship between families


Geographic area

Australia, States, Territories, capital cities and rest of State.

HISTORICAL DATA

Disability information was first collected in a supplement to the Monthly Population Survey (MPS) in 1967 and twice more as a supplement to the MPS in the 1970s. It was later collected in a series of special supplementary surveys, beginning with the Survey of Handicapped Persons in 1981 and 1988, then the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers in 1993 and 1998. The population of interest was expanded in 1988 to include older people and principal carers.

The four disability surveys conducted since 1981 have much of their collected material in common. There are differences, however, as later surveys have attempted a better coverage of disability and of specific tasks and activities previously considered too sensitive for a population survey.

DISSEMINATION

Publications

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2004, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Summary of Findings 2003, Cat. No. 4430.0, ABS, Canberra. Price $28.00. Also available for 1993 and 1998.
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2004,
Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: User Guide, 2003, Cat. No. 4431.0.55.001 (pdf file only), ABS, Canberra. Free of charge.
Australian Bureau of Statistics 1999,
Disability, Ageing and Carers, User Guide, Australia, 1988 1998, Cat. No. 4431.0, ABS, Canberra. Price $32.00. Also available for 1993.

Other


Australian Bureau of Statistics 2005,
Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, Basic Confidentialised Unit Record File (Reissue), 2003, Cat. No. 4430.0.30.002. Price $1,320.
Australian Bureau of Statistics 1999, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 1998, Confidentialised Unit Record File on CD-ROM, Cat. No. 4430.0.30.001. Price $1,320.
National Sport and Recreation Industry Database and Directory (NSRIDD).

CONTACT

In the first instance, refer to To obtain data or further information in the Introduction to this directory.

Assistant Director
Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey
Family and Community Statistics Section
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10
BELCONNEN ACT 2616

Telephone: Canberra 02 6252 7430
Facsimile: Canberra 02 6252 8007
Email: client.services@abs.gov.au



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