Community services
In 2013‑14, the Commonwealth will provide funding of $2.4 billion to support state community services, as detailed in Table 2.7.
The Commonwealth will assist the States with their funding contribution to DisabilityCare Australia by allocating them some of the revenue going into the DisabilityCare Australia Fund from the increase in the Medicare levy. The Commonwealth is working closely with the States towards the goal of having full national roll out of DisabilityCare Australia by July 2019.
Further, under the National Health Reform arrangements, the Commonwealth has full policy and funding responsibility for aged care services and funding responsibility for specialist disability services delivered by the States for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians). The States have responsibility for funding and regulating disability services for people aged under 65 years (under 50 years for Indigenous Australians). The exception to these arrangements is Western Australia, where the previous arrangements continue. Victoria has recently agreed to implement changes to roles and responsibilities in relation to aged care and disability services, with arrangements still to be finalised. Additional details on the National Health Reform arrangements are set out earlier in this Part.
| $million | 2012‑13 | 2013‑14 | 2014‑15 | 2015‑16 | 2016‑17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Disability SPP | 1,272.9 | 1,336.3 | 1,408.1 | 1,474.6 | 1,545.2 |
| Changed roles and responsibilities — adjustment to achieve budget neutrality | -28.8 | -98.7 | -99.1 | -103.6 | -106.8 |
| National Partnership payments | |||||
| Transitioning responsibilities for aged care and disability services(a) | |||||
| Basic community care maintenance and support services | 500.8 | 542.4 | nfp | nfp | nfp |
| Specialist disability services | 116.1 | 165.3 | 184.9 | 206.9 | 230.9 |
| Aged care assessment | 8.7 | - | - | - | - |
| Assistance to States for DisabilityCare Australia | - | - | - | 73.9 | 188.5 |
| Assisting preparation towards the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme | 1.1 | 7.1 | 4.3 | 0.6 | - |
| Certain concessions for pensioners and seniors card holders | |||||
| Certain concessions for pensioners | 270.5 | 279.7 | 291.2 | 303.2 | 316.1 |
| National reciprocal transport concessions | 12.5 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 12.5 |
| Home and Community Care — services for veterans | 8.3 | 8.1 | - | - | - |
| Pay equity for the social and community services sector | 24.5 | 55.5 | 85.1 | 116.6 | 150.5 |
| Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory | |||||
| Alice Springs Transformation Plan | 2.2 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 1.8 | - |
| Child, youth, family and community wellbeing | 13.4 | 13.6 | 11.3 | 11.6 | 11.9 |
| Community safety and justice | 21.4 | 40.3 | 34.9 | 35.6 | 34.7 |
| Municipal and essential services | 5.0 | 20.5 | 20.9 | 21.4 | 21.9 |
| Remote engagement and coordination | 3.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 3.5 |
| Tackling alcohol abuse | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Total | 2,235.4 | 2,395.3 | 1,966.0 | 2,162.6 | 2,412.5 |
(a) Estimates do not reflect the recent agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria under this National Partnership.
National Disability Agreement
The National Disability Agreement commits the Commonwealth and the States to strive, through the provision of disability support services, to help people with disabilities and their carers achieve an enhanced quality of life and participate as valued members of the community.
To meet these objectives, governments have agreed to reform their services, including to:
- improve the provision of services and opportunities to enhance the capacity of people with disability;
- ensure that services are person‑centred and provide timely access to the necessary support needs;
- identify, plan and respond to the development and support needs of people with disability at an early stage and at key life transition points; and
- support the role of carers and families, including through strengthening their informal support networks.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 414.4 | 306.0 | 250.6 | 125.8 | 109.2 | 33.7 | 19.9 | 13.4 | 1,272.9 |
| 2013‑14 | 426.9 | 331.9 | 269.5 | 146.1 | 96.5 | 29.6 | 22.2 | 13.7 | 1,336.3 |
| 2014‑15 | 448.1 | 350.1 | 284.4 | 155.9 | 101.1 | 30.7 | 23.4 | 14.4 | 1,408.1 |
| 2015‑16 | 467.4 | 367.1 | 298.3 | 165.2 | 105.2 | 31.7 | 24.6 | 15.0 | 1,474.6 |
| 2016‑17 | 487.9 | 385.1 | 313.1 | 175.2 | 109.6 | 32.8 | 25.9 | 15.6 | 1,545.2 |
The National Disability SPP is the funding associated with the National Disability Agreement. The Commonwealth is providing funding to the States under this National SPP to support disability services.
