Trends in prevalence of childhood disability
Statistics reported in the ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) (2003, 2009 and 2012)
show that between 2003 and 2012, the prevalence of severe or profound disability:
• declined among boys aged 0–4 in absolute numbers and as a proportion of the population (from
3.3% to 2.5%)
• fluctuated as a proportion among girls aged 0–4; however, absolute numbers increased from
15,100 to 17,200
• continued to be much higher among boys aged 5–14 compared with girls of the same age (6.3%
and 3.2%, respectively, in 2012) (Figure 3.10.1).