Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 Outcomes Framework: Second annual report

An improved understanding of disability by workers in professions, with whom people with disability often interact, will increase access to, and the quality of, the services and supports needed by people with disability (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).

Training and professional development, together with improvements to legislation, regulation, workplace structures, policies and culture, play a crucial role in developing occupational and workplace attitudes and behaviours towards people with disability (Australian Council of Learned Academies 2022).

Data for the 4 key sector measures are drawn from Australia’s Disability Strategy Survey – Share with us.

The List of measures report the average percentage of positive responses.

Educator attitudes

Educators are defined as people aged 18 and over who are employed in the education sector (including child care, preschools, primary, secondary, and special schools, technical and vocational education, universities and other higher education institutions, adult education, and community education).

The desired community attitude outcome for this measure is that attitudinal barriers toward people with disability within key workforces are removed. 

Latest results: 2022 (Baseline)

• In 2022, 63% of educator responses were positive about being disability confident and responding positively to people with disability (Figure 8.2).
• A higher proportion of female educator responses than male educator responses (66% and 58% respectively) were positive about being disability confident and responding positively to people with disability.

Things to consider when interpreting results:

• For further details on the 6 questions about confidence in responding positively to and ability to advise, assist or treat people with disability see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Data Dictionary | Educator attitudes.

Health worker attitudes

Health workers are defined as people aged 18 and over who are employed in the health care sector (including hospitals, doctors and dentists, pathology, medical imaging, optometrists, allied and other health services (such as physiotherapy, homeopathy, psychology), and ambulances).

The desired community attitude outcome for this measure is that attitudinal barriers toward people with disability within key workforces are removed. 

Latest results: 2022 (Baseline)

• In 2022, 71% of responses from health workers were positive about being disability confident and responding positively to people with disability (Figure 8.2).
• Responses from cultural and linguistic diverse (CALD) health workers were less positive (62%) about being disability confident and responding positively to people with disability than health workers with a non-CALD background (75%).

Things to consider when interpreting results:

• For further details on the 6 questions about confidence in responding positively to and ability to advise, assist or treat people with disability see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Data Dictionary | Health worker attitudes.

Personal and community support worker attitudes

Personal and community support workers are defined as people aged 18 and over who are employed in the residential care (including aged care, hospices, crisis care, group homes) or social and community services sector (including adult day care, disability assistance services, youth welfare, and family support and counselling).

The desired community attitude outcome for this measure is that attitudinal barriers toward people with disability within key workforces are removed.

Latest results: 2022 (Baseline)

• In 2022, 79% of responses from personal and community support workers were positive about being disability confident and responding positively to people with disability (Figure 8.2).

Things to consider when interpreting results:

• For further details on the 6 questions about confidence in responding positively to and ability to advise, assist or treat people with disability see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Data Dictionary | Personal and community support worker attitudes.

Justice and legal worker attitudes

Justice and legal workers are defined as people aged 18 and over who are employed in the legal services (including barristers and solicitors, conveyancing, legal aid, courts) or public order and safety sector (including police, gaols, correctional centres, juvenile detention, remand centres).

The desired community attitude outcome for this measure is that attitudinal barriers toward people with disability within key workforces are removed. 

Latest results: 2022 (Baseline)

• In 2022, 66% of responses from justice and legal workers were positive about being disability confident and responding positively to people with disability (Figure 8.2).

Things to consider when interpreting results:

• For further details on the 6 questions about confidence in responding positively to and ability to advise, assist or treat people with disability see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Data Dictionary | Justice and legal worker attitudes.

For figure notes, see Appendix C: Figure notes and sources.

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Key sector attitudes