Social Health Atlas of Older people in Australia

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups

• A higher proportion of the 65+ years population were born in non-English speaking countries compared to those born in predominantly English speaking countries; this was also the case for the 75+ and 85+ years age groups.
• The rates of poor proficiency in English was higher in the 75+ and 85+ age groups than in the 65+ age group.
• The top 10 birthplace countries of people aged 65+ years born in non-English speaking countries are Italy, Greece, Germany, China, Netherlands, India, Malta, Vietnam, Croatia and Malaysia.

Housing and transport

• One quarter (24.8%) of the 65+ years population in Australia were living alone. The proportion was highest in Tasmania (29%), followed by South Australia (27.6%) with the lowest in the Northern Territory (17.9%). Rates of living alone were higher in 75+ (32.1%) and 85+ age groups (43.4%).
• About three quarters (76.9%) of the 65+ population in Australia were home owners. Those living in the Australian Capital Territory had higher rates of home ownership (80%), compared to those in the Northern Territory who had the lowest rates (60.6%).
• Of the 65+ year population in Australia, just over one tenth were renters (12.2%). This pattern varied between 10.3% to 13.6% across all State and Territories, although at 21.5%, the proportion for those living in the Northern Territory were significantly higher.

Education

• Just over half of the older population left school without completing Year 10, or did not go to school; however, this proportion was higher for those living outside the capital cities.

Low income

• Rates of older people on low income were highest in South Australia and lowest in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Community strength

• Rates of volunteering by the population aged 65+ years for an organisation or group were highest in South Australia, followed by Tasmania. Broadly, the proportion of older people who volunteered for an organisation or group was higher for those living outside of the capital cities.

Caring

• About one-tenth (11.5%) of the 65+ years population provided (unpaid) child care to a child or children other than their own, this was more prevalent for those living in the capital cities.

Mortality

• Deaths from circulatory system diseases were the leading causes of mortality for the 65+ year population: they include deaths from ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases among other causes. However, for premature deaths (deaths from 65 to 74 years), the number and rate of deaths from cancer were twice as high as from circulatory system diseases.
• Death from cancer was also a significant cause of premature mortality for the 65+ year population, with lung cancer the main cancer type.

Hospital admissions

• The leading principal diagnoses for hospital admissions for the 65+ year population were circulatory system diseases, injury, poisoning and other external causes, cancer and digestive system diseases.
• Fibre optic colonoscopy excision and fibre optic colonoscopy were the two main procedures for admissions at these ages.

Maps

Graphs

Data workbooks

Download the ACPR workbook

Download the PHA workbook

Download the LGA workbook

Download the PHN with component PHAs workbook

Download the PHN with component LGAs workbook

Download the Monitoring inequality in Australia workbook

Download the Monitoring inequality in Australia with component PHAs workbook

Download the Remoteness Areas workbook