Abstract
This paper describes the impact of psychosocial disabilities in
Australia on vocational achievements. The report is based on the
official statistics on Disability Ageing and Carers by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics. The major findings in relation to
persons with a psychosocial disability are: (a) only 32% are in the
labour force; (b) the proportion who are unemployed is 1.7 times that
for those with no disability; (c) employment is reduced more than twice
for those with some other disability; (d) larger proportions are working
part-time than full-time; (e) there is some underlying impact on the
types of occupations; (f) the median income is much less ($400 gross
per week) than for other disabilities ($575.00 gross per week) or even
no disability ($950.00 gross per week) ; and (g) the workplace is by
far the highest source of unfair treatment with 46,500 instances in the
previous 12 months. It was concluded that most persons with a
psychosocial disability do not participate in the labour market. When
they do, they suffer higher levels of unemployment. When they get a job,
it is more likely to be part-time. When they are employed substantial
numbers face discrimination and restrictions.