FACING THE FUTURE - Facts and Figures

Transcription

© 2013 COTA Tasmania
Westella, 181 Elizabeth Street
Hobart 7000
PH (03)6231 3265
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cotatas.org.au
This report was researched and written by Karen Eyles, Research Fellow, Institute for Regional
Development, University of Tasmania, Linda Jamieson, Policy and Research Officer, COTA,
Soula Houndalas, Research Officer and Project Officer, COTA and Keree Rose, Project Officer – Positive
Ageing, COTA.
COTA prepared this report with funds from the Community Development Unit, Department of Premier
and Cabinet, Tasmania.
FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians
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Minister’s message
It is with great pleasure that I present
Facing the Future – A Baseline Profile on Older
Tasmanians which provides some valuable
insights into the characteristics of our older
Tasmanian population, aged 60 years and
over. This is the first time that there has been
such a collation of significant data for this
population group in Tasmania.
The data provides a foundation to shape
future directions for the Government
in responding to population ageing in
Tasmania. Importantly, the data is presented
for whole-of-State, regions, and local
government areas, providing a more
comprehensive picture across this important
population cohort.
In the next stage, the data will become
accessible online in an interactive capacity.
This will make it possible to better understand
how the complexities of the multitude of
factors impact on the everyday lives of older
Tasmanians.
Generally, our older people are doing well;
they report that they are leading healthy
and active lives and are connected to and
contributing to their communities. The data
also highlights some key issues for older
people such as age-related discrimination
in the workforce; lower levels of household
computer and Internet access; and for those
more vulnerable and disadvantaged older
people, the challenges of making ends meet.
The Profile forms the basis of the Inclusive
Ageing: Tasmania 2012-2014 Strategy which
identifies projects the Tasmanian Government
has committed to over the three year period
to benefit the lives of older Tasmanians. The
baseline data provides an evidence base on
which to continue our work as we strive to
achieve a socially inclusive society.
Facing the Future – A Baseline Profile on Older
Tasmanians provides us with the opportunity
to strengthen collaboration across
government to make the best use of this
information.
Cassy O’Connor MP
Minister for Community Development
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Foreword - CEO
This major piece of research has been conducted by a team of people over 2012 and 2013 to provide
greater insight into older Tasmanians. COTA Tasmania (Council on the Ageing) is the leading voice for
older Tasmanians and as such it is timely and significant that as an organisation it can be involved in
such an important piece of work. The picture of an ageing Tasmania is not all ‘doom and gloom’; it is a
story of a dynamic State and society that can contribute to meaningful lives for older Tasmanians and
where likewise older Tasmanians can contribute, participate and remain socially connected.
Collection and reporting of data is by essence a dynamic process. No sooner than you collect and
publish, the world moves on and it changes the picture again. The team working on the profile have
found new data being published all the time and at times it is hard to ‘draw a line in the sand’ so to
speak. So this document should be viewed as a beginning in some ways. It builds on past
demographic work on older Tasmanians, but it is a beginning from the perspective of social inclusion.
This was the common thread throughout the project, to collect data and report on social inclusion of
older Tasmanians.
There are some clear patterns that appear through the profile:
 Areas of Tasmania that have increasing populations of older people, both numerically and
proportionally;
 Positive stories of social connection and participation by older Tasmanians;
 High levels of older people caring for others;
 Older people engaging in lifelong learning.
The reasons for increasing populations of older people, living in particular regions, is an area that
potentially more research can be done. What are the motivations for this? What is the extent and
influences on ‘ageing in place’ or is this migration because of needs for services? This research would
prove invaluable in informing planning mechanisms at all levels of government and service provision.
On a global stage, data recently released by HelpAge International in the Global AgeWatch Index,
shows Australia ranks 14th out of the 91 countries measured. Australia rates high (2nd) in life
expectancy at 60 years and also rates high in employment and educational attainment but is modest
(25th) in enabling environment and poor (57th) in income security.1
As a society that is facing an ageing population it is hoped that Tasmania values the opportunities and
wisdom that older people can contribute, and with consultation, move forward to a brighter future.
Sue Leitch
CEO COTA Tasmania
1
Global AgeWatch Index 2013 HelpAge International
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Acknowledgements
The Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania thanks all those who have made a contribution to this
report. FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians 2013 provides a wealth of data on
older people, aged 60 years and over, who currently make up nearly 23% of the Tasmanian
population.
COTA acknowledges and appreciates the funding received from the Tasmanian Government to
research and develop this report.
COTA acknowledges and appreciates the contribution of the Building Evidence Project Working
Group, the membership of which is outlined in Appendix 1. In particular COTA acknowledges and
appreciates the significant contribution of Dr Peter Wilde, Honorary Research Associate from the
University of Tasmania. Dr Wilde’s insights, time, work and sense of humour are greatly appreciated
by COTA and were invaluable in the development of this report.
COTA appreciates the contribution of staff from Government departments and other organisations
that spent time collating, collecting and providing data to be included in the report.
COTA acknowledges and appreciates the significant contribution from Ms Karen Eyles, Research
Fellow from the Institute for Regional Development, University of Tasmania.
Ms Eyles was
contracted as a demographer to assist COTA with statistical analysis and commentary. Her insight and
commitment to this project has exceeded COTA’s high expectations. Ms Eyles’ work with COTA in
developing this report has been invaluable and is greatly appreciated.
Finally, the significant editorial contribution made by Margaret Kelly, the Principal Liaison Officer –
Older Persons, Department of Premier and Cabinet is gratefully acknowledged.
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Contents
Foreword - CEO .....................................................................................................................................5
Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................................................7
Contents ...............................................................................................................................................8
List of figures ....................................................................................................................................... 11
List of tables ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Executive summary ............................................................................................................................. 17
Recommendations .............................................................................................................................. 21
Background ......................................................................................................................................... 23
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Data indicators ................................................................................................................................. 28
Data sources ..................................................................................................................................... 30
Data presentation ............................................................................................................................ 33
CHAPTER 1 Tasmania’s ageing population .......................................................................................... 35
Age and sex structure of the population ......................................................................................... 36
Life expectancy ................................................................................................................................. 38
Structure of Tasmania’s ageing population ..................................................................................... 39
Ageing in Tasmania’s regions and local government areas ............................................................. 42
Population projections ..................................................................................................................... 47
Population projections by region and local government area ........................................................ 52
Urban/rural location......................................................................................................................... 54
Residential mobility .......................................................................................................................... 55
Living arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 58
Marital status ................................................................................................................................... 58
Older Tasmanians living alone ......................................................................................................... 59
Older Tasmanians raising children ................................................................................................... 62
Cultural diversity .............................................................................................................................. 63
Key issues for older Tasmanians ...................................................................................................... 69
Socioeconomic status ....................................................................................................................... 70
Social inclusion and the risks presented by social exclusion ........................................................... 71
Social exclusion risk factors .............................................................................................................. 71
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CHAPTER 2 Life’s basics ....................................................................................................................... 77
Income .............................................................................................................................................. 78
Housing ............................................................................................................................................. 81
Security ............................................................................................................................................. 90
CHAPTER 3 Accessibility ...................................................................................................................... 99
Transport ........................................................................................................................................ 100
Services ........................................................................................................................................... 103
Disability ......................................................................................................................................... 104
Aged Care ....................................................................................................................................... 109
CHAPTER 4 Connection and contribution .......................................................................................... 111
Family and community support ..................................................................................................... 112
Participation ................................................................................................................................... 114
Civic participation ........................................................................................................................... 122
Voluntary contribution ................................................................................................................... 130
CHAPTER 5 Lifelong learning ............................................................................................................. 137
Qualifications.................................................................................................................................. 137
Older adult learning ....................................................................................................................... 138
Literacy and numeracy ................................................................................................................... 141
Computer and internet use ............................................................................................................ 143
CHAPTER 6 Health and wellbeing ...................................................................................................... 147
Self assessed health ....................................................................................................................... 147
Risk factors for poor health ............................................................................................................ 149
Alcohol consumption ..................................................................................................................... 149
Chronic conditions.......................................................................................................................... 151
Neurodegenerative disorders ........................................................................................................ 152
Hospital admissions ........................................................................................................................ 154
Staying healthy – nutrition and sport ............................................................................................ 155
APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................................... 159
Appendix A – Building Evidence Project Working Group ............................................................... 160
Appendix B – Data tables ............................................................................................................... 161
Appendix C - COTA Have Your Say Postcard .................................................................................. 199
References ........................................................................................................................................ 200
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List of figures
Figure 1 Tasmania – regions, 2011
Figure 2 Tasmania – Local Government Areas, 2011 ................... 34
Figure 2 Population structure by age and sex, Tasmania 1991-2011 ............................................................... 36
Figure 3 Population structure by age and sex, Australia 1991-2011................................................................. 37
Figure 4 Life expectancy at birth – males and females, Australia, 1910-2011 .................................................. 39
Figure 5 Age profile, Tasmania and Australia, 2011 ......................................................................................... 40
Figure 6 Ageing in Australian states and territories, 2001-2011....................................................................... 41
Figure 7 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) as a proportion of the population, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ................ 42
Figure 8 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) - % of population, 2011....................................................................... 43
Figure 9 Older Tasmanians – young old, mid old, older old – (% of population), Tasmanian regions, 2011 .... 44
Figure 10 Structural ageing – mean annual increase in the proportion of the population aged 65+ years (%pts),
2006-2011.......................................................................................................................................................... 45
Figure 11 Numerical ageing – mean annual increase in the number of people aged 65+ years (%), 2006-2011+46
Figure 12 Observed and projected population aged 65+ years (%),
Figure 13 Observed and projected
population aged 65+ years 2011-2030
(persons), 2011-2030 ............................................................. 47
Figure 14 Observed and projected population, Tasmania, 2001-2056 ............................................................ 49
Figure 15 Urban/rural settlement size (% of age group), Tasmania 2011 ........................................................ 55
Figure 16 Residential mobility – changed address in last 5 years (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011 56
Figure 17 Residential mobility – changed address in last 5 years (% of people 65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
........................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Figure 18 Length of time lived in current neighbourhood or LGA, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009
........................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Figure 19 Marital status of Tasmanians – young old; mid old; older old (% of age group), 2011 .................... 59
Figure 20 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) living alone, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ................................................. 60
Figure 21 Older Tasmanians living alone (% of people aged 65+ years), 2011 ................................................. 61
Figure 22 Older Tasmanians living alone – by settlement size, 2011 ................................................................ 62
Figure 23 Older Tasmanians raising children, Tasmanian regions, 2011 .......................................................... 63
Figure 24 Indigenous older Tasmanians (65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 .................................................. 64
Figure 25 Region of birth – Tasmanians by age group (% of age group who stated a region of birth), 2011 .. 66
Figure 26 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) speaking a language other than English at home, LGAs, 2011 ........ 67
Figure 27 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) with poor English speaking skills, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ................ 68
Figure 28 Language spoken at home by older Tasmanians (65+ years) with poor or no spoken English
proficiency, 2011 ............................................................................................................................................... 68
Figure 29 Selected social exclusion risk factors - % of age group, Tasmania .................................................... 73
Figure 30 Tasmanians (by age group) living in households with government pensions & allowances as main
source of income, 2010...................................................................................................................................... 78
Figure 31 Individual weekly income of older Tasmanians (65+ years) by region (% of age group), 2011 ........ 79
Figure 32 Aged Pension recipients – Centrelink,
Figure 33 Aged Pension recipients – Department of
Tasmania, 2006 – 2011 Veterans’ Affairs, Tasmania, 2006-2011 ................................................................ 81
Figure 34 Older Tasmanians – housing and accommodation (No.), 2011 ........................................................ 82
Figure 35 Older Tasmanians – housing and accommodation (%), 2011 ........................................................... 83
Figure 36 Family/household type of older Tasmanians (65+ years) counted at home on Census night, 2011 . 84
Figure 37 Mortgage repayment (monthly) – (% of persons 65+ years counted at home on Census night in
mortgagee households), 2011 ........................................................................................................................... 86
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Figure 38 Rent (weekly) – (% of persons 65+ years counted at home on Census night in renting households),
2011 ................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Figure 39 Housing stress (% of persons 65+ years counted at home on Census night in renting or purchasing
households), 2011.............................................................................................................................................. 88
Figure 40 Homelessness and other marginal housing by age group (persons), Tasmania, 2011 ..................... 89
Figure 41 Homelessness and other marginal housing category by age and sex (persons), Tasmania, 2011 ... 90
Figure 42 Financial insecurity and food insecurity, Tasmanians aged 60+ years, 2009 .................................... 91
Figure 43 Tasmanians (60+ years) – ability to raise $2,000 within 2 days in an emergency – single and multiple
person households, 2010 ................................................................................................................................... 91
Figure 44 Tasmanians (60+ years) – ability to raise $2,000 within 2 days in an emergency (%), Tasmanian
regions, 2009 ..................................................................................................................................................... 92
Figure 45 Household expenditure – goods and services ($) – older people households and all households,
Tasmania, 2009-10 ............................................................................................................................................ 93
Figure 46 Household expenditure – goods and services ($) – older people households and all households,
Tasmania, 2009-10 ............................................................................................................................................ 93
Figure 47 Household expenditure on medical care and health expenses ($) by age group, Tasmania, 2009-1094
Figure 48 Household expenditure on medical care and health expenses (% of total goods and services
expenditure) by age group, Tasmania, 2009-10................................................................................................ 95
Figure 49 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) living in disadvantaged areas (SA1s), 2011 ...................................... 97
Figure 50 Tasmanians living in households with no consumer debt (% of age group), 2010............................ 98
Figure 51 Tasmanians aged 65+ years holding a driver’s licence (%), 2013 ................................................... 101
Figure 52 Persons counted at home on Census night in households with no motor vehicles ......................... 102
Figure 53 Transport – can easily get to places needed, by age group, Tasmania, 2010 ................................. 102
Figure 54 Difficulty accessing service providers (% of age group), 2010 ......................................................... 103
Figure 55 Access to community services, older Tasmanians 60+ years (% of age group), 2009 ..................... 104
Figure 56 Need for assistance with core activities (% of age group) – Tasmania and Australia, 2011 ........... 105
Figure 57 Need for assistance with core activities (% of age group), 2011 ..................................................... 105
Figure 58 Persons who live alone and need assistance with core activities (% of persons needing assistance),
2011 ................................................................................................................................................................. 106
Figure 59 Disability status by age group (persons), Tasmania, 2009 .............................................................. 107
Figure 60 Disability status (% of age group), Tasmania 2009 ......................................................................... 107
Figure 61 Age groups 60+ years (% of persons with disability status), Tasmania 2009 .................................. 108
Figure 62 Persons with a disability needing more assistance with core activities than currently received,
Tasmania, 2009 ............................................................................................................................................... 108
Figure 63 Ability to get support in time of crisis from persons living outside the household (% of age group),
Tasmania 2010 ................................................................................................................................................ 112
Figure 64 Main sources of support in times of crisis (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010 ................................ 113
Figure 65 Sources of help when in need (% of 60+ years), Tasmanian regions, 2009 ..................................... 113
Figure 66 Provides support in time of crisis to relatives living outside the household (% of age group), Tasmania,
2010 ................................................................................................................................................................. 114
Figure 67 Labour force participation by age group, Tasmanian regions, 2011 .............................................. 115
Figure 68 Labour force status by age group, Tasmania, 2011 ........................................................................ 116
Figure 69 Wage and salary earners by age group, Tasmania, 2007-2010 ...................................................... 116
Figure 70 Age distribution of wage and salary earners, Tasmania, 2007-2010 .............................................. 117
Figure 71 Hours worked per week, Employed Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011 ................ 117
Figure 72 Industry of employment, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011 ................................ 118
Figure 73 Employment type, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011........................................... 119
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Figure 74 Employment sector, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011 ........................................ 119
Figure 75 Social contact – face to face contact with family or friends living outside the household (% of age
group), Tasmania, 2010................................................................................................................................... 121
Figure 76 Social contact – number of people spoken to yesterday, older Tasmanians (by region 60+ years), 2009
......................................................................................................................................................................... 122
Figure 77 Active participation in groups in last 12 months (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010 ...................... 122
Figure 78 Participation in a community event in past 6 months (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010.............. 123
Figure 79 Attended a local community event in the past 6 months, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009
......................................................................................................................................................................... 123
Figure 80 Attended at least one cultural and leisure venue in previous year (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
......................................................................................................................................................................... 124
Figure 81 Types of cultural and leisure venues or events attended in previous year (% of age group), Tasmania,
2010 ................................................................................................................................................................. 125
Figure 82 Community trust – doctors, hospitals, police; Tasmanians (% of age group agreed or strongly agreed),
2010 ................................................................................................................................................................. 126
Figure 83 Feelings of safety, Tasmanians (% of age group feel safe or very safe), 2010 ................................ 126
Figure 84 Feel safe walking alone down your street after dark, older Tasmanians (60+ years), 2009 ........... 127
Figure 85 Feels able to have a say within community on important issues (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010129
Figure 86 Feel there are opportunities to have a real say on important issues, older Tasmanians by region (60+
years), 2009 ..................................................................................................................................................... 129
Figure 87 Feel valued by society, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009 ........................................... 130
Figure 88 Voluntary work for an organisation or group (in past 12 months) by age group, Tasmanian regions,
2011 ................................................................................................................................................................. 131
Figure 89 Unpaid care to a person with a disability (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011 .................. 132
Figure 90 Unpaid care of others children (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011 .................................. 133
Figure 91 Volunteering and caring (% of age group), Tasmania 2010 ............................................................ 134
Figure 92 Main types of unpaid assistance provided (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010 ............................... 135
Figure 93 Non-school qualifications (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011 .......................................... 138
Figure 94 Older Tasmanians – students (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011 .................................... 140
Figure 95 Older Tasmanian students, by age group, by type of educational institution (persons), Tasmanian
regions, 2011 ................................................................................................................................................... 140
Figure 96 Proportion of persons aged 15 – 74 with literacy Level 3 or above, by state or territory of usual
residence and sex............................................................................................................................................. 142
Figure 97 Proportion of persons aged 15 – 74 with numeracy Level 3 or above, by state or territory of usual
residence and sex............................................................................................................................................. 142
Figure 98 Use of information technology (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010 ................................................. 144
Figure 99 Type of household Internet connection (% of persons in private dwellings), Tasmania, 2011........ 145
Figure 100: Self assessed health for population age 60 years and over and total adult population, Tasmania
2009 ................................................................................................................................................................. 148
Figure 101 Good or better self-assessed health and no disability or long-term health condition (% of age group),
Tasmania, 2010 ............................................................................................................................................... 148
Figure 102: BMI status population aged 60 years and over and total adult population, Tasmania 2009 ...... 149
Figure 103: Alcohol related harm (caused by consuming 4-5 or more standard drinks on any single occasion),
population aged 60 years and over and total population, Tasmania 2009 .................................................... 150
Figure 104: Experienced at least one personal stressor in previous year (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010. 151
Figure 105: Prevalence of self-reported diagnosed health conditions, population 60 years and over, Tasmania
2009 ................................................................................................................................................................. 151
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Figure 106 Estimated cases (persons aged 65+ years) – selected neurodegenerative disorders, Tasmanian
regions, 2011-2031 .......................................................................................................................................... 154
Figure 107 Hospital admissions by age group over 60 years, Tasmanian regions, 2010-11 ........................... 155
Figure 108 Adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, population 60 years and over and total population,
Tasmania 2009 ................................................................................................................................................ 155
Figure 109 Participation in sport and physical recreation (% of age group), Tasmania, 2011-12 .................. 156
Figure 110 Sport and recreation – participation and attendance (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010 ............ 157
Figure 111 Regular participation in sport and physical recreation (3 or more times per week) by age group,
2011-12............................................................................................................................................................ 157
Figure 112 Participation in organised and non-organised sport and physical recreation by age group, Tasmania,
2011-12............................................................................................................................................................ 158
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List of tables
Table 1 Number and Proportion - Older Tasmanians, ABS Census of Population and Housing ........................ 26
Table 2 Summary of indicators used in FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians ......... 28
Table 3 Data sources – year, scope, sample size, and reliability ....................................................................... 31
Table 4 Tasmanian Population Health Survey – survey respondents aged 60+ years, by region and sex ........ 32
Table 5 Highlights of median ages in selected LGAs ......................................................................................... 43
Table 6 Structural and numerical ageing of the population – increase in number and proportion of people aged
65+ years, 2006-2011 ........................................................................................................................................ 50
Table 7 Tasmanian LGA population projections, young old; mid old; older old, 2020, 2030 ............................ 51
Table 8 LGAs ranked highest to lowest - projected (estimated) population growth ......................................... 53
Table 9 Indigenous status (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), % of age group, 2011 ................................ 65
Table 10 Key issues for older Tasmanians as they age ...................................................................................... 69
Table 11 Selected social exclusion risk factors – persons, Tasmania ................................................................ 75
Table 12 Selected social exclusion risk factors – % of age group, Tasmania..................................................... 76
Table 13 Older Tasmanians with individual weekly income less than $400, 2011 ............................................ 80
Table 14 Public housing tenants and applicants on waiting list, Tasmanians aged 60+ years, 2013 ............... 85
Table 15 Aged care services, by age, Tasmania 2011-2012 (persons) ............................................................ 109
Table 16 HACC instances of agency assistance, type of HACC services received, Tasmania, 2011-12............ 110
Table 17: Advocacy Tasmania Elder Abuse Helpline Data............................................................................... 128
Table 18 Tasmanians aged 60+ years who participated in selected educational programs (numbers) ......... 139
Table 19 Prevalence of diagnosed depression/anxiety, persons 60+years by gender, self reported .............. 152
Table 20 Estimated cases (persons under and over 65 years) – selected neurodegenerative disorders, 2011-2031
......................................................................................................................................................................... 153
Table 21 Population by geographic location and age group, Tasmania, 2011 ............................................... 163
Table 22 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) – number and % of population, geographic area, 2011 .................. 164
Table 23 Distribution of older Tasmanians (65+ years), by geographic area, 2011 ........................................ 165
Table 24 Family/household type of older Tasmanians (65+ years), counted at home on Census night, 2011 166
Table 25 Marital status of older Tasmanians – young old; mid old; older old – Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ....... 167
Table 26 Older Tasmanians living alone – by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 .......................................... 168
Table 27 Older Tasmanians living alone – % of age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ....................................... 168
Table 28 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) raising children*, 2011 ..................................................................... 169
Table 29 Indigenous status by age group, 2011 .............................................................................................. 170
Table 30 Region of birth – Tasmanians by age group, 2011 ........................................................................... 171
Table 31 Region of birth - % of age group (region of birth stated), Tasmania, 2011 ...................................... 171
Table 32 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) by language spoken at home, 2011 ................................................. 172
Table 33 Older Tasmanians - English speaking proficiency level for those who speak another language at home,
2011 ................................................................................................................................................................. 173
Table 34 Individual weekly income of older Tasmanians (65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ....................... 174
Table 35 Household mortgage repayments ($ monthly) – (persons) for households where older Tasmanians (65+
years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011...................................................................................... 175
Table 36 Household rent payments ($ weekly) – (persons) for households where older Tasmanians (65+ years)
were counted at home on Census night, 2011 ................................................................................................ 176
Table 37 Housing stress (housing cost > 30% of household income) – persons and % of households where older
Tasmanians (65+ years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011 ......................................................... 177
Table 38 Disadvantaged areas* – number of SA1s and number of people, by Local Government Area, 2011178
15
Table 39 Labour force participation by age group – comparison between Tasmania and Australia, 2011.... 179
Table 40 Hours worked per week – employed Tasmanians, age groups over 45 years (persons), 2011 ........ 179
Table 41 Labour force status by age group (persons), 2011 ........................................................................... 180
Table 42 Industry of employment, by age groups over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011 .......................... 181
Table 43 Employment type of employed Tasmanians, by age group over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011182
Table 44 Employment sector of employed Tasmanians, by age group over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011
......................................................................................................................................................................... 182
Table 45 Tenure of private dwellings, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011 ................................................... 183
Table 46 Location of private dwellings, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011 ................................................. 183
Table 47 Accommodation in non-private dwellings, by type, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011 ............... 185
Table 48 Homeless and marginally housed Tasmanians, under and over 65 years of age, 2011 ................... 186
Table 49 Number and proportion of Tasmanians aged 60+ years holding a driver’s licence, 2013 ............... 187
Table 50 Household access to motor vehicles, older Tasmanians by age group (persons*), 2011 ................. 188
Table 51 Needs assistance with core activities by age group (persons), 2011 ................................................ 189
Table 52 Persons needing assistance with core activities who live alone - by age group, 2011 ..................... 190
Table 53 Residential mobility by age group (persons), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 .............................................. 191
Table 54 Voluntary work for an organisation or group (in past 12 months), persons by age group, Tasmanian
LGAs, 2011 ....................................................................................................................................................... 192
Table 55 Provided unpaid assistance to a person because of a disability, long illness or old age (in past 2 weeks),
persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ................................................................................................ 193
Table 56 Spent time caring for children (under 15 years) other than own without pay (in past 2 weeks), persons
by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ............................................................................................................. 194
Table 57 Non-school qualification, persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs 2011 ......................................... 195
Table 58 Student status, older Tasmanians by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ........................................ 196
Table 59 Household Internet access, older Tasmanians by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ..................... 197
Table 60 Summary of selected characteristics from Tasmanian Population Health Survey (% of Tasmanians 60+
years), 2009 ..................................................................................................................................................... 198
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Executive summary
Facing the Future – a Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians is a data-driven profile of older
Tasmanians.
The purpose of the profile is to:



