Headline indicator 5.1: Affordable housing
Measure 5.1.1: Proportion of people who spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs
5.1.1 Rationale
Spending more than 30% of income on housing is a standard way of considering housing affordability.
5.1.1 Results
| Year | People with disability | People without disability | Relative inequality |
|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 16.1% | 15.5% | 1.04 |
2022 | 13.8% | 12.8% | 1.08 |
5.1.1 Description of results
In 2018, the proportion of people with disability who spent more than 30% of their income on housing costs was 16.1%. By 2022, this had fallen slightly, with 13.8% for people with disability spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
For both people with and without disability the proportion of people spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs has decreased slightly from 2018 to 2022. But relative differences between people with and without disability have remained stable.
5.1.1 Definition
Each measure is estimated separately for people with and without disability where data is available.
- Denominator: All people aged 15+ years
- Numerator: People living in households in which housing costs exceed 30% of household disposable income
5.1.1 Data source
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey
5.1.1 Data availability
Baseline year: 2018
Frequency: Annual
5.1.1 Technical note
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) is a household survey. By design it does not include people experiencing homelessness or those living in communal homes, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and other non-private dwellings. This is an important limitation of our headline measures, as they do not include people with disability in non-private dwellings.
Disposable income refers to “disposable regular income” as reported by the HILDA survey. It is total income minus estimated income taxes. Regular income excludes irregular components of income such as inheritance.
Measure 5.1.2: Proportion of people not able to pay their utility bills on time
5.1.2 Rationale
Paying bills on time reflects if a person has money available at the time that they need it. This may likewise affect housing security.
5.1.2 Results
| Year | People with disability | People without disability | Relative inequality |
|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 15.7% | 7.6% | 2.07 |
2022 | 14.9% | 6.9% | 2.15 |
5.1.2 Description of results
In 2018, 15.7% of people with disability reported they were unable to pay their utility bills on time. By 2022 this had remained largely stable with 14.9% of people with disability reporting they were not able to pay their utility bills on time.
Compared to people without disability, people with disability were twice as likely to not be able to pay their bills on time at both time periods. The data therefore indicate a consistently higher proportion of people with disability are unable to pay their utility bills on time.
5.1.2 Definition
Each measure is estimated separately for people with and without disability where data is available.
- Denominator: All people aged 15+ years
- Numerator: People who could not pay electricity, gas or telephone bills on time
5.1.2 Data source
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey
5.1.2 Data availability
Baseline year: 2018
Frequency: Annual
5.1.2 Technical note
By design, the HILDA survey – a household-based survey – does not include people experiencing homelessness or those living in communal homes, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and other non-private dwellings. This is an important limitation of our headline measures, as they do not include people with disability in non-private dwellings.
Participants in HILDA were asked if, in the year of the survey, they had been unable to pay their electricity, gas, or telephone bills on time due to a shortage of money.
Headline indicator 5.2: Suitable housing
Measure 5.2.1: Proportion of people who are satisfied with their home
5.2.1 Rationale
Housing satisfaction reflects if a person’s house meets their housing needs and is an indicator of suitable housing.
5.2.1 Results
| Year | People with disability | People without disability | Relative inequality |
|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 66.5% | 70.9% | 0.94 |
2022 | 70.8% | 75.3% | 0.94 |
5.2.1 Description of results
In 2018, 66.5% of people with disability reported being satisfied with their home. By 2022, 70.8% of people with disability were satisfied with their home.
Housing satisfaction has increased for both groups, so the inequality in housing satisfaction has stayed stable – people with disability are 0.94 times less likely to be satisfied with their home. This data show that there still remains a gap in housing satisfaction between people with and without disability.
5.2.1 Definition
Each measure is estimated separately for people with and without disability where data is available.
- Denominator: All people aged 15+ years
- Numerator: People with a home satisfaction score of 8 or more
5.2.1 Data source
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey
5.2.1 Data availability
Baseline year: 2018
Frequency: Annual
5.2.1 Technical note
HILDA, by design does not include people experiencing homelessness or living in communal homes, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and other non-private dwellings. This is an important limitation, as it means the data does not include people with disability in non-private dwellings. We don't have specific data on suitable housing conditions for people with disability. We do not know if physical access to the home or its layout and amenities are suitable for individuals. Instead, we are using housing satisfaction as an approximation of suitable housing. Housing satisfaction refers to how satisfied individuals are with their housing conditions, influenced by factors such as the physical quality of the home, neighbourhood characteristics, and the alignment of these with personal expectations and needs.
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