Advocacy program support

What is being tracked?

Measure: Proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions

The Strategy would like to see the following tracked – proportion of people who accessed independent advocacy programs reporting improved choice and control to make their own decisions. Available data do not currently allow this.

This measure is part of the Rights are protected and upheld priority of the Strategy. This priority is about protecting the rights of people with disability, decreasing discrimination, and improving access to supports that help people with disability stand up for themselves and make their own decisions.

The desired outcome is that more people with disability who use advocacy programs report improved choice and control to make their own decisions.

Last updated: 25 Jan 2024

Outcome area: Safety, rights and justice Priority: Rights are protected and upheld

Baseline value

62%in 2020–21
Latest value

63%in 2022–23

Progress the measure is moving in the direction the Strategy wants

View the data source

Trends

Has the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions increased over time?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions. In 2022–23, 63% of assessed NDAP clients reported improved choice and control, as did 62% of assessed clients in 2020–21.

Year	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
2020–21	62%
2021–22	59%
2022–23	63%

Notes:

Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview

State and territory

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary between states and territories?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, grouped by Australian states and territories. In 2022–23, in Tasmania, 74% of assessed NDAP clients reported improved choice and control, compared with 52% in Western Australia (please note that some categories were not published due to small numbers and to protect confidentiality).

State/Territory	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
National	63%
New South Wales	62%
Victoria	57%
Queensland	66%
Western Australia	52%
South Australia	70%
Tasmania	74%
Australian Capital Territory	n.p.
Northern Territory	n.p.

Notes:

n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.

Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
A small number of clients (<5) received services from two outlets in two different states or remoteness areas and have been counted in each.
State/Territory categories are based on the outlet address where the client received their last assessment.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview

Population groups

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary for First Nations and non-Indigenous clients?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, by Indigenous status. In 2022–23, 57% of First Nations clients reported improved choice and control, as did 65% of non-Indigenous clients.
Indigenous status % of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions

First Nations 57%

Non-Indigenous 65%

All persons 63%

Notes:
Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
First Nations refers to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview
Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by gender?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, for males and females. In 2022–23, 64% of male clients reported improved choice and control, compared with 62% of female clients (please note that some categories were not published due to small numbers and to protect confidentiality).
Gender % of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions

Males 64%

Females 62%

Intersex n.p.

All persons 63%

Notes:
n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.
Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview
Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by age?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, grouped by age. In 2022–23, 67% of assessed NDAP clients in the 0–24 age group reported improved choice and control, as did 62% in the 45–64 age group.
Age group % of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions

0–24 67%

25–44 64%

45–64 62%

65 and over 63%

All ages 63%

Notes:
n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.
Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
Age refers to the age of the client at their last NDAP session in the financial year 2022–2023.
Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview
Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by cultural and linguistic diversity background?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) status. In 2022–23, 61% of clients from CALD backgrounds reported improved choice and control, compared with 63% among the non-CALD group.
Cultural and linguistic diversity status % of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions

CALD 61%

Non-CALD 63%

All persons 63%

Notes:
Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
CALD refers to clients where their Country of Birth is Not 'Australia' and their Main Spoken Language is NOT 'English' or 'Not Stated'.
Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview

Indigenous status	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
First Nations	57%
Non-Indigenous	65%
All persons	63%

Gender	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
Males	64%
Females	62%
Intersex	n.p.
All persons	63%

Age group	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
0–24	67%
25–44	64%
45–64	62%
65 and over	63%
All ages	63%

Cultural and linguistic diversity status	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
CALD	61%
Non-CALD	63%
All persons	63%

Remoteness

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by remoteness?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, grouped by remoteness. In 2022–23, in inner regional areas, 66% of assessed NDAP clients reported improved choice and control, as did 57% in outer regional areas (please note that some categories were not published due to small numbers and to protect confidentiality).

Remoteness	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
Major cities	64%
Inner regional	66%
Outer regional	57%
Remote and very remote	n.p.
All areas	63%

Notes:

n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.

Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
A small number of clients (<5) received services from two outlets in two different states or remoteness areas and have been counted in each.
Remoteness categories are based on the outlet address where the client received their last assessment. Remoteness categories are based on ABS ASGS 2016.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

n.p. (not published) Results have been suppressed to avoid identifying individual people and due to volatility caused by small numbers.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview

Disability group

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by disability group?

The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of assessed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) clients (of all ages) who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions, by disability group. In 2022–23, of NDAP clients with psychiatric disability, 67% reported improved choice and control, as did 62% of NDAP clients with sensory/speech disability.

Disability group	% of assessed NDAP clients who report improved choice and control to make decisions
Physical/diverse	63%
Intellectual/learning	66%
Psychiatric	67%
Sensory/speech	62%
Unknown	56%
All disabilities	63%

Notes:

Data current as at 21 August 2023.
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies are people with disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments; is permanent or likely to be permanent; and results in a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility and the need for ongoing support services.
A 'client' can be either a person with disability or a carer/family member of a person with disability.
A client is considered to have improved when the Goals domain 'Empowerment, choice and control to make own decisions' outcome that had changed, with a positive outcome as calculated by the difference between: a. The latest recorded Standard Client Outcome Reporting (SCORE) in the reporting period, for each domain, minus b. The earliest recorded SCORE for the corresponding domain.
According to DSS Data Exchange (DEX) protocol, a SCORE may be determined by the practitioner’s professional assessment, a client’s self-assessment, a joint assessment between the client and practitioner, or an assessment by the client’s support person (such as a carer). In the case of a child client, the assessor may be the carer.
Participation in the 'partnership approach' became a requirement of funding for all NDAP providers from 1 January 2021. Under the partnership approach, providers are expected to assess clients and report SCORE data in the DEX for over 50 per cent of their clients. As at 30 June 2021, assessments had been conducted for 8.6% of clients; as at 30 June 2022, assessments had been conducted for 14% of clients; as at 30 June 2023, assessments had been conducted for 18% of clients.
Organisations funded under the NDAP program are required under their agreement with the Commonwealth to enter data into the DEX in accordance with the Data Exchange Protocols.
The total for disability group does not match the sum of the rows, as a client may have more than one disability.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange.

Source: Department of Social Services – Data Exchange (DEX) | Data source overview

Where did these data come from?

Data on advocacy program support come from administrative data collected by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Learn more about these data

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Advocacy program support

What is being tracked?

Baseline value

Latest value

Trends

Has the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions increased over time?

State and territory

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary between states and territories?

Population groups

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary for First Nations and non-Indigenous clients?

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by gender?

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by age?

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by cultural and linguistic diversity background?

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by remoteness?

Does the proportion of assessed NDAP clients who reported improved choice and control to make their own decisions vary by disability group?

Where did these data come from?

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