identify and present a diversity of characteristics for current and future ageing in Tasmania;
profile and analyse older persons' social inclusion; and
increase the Tasmanian Government’s evidence base and its capacity to support a more inclusive
society for people of all ages.
The profile does not paint a complete picture, but it does provide an insight into the characteristics of
older Tasmanians arising from 2011 ABS Census data and other ABS surveys and reports (national
collections). In addition the profile has included Tasmanian data collected through the Tasmanian
Population Health Survey 2009. The collation and analysis of data is supported by COTA Tas with
extensive input from consultant demographers and ABS officials.
This report’s findings about Tasmanians aged 60+ years (in some instances 65+ years) refer to
population and population projections for each age group, local government area (LGA) and the 3
regions.
In 2011, 23% of the Tasmanian population was aged 60 years or more. In this dataset the age
parameter for older people is defined as 60 years or more. This covers a generation (usually
considered to be 25-30 years) and is greater than the combined years of childhood, adolescence and
young adult (0-25 years).
The older persons’ data is varied in terms of age, interests and abilities including physical, mental,
cognitive, emotional and functional health and wellbeing, and health service needs.
In light of the breadth and diversity of the older persons’ data - range this profile is presented in terms
of young old (60-74 years), mid old (75-84 years) and older old (85+ years). This enables comparison
between age cohorts and represents a generalised grouping.
Ultimately the data contained in this profile will be web-based. This will enable further analysis
reflecting the diversity of this large population group and will provide a more comprehensive picture
of older people living in Tasmania.
The introduction addresses overarching questions such as how old is ‘older’, refers to data indicators,
data sources and the validity of each data set. It presents the data sources and the range of data
indicators addressed, with reference to Tasmania as a whole; three major regions; and the 29 local
government areas.
Data insights and information arising from several datasets on older Tasmanians have been grouped
under six data indicators.
17
Chapter 1 – Tasmania’s ageing population covers the structure of Tasmania’s ageing population;
population projections by state region and local government area; living arrangements;
socioeconomic status; cultural diversity and key issues for older Tasmanians.
Between 2001 and 2011 Tasmania’s total population increased by 7.5%. Within the same 10 year
period Tasmanians aged 65+ years increased by 27% while those aged 80+ years increased by 35%.
Tasmania’s population is projected to increase slowly over the next few decades. However, the age
composition is projected to change considerably as a result of population ageing. In 2011 one in six
Tasmanians were aged 65+ years and, should recently calculated mid series projection trends hold
true, in 2020 it will be one in five and in 2030, it will be one in four Tasmanians aged 65 years or more.
Looking at more localised populations, should the projected trend hold, 12 of 29 LGAs will have 1 in 3
people aged 65 or more years.
Tasmania has the highest median age (40 years) of all states and territories, reflecting Tasmania’s high
proportion of people aged 65 years and over. In comparison, the Australian median age is 37 years.
Chapter 2 – Life’s basics recognises the need for everyone to be able to access food, shelter and
financial security. It profiles older Tasmanians’ capacity to make ends meet and includes data on
income, social disadvantage and debt, health and medical expenses, housing, including housing stress
and homelessness and a more generalised concept of socioeconomic disadvantage as applied to
disadvantaged areas defined by the ABS.
These variables are examined in such a way as to provide some insight into lives of vulnerable older
Tasmanians.
According to the 2011 Census data, the total proportion of Tasmanian households relying on income
support payments is 31% with 63.7% of the older population aged 65+ years living under the poverty
line of $400 per week.
Interestingly, the proportion of households with no consumer debt increased with age for all age
groups over 45 years, with a peak of 96% for Tasmanians aged 75+ years.
Chapter 3 – Accessibility presents data in relation to access to transport, (including the Transport
Access Scheme), disability and the need for assistance with core activities, and the relationship
between generalised access to services, the need for assistance with a particular focus on those who
are living alone, and access to and uptake of aged care services. These are key variables when
analysing people’s inclusion versus exclusion or participation versus isolation.
The majority of older Tasmanians remain in their own homes as they age. A total of 93% aged 65+
years live in their own home. This decreases to 79% for people aged 80+ years.
Approximately 36% of people aged 65+ years received an aged care service in 2011-12, increasing to
80% for Tasmanians aged for 80+ years. Provision of aged care services in the community supports
the desire of older people to remain in their own community with all the attendant health and
wellbeing benefits.
18
Chapter 4 – Connection and contribution explores the extent to which older Tasmanians have access
to family and community support, including the extent to which older Tasmanians feel supported
when in various crises. Data on types and extent of voluntary contributions, levels of civic
participation and trust, incidences and levels of elder abuse, and lastly feelings of safety and the
extent to which people feel valued by society are also included in this chapter.
Importantly, this section also acknowledges the issues associated with remaining in the paid
workforce including labour force status and participation, wage earners or self employed.
Labour force rates decrease with increasing age over the age of 54 years but this may not be due to
individual choice. It may reflect the common retirement window around the age of 65 years;
however, it may also be an indicator of age related discrimination. 67% of Australians aged between
54-65 years and 50% of those aged 65+ years report being turned down for a paid work position.
Nationally in 2011, the volunteering rate for people aged 65+ years was 20%. In Tasmania, the
volunteering rate was slightly higher at 22%, with the volunteering rate for the young old (65-74
years) being 27%. In this same group, 13% provided unpaid childcare and 14% provided unpaid care
for a person with a disability. The mid old and the older old age groups also made significant
contributions to volunteering and caring activities in the community.
Chapter 5 – Lifelong learning data highlights older Tasmanians’ qualifications, ongoing learning,
literacy and numeracy skills, and their access to current information technology.
Non-school qualifications declined with increasing age in Australia, Tasmania and all Tasmanian
regions. The proportion having qualifications was higher for all age groups in the South, than it was in
the North or North-West or for Tasmania as a whole. The proportion of qualified people in the older
age groups (65+ years) in the South was also higher than it was at a national level.
Generally older Australians have lower levels of literacy and numeracy than younger Australians. This
also applies to older people in Tasmania.
Tasmanians have lower levels of household access to the Internet than Australia as a whole. Older
Tasmanians (65+ years) were less likely to have household Internet access (45%) than Tasmanians less
than 65 years of age (82%), as well as less likely than older Australians aged 65+ years (51%).
Chapter 6 – Health and wellbeing explores many aspects of older people’s diverse needs, interests
and abilities. Self-assessed health is a key indicator that is set alongside health risk factors, chronic
conditions, neurodegenerative disorders and hospital admissions. A keeping healthy section includes
participation in sport and recreation activities and levels of fruit and vegetable consumption.
Tasmanians 60+ years generally reported very good health with more than three quarters selfreporting either excellent/very good or good health (75.7%), and less than a quarter self-reporting
fair/poor health (23.8%).
The prevalence of chronic health conditions impacts significantly on a person’s ability to cope and
their functioning capacity. For Tasmanians aged 60+ years and over, arthritis was the most frequently
reported diagnosed health condition (52.8%).
19
Participation in organised sport and physical recreation decreases with increasing age, from 18 years.
In contrast, participation in non-organised sport and physical recreation remains fairly constant at
around 60% from 18 years of age until 64 years. In the 65+ years age group, 44.2% continue to
participate in non-organised sport and recreation and close to 30% participate in regular sport and
recreation (3+ times/week).
Appendix B provides supplementary data on the figures and tables included in the profile with a focus
on regional and local government areas.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
The Tasmanian Population Health survey undertaken in 2009 be conducted regularly, using the same
questions so far as is practicable to allow time series comparisons.
Recommendation 2
Establish a whole-of-government data collection benchmark for older Tasmanians in line with the
collaborative framework of the Tasmanian Government Stats Matter initiative.
Recommendation 3
Development of a website using DPIPWE’s LIST Geospatial Information System database to present
data and information about Tasmania’s older population.
Recommendation 4
That the Tasmanian Government establishes an ongoing state-wide advisory group to identify and
address current and emerging demographic opportunities and challenges arising from Tasmania’s
ageing population.
Recommendation 5
That the recommended advisory group works with the Tasmanian Government to develop a
demographic plan which includes a focus on industries that support older people’s social, cultural and
economic participation and which incorporates inter and intra state migration analysis, goals and
targets.
Recommendation 6
That COTA Tas uses the evidence herein to hold forums to promote awareness of key issues for older
Tasmanians, highlighting demographic insights for regional and local government planners, and
developing policies, programs and practices that support inclusive ageing.
20
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
The Tasmanian Population Health survey undertaken in 2009 (used extensively in this report) be
conducted regularly, using the same questions so far as is practicable to allow time series
comparisons.
Recommendation 2
Establishment of a whole-of-government data collection benchmark for older Tasmanians in line with
the collaborative framework of the Stats Matter (a strategy to build Tasmanian Government statistical
assets and capability) and to adopt and promote consistent terms and definitions across all
departments with reference to a diverse profile for older Tasmanians.


As part of this recommendation, all Tasmanian Government departments will establish
minimum agreed standards and work towards a minimum data set referring to older
Tasmanians with agreed collection protocols.
In particular, that all policy dialogue and direction refer to the following age groups among
older Tasmanians:
 60-74 years the young old
 75- 84 years the mid old
 85+ years
the older old.

This work should be coordinated by DPaC and shared with government and non-government
stakeholders via the website noted in Recommendation 3, and

Information presented be utilised to contribute to opportunities for analysis and evidence
based policy development for older Tasmanians.
As resources permit, similar protocols should be applied to all age groups.

Recommendation 3
Development of a website using DPIPWE’s LIST Geospatial Information System database to present
data and information about Tasmania’s older population. Furthermore, that the statistics and graphs
outlined in the baseline data set herein, be developed into maps to create demographic profiles at
state, regional and Local Government Area levels and encourage the use of the LIST for social data.
As resources permit, LIST should have relevant data about other age groups added.
Recommendation 4
That the Tasmanian Government establishes an ongoing state-wide advisory group to identify and
address current and emerging demographic opportunities and challenges arising from Tasmania’s
ageing population.
21
The advisory group to adopt a whole-of-government approach to its work and include representation
from older Tasmanians, Government departments, local governments and non-government
organisations.
Recommendation 5
That the recommended advisory group works with the Tasmanian Government to develop a
demographic plan which includes focus on industries that support older people’s social, cultural and
economic participation and which incorporates inter and intra state migration analysis, goals and
targets.
Recommendation 6
That COTA Tas uses the evidence herein to hold forums to promote awareness of key issues for older
Tasmanians, highlighting demographic insights for regional and local government planners, and
developing policies, programs and practices that support inclusive ageing.
22
Background
FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians was developed as part of the State
Government’s Inclusive Ageing: Tasmania 2012-2014 Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy was
released in August 2012 and forms part of the overarching response of the Tasmanian Government to
support a more socially inclusive society in the context of an ageing population.
The key objective of the Strategy is to increase the capacity for all older people to be fully included in
community life, particularly those who are socially excluded or at risk of becoming so. The Strategy
outlines the approach that the Government will adopt in progressing policy in relation to older people
and highlights six projects that will be undertaken during the three year period 2012-2014.
The first of the six projects is Building evidence: a demographic profile. This project recognised that
the availability of data on older Tasmanians was limited and aimed to build an evidence base profile
providing greater insights into and increased understanding of older members of the Tasmanian
community. 2 The project aimed to develop a single data set that paints a comprehensive picture of
older people in Tasmania. The Government will use the information to assist in better targeting
decisions relating to the allocation of resources and services. It will also use this information to
provide an evidence base for each of the other five projects. 3
The State Government allocated resources to the Council on the Ageing - Tasmania (COTA Tas) to
develop FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians (this document). COTA is the
peak body which advocates and lobbies for the rights, needs and interests of older Tasmanians. In
addition to benefiting the Government, this document will be a useful resource to COTA and other
community organisations in the development and provision of their services to older Tasmanians.
To assist in developing this resource the State Government established a Working Group to provide
feedback, expertise and advice. Membership of the Working Party is outlined in Appendix A –
Membership of the Building Evidence Project Working Group.
Both the State Government and COTA appreciate the contribution of members of the Working Group
and greatly value their insight and work in developing this resource.
2
3
Tasmanian Government, 2012, Inclusive Ageing: Tasmania 2012-2014 Strategy, Department of Premier and Cabinet, p 20
Tasmanian Government, 2012
23
24
Introduction
FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians is designed to
provide an overall view of older Tasmanians based on available data. The
report refers to major factors that impact on the lives of older Tasmanians.
The intent of this document is to coordinate and present baseline data on older Tasmanians and their
varied characteristics in a whole-of-population and socio-economic context.
By carefully examining the characteristics of older Tasmanians and understanding the trends in
ageing, we can continue to support and promote the future health and wellbeing of our entire
population.
According to the Census in 2011, the Tasmanian population was 495,354 with



113,440 people (23% of the population) aged 60 years or more (Australia 19.6%);
80,708 people (16% of the population) aged 65 years or more (Australia 14.1%); and
22,425 people (4.3% of the population) aged 80 years or more (Australia 3.9%).
The trend toward an older median age is greater in Tasmania than for all other Australian states and
territories, with our population ageing at a faster rate. This has significant repercussions for the
Tasmanian community and its social, cultural and economic organisation.
It is important that in planning for an ‘older’ Tasmania that:

an evidence base, demonstrating the characteristics of an ageing population be established,
refined and built upon;

the benefits and challenges of an ageing population are forecast for Tasmanian communities, the
regional and state economy;

whole-of-government initiatives are developed to ensure regular resource allocation for efficient
focussed data collection;

the baby boomer profile be better understood and accommodated;

impacts of migration, as well as the ages of people moving in and out of Tasmania, be understood
and considered as a planning tool across all levels of government; and

socio-economic opportunities arising from increased longevity be capitalised on.
What does ‘old’ actually refer to in the context of the many interpretations of what an older person is?
Self-perception – what or who is ‘old’? - varies from person to person, with many baby boomers in
their 60s and persons in their 70s and 80s not yet feeling old nor referring to themselves as old. This
is a product of ever increasing longevity, health and productivity.
25
There is no universally agreed definition of older people. The ABS typically defines an older person as
aged 65 years or older. Some State Government agencies use 60 years as the basis for eligibility for
programs and services for older people.
For the purposes of this report the older population is defined as 60 years and over.
To enable meaningful comparisons of Tasmania’s profile over time and across all Australian states and
territories where ABS data is used the profile refers to those aged 65+ years. In other data sets where
data was collected with ‘local’ definitions in mind, the profile refers to 60+ years.
In compiling and analysing the data contained in the report, COTA referred to the definitions set by
the Working Group and the collection protocols common to federal departments, including the ABS
and other Australian Government departments.
The broad definitions of age range (or age categories) used to describe the various groups of older
Tasmanians are:



‘young old’ – 60-74 years4
‘mid old’ – 75-84 years
‘older old’ – 85 years and over.
Using these sub-categories enables comparison between age cohorts.
According to the ABS Census of Population and Housing data, numbers and percentages of older
Tasmanians in 2011 were as follows:
Table 1 Number and Proportion - Older Tasmanians, ABS Census of Population and Housing
Cohort
young old
Age group
60-74 years
Number
77,493
Percent of Tasmania’s population
16%
mid old
75-84 years
25,696
5%
older old
85 + years
10,251
2%
At the ‘younger’ end of the ‘old’ spectrum there is the ‘baby boomer’ generation, many of whom are
still in paid work and are actively and meaningfully engaged in their communities.
At the ‘older’ end of the ‘old’ spectrum there is a marked increase in the number of people aged 85
years and over, (the older old), many of whom are also meaningfully engaged in their communities.
This said, the evidence shows a high proportion of people aged 85+ years have associated increases in
the prevalence of co-morbid health conditions and neurodegenerative diseases resulting in increasing
support needs.
Growth in the number of older Tasmanians and their increasing diversity results in a complex range of
differing circumstances and needs as the population ages. The community and all levels of
government need to recognise and plan for this ageing of the population while taking advantage of
the wealth of opportunities and diligently addressing the associated challenges.
4
60-74 years for locally collected data, and 65-74 years from ABS data sources
26
The routine availability of quality data that paints a meaningful picture of ‘older’ Tasmanians is
essential in improving the understanding of Tasmania’s demography and planning for the future. This
document aims to do this by providing up-to-date and reliable information on the differing
circumstances and needs of older Tasmanians according to their income, health, independence, living
arrangements, paid work or voluntary participation and other societal and community characteristics.
An ageing Tasmania has significant social and economic impacts. A focus on the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS) Census of Population and Housing (the Census), along with other ABS surveys and
reports, data collected by various government agencies, demographic analyses, along with the use of
reasonable population projections, provide an entry point to the challenges and opportunities facing
an older Tasmania.
Policy and planning specialists increasingly rely on evidence based research to:
 ensure equitable access to socio-economic wellness;
 target opportunities that protect living standards;
 promote industry responsiveness to change;
 identify opportunities in productivity and employment creation, and
 assist with population planning, service restructuring, and migration planning.
It is important that Tasmania capitalises on opportunities emerging from the ‘net brain gain’. The
Demographic Change Advisory Council (DCAC) identified that migration movements between
Tasmania and other Australian states between 2001 and 2006 actually resulted in a ‘brain gain’5, with
older adults migrating to Tasmania having more post school qualifications than those who left. This
coupled with the relatively strong financial profile of older ‘migrants’ moving to Tasmania and their
contribution to our economic, social and cultural growth presents a set of opportunities that deserve
targeted research.
5
Taylor, L, 2013, Tackling the Challenge of Tasmania’s Ageing Population, The Conversation, p 2
27
Data indicators
This document explores the following indicators in the coming chapters. The indicators were grouped
to provide a comprehensive set of insights.
The report does not of course paint a complete picture, but it does provide insight into the
characteristics of older Tasmanians arising from 2011 ABS Census data and other ABS reports, while
also referring to data (collections between 2009 and 2012) about key areas of policy interest.
Table 2 Summary of indicators used in FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians
Data Indicators
Tasmania’s Ageing Population
Age and sex structure of the population
Life expectancy
Structure of Tasmania’s ageing population
• Structural and numerical ageing
Population projections
Ageing in Tasmania’s regions and LGAs
• Population 65+ years
Urban and rural location
• Settlement size by age group
Residential mobility
• Changed address in last 5 years
• Time
lived
in
current
neighbourhood
Living arrangements
• Marital status
• Living alone
• Raising children
Cultural diversity
• Indigenous status
• Region of birth
• Language spoken
• Spoken English proficiency
Key issues for older Tasmanians
Socioeconomic status
Social Inclusion and Social Exclusion
• Social exclusion risk factors
Life’s Basics
Income
•
•
•
Housing
•
•
•
•
•
Income range
Low income
Pensions and allowances
Type
Affordability
Public housing
Housing stress
Homelessness
Security
•
•
•
•
•
Financial and food security
Household expenses
Health and medical expenses
Socioeconomic disadvantage
Household debt
28
Data Indicators cont.
Accessibility
Transport
• Driver’s licence
• Access to motor vehicle
• Access for disabled
Services
Disability
• Disability by age group
• Living alone
• Unmet need for assistance
Aged care
• Residential aged care
• Community care and HACC services
Lifelong Learning
Literacy and numeracy skills
Qualifications
Older adult learning
Computer and internet use
Connection and Contribution
Family and community support
Participation
• Workforce participation
− Labour force status by age group
− Hours worked
− Industry of employment
− Employment type and sector
• Social involvement
− Contact with family and friends
• Community participation
− Groups and events
− Trust
− Feeling safe
• Civic participation
− Valued by society
• Voluntary contribution
− Volunteering for organisations and
groups
− Carers
− Unpaid child care
Health and Wellbeing
Self assessed health
Risk factors for poor health
• Obesity
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Personal stressors
Chronic conditions
Neurodegenerative disorders
Hospital admissions
Health and wellbeing - keeping healthy
• Nutrition
• Physical activity
• Cultural and leisure events
29
Data sources
This document provides a statistical profile of older Tasmanians. In developing this profile, the aim
was to provide answers to the following questions:





Who are older Tasmanians?
Where do older Tasmanians live and what do they do?
What are the characteristics of older Tasmanians?
What do the indicators of social inclusion/exclusion tell us about older Tasmanians?
How are older Tasmanians faring?
A number of data sources were utilised in the development of this profile of older Tasmanians. The
majority of the data sets presented in this report were sourced from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS) which typically focuses on the older population as those aged 65+ years. The Census of
Population and Housing 2011 is also used extensively, with references to the ABS National Regional
Profile – Tasmania 2007-2011, and other ABS National Surveys including:





ABS General Social Survey 2010
ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2009-10
ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey 2009
ABS Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Australia, 2011-12
ABS Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2011-12.
Population projections were sourced from:
 ABS Population Projections, Australia, 2006 to 2101
 Demographic Change Advisory Council 2008 Tasmanian Population Projections.
In addition, Federal and State Government departments were invited to submit data sets they collect
and collate on older Tasmanians, and most of these are included in this report.
This document draws extensively on data collected in 2009 for the Tasmanian Population Health
Survey (TPHS) to profile the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, and other community and societal
characteristics.
Data variability and reliability
Scope, scale and reliability of the data sets used in this profile are comprehensively detailed in each
original data source. Aspects of these are summarised in the following Table 3. For complete details
on the reliability and scope of a specific data set the original data source should be referred to.
This report draws on many data sets from a number of sources with varying scope, currency and
reliability to develop a profile of older Tasmanians in 2013. The scope is limited by the availability and
reliability of relevant data and is intended as a baseline. Regular updating and mapping of the data
will maximise its value into the future.
30
Surveys always include an element of sampling error, as they use responses from a sample to
generalise about the population. Sampling error ‘occurs because only a small proportion of the total
population is used to produce estimates that represent the whole population’. Sampling error can be
reliably measured as it is calculated based on the scientific methods used to design surveys’.6 All
survey data included here has a relative standard error (RSE) of less than 25% unless indicated
otherwise. According to the ABS, ‘only estimates with RSEs less than 25% are considered sufficiently
reliable for most purposes’.7 For information about the reliability of specific survey data please see
the data source for RSE values to assess fitness for purpose before proceeding to use these data sets.
Table 3 Data sources – year, scope, sample size, and reliability
6
7
Data source
Year
Scope
Sample size
Reliability
ABS Census of
Population and
Housing
2011
All people in Australia on
Census night
Total population
Very high
ABS
National
Regional Profile
20072011
ATO – Wage and salary
earners;
FaHCSIA and DVA –
pension recipients
Actual count
Very high
ABS
General
Social Survey
2010
Usual residents of private
dwellings aged 18+
15,028 dwellings
Australia
ABS Household
Expenditure
Survey
20092010
Usual residents aged 15+
of private dwellings in
urban and rural areas of
Australia.
9,774
households,
comprising 17,955 persons
Designed to provide reliable
estimates at State level for
broad aggregates. More
detailed estimates should be
used with caution, especially
for Tasmania. RSE provided
for each value
ABS
Disability,
Ageing
and
Carers Survey
2009
Persons in both urban and
rural areas, all states and
territories, living in private
and non-private dwellings,
refers to older people
aged 60+ years
27,600 private dwellings and
200 non-private dwellings,
care-accommodation ~1,100
establishments.
64,213
persons
in
households,
9,470 persons in care
RSE provided for each value
ABS Programme
for
the
International
Assessment
of
Adult
Competencies,
Australia
20112012
Usual residents aged 1574 years of private
dwellings in non-remote
areas of Australia
8,988 persons
estimates at State level.
ABS Participation
in Sport and
Physical
Recreation,
Australia
20112012
Usual residents aged 15+
years of private dwellings
17,036
dwellings/persons
across
estimates at State level
private
ABS 2010 General Social Survey
Ibid
31
Data source
Year
DHHS Tasmanian 2009
Population Health
Survey
Government
departments
ABS
Population
Projections,
Australia
DCAC
Tasmanian
Population
Projections
ABS
–
Australian
Social Trends
Scope
Sample size
Reliability
Non-institutionalised Tasmanian
residents aged 18+ with access to a
landline telephone
6,300 respondents
Designed to provide
reliable estimates at
region level.
RSE provided for each
value
varies
Service users
Actual count
Very high
20062101
Three series
developed
of
of
projections
20072032
Three series
developed
20092013
Released three times a year,
Australian Social Trends presents
analysis and commentary on a
wide range of social issues.
Each series based on
different
assumptions
about
future
demographic trends
projections
Each series based on
different assumptions
about
future
demographic trends
The Tasmanian Population Health Survey
The data included in this report sourced from the 2009 Tasmanian Population Health Survey (TPHS) is
for respondents aged 60 years and over. This data is a subset of the TPHS results and has not been
published elsewhere. For this reason the methodology of the TPHS is included here.
The 2009 TPHS used a regionally representative sample to obtain estimates for the entire in-scope
population, and so the data to follow in this report must be presented in percentages – that is, as
population weighted estimates. Table 4 shows the number of respondents aged 60 years and over by
region and sex.
Table 4 Tasmanian Population Health Survey – survey respondents aged 60+ years, by region and sex
Sex
Region
North
North West
South
Total
Male
305
316
312
933
Female
506
498
491
1495
Total
811
814
803
2428
Source: DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey 2009
Tasmanian Population Health Survey Statistical methods and interpretation
8
8
Department of Health and Human Services, 2012, Health Status of Tasmanians 60 Years and Over Results from the 2009 Tasmanian
Population Health Survey, page 8 unpublished report
32
Methodology
The TPHS was undertaken using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and used Random
Digit Dialling (RDD) as the sample frame. The target population was defined as all noninstitutionalised Tasmanian residents aged 18 years and over with access to a landline telephone.
The survey sample included a total of 6,300 respondents stratified into sub-samples of 2,100 in each
of the three regions; North, North West and South with 2,428 respondents aged 60+ years. This
sample allocation allowed for an oversampling of the North West region to obtain higher data
reliability. No interviewing was undertaken in languages other than English, so limiting the scope of
the survey to exclude those of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background with low
English proficiency. Percentages and the corresponding confidence intervals in this document are
weighted to the Tasmanian population, based on the stratified sampling design of the survey.
In interpreting this data set it should be noted that the survey may not be fully representative of the
Tasmanian population. Tasmanians without access to a landline telephone, such as sole mobile
phone users, were not included in the survey.9
Data presentation
This demographic profile presents data at three geographic scales:



Tasmania – whole of state
Regions (Fig 1)
Local Government Areas (LGA) (Fig 2).
The use of these geographical standards reflects the Tasmanian Government’s Regional and LGA
planning and resource allocation models.
Data sets are presented within chapters in graphs and maps (and tables where applicable). The
presentation format was selected for each data set based on the most appropriate way to ‘visually tell
the story’ of the data. Numeric tables associated with each data set are included where appropriate
in Appendix B – Data tables
Two aspects associated with ABS Census of Population and Housing data are worthy of a brief
mention.