Growth factor
The Intergovernmental Agreement defines the growth factor for the National Disability SPP as the rolling five year average of year‑on‑year growth in nominal Gross Domestic Product.
For the purpose of calculating indexation, the Disabilities Assistance Package forms part of the base to calculate funding for 2012‑13 onwards.
The growth factor for the National Disability SPP is currently estimated to be 4.98 per cent in 2013‑14.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | -0.9 | - | 7.9 | - | -21.8 | -12.5 | 0.1 | -1.6 | -28.8 |
| 2013‑14 | 1.1 | - | 8.1 | - | -68.9 | -24.6 | 2.0 | -16.4 | -98.7 |
| 2014‑15 | 1.2 | - | 8.8 | - | -68.9 | -24.6 | 2.2 | -17.8 | -99.1 |
| 2015‑16 | 1.3 | - | 9.2 | - | -72.1 | -25.7 | 2.3 | -18.6 | -103.6 |
| 2016‑17 | 1.3 | - | 9.5 | - | -74.3 | -26.5 | 2.3 | -19.1 | -106.8 |
(a) Estimates do not reflect the recent agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria.
The Commonwealth makes an adjustment to ensure that the changes to Commonwealth and State roles and responsibilities for aged care and disability services as part of the National Health Reform arrangements are budget neutral until 2013‑14. Victoria has recently agreed to sign up to these arrangements, with details yet to be finalised.
Western Australia is not participating in these arrangements and no adjustment will be made to its National Disability SPP. From 1 July 2014, an adjustment will continue to be made to the National Disability SPP held constant as a per capita share of the National Disability SPP based on the adjustment made in 2013‑14.
National Partnership payments for community services
In addition to the National Disability SPP, the Commonwealth will provide funding through National Partnerships as detailed below.
National Partnership on transitioning responsibilities for aged care and disability services
The National Partnership on transitioning responsibilities for aged care and disability services implements the first phase of changes to the roles and responsibilities associated with the Commonwealth taking full funding, policy and operational responsibility for basic community care services for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians), as well as funding responsibility for specialist disability services to people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians).
As part of these reforms, States will reimburse the Commonwealth for the cost of packaged community care and residential care services delivered to persons under the age of 65 (50 years for Indigenous Australians). Further details of the National Health Reform arrangements can be found in Part 1 and the Health section of this Part.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | 350.8 | - | 150.0 | - | - | - | - | 500.8 |
| 2013‑14 | - | 379.9 | - | 162.4 | - | - | - | - | 542.4 |
| 2014‑15 | - | nfp | - | nfp | - | - | - | - | nfp |
| 2015‑16 | - | nfp | - | nfp | - | - | - | - | nfp |
| 2016‑17 | - | nfp | - | nfp | - | - | - | - | nfp |
(a) Funding in 2012‑13 and 2013‑14 reflects payments to Victoria and Western Australia under the joint Home and Community Care Program Review Agreement. Funding is not published beyond 2013‑14. Provision has been made in the Contingency Reserve subject to negotiations.
(b) Estimates do not reflect the recent agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria.
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the provision of basic community care maintenance and support services such as domestic assistance and personal care to older people. These services will provide support for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians), and has replaced the Home and Community Care program for participating States. From July 2012, funding for these services has been provided by the Commonwealth directly to service providers.
The Commonwealth is currently providing funding to Victoria and Western Australia to continue the joint Commonwealth‑State Home and Community Care program for clients of all ages in these States, as they are not signatories to this element of the National Health Reform arrangements. Arrangements for Victoria will change due to its recent agreement with the Commonwealth to implement changes to roles and responsibilities in relation to aged care and disability services.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 57.3 | - | 17.6 | - | 22.9 | 12.8 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 116.1 |
| 2013‑14 | 55.1 | - | 16.3 | - | 69.6 | 5.2 | - | 19.0 | 165.3 |
| 2014‑15 | 62.4 | - | 18.8 | - | 76.8 | 5.9 | - | 20.9 | 184.9 |
| 2015‑16 | 70.9 | - | 21.6 | - | 84.8 | 6.6 | - | 23.0 | 206.9 |
| 2016‑17 | 80.4 | - | 24.6 | - | 93.3 | 7.4 | - | 25.3 | 230.9 |
(a) Estimates do not reflect the recent agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria.
