Disability Services Commission Annual Report

2.1 Overview of Operations
The Commonwealth Government provided $51 million under the CSTDA in 2007–
2008. An additional $11.3 million was provided by the Commonwealth Government
under other agreements, including $1.4 million under the Young People in
Residential Aged Care Program.
Funding to External Service Providers
During 2007–2008, the Commission allocated $213.0 million 5 (58 per cent of total
expenses) to 106 external service providers to provide services and support for
Western Australians with disabilities and their carers. This is $30.6 million or 17 per
cent more than the previous year. (See Appendix for a details of funding to external
service providers).
The provision of services within the disability sector by external agencies has
changed over the past five years, with the number of external agencies funded by the
Commission consolidating from 148 in 2003–2004 to 106 6 in 2007–2008. Funding to
external agencies is used to provide support in the following service areas:
Accommodation Support; Individual and Family Support; and Strategic Coordination.
The total funding provided to external agencies has grown by 64 per cent from
$129.8 million in 2003–2004 to $213.0 million in 2007–2008. The average funding
per external agency has increased by 130 per cent.
External Agency Funding
2003–2004 2007–2008
No. of Agencies No. of Agencies
Funded $5 million 7 10
Total 148 106
Over the past five years, provision of Commission funds to external agencies has
increased by an average of 13 per cent per year, compared to an average three per
cent per year increase for Commission operations.
5 This total includes $221,332 for ‘Miscellaneous Providers’ which is not included as an external
service provider.
6 The reduction in the number of external agencies funded is primarily due to the regionalisation of
health services resulting in a reduced number of contracts under the Community Aids and Equipment
Program.
Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2007–2008 23