The ABS when releasing Census statistics randomises cell values of three or fewer to protect
confidentiality. These cells are randomly assigned the values 0 or 3. Therefore, small numbers
are unreliable.
The Census releases data based on persons’ place of usual residence or by location on Census
night. This report uses Census ‘usual residence’ data, unless otherwise noted.
9
Statistical Methods and Interpretation section is from The Department of Health and Human Services, 2012, Health Status of
Tasmanians 60 Years and Over Results from the 2009 Tasmanian Population Health Survey, page 8 unpublished report
33
Figure 1 Tasmania – regions, 2011
Figure 2 Tasmania – Local Government Areas, 2011
34
CHAPTER 1 Tasmania’s ageing population
Tasmania is ageing the fastest of all Australian states and territories in terms of structural ageing (the
proportion of the population aged 65+ years); but in terms of numerical ageing (the increase in the number of
people aged 65+ years), Tasmania is not ageing faster than other states and territories. This higher rate of
structural ageing is largely the result of ongoing migration of younger age groups from the State.
Between 2001 and 2011, Tasmania’s total population increased by 7.5%. Within the same 10 year period,
Tasmanians aged 65 years or more increased by 27%, while people aged 80 years or more increased by 35%.
Tasmanian municipalities where more than 20% of people were aged 65+ years warrants particular attention
from governments and planners.
In 2011, the Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest proportion of the population aged 65+ years were
Glamorgan/Spring Bay, Flinders, Tasman and Break O-Day.
The LGAs where numbers of older people are increasing at the greatest rate are not the same LGAs where the
proportion of older people is increasing at the greatest rate.
All projections for Tasmania suggest that Tasmania’s population structure will continue to age faster than
Australia as a whole – this is the critically important ‘take-home’ message.
The proportion of the Tasmanian population aged 65+ years who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander is 1.2%. In the South, the Huon Valley has the highest proportion of the population aged 65+ years
who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (4%); in the North, Flinders Island (10%) and in the NorthWest, Circular Head (4%).
Tasmanians aged 65+ years form a more culturally diverse population than younger Tasmanians with 72% born
in Australia compared with 92% of those in the 0-24 year age group.
The most common regions of birth outside Australia for older Tasmanians were from North-Western, Southern
and Eastern Europe, largely reflecting post-World War 2 immigration to Australia.
In 2011, fourteen (14) of Tasmania’s 29 LGAs had no older Tasmanian residents with poor English
speaking skills. The greatest numbers of older Tasmanians with poor English speaking skills lived in
city LGAs, with very few in more rural LGAs. The most common languages spoken by people with low
English proficiency were Greek, Italian and Polish.
35
Age and sex structure of the population
‘Surprising to many is that Australia was only one of four countries to experience a ‘true’ baby boom,
the three others being New Zealand, Canada and the United States.’10
Australia is ageing rapidly with an upcoming baby boomer population ‘bulge’ set to move up the age
scale and a decreasing proportion of ‘working or reproductive age’ citizens to follow them. In
Tasmania, this trend is markedly strong.
Taken together, the population pyramids in Figure 2 and Figure 3 allow a comparative analysis of the
Tasmanian and Australian populations. The first pyramid shows the age and sex structure of the
Tasmanian population in 1991, 2001 and 2011. This age profile graphically reveals the changing age
structure of the population with greater numbers in all age groups over 50-54 years in 2011 compared
to previous years; and fewer in all age groups under 45 years.
Figure 2 Population structure by age and sex, Tasmania 1991-2011
Tasmania 1991, 2001, 2011
Males
90+ years
Females
85-89 years
80-84 years
75-79 years
70-74 years
65-69 years
60-64 years
55-59 years
50-54 years
45-49 years
40-44 years
35-39 years
30-34 years
25-29 years
20-24 years
15-19 years
10-14 years
5-9 years
0-4 years
5%
4%
3%
2%
1991
1%
0%
1%
2001
2%
3%
4%
5%
2011
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011, 2001, 1991
10
Jackson, N, 2007, Population Ageing in a Nutshell: A phenomenon in four dimensions, People and Place, vol 15, no.2 p 12
36
A growing ‘bite’ in the Tasmanian pyramid from the ages 20 to 39 years reflects the ongoing net loss
of people in the young adult age group to migration. This ‘bite’ is progressively widening and
deepening as the net loss of 20-29 year olds (along with their reproductive potential) continues over
time.
The large cohort of Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964, and aged 47-65 years in 2011, present as a ‘bulge’
in the pyramid as they move upwards through the age profile.
The ‘Baby Boomer’ bulge is also evident in the Australian Pyramid, though less marked as it is not
accompanied by outmigration of young adults as it is in Tasmania.
Notably, the ratio between the sexes is often not symmetrical. In Tasmania in 2011 the gender
balance was almost equal below the age of 24 years. As we move further up the age scale there are
proportionally more females in every age group than there are males.
Figure 3 Population structure by age and sex, Australia 1991-2011
Australia 1991, 2001, 2011
90+ years
Males
Females
85-89 years
80-84 years
75-79 years
70-74 years
65-69 years
60-64 years
55-59 years
50-54 years
45-49 years
40-44 years
35-39 years
30-34 years
25-29 years
20-24 years
15-19 years
10-14 years
5-9 years
0-4 years
5%
4%
3%
2%
1991
1%
0%
2001
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
2011
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011, 2001, 1991
37
Women noticeably predominate in age groups from 75 years in line with life expectancy trends. For
people aged 65+ years the male to female ratio is 46:53. This ratio increases for Tasmanians aged 80
years or more with the male to female ratio at 39:61.11
Life expectancy
More Australians are living longer than ever before, contributing to the overall ageing of our
population. Worthy of note is the higher life expectancy for females, which is some four years greater
than for males. This has significant impacts on the composition of the older population, as well as on
social aspects such as living arrangements. Over the last 10 years at a national level, life expectancy at
birth has improved by 2.7 years for males and just less than 1.8 years for females.
Between 2001 and 2011 the life expectancy of males in Tasmania increased by 2.3 years and for
females life expectancy increased by 1.3 years. Life expectancy at birth has increased nationally over
the past century. Up until 1932, infectious and parasitic diseases caused at least 10% of all deaths
each year, with death rates from these diseases highest among the very young and very old.
Improvements in living conditions, such as improved water supply, sewerage systems, food quality
and health education, led to overall longer life expectancy at all ages. During the 20th century,
degenerative diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer replaced infectious and parasitic
diseases as the main cause of death of older people.12
The average life expectancy for Tasmanians is slightly lower than the Australian average. Tasmanian
male life expectancy is 78.3 years compared to the Australian average of 79.7 years and Tasmanian
female life expectancy is 82.5 years compared to the Australian average of 84.2 years. 13 Based on
current mortality rates, a girl [boy] born in 2009-2011 can expect to live 84.2 [79.7] years.14
Life expectancy differs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and this is covered
later in the report.
11
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011
12
Ibid
Ibid
14
Ibid
13
38
Figure 4 Life expectancy at birth – males and females, Australia, 1910-2011
Source: ABS presentation on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011
Structure of Tasmania’s ageing population
To understand Tasmania’s unique population age profile, an ageing population can be tracked to
various combinations of four factors: increased life expectancy, fertility rates, migration gains at older
ages, and migration driven losses at younger ages.15
Currently Tasmania has the ‘oldest population’ of all Australian jurisdictions and the Tasmanian
population (in terms of structural ageing) is ageing more rapidly than Australia as a whole.
South Australia has similar ‘ageing’ attributes to Tasmania but with different causes or ‘drivers’.
South Australia is ‘old’ primarily because of its historically lower birth rates, with net migration trends
a secondary factor. Tasmania’s net migration has been positive since 2002, and birth rates are
relatively high. In fact of all Australian states and territories in 2011, Tasmania had the highest total
fertility rate (TFR) of 2.2 babies per woman of reproductive age. These recent gains do not however
offset the oncoming ageing population bulge. Understanding this is key to understanding the ageing
of Tasmania’s population.
‘During the 1990’s Tasmania experienced a profound loss of people in the 18-38 year age group with
smaller but equally significant gains at older ages.’ 16 This outward migration of reproductive age
population has created a bite in the age structure, creating a double impact due to the loss of the
children those people took with them and/or would have had. This trend is called premature ageing.17
Hence, any demographic discourse around Tasmania’s population, related analyses and associated
projections must refer to the uniquely Tasmanian population profile.
15
Jackson, N, 2007, Population Ageing in a Nutshell: A phenomenon in four dimensions, People and Place, vol 15, no.2, p 18
Jackson, 2007, Op Cit, p 18-19
17
Ibid
16
39
The ageing of Tasmania’s population is both numerical and structural in terms of the actual number of
older people and the proportion of the population they represent:

Numerical ageing of the population is the increase in the number of older people and is
mainly driven by increases in life expectancy and migration patterns of older people.