The Commonwealth is providing funding for specialist disability services for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians), in participating States.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
(a) Funding in 2012‑13 is the final payment for deliverables relating to 2011‑12.
The Commonwealth has provided funding for aged care assessment in line with its responsibilities to deliver a nationally consistent set of services, support, assessment, care and regulation. Funding to the States in 2012‑13 reflects the final amounts payable for 2011‑12.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015‑16 | 27.5 | 21.3 | - | nfp | 6.3 | 2.0 | 7.1 | 0.8 | 73.9 |
| 2016‑17 | 56.9 | 44.0 | 35.6 | nfp | 13.1 | 4.1 | 14.7 | 1.7 | 188.5 |
(a) Funding for Western Australia is not published as they have not yet agreed to full implementation of DisabilityCare Australia. A funding allocation of $8.9 million for 2015‑16 and $18.4 million for 2016‑17 is set aside should they agree to the offer.
The Commonwealth is working closely with the States towards the goal of having full national roll out of DisabilityCare Australia by 1 July 2019 and will provide funding through a new National Partnership on assistance to States for DisabilityCare Australia.
The Commonwealth will assist the States with their contribution to DisabilityCare Australia for 10 years, by allocating them some of the payments going into the DisabilityCare Australia Fund, which comes into effect on 1 July 2014. The annual amount flowing into the fund to be set aside for the States will be $825 million in 2014‑15, which is 25 per cent of the estimated additional Medicare Levy revenue collected in that year, grown in future years by 3.5 per cent per year.
All States that have committed to fully implement DisabilityCare Australia will be eligible to draw down from the Fund once at least 50 per cent of their eligible population is covered by the scheme. In addition, once those States and Territories have people participating in DisabilityCare Australia, they will be able to access 10 per cent of their allocation in 2015‑16 and 20 per cent of their allocation in 2016‑17 and 2017‑18 to support early establishment costs related to DisabilityCare Australia. Payments from the Fund will only be spent on supporting people with disability.
Funding for the National Partnership on assistance to States for DisabilityCare Australia is a new spending measure in the 2013‑14 Budget. This measure is discussed in Budget Paper No. 2: Budget Measures 2013‑14.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | 0.6 | 0.5 | - | 1.1 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | 0.7 | 6.4 | - | 7.1 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | 0.6 | 3.7 | - | 4.3 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | 0.6 | - | - | 0.6 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on assisting preparation towards the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. In recognition of the unique circumstances in these States, the funding will assist the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania in the transition to the new operating environment under DisabilityCare Australia and to support the Australian Capital Territory to expand services ahead of the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Funding for the National Partnership on assisting preparation towards the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is a new spending measure in the 2013‑14 Budget. This measure is discussed in Budget Paper No. 2: Budget Measures 2013‑14.
National Partnership on certain concessions for pensioners and seniors card holders
Two payments are provided under the National Partnership on certain concessions for pensioners and seniors card holders.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 94.1 | 67.3 | 47.0 | 23.6 | 26.8 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 270.5 |
| 2013‑14 | 97.3 | 69.5 | 48.6 | 24.5 | 27.7 | 8.9 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 279.7 |
| 2014‑15 | 101.3 | 72.4 | 50.6 | 25.5 | 28.8 | 9.2 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 291.2 |
| 2015‑16 | 105.5 | 75.4 | 52.6 | 26.5 | 30.0 | 9.6 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 303.2 |
| 2016‑17 | 109.9 | 78.6 | 54.9 | 27.6 | 31.3 | 10.0 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 316.1 |
The National Partnership on certain concessions for pensioners and seniors card holders has recently been renegotiated with the States. The Commonwealth is providing funding to assist the States with the cost of funding concessions, for all pensioner concession card holders without discrimination, in relation to council land and water rates, utilities including energy and sewerage, motor vehicle registration and public transport.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 12.5 |
| 2013‑14 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 12.5 |
| 2014‑15 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 12.5 |
| 2015‑16 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 12.5 |
| 2016‑17 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 12.5 |
The Commonwealth is providing funding for public transport concessions to enable seniors card holders to access public transport concessions when they travel outside their home state.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .. | 8.3 |
| 2013‑14 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .. | 8.1 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on Home and Community Care — services for veterans. This National Partnership was established to facilitate access by veterans to services through home and community care programs.
