1 This publication presents results from the 2012 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) conducted throughout Australia from 5 August 2012 to 2 March 2013. This is the seventh comprehensive national survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to measure disability, following similar surveys in 1981, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2009.

2 The aims of the survey were to:

• measure the prevalence of disability in Australia
• measure the need for support of older people and those with disability
• provide a demographic and socio-economic profile of people with disability, older people and carers compared with the general population
• estimate the number of and provide information about people who provide care to people with disability, long-term health conditions and older people.

• disability
• long-term health condition
• specific limitation or restriction
• core activity limitation and levels of restriction
• need for assistance.