Structural ageing of the population is the increase in the proportion of the population that is
older. Structural ageing is primarily caused by declining birth rates which decreases the
proportion of the ‘younger’ population and thereby increases the proportion of the ‘older’
population. Structural ageing is also affected by migration patterns of all age groups. In
Tasmania, net migration loss in younger age groups has a significant impact on structural
ageing.18
Between 2001 and 2011 Tasmania’s total population increased by 7.5%. Within the same 10 year
period Tasmanians aged 65 years or more increased by 27%, while people aged 80 years or more
increased by 35%.19
In 2011 there were 80,708 people aged 65+ years living in Tasmania. The median age in Tasmania
was 40 years compared to the median age in Australia of 37 years; and the proportion of the
population aged 65+ years in Tasmania was 16.3%, compared to 14.0% in Australia as a whole. This is
demonstrated in Figure 5. Just over 21,000 people were aged 80+ years representing 4.3% of the
population, compared to 3.9% nationally.20
Figure 5 Age profile, Tasmania and Australia, 2011
8%
7%
6%
Tasmania
5%
Australia
37
4%
Median
Tasmania
40
3%
Median
Australia
2%
1%
0%
85+
80-84 years
75-79 years
70-74 years
65-69 years
60-64 years
55-59 years
50-54 years
45-49 years
40-44 years
35-39 years
30-34 years
25-29 years
20-24 years
15-19 years
10-14 years
5-9 years
0-4 years
Source: ABS presentation on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011
18
19
20
Ibid
ABS, 2013, Presentation: ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011
Ibid
40
Tasmania is also ageing the fastest in terms of structural ageing (that is the rate of increase in the
proportion of the population aged 65+ years). The mean annual rate of structural ageing in Tasmania
between 2006 and 2011 was 0.27 percentage points, whereas the rate for Australia over the same
time period was 0.14 percentage points. However, in terms of numerical ageing, (that is the increase
in the number of people aged 65 years and over) Tasmania is not ageing faster than other states.
The rate of numerical ageing in Tasmania 2006-2011 was in fact slower than in the Northern Territory,
the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. The number of older Tasmanians
aged 65+ years increased at a mean annual rate of 2.7% between 2006 and 2011, compared to a rate
of 2.8% for Australia as a whole.
The high rate of structural ageing in Tasmania is largely a result of ongoing outmigration of younger
age groups from the State.
Characteristics of the phenomenon of population ageing for Australian states and territories are
summarised in Figure 6.
Figure 6 Ageing in Australian states and territories, 2001-2011
a) Median age; b) Older people (65+ years) as proportion of the population; c) Structural ageing; d) Numerical ageing
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011, 2006
41
Ageing in Tasmania’s regions and local government areas
Of the 80,708 Tasmanians that were aged 65+ years in 2011, almost half lived in the South region
(48%) with the North and North West regions home to 29% and 23% respectively. In Tasmania, 16.3%
of the 2011 population was aged 65+ years. However, the proportion of older people varied from
region to region. In the South, 15.6% of the population was aged 65+ years, whereas in the North and
North West the proportions were higher, 16.8% and 17.3% respectively.
Figure 7 shows the proportion of people aged 65+ years in each Tasmanian Local Government Area
(LGA), with each Tasmanian Region being colour coded for ease of interpretation. For precise
numbers and proportions of persons by age group for Tasmanian regions and Local Government
Areas according to the 2011 ABS Census, please refer to Table 21 to Table 23 (Appendix B – Data
tables).
Our attention is drawn to the LGAs with a large proportion of the population aged 65+ years. The
proportion in 2011 was 14% for Australia and 16.3% in Tasmania. Tasmanian municipalities where
more than 20% of people were aged 65 years and over, warrant particular attention from
governments and planners. In 2011, LGAs with the ‘oldest’ populations (highest proportion of
population aged 65+ years) were: Glamorgan/Spring Bay; Flinders; Tasman; and Break O’Day.
Figure 7 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) as a proportion of the population, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Older Tasmanians (65+ years), LGAs, 2011
30%
% of population
25%
20%
15%
10%
0%
Brighton (M)…
Southern Midlands (M)
Derwent Valley (M)
Sorell (M)
Hobart (C)
Kingborough (M)
Huon Valley (M)
Glenorchy (C)
Clarence (C)
Central Highlands (M)
Tasman (M)
Glamorgan/Spring Bay (M)
Launceston (C)…
George Town (M)
Meander Valley (M)
West Tamar (M)
Northern Midlands (M)
Dorset (M)
Break O'Day (M)
Flinders (M)
Circular Head (M)…
West Coast (M)
Kentish (M)
Burnie (C)
Waratah/Wynyard (M)
Latrobe (M)
Central Coast (M)
Devonport (C)
King Island (M)
5%
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011
In Figure 8 the proportion of people aged 65+ years in the population is mapped for Tasmanian LGAs
and is compared with the three Tasmanian regions and Australian states and territories.
LGAs along the East Coast have the oldest populations in the State in terms of proportion of the
population aged 65+ years. Conversely, LGAs along the West Coast, along with Brighton, have the
42
youngest populations in Tasmania. This is further evidenced by a large disparity in the median age of
populations across municipalities.
Table 5 Highlights of median ages in selected LGAs
LGA
Brighton
King Island
Break of Day
Flinders Island and Tasman Peninsula
Glamorgan Spring Bay
Median Age 2011
33
46
50
51
53
Figure 8 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) - % of population, 2011
In Tasmania, each of the sub-categories – young old; mid old; and older old – comprised a larger
proportion of the 2011 population than in Australia. In 2011, Tasmanians aged between 65 – 74 years
comprised 9% of the total population whereas the same age group for all of Australia was
substantially lower, comprising 7.6%.
43
The age distribution of older Tasmanians also varied across Tasmanian regions, as seen in Figure 9. For
the young old residing in the North West, the North and the South the proportions are 9.7%, 9.3% and
8.6% respectively. The overall percentage difference, across all age-groups, between the regions
varies by a maximum of 0.7%.
Figure 9 Older Tasmanians – young old, mid old, older old – (% of population), Tasmanian regions, 2011
On the surface, this may appear a minimal difference but this is, in fact, critical information for
planning mechanisms at all levels of government. Planners must consider firstly the mix, capacity and
location of front line service delivery, secondly the numbers of people in all age groups per region and
municipality, and lastly to ground any policy discourse and analyses in the context of population
projections across the next two decades.
Numbers of residents in all age categories (with special attention to the young old, mid old and older
old categories) for each LGA are shown in Table 21 (Appendix B – Data tables). These numbers are
also shown alongside the population projections for each region and LGA in Table 7 on page 51
allowing for a deeper analysis of trends.
The maps in Figure 10 and Figure 11 illustrate the pace at which ageing of the population proceeded
between 2006 and 2011. Figure 10 maps the rate of structural ageing – the mean annual increase in
the proportion of the population aged 65+ years. The mean annual rate of structural ageing for
Tasmania between 2006 and 2011 was 0.3% per year and for Australia it was 0.1% per
44
year. Figure 10 indicates that many Tasmanian LGAs experienced ageing of their populations at a
faster pace than the Tasmanian average.
Of particular note are LGAs along the East Coast, namely the municipalities of Glamorgan/Spring Bay;
Tasman, also Flinders and Break O’Day – where the proportion of the population aged 65+ years
increased by an average of 0.8% per year or more over this time period.
Figure 10 Structural ageing – mean annual increase in the proportion of the population aged 65+ years (%pts), 2006-2011
Differences in the rate of structural ageing at LGA level are primarily driven by recent and historical
moves into and out of LGAs. These LGAs aged the fastest between 2006 and 2011 due to three
factors: a net loss of people aged under 65 years, and/or net gains in age groups of 65+ years, as well
as people choosing to age in place.
On the other hand, Glenorchy experienced a negative rate of structural ageing – older people
decreased as a proportion of the population between 2006 and 2011.
Figure 11 maps the rate of numerical ageing – the mean annual increase in the number of the
population aged 65+ years. The mean annual rate of numerical ageing for Tasmania between 2006
and 2011 was 2.7% per year, and for Australia it was 2.8% per year.
Numerical ageing occurred at different rates across Tasmanian LGAs between 2006 and 2011.
45
In fact, eight of Tasmania’s 29 LGAs experienced a mean rate of numerical ageing greater than 5% per
year – almost twice the national average. Numbers and proportions of people aged 65+ years, as well
as rates of structural and numerical ageing, are provided for LGAs in Table 6 on page 50.
Figure 11 Numerical ageing – mean annual increase in the number of people aged 65+ years (%), 2006-2011+
The following LGAs had the greatest increases in the number of people aged 65+ years between 2006
and 2011 – Brighton; Tasman; Glamorgan/Spring Bay; Kentish; Latrobe; Southern Midlands; Huon
Valley; and Break O’Day.
Though the median age of Brighton was 33, the growth in the 65+ year old population could be an
indicator of older Tasmanians moving to Brighton due to the availability of more affordable housing
and proximity to services being key motivators.
Additional research could shed more light on motivations for intrastate migration. It would be of
interest to target new research to investigate the motivations of people moving to these
municipalities with attention to: the influence and extent of people’s desire to age in place; an
assessment of whether these trends are likely to continue, and the extent to which planning
mechanisms can predict and accommodate migratory trends of older people across Tasmanian
regions and LGAs.
This would prove invaluable in informing planning mechanisms at all levels of government
with pertinent revelations to support targeted service provision and social inclusion.
46
Population projections
Figure 12 Observed and projected population aged 65+ years (%),
2011-2030
Figure 13 Observed and projected population aged 65+ years
(persons), 2011-2030
Older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011-2030
Older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011-2030
30%
160,000
140,000
120,000
20%
Persons
% of population
25%
15%
10%
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
5%
20,000
0%
0
South
North
2011
2020
NorthWest
Tasmania
South
2030
ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011; DCAC Tasmanian
Population Projections, 2008
North
2011
2020
NorthWest
Tasmania
2030
ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011; DCAC Tasmanian
Population Projections, 2008
The Demographic Change Advisory Council’s (DCAC) Tasmanian Population Projections 21 include a
breakdown by age for the projected population for each year to 2032. Though the ABS population
projections are projected by age DCAC projections are used in this section as they also include
projections by age developed for Tasmanian Local Government Areas (LGAs). Again, it should be
noted that the projections are not predictions or forecasts, but illustrations of the changes in the
population if assumptions about demographic trends were to play out over the projection period.
All projections for Tasmania suggest that Tasmania’s population structure will continue to age faster
than Australia as a whole – and this is the critically important ‘take-home’ message.
The DCAC medium series projection is used as it ‘is based on assumptions that are most similar to
recent trends’22. It also should be noted that small area projections are inherently difficult due to the
impact and unpredictability of population movements at LGA level, and therefore less reliable.
In the medium-series, it is projected by DCAC that one-quarter of Tasmania’s population would be
aged 65+ years in 2030, if assumptions were to hold true (Figure13). This would equate to nearly
60,000 more Tasmanians aged 65+ years in 2030 than in 2011 (Figure14).
Numerical ageing, or increase in the number of the population aged 65 years and over, is perhaps
more pertinent than structural ageing when evaluating need and service delivery.
The proportion of the older population is influenced by change in the number in the younger age
groups, as well as by change in the number of older people; whereas the number of older people in
the population is not influenced by any other changes in the population age structure.
21
22
Demographic Change Advisory Council, 2008, Tasmanian Population Projections
Ibid
47
Of particular note is that the LGAs where numbers of older people are increasing at the greatest rate
are not necessarily the same LGAs where the proportion of older people is increasing at the greatest
rate.
Tasman, Glamorgan/Spring Bay and Break O’Day are ageing rapidly both numerically and structurally
in relation to other Tasmanian LGAs. While the proportion of older people on Flinders Island is
increasing at a relatively rapid rate, the number is not.
Conversely, Brighton, Kentish, Latrobe, Southern Midlands and Huon Valley are among the Tasmanian
LGAs with the highest rates of numerical ageing but not amongst those that are structurally ageing
the fastest. It is therefore important that government and service providers understand the impacts
and implications of both structural and numerical ageing and their differential distribution across the
State.
Though the median age of Brighton was 33, the growth in the 65+ year old population could be an
indicator of older Tasmanians moving to Brighton due to the availability of more affordable housing
and proximity to services being a key motivator.
A major influence on the rate of numerical ageing is the ageing of current residents. Therefore the age
profile of historical immigration and the propensity to age in place are significant contributing factors.
Additional research could shed more light on the extent of intrastate migration in older age groups.
Tasmania’s population was 495,354 in 2011 according to the ABS Census of Population and Housing.
The population grew at an average rate of 0.8% per year between 2006 and 2011, which is a
marginally higher rate of growth than for the previous five year period (0.7% per year).
The size of Tasmania’s future population has been projected by the (ABS) and by Tasmania’s
Demographic Change Advisory Council (DCAC). Population projections are estimates of a population
at a point of time in the future. Projections are ‘not intended as predictions or forecasts, but are
illustrations of growth and change in the population that would occur if assumptions made about
future demographic trends were to prevail over the projection period’.23
The ABS developed three series of population projections for Australian states and territories using
2007 Estimated Resident Population as the base population with differing assumptions about future
fertility, mortality, net overseas migration, and net interstate migration. The ABS selected three main
series of projections – Series A, Series B, and Series C.
The Tasmanian Demographic Change Advisory Council also presented three series of population
projections for Tasmania – high, medium and low. The medium series ‘is based on assumptions that
are most similar to recent trends. For most purposes, the medium series should be used.’24
23
24
ABS 3222.0 Population Projections, Australia, 2006-2101
Demographic Change Advisory Council 2008 Tasmanian Population Projections
48
The projections are based on Estimated Resident Populations as at 2007 and project ‘each cohort of
people throughout its lifetime according to assumed rates of mortality, fertility and migration.’25
The projected population for Tasmania according to each series presented by ABS and DCAC is shown
in Figure 14, and is compared to observed population size for 2001-2011.
Projected population size differs markedly between the series, with the difference becoming greater
with time into the future. Comparing Tasmania’s population as counted in the 2011 Census with the
projected population for 2011, reveals that DCAC’s low series projection was the closest estimate.
The population of Tasmania in 2011 in the Census was 495,354 and DCAC’s low series projection for
2011 was 498,579.
Figure 14 Observed and projected population, Tasmania, 2001-2056
Data sources: ABS 3222.0 Population projections, Australia, 2006-2101; DCAC Tasmanian population projections 2008;
ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011, 2006, 2001
25
Ibid
49
Table 6 Structural and numerical ageing of the population – increase in number and proportion of people aged 65+ years, 2006-2011
Region
LGA
People 65 years and over
Numerical ageing
% population 65 years and over
Structural ageing
Persons Persons
Change Change (%)
(mean annual rate %)
% pop.
% pop. Change (%pts) (mean annual rate %pts)
2006
2011 2006-2011 2006-2011
2006-2011
2006
2011
2006-2011
2006-2011
Brighton
1,029
1,437
408
39.7%
7.9%
7.3%
9.3%
2.0%
0.4%
Central Highlands
326
397
71
21.8%
4.4%
14.5%
17.6%
3.0%
0.6%
Clarence
7,863
8,830
967
12.3%
2.5%
15.8%
17.0%
1.2%
0.2%
Derwent Valley
1,240
1,398
158
12.7%
2.5%
13.1%
14.4%
1.3%
0.3%
Glamorgan/Spring Bay
823
1,087
264
32.1%
6.4%
19.7%
25.9%
6.3%
1.3%
Glenorchy
7,383
7,495
112
1.5%
0.3%
17.0%
16.8%
-0.2%
0.0%
Hobart
6,642
7,188
546
8.2%
1.6%
13.9%
14.8%
0.8%
0.2%
Huon Valley
1,843
2,358
515
27.9%
5.6%
13.2%
15.6%
2.4%
0.5%
Kingborough
4,245
5,138
893
21.0%
4.2%
13.8%
15.2%
1.4%
0.3%
Sorell
1,633
1,912
279
17.1%
3.4%
13.7%
14.5%
0.8%
0.2%
Southern Midlands
660
854
194
29.4%
5.9%
11.6%
14.1%
2.5%
0.5%
Tasman
384
530
146
38.0%
7.6%
17.1%
22.5%
5.4%
1.1%
South
34,071
38,624
4,553
13.4%
2.7%
14.5%
15.6%
1.1%
0.2%
Break O'Day
1,090
1,368
278
25.5%
5.1%
18.0%
22.1%
4.1%
0.8%
Dorset
1,221
1,313
92
7.5%
1.5%
17.5%
19.2%
1.8%
0.4%
Flinders
144
166
22
15.3%
3.1%
16.7%
21.5%
4.8%
1.0%
George Town
896
1,082
186
20.8%
4.2%
13.7%
16.3%
2.6%
0.5%
Launceston
9,336
10,139
803
8.6%
1.7%
15.0%
15.8%
0.8%
0.2%
Meander Valley
2,644
3,201
557
21.1%
4.2%
14.4%
16.9%
2.5%
0.5%
Northern Midlands
1,831
2,116
285
15.6%
3.1%
15.1%
17.3%
2.2%
0.4%
West Tamar
3,141
3,754
613
19.5%
3.9%
15.1%
17.2%
2.1%
0.4%
North
20,303
23,139
2,836
14.0%
2.8%
15.2%
16.8%
1.7%
0.3%
Burnie
2,830
3,072
242
8.6%
1.7%
14.9%
15.9%
1.0%
0.2%
Central Coast
3,561
3,956
395
11.1%
2.2%
17.2%
18.5%
1.3%
0.3%
Circular Head
944
1,079
135
14.3%
2.9%
11.9%
13.5%
1.7%
0.3%
Devonport
4,229
4,571
342
8.1%
1.6%
17.6%
18.6%
1.0%
0.2%
Kentish
705
923
218
30.9%
6.2%
12.2%
15.2%
2.9%
0.6%
King Island
272
287
15
5.5%
1.1%
16.6%
18.3%
1.8%
0.4%
Latrobe
1,385
1,805
420
30.3%
6.1%
16.0%
18.4%
2.3%
0.5%
Waratah/Wynyard
2,208
2,498
290
13.1%
2.6%
16.5%
18.2%
1.8%
0.4%
West Coast
563
645
82
14.6%
2.9%
11.3%
13.8%
2.5%
0.5%
NorthWest
16,697
18,836
2,139
12.8%
2.6%
15.7%
17.3%
1.5%
0.3%
Tasmania
71,144
80,703
9,559
13.4%
2.7%
14.9%
16.3%
1.4%
0.3%
Australia
2,644,370 3,012,280
367,910
13.9%
2.8%
13.3%
14.0%
0.7%
0.1%
50
Table 7 Tasmanian LGA population projections, young old; mid old; older old, 2020, 2030
Region
LGA
Under 65 years
65-74 years
75-84 years
85 years and over
Total population
Total 65 years and over % 65 years and over
2011 a 2020 b 2030 b 2011 a 2020 b 2030 b 2011 a 2020 b 2030 b 2011 a 2020 b 2030 b 2011 a 2020 b 2030 b 2011 a 2020 b 2030 b 2011 a 2020 b 2030 b
Brighton
14,022 17,391 20,138
948 1,569 2,011
362 632 1,272
127 154
355 15,459 19,746 23,776 1,437 2,355 3,638 9.3% 11.9% 15.3%
Central Highlands
1,865 1,878 1,687
269 367
377
99 158
263
27
38
78 2,260 2,441 2,405
395
563
718 17.5% 23.1% 29.9%
Clarence
43,016 42,638 41,163 4,722 6,296 6,965 2,893 3,515 5,100 1,219 1,478 2,087 51,850 53,927 55,315 8,834 11,289 14,152 17.0% 20.9% 25.6%
Derwent Valley
8,305 8,705 8,531
841 1,197 1,404
415 575
897
144 198
327 9,705 10,675 11,159 1,400 1,970 2,628 14.4% 18.5% 23.6%
3,102 3,378 2,987
711 1,116 1,271
268 490
875
111 140
283 4,192 5,124 5,416 1,090 1,746 2,429 26.0% 34.1% 44.8%
Glenorchy
37,159 35,468 33,101 3,846 4,676 5,476 2,625 2,978 3,823 1,025 1,418 1,773 44,655 44,540 44,173 7,496 9,072 11,072 16.8% 20.4% 25.1%
Hobart
41,517 45,413 46,782 3,511 5,074 5,380 2,389 2,507 4,079 1,288 1,225 1,491 48,705 54,219 57,732 7,188 8,806 10,950 14.8% 16.2% 19.0%
Huon Valley
12,783 12,507 11,579 1,471 2,166 2,643
689 956 1,693
197 306
534 15,140 15,935 16,449 2,357 3,428 4,870 15.6% 21.5% 29.6%
Kingborough
28,752 30,211 31,437 2,905 4,368 4,866 1,625 2,188 3,691
610 800 1,296 33,892 37,567 41,290 5,140 7,356 9,853 15.2% 19.6% 23.9%
Sorell
11,291 12,190 12,612 1,093 1,878 2,483
623 834 1,555
189 315
502 13,196 15,217 17,152 1,905 3,027 4,540 14.4% 19.9% 26.5%
Southern Midlands
5,188 4,579 3,884
582 748
953
216 307
549
63
81
153 6,049 5,715 5,539
861 1,136 1,655 14.2% 19.9% 29.9%
Tasman
1,831 1,822 1,711
336 438
457
154 142
283
34
27
50 2,355 2,429 2,501
524
607
790 22.3% 25.0% 31.6%
South
208,831 216,180 215,612 21,235 29,893 34,286 12,358 15,282 24,080 5,034 6,180
8,929 247,458 267,535 282,907 38,627 51,355 67,295 15.6% 19.2% 23.8%
Break O'Day
4,826 5,214 5,241
859 1,230 1,350
363 589
936
146 159
326 6,194 7,192 7,853 1,368 1,978 2,612 22.1% 27.5% 33.3%
Dorset
5,522 5,457 4,773
731 959 1,207
447 525
747
128 208
294 6,828 7,149 7,021 1,306 1,692 2,248 19.1% 23.7% 32.0%
Flinders
602
651
635
115 146
117
44
74
111
15
24
42
776
895
905
174
244
270 22.4% 27.3% 29.8%
George Town
5,559 5,533 5,261
657 931 1,024
324 474
756
96 158
266 6,636 7,096 7,307 1,077 1,563 2,046 16.2% 22.0% 28.0%
Launceston
54,057 57,936 58,941 5,208 6,809 7,714 3,323 3,963 5,611 1,606 1,777 2,366 64,194 70,485 74,632 10,137 12,549 15,691 15.8% 17.8% 21.0%
Meander Valley
15,688 16,038 15,168 1,784 2,705 3,114 1,043 1,459 2,342
374 561
893 18,889 20,763 21,517 3,201 4,725 6,349 16.9% 22.8% 29.5%
Northern Midlands
10,111 9,716 8,658 1,269 1,825 2,061
649 1,041 1,540
200 334
591 12,229 12,916 12,850 2,118 3,200 4,192 17.3% 24.8% 32.6%
West Tamar
18,060 19,532 19,546 2,190 3,062 3,681 1,167 1,599 2,441
398 525
888 21,815 24,718 26,556 3,755 5,186 7,010 17.2% 21.0% 26.4%
North
114,425 120,077 118,223 12,813 17,667 20,268 7,360 9,724 14,484 2,963 3,746
5,666 137,561 151,214 158,641 23,136 31,137 40,418 16.8% 20.6% 25.5%
Burnie
16,250 17,228 17,230 1,686 2,159 2,443
995 1,264 1,715
399 522
740 19,330 21,173 22,128 3,080 3,945 4,898 15.9% 18.6% 22.1%
Central Coast
17,396 16,029 14,111 2,218 3,058 3,357 1,290 1,812 2,564
450 679 1,077 21,354 21,578 21,109 3,958 5,549 6,998 18.5% 25.7% 33.2%
Circular Head
6,905 7,145 6,763
615 849 1,032
327 455
667
131 163
254 7,978 8,612 8,716 1,073 1,467 1,953 13.4% 17.0% 22.4%
Devonport
20,049 20,111 19,631 2,435 2,974 2,997 1,475 1,797 2,436
658 824 1,089 24,617 25,706 26,153 4,568 5,595 6,522 18.6% 21.8% 24.9%
Kentish
5,171 5,643 5,620
592 893 1,141
242 405
712
81 120
239 6,086 7,061 7,712
915 1,418 2,092 15.0% 20.1% 27.1%
King Island
1,271 1,319 1,193
168 213
197
82 106
166
42
32
57 1,563 1,670 1,613
292
351
420 18.7% 21.0% 26.0%
Latrobe
8,022 8,192 8,395 1,047 1,449 1,620
568 769 1,212
195 281
460 9,832 10,691 11,687 1,810 2,499 3,292 18.4% 23.4% 28.2%
Waratah/Wynyard
11,211 10,395 8,849 1,420 1,985 2,442
808 1,127 1,660
268 432
676 13,707 13,939 13,627 2,496 3,544 4,778 18.2% 25.4% 35.1%
West Coast
4,042 4,220 3,875
445 604
698
164 296
444
28
89
172 4,679 5,209 5,189
637
989 1,314 13.6% 19.0% 25.3%
NorthWest
90,317 90,282 85,667 10,626 14,184 15,927 5,951 8,031 11,576 2,252 3,142
4,764 109,146 115,639 117,934 18,829 25,357 32,267 17.3% 21.9% 27.4%
Tasmania
414,644 426,538 419,514 44,761 61,746 70,478 25,696 33,045 50,137 10,251 13,069 19,360 495,352 534,398 559,489 80,708 107,860 139,975 16.3% 20.2% 25.0%
Data source: a ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011; bDCAC Tasmanian Population
Projections 2008 where b indicates the mid series which have been shown to be the ‘best fit assumptions’ and are used by the Department of Treasury and Finance for population projections issued in August 2013
51
Population projections by region and local government area
Projections are ‘not intended as predictions or forecasts, but are illustrations of growth and change
in the population that would occur if assumptions made about future demographic trends were to
prevail over the projection period’.26
This discussion around Table 7 refers to the last 6 columns of data for numbers and percentages of
projected persons aged 65+ years. The first three data columns group together persons aged under
65 years, with the intervening columns providing actual numbers of persons as per the 2011 ABS
Census of Population and Housing, and projections for the young, mid and older old categories.
The emphasis herein is on the young old, mid old and the older old categories which are the subject
of this report. These more particular data categories come into play when planners look to the
possible location and extent of future services as more people move into the mid old and older old
categories. These data will reveal where more assistance and support will predictably be needed.
In 2030, should the medium series trend hold, it appears that in 12 of the 29 municipalities, three in
10 people will be aged 65+ years. In other words, some 30% or more of the population will be aged
65+ years. The major population centres however, located in the municipalities of Hobart,
Launceston, Burnie and Devonport will, in this trend series, have younger population profiles with a
greater spread of people across all age groups.
One in six Tasmanians were aged 65+ years in 2011 based on the same year’s ABS Census; in 2020
there will be 1 in 5 aged 65+ years, and in 2030 it is projected that 1 in 4 Tasmanians will be aged 65
or more years. The regional breakdown for people aged 65+ years in 2030 is 23.8% of the Southern
region population, 25.5% for the Northern region, and 27.4% of the total population residing in the
North West.
Table 8 uses the DCAC medium series projections to illustrate numbers and percentages of
Tasmanians aged 65+ years for the years 2020 and 2030. The projections are based on the count of
persons as at the time of the 2011 ABS Census of Population and Housing. The original DCAC
projections were based on the 2006 Census, and have been updated so as to be closer to the target
projection dates of 2020 and 2030.
It would be helpful to relate the projected numbers of older Tasmanians to the 2011 census data
regarding self assessed need for assistance with core activities. Figure 57, on page 105 and Table
51 on page 189 show the data for the young, mid and older old age groups. Almost 10% of the
young old, approximately 20% of the mid old, and 53% of Tasmanians aged 85+ years currently
require assistance with core activities. The number of people needing assistance with core
activities by age group in each Tasmanian LGA is provided in Table 51 (Appendix B – Data tables).
In 2011-2012, 36% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years received an aged care service. This figure is 80%
for Tasmanians aged 80+ years. In 2011-12, 27% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years received HACC*
26
ABS 3222.0 Population Projections, Australia, 2006-2101
52
services. This number increased to 53% of Tasmanians aged 80+ years. A total of 5% of Tasmanians
aged 80+ years received a CACP*, 0.7% received EACH* and 0.7% received EACHD.27
Table 8 LGAs ranked highest to lowest - projected (estimated) population growth
Local
Government Area
Actual persons Projected
aged 65+ years persons aged 65+
in order of 65+ years (2011)
years
population density
2011a
2020b
2030b
Glamorgan
Bay
Break O’Day
Central Coast
Northern Midlands
Dorset
Tasman
Southern Midlands
Central Highlands
Flinders
Huon Valley
Meander Valley
George Town
Kentish
Sorell
West Tamar
King Island
Clarence
West Coast
Glenorchy
Devonport
Kingborough
Derwent Valley
Circular Head
Burnie
Launceston
Hobart
Brighton
Tasmania
2011a
2020b
2030b
26%
18%
22%
19%
17%
19%
22%
14%
17%
22%
16%
17%
18%
16%
15%
14%
17%
19%
17%
14%
17%
19%
15%
14%
13%
16%
16%
15%
9%
16%
34%
25%
28%
26%
25%
24%
25%
20%
23%
27%
22%
23%
23%
22%
20%
20%
21%
21%
21%
19%
20%
22%
20%
18%
17%
19%
18%
16%
12%
20%
45%
35%
33%
33%
33%
32%
32%
30%
30%
30%
30%
30%
28%
28%
27%
26%
26%
26%
26%
25%
25%
25%
24%
24%
22%
22%
21%
19%
15%
25%
Spring
Waratah-Wynyard
Latrobe
Actual % of
population aged Projected % of
65+
years population aged
65+ years
(2011)
1090
2496
1368
3958
2118
1306
524
861
395
174
2357
3201
1810
1077
915
1905
3755
292
8834
637
7496
4568
5140
1400
1073
3080
10137
7188
1437
80708
1746
3544
1978
5549
3200
1692
607
1136
563
244
3428
4725
2499
1563
1418
3027
5186
351
11289
989
9072
5595
7356
1970
1467
3945
12549
8806
2355
107860
2429
4778
2612
6998
4192
2248
790
1655
718
270
4870
6349
3292
2046
2092
4540
7010
420
14152
1314
11072
6522
9853
2628
1953
4898
15691
10950
3638
139975
Source: 2011 ABS Census and DCAC mid series (b)
27 see page 118 for definitions and Table 15 Aged care services, by age, Tasmania 2011-2012 (persons)
53
Further research is required to assess current trends of the mid old and the older old’s migration
patterns – to reach a better understanding of the triggers and supports required to move residence
to be nearer to services. In targeting further research some possible starting questions are: is there
a strong preference or tendency to age in place; is there a preference or a need to stay within the
municipality of current residence; and how strong are the motivators for wishing (or resisting) a
move closer to major population centres?
Urban/rural location
On Census night 2011, 57% of Tasmania’s population lived outside the capital city, the highest
proportion of all the states. By contrast in Western Australia this figure was 23%. Those living
outside of Hobart tend to live close to population centres. This is true for the total population as
well as the 65+ population. The biggest 65+ population centres at the LGA level are Launceston in
the North, Devonport in the North West, and in the South, Clarence, Hobart, Glenorchy and
Kingborough.28
Settlement size is not just about the size of the population. As settlement size increases, so too
does the range of services and facilities provided. Large cities serve a greater catchment than their
resident populations offering a range of higher order goods and services that are not available in
smaller settlements or rural areas. For example, Hobart City operates as a service hub for many
other LGAs and for some specialist service provision it is the centre for the whole State.
Figure 15 shows the distribution of each age group by settlement size in Tasmania in 2011. For age
groups over the age of 65 years, a pattern emerges. With increasing age (over 65 years), people
were more likely to be living in cities and towns (Major Urban and Other Urban); and less likely to
be living in villages (Bounded Localities) or in rural areas. The older old may move closer to service
hubs, further away from rural and remote locations so as to increase their access to services.
However, the young old (65-74 years) were less likely to be living in the city of Hobart, and more
likely to be living in villages than those aged less than 65 years. This suggests an element of
retirement migration with the loosening of workplace ties away from the largest city to small highamenity communities. As noted above this trend reverses in the mid old (75-84 years) and older
old (85+ years) age groups with a trend toward living in larger urban centres and away from small
communities and rural areas.
28
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011
54
Figure 15 Urban/rural settlement size (% of age group), Tasmania 2011
Urban/rural settlement (% of age group), Tasmania, 2011
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Under 65 years
65 to 74 years
Major Urban (100,000+ pop)
Bounded Locality (200 - 999 pop)
75 to 84 years
85 years and over
Other Urban (1,000 to 99,999 pop)
Rural Balance
Residential mobility
Residential mobility varies with life stage. People tend to move residence most in their 20s and 30s
with the propensity to move declining with age. Moving house in older age groups may be
associated with loosening or severing of ties with a place of work due to retirement from the
workforce or with the death of a spouse, disability or illness, or downsizing.
Downsizing the home is an important issue facing older people. It has implications for people’s
asset bases and capital gains. Moving house presents a significant amount of work and older
people need targeted advice and support to achieve this. The decision to downsize is often taken
due to maintenance issues with the home and garden, proximity to services, or the need to move
into supported accommodation.
According to the ABS, ‘a person's integration into their local community may be related to the
length of time they have spent in their current dwelling, especially if their previous dwelling was in
a different area’29. They suggest that people who are newcomers to an area may be less inclined to
support their neighbours or ask neighbours for support when needed.
In Tasmania in 2011, 42% of those under 65 years of age had moved to their current dwelling within
the previous five years. For those aged 65-74 years the proportion fell to 20% and for those aged
75-84 years to 17%. However residential mobility for Tasmanians aged 85+ years increased to 24%.
Residential mobility for these age groups for Tasmanian regions is depicted in Figure 16.
29
ABS, 2010 Australian Social Trends (Catalogue4102.0)
55
Figure 16 Residential mobility – changed address in last 5 years (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011
Of all Tasmanians aged 65+ years in 2011, 19% had moved to their current dwelling in the previous
five years. Residential mobility of older Tasmanians varied markedly across LGAs, ranging from 14%
in Burnie to 28% in Latrobe, as indicated in Figure 17. The number of people by age group who had
changed address between 2006 and 2011 in each Tasmanian LGA is included in Table 53 (Appendix
B – Data tables).
The migration of older people into new communities and LGAs has implications for planners and
businesses in these areas. Of particular note are the communities where more than 20% of people
of age 65+ have changed address. Over half of the LGAs in Tasmania are likely to experience
continued migration of older people. There is a data gap here requiring additional research.
56
Figure 17 Residential mobility – changed address in last 5 years (% of people 65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Changed address in past 5 years persons aged 65+ years, 2011
Latrobe
Huon Valley
Brighton
Kentish
Meander Valley
Kingborough
Waratah/Wynyard
Northern Midlands
Break O'Day
Dorset
Devonport
Sorell
Central Coast
Hobart
West Tamar
Central Highlands
Launceston
King Island
Circular Head
Southern Midlands
Derwent Valley
George Town
Clarence
Tasman
Flinders
Glenorchy
West Coast
Burnie
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
% of persons 65+ years (who stated)
According to the Tasmanian Population Health Survey, in 2009 68% of older Tasmanians (60+ years)
had lived in their current neighbourhood or LGA for more than ten years and a further 15% had
lived in their current neighbourhood or LGA for 5-10 years. Just over 17% of those aged 60+ years
were newcomers to their current neighbourhood having moved there in the past five years. As
Figure 18 shows, older people living in the North were slightly more likely to have lived in their
current neighbourhood for a decade or more (70%), than those in the North West (66%) or South
(67%).
57
Figure 18 Length of time lived in current neighbourhood or LGA, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009
*columns with transparent shading indicate RSE > 25% and must be used with caution
Data source: DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey, 2009
Living arrangements
Marital status
In 2011 57% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years were married. This compares to 4% who had never
married, 27% who were widowed, 10% who were divorced and 2% who had separated.
For the young old (aged 65-74 years) the majority were married, but for mid old and older old the
percentage of married or divorced people declined and being widowed increased with age.
For Tasmanians aged 85+ years 28% were married, 4% had never married, 64% were widowed, 3%
were divorced and only 1% were separated. Figure 19 outlines the marital status of Tasmanians
65+ years for the three different age categories.
Actual numbers of residents in Local Government Areas as at 2011 enumerated by their marital
status for each age group over 65 years are shown in Table 25 (Appendix B – Data tables).
58
Figure 19 Marital status of Tasmanians – young old; mid old; older old (% of age group), 2011
Marital status of Tasmanians aged 65+ years
(% of age group), 2011
65 to 74 years
75 to 84 years
Married
Separated
Divorced
Widowed
Never married
Married
Separated
Divorced
Widowed
Never married
Married
Separated
Divorced
Widowed
Never married
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
85 years and over
Older Tasmanians living alone
As the State’s older population increases so too does the number of older people living alone. In
2011, 12% of Tasmanians lived alone whereas the proportion of older Tasmanians living alone aged
65+ years is more than double at 27%. For people aged 85+ years this figure increased to 38%. This
figure is above the Australian average of 34%.
It is predicted that as the population continues to age the percentage of older people living alone
will increase even further with the flood of baby boomers, many of whom have divorced, never
married or will predictably outlive their spouses. Females in these older age groups are nearly
twice as likely as men to be living alone.
Figure 20 illustrates the number of older people living alone in each municipality while the map of
Tasmania in Figure 21 reflects the proportion of people 65+ years living alone. It is interesting to
note that the municipalities of Glenorchy, Launceston, King Island, Hobart and Flinders Island all
have over 28% of people 65+ years living alone. (See Table 26 and Table 27 in Appendix B – Data
tables for the number and percentage of people 65+ years in each municipality who live alone).
59
Figure 20 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) living alone, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Older Tasmanians living alone (65+ years), LGAs, 2011
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
North
West Coast (M)
Waratah/Wynyard (M)
Latrobe (M)
King Island (M)
Kentish (M)
Devonport (C)
Circular Head (M)
Central Coast (M)
Burnie (C)
West Tamar (M)
Meander Valley (M)
Launceston (C)
George Town (M)
Flinders (M)
Dorset (M)
Break O'Day (M)
Tasman (M)
Sorell (M)
South
Kingborough (M)
Huon Valley (M)
Hobart (C)
Glenorchy (C)
Clarence (C)
Derwent Valley (M)
Brighton (M)
0
NorthWest
The municipalities of Glenorchy, Launceston and Hobart should be considered separately to King
Island and Flinders Island due to differences in their rural versus metropolitan characteristics. For
the former grouping of LGA’s it is apparent that resident older Tasmanians have better access to
services and social supports thereby potentially reducing their risks of social isolation. For the latter
grouping, access to and choice of services for older Tasmanians would be more limited and this
could well increase the risks of social exclusion.
It is noted that Launceston has a large geographical area, and exhibits a mix of rural and
metropolitan characteristics. Planners may have to consider the midterm to longer term impacts of
residential mobility to this LGA and what this could mean for service delivery and resource
allocation to accommodate the largest 65+ year old population that live alone. The risks of
exclusion may be considered greater for many people that live alone as they age in the community.
60
Figure 21 Older Tasmanians living alone (% of people aged 65+ years), 2011
Figure 22 shows that older Tasmanians in cities were much more likely to live alone than those
living in smaller communities or in rural settings. People in the ‘older old’ age group (aged 85+
years) were more likely to live alone than people under 65 years of age, or in the young old or mid
old age groups. This is likely to be a reflection of increased rates of widowhood.
61
Figure 22 Older Tasmanians living alone – by settlement size, 2011
Older Tasmanians raising children
In order to get an indication of the number of older Tasmanians raising children, the following ABS
Census categories were used:




