Social inequalities in eligibility rates and use of the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2016–22: an administrative data analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To assess differences in eligibility rates and use of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Study design: Analysis of NDIS unit-record administrative data. Setting, participants: Applicants for NDIS support aged 7 years or older, 1 July 2016 – 31 August 2022 (eligibility analysis); active NDIS participants aged 7 years or older on 31 August 2022 (plan size and spending analyses). Main outcome measures: Differences in NDIS eligibility rates by broad age group (under 55 years v 55 years or older), gender (girls and women v other applicants), and residential socio-economic status (three lowest deciles of the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage v other areas); dif..