A measure taken in the 2013‑14 Budget as part of this program is discussed in Budget Paper No. 2: Budget Measures 2013‑14.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 12.2 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 24.5 |
| 2013‑14 | 7.1 | 13.9 | 23.2 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 55.5 |
| 2014‑15 | 12.1 | 24.0 | 29.6 | 9.6 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 85.1 |
| 2015‑16 | 17.5 | 35.0 | 35.8 | 14.1 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 116.6 |
| 2016‑17 | 23.3 | 47.0 | 42.3 | 19.1 | 10.1 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 150.5 |
The Commonwealth will provide funding for the National Partnership on pay equity for the social and community services sector, including a further $1.0 billion from 2017‑18 to 2020‑21. This National Partnership will fund the Commonwealth's share of the wage increases arising from Fair Work Australia's decision on 1 February 2012 to grant an Equal Remuneration Order in the Social and Community Services (SACS) sector.
The Commonwealth's commitment includes providing funding for its share of the wage increases for in‑scope programs funded through existing National SPPs and National Partnership agreements. Final arrangements are still under negotiation with the States.
National Partnership on Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory.
The Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory initiative is a $3.4 billion ten year investment in programs and services that are critical to closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage and making communities safer in areas such as education, health, housing, policing, jobs and support for families and children.
Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory were consulted extensively to ensure that the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory initiative responds directly to their needs.
Further details of Commonwealth funding being provided for the National Partnership on Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory can be found in the Health, Education and Affordable Housing sections of this Part.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
The Commonwealth is providing funding to continue key social services for Aboriginal children, families and individuals in Alice Springs. These initiatives complement the broader reform agenda of the Alice Springs Transformation Plan, which includes improving delivery, accessibility and coordination of services, facilitating land tenure reforms and improving the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Alice Springs.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 13.4 | 13.4 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 13.6 | 13.6 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11.6 | 11.6 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11.9 | 11.9 |
The Commonwealth is providing funding to strengthen the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, youth and their families. This funding is supporting a range of important initiatives in communities, including:
- continued funding for playgroups, home and parenting support services, youth workers and safe houses;
- an expansion of the number of Stronger Communities for Children sites, which offer services to help parents provide a safe, happy and healthy environment for their children; and
- Remote Aboriginal Family and Community Workers and the continuation of Mobile Child Protection Teams.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21.4 | 21.4 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 40.3 | 40.3 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 34.9 | 34.9 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 35.6 | 35.6 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 34.7 | 34.7 |
The Commonwealth is providing funding for remote policing, community night patrols and legal assistance services. These services are critical to continuing to improve safety for Aboriginal people in Northern Territory communities.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20.5 | 20.5 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20.9 | 20.9 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21.4 | 21.4 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21.9 | 21.9 |
The Commonwealth is providing support for the delivery municipal and essential services to outstations and homelands, such as access to power, water, as well as sewerage and road maintenance. It will also support garbage collection and dog control programs.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.5 | 3.5 |
The Commonwealth is providing funding to the Northern Territory for more effective engagement with communities through continued support for the Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service and the Northern Territory coordination effort of the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory initiative.
| $million | NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012‑13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| 2013‑14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| 2014‑15 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| 2015‑16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| 2016‑17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3.7 | 3.7 |
The Commonwealth is providing funding to tackle alcohol abuse in the Northern Territory. Funding will include support to continue alcohol restrictions, licensing compliance and the development of alcohol management plans in communities.
Note: Where possible, Budget documents are available in HTML and for downloading in Portable Document Format(PDF). If you require further information on any of the tables or charts on this website, please contact The Treasury.