Age group 65+ years;
Persons counted as being at home on Census night;
Couple or one-parent family with dependent children aged under 15 years; and
One family household (so not three generations i.e. two families).
Using these four combined variables, an estimated 818 older Tasmanians (65+ years) were raising
children under 15 years at the time of the Census. Almost 30% of these older Tasmanians were
living in one-parent families. Estimates of older Tasmanians raising children are provided for
Tasmanian regions in Figure 23 and for LGAs in Table 28, p B-169.
Implications of this data for both single and coupled grandparents are the need for awareness of
the types of support available. Anecdotal evidence reported to COTA for this group indicates that
this is an area of unique and complex needs. This group of people need a range of specialised
support to enable them to participate fully in society and reduce the risk of social exclusion.
62
Figure 23 Older Tasmanians raising children, Tasmanian regions, 2011
Grandparents raising grandchildren, Tasmanian regions, 2011
700
600
Persons
500
311
400
219
300
116
200
133
100
138
133
46
147
53
108
65
50
0
Couple families
One parent families
Couple families
'Grandparents' (65+)
North
One parent families
Grandchildren (under 15)
NorthWest
South
*Persons aged 65+ years counted at home in one-family households with dependent children aged under 15 years
Cultural diversity
The following section provides data and insights into both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
living in Tasmania and people residing in Tasmania with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
backgrounds.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Tasmania
There is evidence that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians experience
disadvantage arising from historical, social and economic causes that in turn limits opportunity and
choice. Despite improvements in some areas wide gaps remain in outcomes between Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians (SCRGSP Steering Committee for the
Review of Government Service Provision 2007).
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Tasmania is younger with a median age of 22
years.
63
According to the ABS in 2007, the life expectancy of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
was 67.2 years for males and 72.9 years for females. This is significantly lower than non-Indigenous
Australians where the life expectancy for males was 78.7 years and for females it was 82.6 years.30
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians tend to experience age-related health issues at an
earlier age than non-Indigenous Australians. Life expectancy at birth differs across states and
territories; however due to low numbers it is not possible to construct life tables in Tasmania.
According to 2011 Census data the number of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
aged 65+ years in each LGA ranges from 91 people in Huon Valley to none in King Island. Precise
numbers are graphed in Figure 24. For detailed numbers (across multiple age groups) see Table 29,
on p B-170.
This table provides the actual numbers of Tasmanians who identified (on Census night in 2011) as
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander for each LGA in the young old; mid old; and older old age
groups.
Figure 24 Indigenous older Tasmanians (65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Indigenous older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011
Huon Valley (M)
Glenorchy (C)
Launceston (C)
Central Coast (M)
Clarence (C)
Devonport (C)
Circular Head (M)
Kingborough (M)
Waratah/Wynyard (M)
Burnie (C)
Brighton (M)
Latrobe (M)
Hobart (C)
West Tamar (M)
Derwent Valley (M)
Meander Valley (M)
Flinders (M)
Tasman (M)
Kentish (M)
Break O'Day (M)
Dorset (M)
West Coast (M)
Sorell (M)
George Town (M)
King Island (M)
0
20
40
60
80
100
Persons
30
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Experimental life table for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2005-2007 (series 3302.0.55.003)
64
Table 9 indicates the proportion of the population who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander by age group. The table highlights the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people under 65 years, 65-74 years, 75-84 years and 85+ years. It also gives a total for the
population aged 65+ years.
It is interesting to note that of the population aged 65+ years in the Southern Region, the Huon
Valley has the highest proportion of the population who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander (4%), in the North it is Flinders Island (10%) and in the North West Region it is Circular Head
(4%).
The proportion of the Tasmanian population aged 65+ years that identify as Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander is 1.2%. There is a marked difference between the proportion of older Tasmanians
(1.2%), and the proportion of all Tasmanians (4.1%) who identify as Indigenous. Tasmania has a
relatively high proportion of the population who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander,
higher than the proportion of the Australian population across all age groups.
Table 9 Indigenous status (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), % of age group, 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
Under 65
8.6%
5.8%
3.5%
4.7%
5.2%
5.1%
1.4%
9.8%
3.6%
4.7%
4.9%
5.9%
4.3%
4.7%
3.9%
19.7%
5.2%
3.6%
2.9%
3.1%
2.3%
3.5%
6.8%
7.1%
13.5%
6.4%
4.5%
2.2%
5.1%
7.5%
7.8%
7.1%
4.7%
3.0%
65 to 74
years
75 to 84 85 years Total 65+
Total
years and over
years
population
3.0%
4.7%
0.7%
2.2%
1.6%
1.4%
0.5%
3.7%
1.1%
0.4%
3.2%
3.4%
1.4%
1.0%
1.0%
10.6%
0.5%
1.0%
0.8%
0.3%
0.9%
0.9%
1.6%
2.3%
6.2%
1.5%
1.6%
0.0%
1.8%
1.8%
2.2%
2.0%
1.4%
0.9%
1.2%
0.0%
0.8%
0.0%
1.2%
0.7%
0.4%
5.0%
0.5%
0.8%
0.0%
2.1%
0.9%
0.9%
0.7%
13.2%
1.4%
0.7%
0.4%
1.0%
0.3%
0.7%
1.1%
1.3%
2.6%
0.8%
1.8%
0.0%
2.0%
2.0%
0.0%
1.3%
1.0%
0.6%
0.0%
0.0%
0.6%
0.0%
5.6%
1.0%
0.3%
3.1%
0.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.4%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
1.5%
0.0%
1.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.7%
0.7%
0.3%
2.3%
3.2%
0.7%
1.3%
1.9%
1.1%
0.4%
4.0%
0.9%
0.5%
2.2%
2.8%
1.2%
0.8%
0.8%
10.3%
0.7%
0.8%
0.6%
0.5%
0.6%
0.8%
1.2%
1.9%
4.3%
1.2%
1.5%
0.0%
1.7%
1.6%
1.5%
1.6%
1.2%
0.7%
8.0%
5.4%
3.0%
4.2%
4.3%
4.4%
1.3%
8.9%
3.2%
4.1%
4.5%
5.2%
3.8%
3.9%
3.3%
17.6%
4.5%
3.2%
2.5%
2.7%
2.0%
3.0%
5.9%
6.2%
12.3%
5.5%
4.0%
1.8%
4.5%
6.4%
6.9%
6.1%
4.1%
2.7%
65
Older Tasmanians of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Backgrounds
Tasmania has a diverse population with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. It has
been shown that people aged 65+ are more culturally diverse than younger Tasmanians.
•
84% of all Tasmanians are Australian born while 72% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years were
born in Australia. 92% of young Tasmanians aged 0-24 years were born in Australia.
•
This change in demographic largely reflects changes in Australia's immigration policies over
time, with many people aged 65 and over part of post World War 2 immigration.
•
Most people 65 years and over speak English at home. Where English is not spoken at
home, the most common languages are European languages.31
Figure 25 shows the region of birth outside Australia for Tasmanians by age group. The most
common regions of birth outside Australia for older Tasmanians were North West Europe and
Southern and Eastern Europe, with these regions increasing in prevalence with age. Region of birth
for Tasmanians aged under 65 years was much more evenly spread. Most noteworthy are the
greater proportions of younger Tasmanians (under 65 years) who were born in regions of Asia or
Africa, compared to the proportions of older Tasmanians (65+ years) born in these regions.
Numbers and proportions of Tasmanians by age group for each region of birth are provided in Table
30 and Table 31 (Appendix B – Data tables).
Figure 25 Region of birth – Tasmanians by age group (% of age group who stated a region of birth), 2011
31
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’
66
Figure 26 shows the number of older Tasmanians speaking a language other than English at home
for Local Government Areas in 2011. Table 32 (Appendix B – Data tables) provides data for older
Tasmanians by broad language group of language spoken at home.
Figure 26 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) speaking a language other than English at home, LGAs, 2011
Older Tasmanians speaking a language other than English at home
Hobart (C)
Launceston (C)
Kingborough (M)
Central Coast (M)
Meander Valley (M)
Burnie (C)
Sorell (M)
Latrobe (M)
Dorset (M)
Break O'Day (M)
Tasman (M)
King Island (M)
West Coast (M)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Persons
Members of the community with little or no English-language speaking skills may lack knowledge of
services or experience difficulties in accessing them. For these older Tasmanians, this may present
an issue for awareness and accessibility of services and support. This will have implications for the
provision of these services.
Of Tasmania’s 29 LGAs, almost half (14) had no older Tasmanian residents in 2011 with poor English
speaking skills (Figure 27). The greatest numbers of older Tasmanians with poor English speaking
skills lived in city LGAs, with very few in rural LGAs.
English speaking proficiency level for those who speak another language at home by age group for
LGAs is included in Table 33, p B-173.
67
Figure 27 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) with poor English speaking skills, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Older Tasmanians with poor English speaking skills, 2011
Hobart (C)
Glenorchy (C)
Launceston (C)
Clarence (C)
Kingborough (M)
Devonport (C)
Burnie (C)
West Tamar (M)
Meander Valley (M)
Huon Valley (M)
Brighton (M)
Kentish (M)
Central Coast (M)
Dorset (M)
West Coast (M)
Waratah/Wynyard (M)
Latrobe (M)
King Island (M)
Circular Head (M)
George Town (M)
Flinders (M)
Break O'Day (M)
Tasman (M)
Sorell (M)
Glamorgan/Spring Bay …
Derwent Valley (M)
0
50
100
150
200
Persons
Figure 28 Language spoken at home by older Tasmanians (65+ years) with poor or no spoken English proficiency, 2011
Of the population of people aged 65+ years German is the most common other language spoken at
home For older Tasmanians (65+ years) with little or no English-language speaking skills, the three
most common languages spoken at home were Greek (82 people); Italian (74) and Polish (61).
Figure 28 shows language spoken at home for older Tasmanians with poor spoken English
proficiency.
68
Key issues for older Tasmanians
Qualitative research undertaken in 2012 by Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania identified key
issues for older Tasmanians as they age. This research involved the distribution of a COTA Have
Your Say Postcard (Appendix C - COTA Have Your Say Postcard) which included a free reply paid
address that enabled respondents to send the postcard back to COTA. A total of 470 postcards
were returned.
Question 3 of the postcard asked respondents an open ended question What are key issues for you
as you age? A total of 22 key issues were identified and are outlined below (Table 10).
Table 10 Key issues for older Tasmanians as they age
What are key issues for you as you age?
Health and Wellbeing
Access to facilities and services
Social connections, family and friendships
Other
Transport
Housing and home maintenance
Mobility and keeping physically active
Cost of living
Influence on or lobbying government and policy
Money/financial security
Medical care
Security and safety
Maintaining independence
Respect and identity
Activities
Education and technology
Needing assistance
Communication
Information
Engaging in voluntary work
Engaging in paid work
Nothing
Data source: COTA Key Issues for Older Tasmanians Summary Report, 2013
In 2012 older Tasmanians identified health and wellbeing; access to facilities and services; social
connections, family and friendships; transport; housing and home maintenance as the most
important issues as they age. 32 The TPHS (Tasmanian Population Health Survey – 2009 - DHHS) is
to be conducted again in 2013 and will enable people’s health status and key issues to be compared
over time.
32
Jamieson, Linda, 2013, Key Issues for Older Tasmanians, Council on the Ageing (COTA)
69
Socioeconomic status
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a combined economic and sociological measure of a person's work
experience and social position in relation to others based on income, education and occupation.
When analysing SES, an individual’s income as well as the combined household income, earners'
education and occupation are also examined.33
A simpler definition of socioeconomic status refers to a person’s access to material and social
resources as well as their ability to participate in society. Access and participation are key concepts
that underpin the Tasmanian Government’s Inclusive Ageing: Tasmania 2012 – 2014 Strategy. They
are amongst the recurrent themes explored throughout the baseline data and are explored in the
following chapters.
In looking at older Tasmanians’ access to material and social resources, and by definition SES, it is
important to measure and compare key attributes such as:





income as well as financial security;
the level and type of education attained and literacy levels;
type of labour and labour force participation;
housing location, type of housing and security of tenure; and
access to social services (medical, transport, legal, advocacy, information) and cultural events.
The above list is indicative, not exhaustive. A wealth of data is presented in the following chapters
to help us better understand the dynamics of socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage. The
listed variables are investigated individually (not as an aggregate data set). Once a multi layered
website is developed with mapped graphics, quick statistics and layers of data, a deeper level of
analysis will enable narratives about older people’s varied socioeconomic status.
Age is explored in all instances of data analysis by comparing the three age groups (the young old,
the mid old and the older old) with key variables or indicators. In some instances, to show
important variations, it has proven valuable to compare these age groups to the rest of the
population.
Exploring SES is complex, requiring an analysis of Tasmania’s age structure (current and projected
across regions and LGAs) while showing:


relative proportions of income levels and financial security;
where older people live; whether they live alone or not; in urban or rural dwellings; general
insights into residential mobility and migration patterns;
 communication abilities as shown in literacy and language ability;
 workforce participation (voluntary and paid work); and
 whether people need assistance for daily living, which for the purposes of this report is an
indicator of SES.
Exploring people’s financial security, their debt levels and their capacity to make ends meet is
depicted in the Life’s Basics chapter (Chapter 2). Overall, compared to younger age cohorts, the
33
National Center for Educational Statistics. 31 March 2008. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/glossary/s.asp
70
60+ year old Tasmanian population is better equipped to manage their resources, as outlined in
data relating to financial insecurity and food in Chapter 2.
To enable discussion of the attributes that construct socio-economic status, the ABS has
constructed the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) including an Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage (IRSD). People living in the most disadvantaged areas may be vulnerable to
risk factors for social exclusion, including limited access to medical and transport services, thus
potentially leading to isolation from the broader society34. This is an important consideration for
infrastructure planning.
A discussion about the SES profile of older people becomes meaningful when referring to the SEIFA
index and social exclusion risk factors. Social exclusion risk factors are referred to in the next
section and SEIFA data is discussed in the Security section later in the report.
Individuals or families who are socioeconomically disadvantaged will be more challenged by the
financial costs associated with accessing daily goods and services such as food, utilities, transport,
entertainment, medical treatment, cultural events, and post-compulsory education. Other
constructs such as cultural or family attitudes towards the value of participating in cultural activities
may also inhibit people from low socioeconomic backgrounds from being included in society.
Social inclusion and the risks presented by social exclusion
Older people’s social inclusion (compared across age groups) is explored in the following pages in
Social Exclusion Risk Factors and in the chapter on Connection and Contribution (Chapter 4).
The onset of the Industrial Age, the consequent outcomes of the technological revolution and the
‘modernisation’ of the western family and social relationships has had huge repercussions for older
people and their social connections and integration. The breakdown of the extended family has
been well documented and the isolation of older people is evident as nuclear families move further
away from their parents or are less involved with their older parents due to work or social
commitments.
Participation in society today has different meanings compared to earlier times when grandparents
were integral to running of households and raising of families. In the past grandparents often lived
in the household or very close by. The contemporary picture now sees many older people actively
participating in activities and interests outside of the home and extended family.
Social exclusion risk factors
‘The social inclusion agenda aims to give every Australian the help they need to access the support
and opportunities our society has to offer’35. ‘It’s about the relationships in life that make us
healthy, happy and productive’36. These quotes from both the Australian and Tasmanian
Governments outline the basis of the social inclusion agenda: an agenda which has gained
34
ABS 'Health and Socioeconomic Disadvantage', Australian Social Trends, cat. no. 4102.0, ABS, Canberra.
35
Social Inclusion Unit (Commonwealth), 2011, What is Social Inclusion?, viewed 13 July 2011
http://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/about/what-social-inclusion
36
Adams, D., 2009, Op Cit
71
significant prominence throughout government and the broader community, both nationally and
internationally over the past decade.37
The opposite of social inclusion is social exclusion which can be interpreted as reduced capacity and
opportunities to:



Connect with productivity and economic growth (jobs and skills), manifesting in;
o poverty and financial hardship
o unemployment and/or casual and marginal attachment to employment
o low literacy and numeracy skills
o disengagement from education and training.
Connect with community (social and civic participation), as a result of;
o being unable to influence or engage in decisions that most affect them and the places in
which they live
o barriers to volunteering
o barriers to meaningful cultural and recreational activities
o stigma and discrimination.
Connect to services that support health and wellbeing, to address;
o food insecurity
o adequate and appropriate housing
o exposure to and/or participation in risk behaviours
o social isolation due to mental illness, disability, stigma and discrimination
o weak support networks, including family, friends, professional and community
services38.
The Tasmanian Social Inclusion Unit identified the above set of social exclusion risk factors and
associated indicators that could be measured and reviewed over time. A subset of these indicators,
identified as being most relevant for older Tasmanians and those for which data was available are
presented in Table 11 Selected social exclusion risk factors – persons, TasmaniaTable 11 and Table 12.
Table 11 lists the social exclusion risk factor and the number of Tasmanians at risk in total, for those
aged under 65 years and persons aged 65+ years (where data is available).
Table 12 has the same format but shows the proportion of the Tasmanian population at risk for
each of the social exclusion risk factors, as well as the proportion of those aged under 65 years and
65 years and over (where data is available).
Figure 29 compares proportions for some selected social exclusion risk factors. Factors for which
older Tasmanians (65+ years) are more at risk than younger Tasmanians include: poverty and
financial hardship; poor literacy skills; digital exclusion and by definition, older people living alone.
37
Jamieson, Linda, 2011, A Sense of Belonging: Social Inclusion Issues for Older People in Tasmania, Council on the Ageing (COTA),
unpublished report
38
Social Inclusion Unit, 2013, Social Exclusion Risk Factors, Department of Premier and Cabinet, unpublished report
72
Figure 29 Selected social exclusion risk factors - % of age group, Tasmania
80%
Selected social exclusion risk factors, Tasmania, 2011
70%
% of age group
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Under 65 years
65 years and over
Total population
Data sources: refer to Table 12
The percentages shown in Figure 29 are drawn from Table 11 and Table 12
The Tables, which include a range of variables and data from multiple sources, contain condensed
information regarding the key risk factors for social exclusion (by actual numbers as at the 2011
Census), some population estimates and the data sources from which the information is drawn.
Some data sources are more ‘reliable’ than others and this is referred to in the discussion about
data variability.
The social inclusion risk factor ‘poverty and financial hardship’ refers to individuals earning less than
$400 per week. Both the ABS and the definitions used by the Tasmanian Government’s Social
Exclusion Risk Factors use this earnings figure as the benchmark for the poverty line.
According to 2011 Census data, just over 58% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years live under the poverty
line of $400 per week. Approximately 35% of all younger Tasmanians live below this agreed
poverty and financial hardship benchmark with just over 30% of all Tasmanians living on or below
the poverty line.
Further analysis is required at the LGA level targeting the more vulnerable communities as defined
at the ABS Statistical Area level where low income levels are aligned with the SEIFA index. New or
expanded areas of research may help alleviate risks to both younger and older Tasmanians defined
as being at risk of social exclusion.
73
Adult literacy is key to people’s access to social and economic participation and according to an
assessment of literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills for Australians aged 15 – 74 years,
conducted in 2012, 45% of all adult Tasmanians were judged as having poor literacy.
With governments increasing their focus and priority funding in this important policy area, it can be
expected that there have been some substantial improvements in literacy levels. There remains a
clear ‘gap’ in data collected to measure and predict improvements in adult literacy.
Internet access and usage are also important indicators in relation to social inclusion/exclusion and
compound other risk factors that people may experience. Internet access and usage patterns for
older Tasmanians are covered in another chapter (Chapter 5). In addressing the exclusion risks for
older Tasmanians, it is important to consider all the variables outlined in Table 11 and the inference
that these may compound considerably for people who have a disability, and/or live alone.
74
Table 11 Selected social exclusion risk factors – persons, Tasmania
n/a = data not available
75
Table 12 Selected social exclusion risk factors – % of age group, Tasmania
n/a = data not available
76
CHAPTER 2 Life’s basics
The Second World Assembly on Ageing stated it is essential ‘that persons everywhere age with
security and dignity and continue to participate in their societies as citizens with full rights’39.
The following chapter profiles older Tasmanians’ capacity to make ends meet and includes data on
income, housing, housing affordability, social disadvantage and debt, and levels of financial and
food security.
The majority of older Tasmanians own their own home, but there are still many who don’t and are
paying a significant proportion of their limited income on rent. Higher housing costs means less
money for food and utility costs.
There has been an increase of over 8,000 or 15% in Tasmania’s age pension recipients since 2006.
According to 2011 ABS Census data, 63.7% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years live under the poverty
line of $400 per week, compared with just over 30% of all Tasmanians.
According to the ABS General Social Survey 2010, almost 21% of Tasmanians aged 55-64 years were
living in households reliant on government pensions and allowances as the main source of income.
The proportion rose dramatically to 66% for Tasmanians aged 65-74 years; and to 81% for
Tasmanians aged 75+ years.
The majority of Tasmanians aged 65 years or more in 2011 lived in one-family households. More
than 60% of all older Tasmanians in the three Tasmanian regions live in one family households.
In Tasmania in 2011, 21% of older people aged 65+ years were counted at home in households
(older people households) experiencing housing stress. In four LGAs one-quarter or more older
people’s households were experiencing housing stress: Glamorgan/Spring Bay (29%) and Hobart
(26%) in the South and Meander Valley (25%) and Launceston in the North (25%).
The proportion of households with no consumer debt increased with age for all age groups over 45
years, with a peak of 96% for Tasmanians aged 75+ years.
There is a marked decline in the proportion of Tasmanians 65+ years who feel safe walking alone in
their local area after dark.
As the State’s older population increases, so too does the number of older people living alone. In
2011, 12% of Tasmanians lived alone whereas the proportion of older Tasmanians living alone aged
65+ years is more than double at 27%. For people aged 85+ years, this figure increased to 38%,
higher than the Australian average of 34%.
39
United Nations, 2002, Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan for Action on Ageing,
http://social.un.org/index/Portals/0/ageing/documents/Fulltext-E.pdf, viewed 28 June 2013
77
The three major municipalities of Glenorchy, Clarence and Hobart have the greatest number of
people living alone but have better access to services and support, thereby limiting their risk of
social isolation. (pp 49-50)
Income
The incomes of individual older Tasmanians aged 65+ years by region, as compared to all older
Australians are illustrated Figure 31. Interestingly, older Tasmanians in the Southern region were
less likely to be receiving low incomes (less than $400 per week) and more likely to be receiving
incomes between $400 and $2,000 than those in the North and North West regions, Tasmania or
Australia. The proportion of older Tasmanians in the Southern region with a weekly income over
$2,000 was lower than in Australia but higher than the other Tasmanian regions. Numbers of older
Tasmanians per LGA represented in the different income categories are provided in Table 34
(Appendix B – Data tables).
According to the ABS General Social Survey 2010, almost 21% of Tasmanians aged 55-64 years were
living in households reliant on government pensions and allowances as the main source of income
(Figure 30). The proportion rose dramatically to 66% for Tasmanians aged 65-74 years; and to 81%
for Tasmanians aged 75+ years.
Figure 30 Tasmanians (by age group) living in households with government pensions & allowances as main source of income, 2010
Data source: ABS General Social Survey 2010
This level of weekly income should be taken into consideration whenever there are increasing costs
in goods, services and utilities. Any price increases without commensurate increase to pension
levels puts financial pressure on older Tasmanians.
78
Figure 31 Individual weekly income of older Tasmanians (65+ years) by region (% of age group), 2011
Income of older Tasmanians, 2011
35%
% of persons aged 65 years and over
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
North
North West
South
Tasmania
Australia
Table 13 outlines the number and proportion of older Tasmanians aged 65+ years with an individual
income of less than $400 per week. In 2011, 64% of older Tasmanians received incomes below
$400 compared to 62% of older Australians. The proportion of older Tasmanians receiving low
individual incomes varied markedly across Tasmanian LGAs, ranging from 46% in Hobart to 77% on
the West Coast. This indicates the reliance on some form of Government assistance, mostly the
aged pension.
Most areas of the State show high proportions (greater than 50%) of persons with less than $400 of
income per week. The exception is the municipality of Hobart (45.7%).
79
Table 13 Older Tasmanians with individual weekly income less than $400, 2011
Persons 65+
income <$400
Region
LGA
/week
Brighton
956
Central Highlands
257
Clarence
4,671
Derwent Valley
907
590
Glenorchy
4,539
Hobart
2,987
Huon Valley
1,521
Kingborough
2,549
Sorell
1,189
Southern Midlands
561
Tasman
340
South
21,067
Break O'Day
862
Dorset
868
Flinders
93
George Town
698
Launceston
6,066
Meander Valley
1,969
Northern Midlands
1,268
West Tamar
2,157
North
13,989
Burnie
1,830
Central Coast
2,552
Circular Head
659
Devonport
2,774
Kentish
654
King Island
149
Latrobe
1,126
Waratah/Wynyard
1,680
West Coast
446
NorthWest
11,867
Tasmania
46,987
Australia
1,669,189
* % of persons aged 65+ years who stated income
Persons 65+
income <$400
/week (%)*
72.7%
72.0%
57.2%
70.9%
60.2%
67.2%
45.7%
69.3%
53.7%
67.0%
72.3%
71.0%
59.6%
68.7%
70.6%
57.8%
73.4%
65.5%
67.5%
65.5%
62.5%
66.1%
68.1%
71.0%
66.2%
67.1%
75.6%
57.3%
66.7%
72.6%
77.0%
69.3%
63.7%
62.1%
In 1908 legislation for the aged pension was introduced in Australia, with payments commencing in
December 1910. The pension was means-tested with reference to a 'flat-rate' age, and was paid to
men from age 65 in 1909, while women’s eligibility began at age 60. The aged pension was also
subject to a residence qualification of 25 years.40 The low uptake of the aged pension at that time
correlated with the average life expectancy in 1910 of Australian men at 55.2 years and women at
58.8 years. 41 Government expenditure on aged pensions, at that time, was a small portion of
Australia’s General Revenue.
In 2013, Australians who are male and aged 65 years and over, or female and aged 64.5 years and
over and meet an income and assets test are eligible for an Age Pension through the Federal
Government’s Department of Social Services.
40
ABS, 1988, Year Book Australia, History of Pensions and Other Benefits in Australia (Catalogue 1301.0)
Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing: Life expectancy (years) at selected ages, selected years 1901–1910 to 2006–2008,
viewed 28 May 2013 http://www.aihw.gov.au/
41
80
The full rate of the Centrelink Age Pension as at June 2013 was $366.85 per week for single people;
and $276.55 each per week for people living as a couple. The number of Tasmanian recipients of
Centrelink Age Pensions from 2006 to 2011 is illustrated in Figure 32. As at 30 June 2011, there
were 61,470 Tasmanian recipients of the Centrelink Age Pension. This was an increase of over
8,000, or 15% since 2006. (Figure 32)
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides an Age Pension to eligible persons. The
number of older Tasmanians in receipt of a DVA Age Pension is very low equalling 100 people as at
30 June 2011. Between 2006 and 2011, the number of recipients of this pension decreased by 35%
(Figure 33).
Figure 32 Aged Pension recipients – Centrelink,
Tasmania, 2006 – 2011
Figure 33 Aged Pension recipients – Department of
Veterans’ Affairs, Tasmania, 2006-2011
Aged Pensions - Centrelink,
Tasmania, 2006-11
60,000
200
58,998 59,482 61,470
53,431 54,337 56,648
Number
Number
80,000
Aged Pensions - Dept of Veterans' Affairs,
Tasmania, 2006-11
40,000
20,000
153
150
144
136
121
106
100
2010
2011
100
50
0
0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2006
2007
2008
2009
Data source: ABS National Regional Profile - Tasmania, 2007-2011 and 2006-2010
The proportion of Tasmanians by age group living in households where the main source of income
was government pensions and allowances in 2010 is shown in Figure 30 on page 81. The source of
this data set is the ABS General Social Survey 2010, which collected information about ‘personal and
household characteristics for people aged 18 years and over resident in private dwellings, excluding
the ... remote areas of Australia, from August to November 2010’. This is a sample survey so the
results are subject to sampling error.
Housing
Housing type
The majority of older Tasmanians aged 65+ years (73%) lived in private dwellings that were owned
or being purchased in 2011. Another 12% lived in rented private dwellings and 6% in non-private
dwellings.
Public housing rentals are classified as private dwellings rented from the State Government’s
Housing Tasmania and are included in the 73% of older Tasmanian who rent in the wider
community.
As at the Census in 2011, 1,797 (2.4%) older Tasmanians were living in retirement villages; 3,426
(4.6%) in nursing homes; and 799 (1.1%) in accommodation for the retired or aged (hostel type
81
accommodation with common living and eating facilities provided for retired or aged people who
are generally in good health and capable of looking after themselves).
Housing and accommodation for older Tasmanians aged 65+ years are summarised by number in
Figure 35, and by percentage in Figure 34. Numbers of older Tasmanians by tenure and location of
private dwellings and type of non-private dwelling for each Tasmanian LGA are included in Table 45
and Table 46, and (Appendix B – Data tables).
Figure 34 Older Tasmanians – housing and accommodation (No.), 2011
Number of older Tasmanians - housing and accommodation
799
267
635
726
436
Owned or purchasing
4260
Owned or purchasing retirement village
3426
Owned, purchasing or renting caravan park/marina
8479
Renting
132
Renting - retirement village
635
Other tenure - retirement village
54306
Other tenure
Nursing home
82
Figure 35 Older Tasmanians – housing and accommodation (%), 2011
% of Older Tasmanians - housing and accommodation
1.08%
4.62%
0.86%
0.36%
Owned or purchasing
5.75%
Owned or purchasing retirement village
Owned, purchasing or renting caravan park/marina
Renting
0.59%
0.98%
11.44%
Renting - retirement village
Other tenure - retirement
village
Other tenure
0.18%
0.86%
73.29%
Nursing home
Accommodation for aged
Other non-private dwelling
Not stated
Non private dwelling include hospitals or institutions, hotels, motel and hostels, prisons and
convents or monasteries.
The majority of older Tasmanians (65+ years) lived in one-family households in 2011, with more
than 60% in each of the three Tasmanian regions living in these households. There were also a
large number of Tasmanians aged 65+ years who lived in a lone person household (29%); with
another 6% in non-private dwellings (Figure 36).
83
Figure 36 Family/household type of older Tasmanians (65+ years) counted at home on Census night, 2011
Family/household type of older Tasmanians, 2011
70%
% of older Tasmanians (65+ years)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One family
household
Multiple family
household
North
Lone person
household
NorthWest
Group
household
South
Non-classifiable
household
Non-private
dwelling
Tasmania
Public housing
The main data of relevance for public housing are tenancy and applicant data.

