New data shows the size of spending on community services. 

Australia has seen a 45.9 per cent rise in community services spending over the past four years, propelled significantly by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other disability supports.

These together accounted for $37.4 billion in the last financial year, according to the latest Report on Government Services (ROGs). 

In the 2021-22 financial year, the expenditure on community services represented 18.9 per cent of the nation's total spending, with the NDIS alone drawing $35.2 billion. 

An additional $2.2 billion was allocated to specialist disability services outside the NDIS framework. 

The Australian government also supports the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the independent body implementing the NDIS, with operating expenses reaching $1.8 billion in the 2022-23 period.

The report highlighted a significant uplift in NDIS commitments, totalling $44.8 billion in supports to participants for 2022-23, marking a $6.3 billion increase (or 16.3 per cent) from the previous year. 

As of June 30, there were 610,502 active NDIS participants, showcasing the scheme's reach amidst Australia's estimated 4.4 million people living with disabilities.

Despite these numbers, the scheme's coverage is a fraction of the broader demographic, pointing to ongoing challenges and the need for comprehensive support systems. 

The ROGs also shed light on the distribution of government spending across other critical sectors, including $28.3 billion on aged care, $9.4 billion on child protection services, and $1.3 billion on youth justice services.

This financial dedication is part of the government's broader aim to deliver equitable, efficient, and sustainable community services, from aged care to disability support. 

However, the Productivity Commission has flagged the ageing population as a looming challenge, with demographic shifts expected to intensify the demand for such services. 

The 2023 Intergenerational Report predicts a significant demographic shift, with the share of the population aged 65 or over expected to increase to 23.4 per cent by 2062-63.

The NDIS and government services minister, Bill Shorten, has indicated ongoing efforts to refine the scheme and broader support systems, emphasising collaboration across government levels to address foundational support needs and ensure comprehensive coverage beyond the NDIS.