Older people in Australia: Social Health Atlas

Older people in Australia

Published: 2020

Introduction

The Older people in Australia: Social Health Atlas presents data on a range of population characteristics, including demography, socioeconomic status, health status and risk factors, and use of health and welfare services.

Key Findings

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.

Income support

Around half (49.6%) of the 65-69 years age group in Australia were receiving the Age Pension. The proportions were higher for the 70-74 (64.7%) and 75+ (73.1%) age groups.
While the proportion of people receiving an Age Pension were higher in the older age groups, it is noted this was more prevalent for those living in regional areas of Australia compared to those living in the capital cities.

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.

Premature mortality

Death from circulatory system diseases was the leading cause of premature mortality for the 65+ year population: this includes deaths from ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases among other causes.
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 diagnosis for hospital admissions for the 65+ years population was cancer, followed by circulatory system diseases and digestive system diseases.
Fibre optic colonoscopy excision and fibre optic colonoscopy were the two main procedures for admissions at these ages.

View Older people in Australia: Social Health Atlas of Australia

Older people in Australia: Social Health Atlas of Australia: Maps

Older people in Australia: Social Health Atlas of Australia: Remoteness Graphs and Inequality Graphs

Remoteness Graphs

Graphs	Australia	NSW	Vic	Qld	SA	WA	Tas	NT

The Remoteness Graphs present the Ageing Atlas indicators, where available, by Remoteness Area, for Australia and the State/ Territory areas (excluding ACT). For information on the Remoteness classes or interpreting the graphs, refer to the Remoteness graphs: Introduction.

Inequality Graphs

Graphs	Australia	NSW	Vic	Qld	SA	WA	Tas	NT	ACT

The Inequality graphs present the Ageing Atlas indicators, where available, by Quintiles of Socioeconomic Disadvantage of Area, for Australia, States/ Territories, and the Capital cities and Rest of State/ Territory areas. For background information and an overview on interpreting the graphs, refer to the Inequality graphs: Introduction.

Older people in Australia: Social Health Atlas of Australia: Data workbook

View Notes on the data

Authored by PHIDU