Data shows that there are 3,623 tenants (32%) aged 60+ years residing in public housing in
Tasmania as at 28 February 2013. This reflects primary tenants, not family members.

Data shows that there are 305 applicants (13%) on the public housing wait list aged 60+
years as at 28 February 2013. This reflects primary applicants.
84
Data is also represented in Table 14 below.
Table 14 Public housing tenants and applicants on waiting list, Tasmanians aged 60+ years, 2013
Primary tenants aged 60+ years
Number
Percentage (%) of all primary
tenants/applicants
3,623
32%
Primary applicants aged 60+ years on waiting list 305
13%
Data source: Department of Housing and Human Services, unpublished data, 2013
Housing affordability
Housing affordability is increasingly becoming a concern in many areas. This section looks at
housing costs (mortgage or rent) for households in which older Tasmanians (65+ years) were
counted on Census night 2011.
Figure 37 outlines the distribution of mortgage costs for Australia, Tasmania and Tasmanian
regions. This shows that mortgage repayments in households of older people in Tasmania are more
likely to be at the lower end of the scale and less likely to be at the high end, than for older people
in Australia as a whole. This was also the case when comparing Tasmanian regions - mortgage
repayments tended to be more affordable for older people households in the North West than in
the South or North. Numbers of older people by level of mortgage cost for Tasmanian LGAs are
provided in Table 35 (Appendix B – Data tables).
85
Figure 37 Mortgage repayment (monthly) – (% of persons 65+ years counted at home on Census night in mortgagee households),
2011
Weekly rent for older person households in Tasmania showed a similar trend when compared to
Australia (Figure38). Regional trends in renting affordability are less clear than those for mortgage
affordability. Numbers of older people by cost of renting for Tasmanian LGAs are provided in Table
36 (Appendix B – Data tables).
86
Figure 38 Rent (weekly) – (% of persons 65+ years counted at home on Census night in renting households), 2011
Housing stress
Housing stress has long been considered an aspect of vulnerability for households. Households are
considered to be experiencing housing stress if their housing cost (rent or mortgage repayment)
constitutes 30% or more of household income. Levels of housing stress are an important indicator
of housing affordability.
Note that levels of housing stress discussed here are an underestimate of actual levels due to the
method of calculation utilised. Figure 39 shows the predominance of housing stress in older people
households in each Tasmanian LGA by region. Three LGAs had no older people households
experiencing housing stress in 2011 – Central Highlands in the South, Flinders in the North and King
Island in the North West. In two southern LGAs one-quarter or more older people’s households
were experiencing housing stress: Glamorgan/Spring Bay (29%) and Hobart (26%).
In the Southern region, Hobart and Kingston’s housing stress can be attributed to the percentage of
mortgage stress, at 31.6% and 35% respectively. Kingston’s mortgage stress is more than three
times the rate of their rental stress of 11 %. Hobart’s mortgage stress percentage is more than
double the rental stress percentage (14.4%).
87
Figure 39 Housing stress (% of persons 65+ years counted at home on Census night in renting or purchasing households), 2011
Homelessness
According to A Social Inclusion Strategy for Tasmania (Adams 2009) the impacts of homelessness
cannot be overestimated, ‘In addition to causing significant personal distress and impacting on
health and wellbeing, homelessness prevents people from accessing opportunities to participate in
the economic and social life of our community.’
The ABS has developed six groupings for presenting estimates of people who were likely to have
been homeless on Census night. These groups are:






persons in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out;
persons in supported accommodation for the homeless;
persons staying temporarily with other households;
persons in boarding houses;
persons in other temporary lodgings; and
persons living in severely crowded dwellings (ABS Estimating homelessness 2013).
88
The ABS also compiles estimates from Census data for specific key groups of people who may be
marginally housed, but who are not classified as homeless. Those groups are:



persons living in other crowded dwellings;
persons in other improvised dwellings; and
persons who are marginally housed in caravan parks (ABS Estimating homelessness 2013).
The marginal housing groups are limited to groups that can be obtained from the Census. According
to the ABS estimates of homeless and marginally housed Tasmanians, there were 104 older
Tasmanians aged 65+ years who were homeless on Census night, and 65 marginally housed older
Tasmanians (Figure 40).
There were fewer homeless and marginally housed people aged 65-74 years and 75+ years than
there were in any other age group.
Estimated numbers of Tasmanians aged under and over 65 years, by type of homelessness or
marginal housing, by gender are provided in Figure 41.
Figure 40 Homelessness and other marginal housing by age group (persons), Tasmania, 2011
Homelessness and other marginal housing
by age group, Tasmania, 2011
250
Persons
200
150
110
100
74
43
50
22
0
237
193
202
255
240
45–54 55–64 65–74 75 and
over
Age group (years)
Homeless
Other marginal housing
89
Figure 41 Homelessness and other marginal housing category by age and sex (persons), Tasmania, 2011
Homelessness and other marginal housing
by age and sex, Tasmania, 2011
700
600
Persons
500
400
300
200
100
Homeless
Under 65 Male
Under 65 Female
Marginally housed in caravan parks
Living in other improvised dwellings
Living in other crowded dwellings
Living in 'severely' crowded
dwellings
In other temporary lodging
Staying in boarding houses
Staying temporarily with other
households
Supported accommodation for the
homeless
Improvised dwellings, tents or
sleeping out
0
Other marginal housing
65 and over Male
65 and over Female
Security
Financial and food security
Financial security can be measured by such factors as the ability to raise $2,000 in an emergency
and the ability to buy food. Figure 42 indicates that nearly 10% of Tasmanians aged 60+ years were
not able to raise $2,000 in an emergency and 1.5% reporting that they were unable to purchase
more food after running out of food during the preceding year.
90
Figure 42 Financial insecurity and food insecurity, Tasmanians aged 60+ years, 2009
Financial insecurity and food insecurity*, population 60 years and
over and total population, Tasmania 2009
11.1%
Age 60+
9.6%
Age 18+
4.9%
1.5%
Financial insecurity
Food insecurity
Source: DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey, 2009
*financial insecurity: unable to raise $2000 in an emergency; food insecurity : ran out of food during the preceding 12 months and had
no money to buy more
Further analysis of the inability to raise $2,000 in an emergency indicates that this figure is higher
for people aged 60 years and over in single person households (14%) than in multiple person
households (8%) (Figure 43). By Tasmanian region, the proportion of people aged 60+ years unable
to raise $2,000 in two days in an emergency was highest in the North West (11.6%) and lowest in
the South (8.0%) (Figure 44).
Figure 43 Tasmanians (60+ years) – ability to raise $2,000 within 2 days in an emergency – single and multiple person households,
2010
% of Tasmanians aged 60+ years
Ability to raise $2,000 within 2 days in an emergency,
older Tasmanians (60+ years)
100%
87.5%
92.8%
80%
60%
40%
20%
11.0%
6.1%
0%
Yes
Single person households
No
Multiple person households
Data source: ABS, General Social Survey (GSS), 2010
91
Figure 44 Tasmanians (60+ years) – ability to raise $2,000 within 2 days in an emergency (%), Tasmanian regions, 2009
Ability to raise $2,000 within 2 days in an emergency, older
Tasmanians (60+ years)
100%
86.6% 86.0% 89.7% 88.0%
80%
60%
40%
20%
10.8% 11.6% 8.0% 9.6%
0%
Yes
North
No
North West
South
Tasmania
Household expenses
Household expenditure on various goods and services for older people households and all
Tasmanian households are depicted in terms of dollar value in Figure 45 and as a proportion of total
household goods and services expenditure in Figure 46.
In dollar terms, older people households on average spend less on all goods and services than the
average for all Tasmanian households. However, older people households on average spend a
greater proportion of their household goods and services expenditure on food and non-alcoholic
beverages; medical care and health expenses; household services and domestic fuel and power.
Goods and services that older people households spend proportionately less on include transport;
clothing and footwear and alcoholic beverages.
92
Figure 45 Household expenditure – goods and services ($) – older people households and all households, Tasmania, 2009-10
Average expenditure per week ($)
Household expenditure - goods and services ($), Tasmania, 2009-10
$200
$180
$160
$140
$120
$100
$80
$60
$40
$20
$0
Broad expenditure group
Households - reference person aged 65+ years
All households
Data source: ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2009-10
Figure 46 Household expenditure – goods and services ($) – older people households and all households, Tasmania, 2009-10
% of total goods and services expenditure
Household expenditure - goods and services (%), Tasmania, 2009-10
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Households - reference person aged 65+ years
All households
Data source: ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2009-10...
93
Health and medical expenses
Household expenditure on medical care and health expenses by age group, illustrated in Figures 47
and 48 reveals an interesting pattern. Medical and health expenditure increased with age between
the ages of 25 and 54, declining thereafter. While 25-34 year olds spent an average of less than $30
per week, this increased to $64 for 45-54 year olds but fell to $42 for older Tasmanians aged 65+
years (even though this age group was less likely to report being in good health with no disability)
(see Health and Wellbeing chapter). This drop in expenditure could be attributed to the increased
uptake of Government assisted pharmaceutical products and medical services.
The trend is clearer in Figure 47 indicating the proportion of total goods and services expenditure
that is spent on medical care and health expenses. The proportion spent on health and medical
care increases with increasing age – from 2.6% of goods and services expenditure for 25-34 year
olds to 5.1% for 55-64 year olds, then rising sharply to 7.4% for those aged 65 years and over. The
decrease in dollar value of expenditure on health may be due to declines in income over the age of
65 years, rather than declines in need for medical care and health expenses, or the increased
uptake of Government assisted pharmaceutical products and medical services.
Figure 47 Household expenditure on medical care and health expenses ($) by age group, Tasmania, 2009-10
Household expenditure on medical care and health
expenses ($), Tasmania, 2009-10
8%
7.4%
7%
6%
4.8%
5%
5.1%
4.4%
4%
2.6%
3%
2%
1.0%
1%
0%
15–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65 and over
Age group of household reference person (years)
94
Figure 48 Household expenditure on medical care and health expenses (% of total goods and services expenditure) by age group,
Tasmania, 2009-10
Household expenditure on medical care and health
expenses (%), Tasmania, 2009-10
8%
7.4%
7%
6%
5%
4.4%
4.8%
5.1%
4%
2.6%
3%
2%
1.0%
1%
0%
15–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65 and over
Age group of household reference person (years)
The ABS Health Survey: First Results highlights the uptake of private health insurance. 41% of
people aged 65 -74 years do not have private health insurance. As people age this percentage
increases to 45% with no private health insurance for people aged 75 – 84 and rises once more to
59% for people aged 85+ years.42
Socioeconomic disadvantage and debt
Socio Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) is a suite of four indices developed by the ABS which each
summarise a different aspect of socioeconomic conditions by geographic area (ABS 2039.0). Each
index is derived from ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011 variables. The four SEIFA indices
are:

Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage – a continuum of advantage
(high values) to disadvantage (low values) derived from variables related to both advantage
and disadvantage, like households with low income and people with a tertiary education.

Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage – derived from variables related to
disadvantage, such as low income, low educational attainment, unemployment, and
dwellings without motor vehicles.

Index of Economic Resources – focuses on variables such as income, housing expenditure
and assets of households.

Index of Education and Occupation – derived from variables relating to the educational and
occupational characteristics of communities, for example the proportion of people with a
42
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Australian Health Survey: First Results, 20112012 Tasmania (4364.0.55.001)
95
higher qualification, or those employed in a skilled occupation (Australian Bureau of
Statistics 2008b).
SEIFA scores for a large area such as a Local Government Area present an average of socioeconomic
conditions in that area, and therefore mask diversity within the area. The smallest geographic
areas for which SEIFA 2011 scores are available are Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1s). There were 1,445
SA1s in Tasmania in 2011.
To estimate the number and proportion of older Tasmanians living in disadvantaged areas, this
report used ABS Census 2011 and ABS SEIFA 2011 data. Tasmanian disadvantaged areas were
identified in the lowest 5% of Australian SA1s on the SEIFA Index of Relative Socioeconomic
Disadvantage. In 2011, a total of 43,042 Tasmanians lived in disadvantaged areas as defined above.
Of these, 6,155 were older Tasmanians aged 65+ years.
The number of older Tasmanians (65+ years) living in disadvantaged areas in Local Government
Areas is illustrated in Figure 48. Of Tasmania’s 29 Local Government Areas, eight did not include
any ‘disadvantaged areas’. These were Central Highlands, Hobart, Kingborough43, and Tasman in
the South; Dorset and Meander Valley in the North; and King Island and Latrobe in the North West.
Glenorchy and Launceston were the LGAs with the highest number of older people living in
disadvantaged areas, each exceeding 1,100 people. All other municipalities had much lower
numbers and this is clearly shown in Figure 49.
The numbers of older Tasmanians living in disadvantaged areas for LGAs and regions are provided
in Table 38, Appendix B – Data tables.
43
Although Kingborough does not feature in the SEIFA, it does have housing stress indictors
96
Figure 49 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) living in disadvantaged areas (SA1s), 2011
Older Tasmanians living in disadvantaged SA1s,2011
Glenorchy
Launceston
Clarence
Brighton
Devonport
George Town
Derwent Valley
Sorell
Break O'Day
Central Coast
Waratah/Wynyard
Kentish
West Tamar
Huon Valley
Burnie
Southern Midlands
West Coast
Circular Head
Northern Midlands
Flinders
Latrobe
King Island
Meander Valley
Dorset
Tasman
Kingborough
Hobart
Central Highlands
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
Persons
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011 and ABS SEIFA 2011
97
Figure 50 Tasmanians living in households with no consumer debt (% of age group), 2010
People living in households with no consumer debt,
Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
% of persons
60%
95.9%
65–74
75 or over
78.8%
80%
70%
94.2%
66.2%
59.6%
50%
49.8%
48.6%
25–34
35–44
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
45–54
55–64
Age group (years)
Figure 50 graphs the proportion of Tasmanians by age group living in households with no consumer
debt in 2010 (according to the ABS General Social Survey 2010). The age group with the lowest
proportion of consumer debt-free households was 35-44 years where less than half of households
had no consumer debt. The proportion of households with no consumer debt increased with age
for all age groups over 45 years, with a peak of 96% for Tasmanians aged 75+ years.
98
CHAPTER 3 Accessibility
The breadth of issues concerning older Tasmanians’ access to services and social justice have
become matters of broader public interest, with policy initiatives emerging at all levels of
government focussed on how we can work toward a more inclusive society for an ageing
population.
This chapter of Facing the Future looks at evidence about the extent to which older Tasmanians
have access to:
 transport (a key variable when analysing people’s inclusion versus exclusion or
participation versus isolation),
 generalised health and social services,
 aged care services, and
 social participation.
All of these variables can be interwoven. When aggregated and analysed together these
characteristics tell stories scaling from inclusion and equity, to isolation and discrimination. Stories
vary from individual to individual and location to location, but clear social trends emerge.
Tasmania, though tracking quite well, needs to improve the key mechanisms of access for older
Tasmanians – namely transport and affordable, long term housing.
In more recent years, with social change increasing, (not the least being the dispersal of the
extended family), clear issues have emerged with regard to access to services, social equity and
social justice. Government policy makers have been working toward an age-friendly socioeconomic agenda, mindful of basic human rights, with efforts being made to redress a raft of
discriminatory laws.
Historically in Australia, older people lived in closer connection with families (inter and intragenerationally) in communities and participated broadly in society. Put simply, older people had
more social visibility. Now, with:





the pace of modernity,
the broader geographic dispersal of the family unit,
increased focus on economic engagement,
the relentless media promotion of youthful stereotypes , and
more people living in larger, alienating or isolating urban contexts,
a renewed focus on how (and the extent to which) older people access basic social safety nets is
imperative.
The concepts of access and equity are cornerstones of modern democracy, and form the
foundations of most policy discourse and international diplomatic relations. They inform legislative
change and socio-economic planning. Having access to the ‘basics’ is the platform, possibly even a
springboard, to being a valuable, visible, productive and proud citizen. In light of this, let us
investigate some data on older Tasmanians’ access relevant to social inclusion.
99
The majority of older Tasmanians remain in their own home as they age. A total of 93% of people
aged 65+ years live in their own home, which decreases to 79% for people aged 80+ years.
Approximately 36% of people aged 65+ years received an aged care service in 2011-12, increasing
to 80% of Tasmanians aged 80+ years.
The propensity for Tasmanians needing assistance to live alone increased with age – 15% in 65-74
years age group; 24% in 75-84 years age group; rising to 27% for those aged 85 years and over.
Difficulty in accessing service providers in the community was experienced by 28% of those aged
65-74 years, and 23% of those aged 75+ years.
Tasmanians are more reliant on motor vehicles than other Australians. 95% of Tasmanians aged 6574 years currently hold a driver’s licence, with the number decreasing to 37% of people aged 85+
years.
The ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey in 2009 estimated the level of unmet need for
assistance with core activities. Results indicated that a total of 7,000 Tasmanians needed more
assistance than was being received, with 2,500 of these aged 65+ years.
Transport
Maintaining a driver’s licence is of incredible importance to people as they age. 46,017 or 95% of
Tasmanians aged 65 to 74 years currently hold a driver’s licence, with the number decreasing to
3,899 or 37% of people aged 85+ years. The gap between males and females increases beyond 74
years, with men retaining their drivers’ licences for significantly more years. Figure 51 illustrates
the declining proportion of people holding a driver’s licence with an increase in age.
Numbers and proportions of Tasmanians holding a driver’s licence by age group are included in
Table 49 (Appendix B – Data tables).
100
Figure 51 Tasmanians aged 65+ years holding a driver’s licence (%), 2013
Data source: DIER, Unpublished data, 2013
Available services and activities may not be readily accessible by those with limited transport
options. Public transport is limited in many, mainly rural, areas of Tasmania. If households do not
own a motor vehicle this may be a major barrier to their ability to participate in their community or
to access services and activities.
Figure 52 depicts the proportion of older Tasmanians who were counted at home on Census night
in households without a motor vehicle. This shows that the proportion of people without access to
a motor vehicle increases with increasing age. While only 5% of Tasmanians aged 65-74 years lived
in a household without access to a motor vehicle, for those aged 85+ years the proportion
increased to 35%.
Interestingly, Tasmanians in the 65-74 and 75-84 year age groups were less likely to live in a
household without access to a motor vehicle than Australians in the same age groups. This could
be an indicator of better public transport infrastructure in other states and territories. In short,
Tasmanians are more reliant on motor vehicles than other Australians. This needs to be
acknowledged in infrastructure planning at local, state and federal levels of government.
The numbers of older people by age group and household access to a motor vehicle for each
Tasmanian LGA are included in Table 50 (Appendix B – Data tables).
101
Figure 52 Persons counted at home on Census night in households with no motor vehicles
The ABS General Social Survey 2010 results indicated that younger (18-24) and older Tasmanians
(65+) were more likely to have transport access issues than other age groups. A lower proportion
of respondents aged under 25 years and over 65 years indicated they are less able to easily get to
places needed, than those aged between 25-64 years (Figure 52).
Figure 53 Transport – can easily get to places needed, by age group, Tasmania, 2010
Transport - can easily get to places needed,
Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
90.6%
91.7%
89.0%
91.8%
86.3%
80.1%
80%
70.1%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Data source: ABS General Social Survey, 2010
102
Disability access - Transport Access Scheme
The Transport Access Scheme provides assistance to people who have a permanent and severe
disability and is administered through the Tasmanian Government. Members of this Access Scheme
are eligible for taxi concession cards, wheelchair access taxis and disability parking permits. Data
from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources in April 2013 outlines the following in
relation to members of the Transport Access Scheme:

The Transport Access Scheme has 24,464 current members over the age of 60 years.

These 24,464 members make up 77% of the total Tasmanian membership of
approximately 31,500.

Of the members over 60 years, 15,599 are female (63.8%) and 8,865 are male (36.2%).

1,230 (5%) have Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) concession cards.

14,044 (57.4%) have a Taxi Concession Card for use in conjunction with paper vouchers.

22,490 (91.9%) members have been issued a Disability Parking Permit.
Services
According to the ABS General Social Survey 2010, older Tasmanians were less likely to have
difficulty accessing service providers than all other age groups. As Figure 54 indicates, 28% of those
aged 65-74 years and 23% of those aged 75+ years indicated that they experienced difficulty
accessing service providers. This compares to 35%-43% of other age groups.
Figure 54 Difficulty accessing service providers (% of age group), 2010
Difficulty accessing service providers, Tasmania,
2010
100%
90%
80%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
41.2%
41.8%
43.1%
34.6%
37.8%
28.3%
30%
22.7%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
103
The DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey in 2009 also asked respondents about access to
community services. Access to community services did not appear to be a problem for the majority
of older Tasmanians aged 60+ years (Figure 55).
Figure 55 Access to community services, older Tasmanians 60+ years (% of age group), 2009
Access to community services/resources, older Tasmanians
(60+ years)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
no, not at all
North
not often
North West
sometimes
South
yes, definitely
Tasmania
Disability
ABS Census of Population and Housing included a number of questions that enabled the
measurement of peoples’ ‘need for assistance with core activities’. This variable was developed in
order to measure the number of people with a severe or profound disability, defined as ‘those
people needing help or assistance in one or more of the three core activity areas of self-care,
mobility and communication, because of a long-term health condition (lasting six months or more),
a disability (lasting six months or more), or old age’ (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006).
Figure 56 compares disability by age for Tasmania and Australia. Levels of disability begin to
increase dramatically from 70-74 years; from 10% for 70-74 year age group to 70-75% for those
aged 95 years and older. Disability by age is very similar for Tasmania as for Australia as a whole,
with only marginally higher rates in Tasmania of disability for those aged 35-64 years and 90 years
and over.
104
Figure 56 Need for assistance with core activities (% of age group) – Tasmania and Australia, 2011
Figure 57 graphs the sharp rise in the need for assistance with core activities as people age with
very little variation across Tasmanian regions. The majority of Tasmanians aged 85 years and over
(53%) require assistance with core activities due to disability, long-term health conditions or old
age. The number of people needing assistance with core activities by age group in each Tasmanian
LGA is provided in Table 51 (Appendix B – Data tables).
Figure 57 Need for assistance with core activities (% of age group), 2011
% of age group (who stated)
Need for assistance with core activities, by age group,
2011
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Under 65
South
65-74 years
North
NorthWest
75-84 years
Tasmania
85+ years
Australia
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011
105
Of all Tasmanians needing assistance with core activities in 2011, 18% lived alone; compared to 15%
for Australia as a whole. Older Tasmanians (65+ years) needing assistance were more likely to live
alone (22%) than those under 65 years (13%); and older Australians requiring assistance (19%).
People over 65 years of age in the South needing assistance were more likely than those in the
North or North West to live alone (Figure 58). The propensity for Tasmanians needing assistance to
live alone increased with age – 15% in 65-74 years age group; 24% in 75-84 years age group and
rising to 27% for those aged 85 years and over.
The number of people by age group needing assistance with core activities who live alone in each
Tasmanian LGA is included in Table 52 (Appendix B – Data tables).
% of persons needing assistance with
core activities
Figure 58 Persons who live alone and need assistance with core activities (% of persons needing assistance), 2011
Persons who live alone and need assistance with core activities,
by age group, 2011
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Under 65
South
65-74 years
North
NorthWest
75-84 years
Tasmania
85+ years
Australia
Figure 59 depicts the disability status of Tasmanians over the age of 60 years, while Figure 60 shows
the proportion of each age group by their disability status. This clearly shows a trend toward
increasing disability with age. As Tasmanians age they are more likely to report disability and much
more likely to report profound or severe core activity limitations. Mild or moderate core activity
limitation increased gradually with age up to the 85-89 years age group, falling sharply for those
aged 90 years and over as core activity limitations became profound or severe.
106
Figure 59 Disability status by age group (persons), Tasmania, 2009
Disability status by age group (60+ years), Tasmania, 2009
20,000
Persons
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
60–64
65–69
70–74
75–79
80–84
85–89
90 and over
Age group (years)
Profound or severe core activity limitation
Schooling or employment limitation
Moderate or mild core activity limitation
No reported disability
*persons may have both a core activity limitation and a schooling or employment restriction
Source: ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey 2009
Figure 60 Disability status (% of age group), Tasmania 2009
% of age group
Disability status as % of age group (60+ years), Tasmania, 2009
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
60–64
65–69
70–74
75–79
80–84
85–89
90 and over
Age group (years)
Of all Tasmanians with a profound or severe core activity limitation 38% were aged 65+ years; and
of those with a moderate or mild core activity limitation 48% were aged 65+ years. Percentages by
age group are shown in the following graph (Figure 61).
107
Figure 61 Age groups 60+ years (% of persons with disability status), Tasmania 2009
% of disability status
Age group as % of disability status (60+ years), Tasmania, 2009
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
60–64
65–69
70–74
75–79
80–84
85–89
90 and over
Age group (years)
Source: ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey 2009,
The ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey in 2009 estimated the level of unmet need for
assistance with core activities. Results indicated that a total of 7,000 Tasmanians needed more
assistance than was being received, with 2,500 of these aged 65+ years (Figure 62).
It is hoped that major reforms in both the Aged Care and Disability sectors over the last year should
go some way to address this unmet need. More home care packages have been introduced for
Aged Care, and Disability Care will move to a focus on packages designed for individual needs
Figure 62 Persons with a disability needing more assistance with core activities than currently received, Tasmania, 2009
Persons with a disability needing more assistance with core
activities than currently received, Tasmania, 2009
3,000
2,500
2,500
2,400
2,100
Persons
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
0–34 years
35–64 years
65 years and over
Age group (years)
108
Aged Care
As some people age they become frail and have an increased need for care and support services.
The Commonwealth Department of Social Services fund and administer a range of aged care
services that are provided by a variety of organisations including church groups, local councils and
community based organisations. Home based services are provided through the following
programs: Home and Community Care (HACC), Community Aged Care Packages (CACP), Extended
Aged Care at Home (EACH) and Extended Aged Care at Home for people with dementia (EACHD).
Residential aged care facilities provide permanent and respite accommodation to older people who
require ongoing care and support.
Table 15 outlines the number of Tasmanians aged 65+ years who regularly receive aged care
services. This data also include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who are 50+ years. Table 15
does not include non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tasmanians under the age of 65 years
who receive aged care services.
Approximately 36% of people aged 65+ years received an aged care service in 2011-2012. This
figure increased to 80% of Tasmanians aged 80+ years. A total of 27% of Tasmanians aged 65+
years in 2011-2012 received HACC services and this number increased to 53% of Tasmanians aged
80+ years. In 2011-2012 a total of 5% of Tasmanians aged 80+ years received a CACP, 0.7%
received EACH and 0.7% received EACHD.
It is important to highlight that the majority of older Tasmanians remain in their own home. A total
of 93% of people aged 65+ years live in their own home, which decreases to 79% for people aged
80+ years. In 2011-2012 7% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years lived in a residential aged care facility.
This number increased to 21% of Tasmanians aged 80+ years.
Table 15 Aged care services, by age, Tasmania 2011-2012 (persons)
Age group Residential aged
CACP
(years)
care -permanent
EACH
EACH
Dementia
HACC
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90+
TOTAL
24
33
35
37
50
56
235
8
13
30
36
45
23
155
2,658
3,409
4,755
5,592
3,961
2,133
22,508
215
374
588
1,131
1,621
1,827
5,756
54
119
236
385
411
316
1,521
Data sources: Department of Health and Ageing 2011- 2012 HACC MDS Annual Bulletin and Productivity Commission Report on Government Services
2013
109
Table 16 lists the instances of assistance of HACC services provided to all Tasmanians. HACC
services are provided to frailer older people 65+ years and younger people with disabilities under
the age of 65 years. In 2011-2012, people younger than 65 years accounted for 22% of clients
receiving HACC services.
The most utilised of the HACC services, after assessment, was domestic assistance (17%), followed
by client care coordination (14%), transport (9%) and nursing care received at home (7%).
Table 16 HACC instances of agency assistance, type of HACC services received, Tasmania, 2011-12
Assistance Type
# of instances
Assessment
14,242
Domestic Assistance
13,716
Client Care Coordination
11,222
Transport
7,173
Nursing Care (Home)
5,924
Home Maintenance
4,678
Social Support
4,100
Personal Care
3,746
Care Counselling Support
3,023
Case Management
2,878
Meals (Home)
2,522
Allied Health Care (Centre)
2,390
Centre-Based Day Care
2,051
Meals (Centre)
1,871
Nursing Care (Centre)
1,393
Allied Health Care (Home)
1,342
Respite Care
715
Carer Counselling Support
620
Formal Linen Service
75
Home Modification
56
Other Food Services
10
TOTAL
81,978
Data source: Productivity Commission Report on Government Services 2013
110
CHAPTER 4 Connection and contribution
Supportive networks provide people with resources and experiences that make life meaningful.
Without supportive networks people can miss out on the essentials of life and the skills that they
need to be productive in their communities. They also miss out on opportunities to have a say on
issues that affect them and on enjoying safe relationships that give them the confidence to reach
their potential. Supportive local networks create community bonds that encourage identity, trust
and belonging in local communities, which in turn encourages more stable population settlement.
This section includes data about older Tasmanians’ feeling connected to and being part of their
communities. Data sets highlight volunteering; feelings of trust, safety and being valued in the
community; contact with their family and community; and community and social involvement.
The ABS Census does not collect data on people’s thoughts or feelings. Therefore many of the data
sets in this section are sourced from various surveys. Surveys always include an element of
sampling error, as they use responses from a sample to generalise about the population. All survey
data included here has a relative standard error (RSE) of less than 25% unless indicated otherwise.
For information about the reliability of specific survey data please see the data source for RSE
values to assess fitness for purpose before proceeding to use these data sets.
A majority of older Tasmanians reported that they had attended at least one cultural and leisure
event in the previous year. Attending a movie, concert, theatre or other performing arts event was
found to steadily decline as people age. Visiting a public library was relatively constant across all
age groups and was the most popular leisure venue for those aged 75 years and over.
Participation in social groups peaked initially in the 25-34 year age group (65%) and then in the 6574 year age group (62%).
Participation in the workforce is important to many older people and many wish to continue to
work beyond the traditional years of retirement but they may be faced with barriers that make this
difficult. More than one third of Australians aged 55 years and over has experienced age related
discrimination. The labour force participation rate for Tasmanians aged 65+ years in 2011 was 9.1%
compared to 11% for all older Australians.
Older Tasmanians are more likely to work part-time, however 45% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years
worked for more than 30 hours per week in 2011, with over one third of these working in excess of
45 hours per week.
The majority of older Tasmanians aged 60+ years indicated that they felt valued by society (52%),
with another 26% feeling valued sometimes. Just over 15% of older Tasmanians did not feel valued
by society often, or at all.
111
The volunteering rate for young old Tasmanians (65-74 years) was 27%, higher than the 21% for the
under 65 years but tapering off to 18% for the mid old (75-84 years) and 7% for the older old (85+
years).
An estimated 818 older Tasmanians (65+ years) were raising children under 15 years at the time of
the 2011 Census. Almost 30% of these older Tasmanians were raising the children on their own.
Family and community support
As Tasmania’s Social Inclusion Strategy points out, ‘A strong community has strong social networks
that provide day-to-day support as well as providing help in times of crisis.’44 Data from both the
ABS General Social Survey (2010) and DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey (2009) provide
some insights into support provided to, and by, older Tasmanians in times of crisis.
Almost 95% of Tasmanians felt able to get support in time of crisis from persons living outside the
household. The proportion declined for Tasmanians aged 75+ years to 87% (Figure 63).
Figure 63 Ability to get support in time of crisis from persons living outside the household (% of age group), Tasmania 2010
% of persons
Ability to get support in time of crisis from persons living outside
the household, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
93.4%
18–24
98.4%
25–34
96.1%
35–44
95.5%
45–54
93.3%
95.3%
55–64
65–74
87.4%
75 or over
Age group (years)
The most common sources of support for Tasmanians in times of crisis were family (81%), friends
(62%), and neighbours (30%). Figure 64 shows the proportion of each age group that turned to
these sources of support in times of crisis.
44
Adams, 2009
112
Figure 64 Main sources of support in times of crisis (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Main sources of support in times of crisis, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Friend
Categories are not mutually exclusive
Neighbour
Family member
The Tasmanian Population Health Survey (DHHS 2009) also provides data on sources of help when
in need. In this survey results indicated that more Tasmanians aged 60+ years identified friends as
a source of help (93% definitely or sometimes), than they did family (88%) or neighbours (82%)
(Figure 65).
Figure 65 Sources of help when in need (% of 60+ years), Tasmanian regions, 2009
Sources of help when in need, older Tasmanians (60+ years)
90%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Friends
North
Family
North West
South
yes, definitely
sometimes
not often
no, not at all
yes, definitely
sometimes
not often
no, not at all
yes, definitely
sometimes
not often
0%
no, not at all
80%
Neighbours
Tasmania
113
Over one-quarter of Tasmanians provide support in times of crisis to other relatives living outside
the household. The proportion by age group providing support peaks in the 55-64 year age group
(38%) and decreased to a low of 11% for Tasmanians aged 75+ years (Figure 66).
Figure 66 Provides support in time of crisis to relatives living outside the household (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Provides support in time of crisis to other relatives living outside
100%
% of persons
80%
60%
40%
20%
16.8%
25.9%
22.7%
32.7%
38.2%
31.5%
11.1%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Participation
Workforce participation
Participation in the workforce is important to many older people. The ABS refers to workers aged
45 years and over as ‘mature age’; the data in this discussion reflects this broader age.
Often people wish to continue to work beyond the traditional years of retirement, but they may be
faced with barriers that make this difficult. This decline in workforce participation is reflected in the
data shown in the report. Some reasons for this decline are due to a personal wish to leave the
workforce, but other reasons include the following difficulties:




regaining employment after a period of unemployment;
reduced opportunities to retrain or other types of workforce development;
age discrimination experienced relating to employment; and
financial considerations such as access to workers compensation insurance, taxation of
superannuation funds and other issues.
In a recent report released by the Australian Human Rights Commission: ‘Fact or fiction?
Stereotypes of older Australians’ 2013; the researchers identified that most community and
business respondents feel that age discrimination is likely to occur in the workplace (88% of
community respondents and 92% of business respondents).45 In the same report it was shown that
more than one third of Australians aged 55 years and older have experienced age related
discrimination, with 67% of Australians aged between 54-65 and 50% of those aged 65+ years being
turned down for a position.
45
Australian Human Rights Commission, 2013, Fact or fiction? Stereotypes of older Australians
114
Labour force participation rates decrease with increasing age over the age of 45-54 years as shown
in Figure 68. A sudden decline is evident between the age groups of 55-64 years and 65-74 years
reflecting the common retirement window around the age of 65 years. Eligibility for the age
pension for people applying in 2013 is currently 65 years for men and 64.5 years for women; and
eligibility for access to preserved superannuation benefits is currently between 55 and 60 years of
age dependent on year of birth however there are many older people who continue to work well
past the time they are eligible to access the aged pension.
In Tasmania the labour force participation rate for those aged 65+ years in 2011 was 9.1%
compared to 11% for all older Australians (Table 39, Appendix B – Data tables). The labour force
participation rate was lower in Tasmania than Australia as a whole for all age groups over 45 years;
as well as for the total population aged 15+ years. In Tasmanian regions, labour force participation
for all age groups between 45 and 74 years were lowest in the North West and highest in the South,
as shown in Figure 67.
Figure 67 Labour force participation by age group, Tasmanian regions, 2011
Labour force participation, 2011
% of age group (who stated LF status)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
45-54 years
55-64 years
South
North
65-74 years
NorthWest
75-84 years
85 years and over
Tasmania
Figure 68 depicts labour force status of Tasmanians in age groups over 45 years. It can be clearly
seen that with increasing age the proportions of employed and unemployed decline and the
proportions of ‘not in the labour force’ and ‘not stated’ increase, with a sharp change in each
around 65 years. Labour force status by age group for LGAs is provided in (Table 41 Appendix B –
Data tables).
115
Figure 68 Labour force status by age group, Tasmania, 2011
Labour force status by age group, Tasmania, 2011
100%
90%
% of age group
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
45-54 years
Employed
55-64 years
Unemployed
65-74 years
75-84 years
Not in the labour force
85 years and
over
Not stated
The number of wage and salary earners in 2010 in Tasmania aged 65+ years was 5,777 persons
(Figure 69). This was an increase of just over 600 wage and salary earners, or 12% since 2007. In
2010 people aged 65+ years comprised 2.6% of wage and salary earners in Tasmania, a higher
proportion than in each of the three preceding years (Figure 70). Those in the ‘pre-retirement’ age
group of 55-64 years also included an increasing proportion of wage and salary earners between
2007 and 2010, increasing from 13.5% to 14.9%.
Figure 69 Wage and salary earners by age group, Tasmania, 2007-2010
Wage and salary earners by age group, Tasmania, 2007-10
60,000
50,000
Persons
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
15–24 years
25–34 years
35–44 years
45–54 years
55–64 years 65 years and
over
Age group
2007
2008
2009
2010
Data source: ABS National Regional Profile - Tasmania, 2007-2011
116
Figure 70 Age distribution of wage and salary earners, Tasmania, 2007-2010
% of wage and salary earners
Age distribution of wage and salary earners Tasmania, 2007-10
100%
2.4%
2.2%
2.3%
2.6%
90%
13.5%
13.6%
14.1%
14.9%
23.1%
23.1%
23.5%
23.6%
22.5%
22.2%
22.0%
21.9%
19.5%
19.7%
19.8%
19.9%
19.0%
19.3%
18.2%
17.1%
2007
2008
2009
2010
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
15–24 years
25–34 years
35–44 years
Year
45–54 years
55–64 years
65 years and over
Data source: ABS National Regional Profile - Tasmania, 2007-2011
In 2011, there were more than 7,200 Tasmanians aged 65+ years who were employed in the
workforce and another 136 unemployed and looking for work. Older Tasmanians (65+ years) in the
workforce were more likely to work part-time (less than 30 hours) than Tasmanians aged under 65
years (Figure 71). However, 45% of older Tasmanians in the workforce worked for more than 30
hours per week in 2011, with over one-third of these working in excess of 45 hours per week.
Hours worked by older Tasmanians by age group and by region are provided in Table 40 (Appendix
B – Data tables).
Figure 71 Hours worked per week, Employed Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011
% of employed persons in age group
Hours worked per week, employed Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age,
2011
60%
48.1%
50%
40%
32.4%
30%
20%
14.9%
19.7%
17.3%
28.5%
22.8%
16.2%
10%
0%
Under 65 years
0-14 hours
15-29 hours
65 years and over
30-44 hours
45+ hours
117
Industries in which large proportions of older employed Tasmanians worked in 2011 were
agriculture, forestry and fishing; health care and social assistance; and retail trade. Older
Tasmanians (65+ years) in the workforce were more likely to be working in agriculture, forestry and
fishing (16% of older employed Tasmanians); transport, postal and warehousing (7%); and
professional, scientific and technical services (8%), than Tasmanians under 65 years of age (4.5%,
4%, and 5% respectively) (Figure 72). The numbers of people employed in each industry by age
group in each Tasmanian region are provided in Table 42 (Appendix B – Data tables).
Figure 72 Industry of employment, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011
Industry of employment, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
Under 65 years
65 years and over
Over one-third of employed older Tasmanians were self-employed owner managers, compared to
less than 14% of employed people aged under 65 years. Older employed Tasmanians were also
more likely to be contributing family workers than were younger employed Tasmanians.
Employment type of older and younger employed Tasmanians is depicted in Figure 73. Numbers of
employed Tasmanians by employment type and age groups over the age of 45 years for each
Tasmanian region are in Table 43, (Appendix B – Data tables).
118
Figure 73 Employment type, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011
Employment type, Tasmanians under and over 65
years of age, 2011
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
84.9%
52.8%
36.8%
13.7%
10.4%
1.4%
Under 65 years
65 years and over
Tasmania
Owner managers (incl self employed)
Employee not owning business
Contributing family workers
Older employed Tasmanians were less likely to be employed by National, State or Local
Government than those under 65 years of age; and the great majority were employed in the private
sector in 2011. Figure 74 shows that almost 90% of employed Tasmanians aged 65+ years were
employed in the private sector. Numbers of employed Tasmanians by employment sector and age
groups over the age of 45 years for each Tasmanian region are provided in Table 44 (Appendix B –
Data tables).
Figure 74 Employment sector, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of age, 2011
Employment sector, Tasmanians under and over 65 years of
age, 2011
100%
88.5%
80.6%
80%
60%
40%
14.7%
20%
3.0%
1.7%
2.0%
8.2%
1.3%
0%
Under 65 years
National Government
State/Territory Government
65 years and over
Local Government
Private sector
119
Tasmania’s ageing demographic profile and workforce implications
There are several factors that make Tasmania’s population ageing a long term challenge to
Government and Tasmania’s economic planning. While some other states are experiencing the
economic conditions to cope with future population ageing, Tasmania faces the challenge of growth
in total dependency exceeding growth in labour productivity.46
Lisa Taylor, workforce demographer, recommends that the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental
Agreement (TFIA) be used as an instrument to increase labour force participation and target
supportive industries in appropriate regional developments. ‘While the contraction in Tasmania’s
working age population suggests a lack of available labour and skills, only a persistently low and
falling rate of unemployment (over time) indicates a true lack of labour... Almost 40% of Tasmania’s
potential labour force is not participating in the labour market.’47
The Government’s commitment to industry diversification under the TFIA, taken with the large
untapped supply of labour not participating in the labour market, presents an opportunity for
Tasmania to safeguard itself against ageing population structure and the associated rising
dependency ratios. Simply put there is an opportunity to increase productive investment, and
labour force participation for younger and older people, in industries the evidence points to as
being the ‘best fit.’ Furthermore, an emphasis on both the skills and willingness of the ‘young old’
to continue with economic participation, mentoring younger people and of course re-skilling, will
enhance Tasmania’s productivity and economic capacity.
Creating strategic investments in responsive industries requires planning and collaboration
between business and industry analysts with all levels of government. Supporting ‘best fit’
industries is an imperative but of great importance also is the creation of targeted legislation and
infrastructure that supports those ‘best fit’ industries.
With reference to the ‘young old’ and their work participation goals and preferences, the literature
points to there being a need for reform in work cover legislation, along with a need to grow the
discourse and practice around flexible work hours. People’s retirement plans are changing. This is
arguably related to cost of living pressures. Increased work participation and productivity is a
distinct possibility with the younger old delaying their retirement. This trend coupled with
supportive government initiatives and legislation allowing for progressive reduction in work hours,
(prior to full retirement) could positively impact Tasmania’s workforce potential, the transfer of
skills and overall economic productivity.
46
47
Taylor, L, 2013, p 4
Ibid, p 3
120
Social involvement
Regular social contact with others is a central element of social inclusion. In 2010, 26% of
Tasmanians reported that they had daily face to face contact with family or friends living outside
the household. The proportion increased to 86% for face to face contact within the past week.
Daily face to face contact tended to decrease with age, from a high of 38% for 18-34 year olds to
20% of the 65-74 year age group and 21% for those aged 75+ years (Figure 75). The likelihood of
contact within the past week was highest for 25-34 year age group (91%), and lowest for 65-74 year
age group (81%), increasing for those aged 75+ years to 88%.
Figure 75 Social contact – face to face contact with family or friends living outside the household (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Face to face contact with family or friends living outside
100%
90%
80%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Every day
In last week
*Persons who have daily contact automatically have weekly contact, Data source: ABS General Social Survey, 2010
The Tasmanian Population Health Survey asked respondents about the number of people spoken to
yesterday. Only 2% of older Tasmanians aged 60+ years had not spoken to anyone the previous day,
while 37% had spoken to ten or more people. Interestingly, older people in the North West were more
likely to have spoken to more than ten people (41%) and less likely to have spoken to fewer than five
(23%) than those in the North and South (Figure 76).
121
Figure 76 Social contact – number of people spoken to yesterday, older Tasmanians (by region 60+ years), 2009
Number of people spoken to yesterday, older Tasmanians
(60+ years)
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
none at all
fewer than 5
North
North West
5 to 9
South
10 or more
Tasmania
*columns with transparent shading indicate RSE > 25% and must be used with caution.
Civic participation
A majority of Tasmanians (60%) actively participated in social groups in the previous year, with
lower proportions participating in community support groups (38%) and civic and political groups
(18%). Participation in community support groups and in civic and political groups peaked in the
45-54 year age group (49% and 28% respectively), with lower participation by both younger and
older Tasmanians (Figure 77). Participation in social groups however, had two peaks: the first in the
25-34 year age group (65%) and the second in the 65-74 year age group (62%). Lowest participation
in social groups was in the youngest (18-24 years) and oldest (75+ years) cohorts; and in the ‘preretirement’ age group of 55-64 years.
Figure 77 Active participation in groups in last 12 months (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Active participation in groups in last 12 months, Tasmania,
2010
% of persons
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Social groups
Community support groups
Civic and political groups
122
According to the ABS General Social Survey, in 2010 64% of Tasmanians had participated in a
community event in the previous six months. The age group with the highest proportion who had
attended a community event was 25-34 years (71%), with a decreasing proportion in older age
groups, the lowest (51%) for 75+ year age group (Figure 78).
Figure 78 Participation in a community event in past 6 months (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Participation in a community event in past 6 months,
Tasmania, 2010
80%
71.2%
70%
% of persons
60%
68.3%
66.8%
65.6%
59.4%
57.7%
50.8%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
The DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey also asked respondents about attendance at
community events and found 54% of Tasmanians aged 60+ years had attended a local community
event in the previous six months. Attendance rates for Tasmanians aged 60+ years showed little
regional variation with the highest in the North West (56%) and lowest in the South (52%)
(Figure 79).
Figure 79 Attended a local community event in the past 6 months, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009
123
The ABS General Social Survey (2010) found that attending cultural and leisure venues also declined
with age. However, a majority of older Tasmanians reported that they had attended at least one of
these venues in the previous year, with 68% of 65-74 year olds and 63% of those aged 75+ years
having done so (Figure 78).
Figure 80 Attended at least one cultural and leisure venue in previous year (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Attended at least one cultural and leisure venue or
event in last 12 months, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90.5%
92.7%
89.4%
78.2%
% of persons
80%
81.3%
68.1%
62.9%
60%
40%
20%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
The types of cultural and leisure venues attended also varied with age. Attending a movie, concert,
theatre or other performing arts event was found to steadily decline as people age (Figure 81).
Visiting a museum or art gallery; and visiting a botanic garden, zoo or aquarium were lowest for the
youngest age group (18-24 years) and the oldest age group (75+ years). However, visiting a public
library was relatively constant across all age groups, with it being the most popular cultural and
leisure venue to visit for the oldest age group of 75+ years.
124
Figure 81 Types of cultural and leisure venues or events attended in previous year (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Types of cultural and leisure venues or events
attended in last 12 months, Tasmania, 2010
100%
% of persons
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Visited a public library
Visited a museum or art gallery
Attended a movie, concert, theatre or other performing arts event
Visited a botanic garden, zoo or aquarium
Trust
According to A Social Inclusion Strategy for Tasmania48 ‘Having trust in others, including in
professionals and people in positions of power, is one indicator of a well-functioning community’.
The ABS General Social Survey 2010 provided data on community trust in general, as well as in
doctors, hospitals, and police. Figure 82 depicts these aspects of community trust, by age group.
More Tasmanians of all ages were likely to place trust in doctors, hospitals and police than they
were to believe that most people can be trusted. Over 60% of Tasmanians agreed that most people
were trustworthy, the lowest proportion being of 35-44 year olds and the highest 75 + years. All
age groups were also more likely to trust their doctor, than hospitals or police. A very high 92% of
Tasmanians trusted their doctor, whereas 77% placed trust in hospitals; 79% in local police; and
70% in other police.
48
Adams, 2009
125
Figure 82 Community trust – doctors, hospitals, police; Tasmanians (% of age group agreed or strongly agreed), 2010
% of persons
Community trust, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Most people can be trusted
Trusts Doctor
Trusts hospital to do right thing
Trusts local police
Trusts other police
Another measure of community trust is feelings of safety. Almost all Tasmanians (97%) feel safe at
home alone during the day, while 89% felt safe at home alone after dark. A much smaller
proportion, but still a majority (54%), of Tasmanians feel safe walking alone in their local area after
dark. Figure 83 shows the proportion of each age group who feel safe in these situations. The most
striking difference between age groups was the marked decline in the proportion of people who
feel safe walking alone in the local area after dark in the 65-74 and 75+ years age groups.
Figure 83 Feelings of safety, Tasmanians (% of age group feel safe or very safe), 2010
% of persons
Feelings of safety, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Feelings of safety at home alone during the day
Feelings of safety at home alone after dark
Feelings of safety walking alone in local area after dark
126
The DHHS Tasmanian Population Health Survey asked a larger sample of Tasmanians about their
feelings of safety walking alone down their street after dark which provided data for Tasmanians
aged 60+ years by region. One-quarter of Tasmanians aged 60+ years rarely or never feel safe
walking down their street alone at night, while 56% definitely feel safe in the same situation. There
was very little regional variation (Figure 84).
These figures have implications for older people participating in events at night. It is highly likely
that many in this group may choose not to attend events held at night, unless other intervening
factors are introduced to increase their feelings of safety.
Figure 84 Feel safe walking alone down your street after dark, older Tasmanians (60+ years), 2009
Feel safe walking alone down your street after dark, older
Tasmanians (60+ years)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
no, not at all
not often
North
North West
sometimes
South
yes, definitely
Not applicable
e.g. remote
property
Tasmania
Elder Abuse
Whilst it is interesting to note that many older Tasmanians feel safe in their community it is of
significant concern to note the extent of elder abuse in our community. Large population-based
studies show incidences of abuse between three and five percent of the population, which equates
to 3,000-4,500 Tasmanians.
The State Government, through its elder abuse prevention response, has funded Advocacy
Tasmania to provide an Elder Abuse Information, Advice and Referral Helpline. Advocacy Tasmania
collects extensive data on their Helpline service. A snapshot of the data collected for a three month
period from 1 January – 31 March 2013 is highlighted in Table 17.
127
Table 17: Advocacy Tasmania Elder Abuse Helpline Data
CASES
60 cases of alleged elder abuse reported to the Helpline.
Gender of older person
66.6% of the calls to the Helpline were in relation to older women.
Age of older person
40% of calls received were in relation to a person who was aged 80 or
above. Age and illness have been shown to be a significant risk.
Notifier of elder abuse
33.3% of the calls have come from older Tasmanians who are
experiencing abuse. 30% of calls to the Helpline were from concerned
family members.
Abuse
notified
previously 56.6% of callers stated they have disclosed allegations of elder abuse in
the past.
Cultural background
93% of callers came from an English speaking background. Only 6% of
callers identified as coming from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
background (CALD). There were no callers who identified as Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander.
Living arrangements of While 31.6% of older people live alone, a significant number, 41.6% live
older person
with family/friends and 10% live in residential care.
Type of abuse reported Financial/material abuse was identified in 55% of cases.
*More than one can be Psychological/emotional abuse was cited in 70% of cases.
Psychological/emotional and financial/material abuses were typically
identified
identified together.
Risk factors for older There has been a high incidence of family conflict identified (28%). 41.6%
person
of older people live with family members or friends. In 26.6% of cases
*More than one can be isolation was identified as a risk factor. The older person being cut off
from family and social contact puts them at higher risk of all forms of
identified
abuse.
Data source Advocacy Tasmania 2013
Valued by society
Participating in the community by engaging with decision making processes is another aspect of
feeling socially included. In 2010, 35% of Tasmanians felt they had opportunities to have a say on
important issues; with another 29% indicating they sometimes felt able to have a say. Tasmanians
who felt unable to have a say on important issues represented 36% of the population. As shown in
Figure 85, among Tasmanians aged 65-74 years, 36% felt able to have a say, while 32% felt they did
not have this opportunity. Interestingly, for Tasmanians aged 75 years and over, they were more
likely to feel able to have a say most or all of the time (41%) than most other age groups; but were
also more likely to feel they did not have this opportunity (40%).
128
Figure 85 Feels able to have a say within community on important issues (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Feels able to have a say within community on important issues,
Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
35.5%
34.3%
35.0%
32.1%
31.5%
24.0%
30.1%
32.3%
18.9%
41.0%
37.8%
36.2%
41.1%
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
46.6%
40.0%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
20.9%
38.7%
32.2%
30%
20%
32.5%
10%
25.8%
33.5%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
Age group (years)
All / Most of the time
Some of the time
Little / None of the time
For Tasmanians aged 60+ years, just over half (51%) felt there were ‘opportunities to have a real say
on issues that are important’. The proportion was slightly higher in the North West (53%) and
slightly lower in the South (50%) (Figure 86).
Figure 86 Feel there are opportunities to have a real say on important issues, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009
Feel there are opportunities to have a real say on issues that are
important, older Tasmanians (60+ years)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
no, not at all
North
not often
North West
sometimes
South
yes, definitely
Tasmania
129
The majority of older Tasmanians aged 60+ years indicated that they felt valued by society (52%),
with another 26% feeling valued sometimes. Just over 15% of older Tasmanians did not feel valued
by society often; if at all (Figure 87).
Figure 87 Feel valued by society, older Tasmanians by region (60+ years), 2009
Feel valued by society, older Tasmanians (60+ years)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
no, not at all
North
not often
North West
sometimes
South
yes, definitely
Tasmania
Another factor of social inclusion and being valued by society is the extent to which people are
discriminated against. In 2011 – 2012 the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commission dealt with 12
cases of people allegedly discriminated on the basis of age, 60 % of the cases were people aged 60+
years. As 35% of the complaints in 2011-2012 were from people aged 60+ years the data indicates
that older people are willing to make complaints on discrimination49.
Voluntary contribution
Volunteering for an organisation or group
According to A Social Inclusion Strategy for Tasmania50 ‘volunteering is vital to the effective
functioning of communities and can be an important tool for addressing social disadvantage and
increasing social inclusion.’
The ABS Census collected data on the incidence of ‘voluntary work for an organisation or group in
past 12 months’. The volunteering rate for all Tasmanians aged 15+ years in 2011 was 21%,
compared to the national average of 19%. For Tasmanians aged 65+ years, the volunteering rate
was also slightly higher at 22%, compared to 20% at the national level (Figure 88).
49
50
Anti Discrimination Commission, 2013 unpublished data from 2011-2012
Adams, 2009
130
The volunteering rate for young old Tasmanians (65-74 years) was higher at 27%, than the 21% of
those under 65 who had volunteered in the past year. Volunteering in the mid old (75-84 years)
and older old (85+ years) age groups was less prevalent, at 18% and 7% respectively. Numbers of
volunteers by age group for Tasmanian LGAs are included in Table 54 (Appendix B – Data tables).
Figure 88 Voluntary work for an organisation or group (in past 12 months) by age group, Tasmanian regions, 2011
Volunteering by age group, 2011
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
15-64 years
South
65-74 years
North
NorthWest
75-84 years
Tasmania
85+ years
Australia
Carers
Of course, voluntary work for an organisation or group is not the only unpaid contribution people
make to their community. Many are also involved in providing unpaid care to the aged or those
with disability.
The ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing included a variable to record ‘the number of
people who spent time providing unpaid care, help or assistance to family members or others
because of a disability, a long-term illness or problems related to old age’. This includes recipients
of Carer Allowance and Carer Payment from the Australian Government, but not work done
through a voluntary organisation or group. In this section, ‘carers’ refers to those who indicated
that they provided unpaid assistance to the aged or disabled in response to the above ABS Census
question.
The proportion of all Tasmanians aged 15+ years that provided unpaid care in the two weeks prior
to Census night 2011 was 13%, marginally higher than the national average of 12%. For Tasmanians
aged under 65 years, the percentage of carers was also slightly higher than the national average.
However, in age groups over 65 years of age the Tasmanian proportion was lower than the national
average. Carers made up 14% of Tasmania’s young old; 11% of the mid old; and 6% of the older
old, as displayed in Figure 89. Numbers of unpaid carers by age group in Tasmanian LGAs are
provided in Table 55 (Appendix B – Data tables).
131
Figure 89 Unpaid care to a person with a disability (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011
Provided unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, by age
group, 2011
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
15-64 years
South
65-74 years
North
NorthWest
75-84 years
Tasmania
85+ years
Australia
Unpaid child care
People may also contribute to their community by providing unpaid child care for children other
than their own. The proportion of all Tasmanians aged 15+ years that spent time caring for a
child/children other than their own without pay in the two weeks prior to Census night 2011, was
9%, equal to the national average.
For Tasmanians aged 65+ years the rate was also 9%, slightly lower than the national average of
12%. In all age groups over 65 years, the proportions of Tasmanians providing unpaid child care
were lower than the national averages, as shown in Figure 90.
Of Tasmania’s young old population (65-74 years), 13% provided unpaid child care; of the mid old
(75-84 years) 4%; and less than 1% of the older old (85+ years) cared for children without pay.
Numbers of people by age group caring for others’ children without pay in each of Tasmania’s LGAs
are outlined in Table 56 (Appendix B – Data tables).
132
Figure 90 Unpaid care of others children (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011
Provided unpaid care of other's children, by age group, 2011
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
15-64 years
South
65-74 years
North
NorthWest
75-84 years
Tasmania
85+ years
Australia
According to the ABS General Social Survey in 2010: 41% of Tasmanians had undertaken voluntary
work in the past year; 25% had cared for someone who required assistance due to disability, illness
or old age in the past four weeks and 51% had provided unpaid assistance to someone living
outside the household in the past four weeks.
Tasmanians least likely to participate in these activities were in the younger and older age groups,
as shown in Figure 91. For Tasmanians aged 65-74 years: 44% had undertaken voluntary work; 30%
had cared for someone either aged or with a disability; and 46% had provided unpaid assistance to
someone outside the household. These proportions declined markedly for those aged 75 years and
over: 27% had undertaken voluntary work; 21% had cared for someone either aged or with a
disability and 23% had provided unpaid assistance to someone outside the household.
133
Figure 91 Volunteering and caring (% of age group), Tasmania 2010
Volunteering and caring, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Had undertaken voluntary work in last 12 months
Cared for a person with either a disability, illness or old age in last 4 weeks
Provided unpaid assistance to persons living outside the household in last 4 weeks
The main types of unpaid assistance provided included: domestic work, home maintenance or
gardening (20% of Tasmanians); providing transport or running errands (24%); helping with child
care (11%); and providing emotional support (26%). Both ‘providing domestic work, home
maintenance or gardening’; and ‘providing transport or running errands’, were highest in younger
age groups, tending to decrease with age (Figure 91).
Helping with child care was most likely in the 65-74 year age group and least likely in the 75+ year
age group. Providing emotional support peaked between 45 and 64 years, declining thereafter.
134
Figure 92 Main types of unpaid assistance provided (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Main types of unpaid assistance provided, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
% of persons
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Domestic work, home maintenance or gardening
Providing transport or running errands
Helping with child care
Giving emotional support
**categories are not mutually exclusive
135
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136
CHAPTER 5 Lifelong learning
A socially inclusive society is based on lifelong learning that enables people to develop the skills to
participate in employment and education, social networks and community life. From basic life skills
to the training needed to get a job, socially inclusive communities make it possible for people to
learn new skills no matter what their age or ability. Inclusive communities value continuous
improvement, encourage healthy debate, welcome different perspectives and embrace a diversity
of people and ideas.
Technology is present in all aspects of modern life. New technologies support the refinement of
existing goods and services, the creation of new lifestyle supports and importantly extend our
communication pathways.
Communication technology has the potential to broaden social connections. Society is changing as
a result of new technologies. With these changes come new opportunities for people to be
involved in their communities. It is important that no-one, no group and no place are left behind.
The discussion in this section highlights older Tasmanians’ post school qualifications, literacy and
numeracy skills, continuing education and access to computers and the internet.
Non-school qualifications declined with increasing age in 2011. The proportion of older Tasmanians
(65+ years) having qualifications was higher in the South than it was in the North or North West, or
for Tasmania as a whole. The proportion of qualified people in the older age groups (65+ years) in
the South was also higher than it was at a national level, but this was not the case for those aged
15-64 years.
Older Tasmanians (65+ years) were less likely to have household Internet access (45%) than older
Australians aged 65+ years (51%).
Tasmanians under 65 years of age were most likely to report ‘other’ type of Internet connection,
while those aged 65+ years were more likely to have a dial-up Internet connection.
Qualifications
In this discussion, non-school qualifications refer to any educational attainments post Grade 12 and includes
tertiary, and technical/trades qualifications.
Figure 93 includes people aged under 65 years so as to enable a comparison with young old, mid old, and
older old in Tasmania.
20% of all Tasmanians who have post school qualifications are over 65 compared to 18 % of Australians aged
over 65.
137
Non-school qualifications declined with increasing age in all Tasmanian regions, Tasmania, and
Australia, as seen in Figure 93. The proportion having qualifications was higher across all age
groups in the South, than it was in the North or North West, or for Tasmania as a whole. The
proportion of qualified people in the older age groups (over 65 years) in the South was also higher
than it was at a national level, but this was not the case for those aged 15-64 years.
Numbers of people with tertiary or technical/trades qualifications by age group for Tasmanian LGAs
are included in Table 57 Non-school qualification, persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs 2011(Appendix
B – Data tables).
Figure 93 Non-school qualifications (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011
Proportion of age group with a non-school qualification, 2011
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
15-64 years
South
65-74 years
North
NorthWest
75-84 years
Tasmania
85+ years
Australia
Older adult learning
Tasmanians continue to learn both formally and informally throughout their lives. In recent years
there has been an increasing demand from people in the older age groups to attend educational
programs across a variety of institutions.
Some older people attend education programs specifically designed for older people such as the
School for Seniors and the University of the Third Age. Others prefer to attend educational
programs at institutions that cater for people of all ages such as LearnXpress, the University of
Tasmania, the Polytechnic and Tasmanian Skills Institute (As of 1 July 2013, the Polytechnic and
Tasmanian Skills Institute were incorporated into Tas TAFE).
Table 18 outlines the number of people aged 60+ years who attended these programs by
institutions in Tasmania. It is important to emphasise that older people also learn at programs
offered in Neighbourhood and Community Houses, Senior Citizen Centres, local council run
programs and activities, specific interest groups such as Landcare, art and craft groups, sports and
recreational groups and many more. There is a lack of well defined and categorised data available
on the numbers of older people attending such educational programs.
138
Lifelong learning describes people’s formal participation only and excludes important learning
experiences such as travel, reading and groups such as Rostrum, Rotary and Probus. There are also
many people that undertake online courses at places of learning around the world.
Table 18 Tasmanians aged 60+ years who participated in selected educational programs (numbers)
Education Institution
Location
People
University of Tasmania
(Total 2012)
Polytechnic
(Total 2012)
Tasmanian Skills Institute
(Total 2012)
LearnXpress
(Total 2012)
3 campuses :
Launceston; Cradle Coast; Hobart
614
University of the Third Age
(Total April 2013)
School for Seniors
(Total April 2013)
276
392
Tamar Valley
Cygnet
Geeveston
Meander Valley
Tasman
Kingborough
Glenorchy
Hobart
Hobart (7 locations)
Launceston
Burnie
1,371
(35% of total enrolments)
86
84
25
98
40
279
170
650
546
522
90
Data sources: University of Tasmania, 2012, Department of Education, 2012, individual School for Seniors, 2013, individual University of the Third
Age, 2013.
The 2011 ABS Census of Population and Housing also provides data on current students by type of
educational institution and by age group. Numbers of older Tasmanians who reported that they
were students at the date of the Census in 2011 were relatively low (402), with less than 1% of
those aged 65+ years studying formally at that time.
As shown in Figure 94, formal study for older people declined with increasing age. Studying was
more prevalent among older people in the South and North, than it was in the North West region.
In the South and North of the State, participation in study in the young old, mid old, and older old
age groups was higher (or equivalent to) participation in Tasmania as a whole or Australia.
The number of older students by age group by type of educational institution in each Tasmanian
region is graphed in Figure 95. In Tasmania, students aged 65+ years studying at a university or
other tertiary institution (161), outnumbered those studying at ‘other’ institutions (148), technical
or further educational institutions (including TAFE Colleges) (69), or secondary schools (49). This
was also the case across all three Tasmanian regions in the young old age group (65-74 years).
However, in the mid old (75-84 years) and older old (85+ years) age groups, it was ’other’
educational institutions that had the most enrolled students in the North and South.
139
Numbers of mid old and older old students in the North West were negligible, but the reasons for
this are unclear at this stage.
Numbers of older Tasmanian students in each Tasmanian LGA are provided in Table 58
(Appendix B – Data tables).
Figure 94 Older Tasmanians – students (% of age group), Tasmanian regions, 2011
Students (% of age group), 2011
1.0%
0.9%
0.8%
0.7%
0.6%
0.5%
0.4%
0.3%
0.2%
0.1%
0.0%
65-74 years
South
75-84 years
North
NorthWest
85+ years
Tasmania
Australia
Figure 95 Older Tasmanian students, by age group, by type of educational institution (persons), Tasmanian regions, 2011
65-74 years
75-84 years
South
North
Other
University or other
Tertiary
Technical or Further
Educational…
Secondary
Other
University or other
Tertiary
Educational…
Secondary
Other
University or other
Tertiary
Educational…
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Secondary
Students
Students by educational institution and age group,
Tasmanian regions, 2011
85+ years
NorthWest
140
Literacy and numeracy
People with low literacy and numeracy skills are disadvantaged in meeting the challenges of a
technological and information-based society. Low levels of literacy and numeracy reduce people’s
access to knowledge and opportunities.
The most recent assessment of literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills for Australians aged
15-74 years was gained through the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult
Competencies, Australia, 2011-12, (PIAAC). The PIAAC was developed to provide a greater
understanding of the availability of key skills in society and their use at work and at home, in
participating countries.
The survey collected information on skills and competencies in the domains of literacy, numeracy,
and problem solving in technology-rich environments (PSTRE).
Literacy is defined as the ability to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written texts to
participate in society to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.
Numeracy is defined as the ability to access, use, interpret and communicate mathematical
information and ideas in order to engage in and manage the mathematical demands of a range of
situations in adult life.
Problem solving in technology-rich environments is defined as using digital technology,
communication tools and networks to acquire and evaluate information, communicate with others
and perform practical tasks.
Data from this assessment has been analysed at a national and state/territory level only. Analysis
for the older age group 65-74 years by state or territory is not yet available.
For literacy and numeracy, proficiency scores have been grouped into six skill levels with Below
Level 1 being the lowest level and Level 5 the highest. For PSTRE, scores have been grouped into
four skill levels with Below Level 1 being the lowest level and Level 3 the highest.
The situation for PSTRE is complicated by the high proportion of people 'not classified' at older
ages, many of whom lacked the basic skills required to undertake the computer-based test. The
proportion of respondents who were not classified increased from around one in ten for the
youngest age groups to almost 60% for the oldest age group, 65 to 74 years.
The percentage of people achieving Level 3 or above literacy and numeracy assessed scores
declined from around 40 years of age. The percentage of people aged 65-74 years achieving Level 3
or above for literacy was 28% and for numeracy, 24%. These results may reflect older people’s
lower levels of educational attainment.
There were small differences in the proficiency scores for literacy and numeracy by state or
territory, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) which had a larger proportion
of people at higher levels in both domains. Figures 96 and 97 outline the proportion of males and
141
females, aged 15-74 years who achieved at Level 3 or above in literacy and numeracy respectively,
by state or territory.
Figure 96 Proportion of persons aged 15 – 74 with literacy Level 3 or above, by state or territory of usual residence and sex
2011-12
Proportion of persons aged 15 - 74 with literacy level 3
and above
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
Males
30.0
Females
20.0
10.0
0.0
Data source: ABS Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Australia, 2011-12
Figure 97 Proportion of persons aged 15 – 74 with numeracy Level 3 or above, by state or territory of usual residence and sex
2011-12
Proportion of persons aged 15 - 74 with numeracy level 3
and above
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
Males
Females
10.0
0.0
Data source: ABS Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Australia, 2011-12
142
Skill levels in literacy, numeracy and problem solving were also considered in relation to labour
force status, employed people, education, and health.
Interestingly, 61% of people aged 15-74 years who self-reported excellent or very good health
achieved Level 3 or above for literacy, and 50% achieved Level 3 or above for numeracy, and 34%
achieved Level 2 or above for problem solving in technology-rich environments (PSTRE).
In comparison, 40% of people aged 15-74 years with poor or fair health attained a literacy score of
Level 3 or above, 30% a numeracy score at level 3 or above, and 18% a PSTRE score at Level 2 or
above.
Many older people report excellent or very good health. However, it should be noted that a much
higher proportion of older people than younger people reported poor or fair health.
Of people aged 65-74 years with excellent or very good health, 38% were assessed at Level 3 or
above for literacy, 32% for numeracy and 6.7% achieved a PSTRE score of Level 2 or above. In
comparison, for people aged 65 - 74 years with fair or poor health, 18% were assessed at Level 3 or
above for literacy, 16% for numeracy and 2.4% for PSTRE.
Computer and internet use
As Tasmania’s Social Inclusion Strategy pointed out ‘the ability to access and use computers and
telecommunications technology is becoming increasingly important for participation in modern
society... People without access to these technologies are increasingly at risk of social exclusion as a
result – a phenomenon dubbed “digital exclusion”.’51
Tasmanians have lower levels of household access to the Internet than Australia as a whole. In
2011, 77% of Tasmanians (counted at home in a private dwelling on Census night) had household
Internet access, compared to the national average of 81%. For Tasmanians aged under 65 years,
the proportion was 82%, compared to 85% of all Australians.
Older Tasmanians (65+ years) were less likely to have household Internet access (45%) than
Tasmanians under 65 years (82%). Older Tasmanians were slightly less likely than Australians aged
65+ years to have household Internet access (51%).
Figure 98 shows information technology use in Tasmania by age group. Home computer use and
Internet access was highest in age groups under 45 years (around 90%). What is clear from this
picture is that older Tasmanians with computers and Internet access at home (45%) actually use
their computer, including access to the Internet. Furthermore in looking at usage, those without
these facilities at home, seek them out in other locations.
The difference between the 65-74 year age group and the 75+ year age group is of note with
computer use declining to 26% and just 19% of Tasmanians in this age group accessing the Internet.
51
Adams, 2009
143
Figure 98 Use of information technology (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
% of persons
Use of information technology, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Used computer at home in last 12 months
Accessed the Internet at home in last 12 months
Figure 99 illustrates the decline in household broadband Internet connection, alongside the
increase in households with no Internet access with increasing age. It is interesting to note that
Tasmanians under 65 years of age were most likely to report ‘other’ type of Internet connection,
while those aged 65-74 and 75-84 years were more likely to have a dial-up Internet connection.
This differential access to faster technology may explain lower usage, and will predictably improve
with wider access to the National Broadband Network.
Of the Tasmanians aged 65+ years using the Internet for online shopping, 9% were downloading
videos, movies and music, 19% were listening to music or watching videos or movies online and
34% were purchasing good or services online.52
52
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Arts and Culture in Australia: A Statistical
overview, 2012, (series 4172.0)
144
Figure 99 Type of household Internet connection (% of persons in private dwellings), Tasmania, 2011
Type of household Internet connection, Tasmanians by age group,
2011
% of persons in private dwellings
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Under 65 years
65 - 74 years
75 - 84 years
No Internet connection
Broadband connection
Other connection
Not stated
85 years and over
Dial-up connection
The numbers of older Tasmanians with household Internet access in each Tasmanian LGA are
included in Table 59 (Appendix B – Data tables).
145
146
CHAPTER 6 Health and wellbeing
Health is a vital part of any individual’s quality of life regardless of age. As we grow older we are
more likely to experience health related problems. The health and social wellbeing of older people
is influenced by a range of factors – many of which have been covered in earlier chapters.
Combining these factors or inferences with the indicators of self assessed health and prevalence of
health conditions creates a bigger picture of the wellbeing and quality of life experienced by older
Tasmanians.
The majority of inferences contained in this chapter are drawn from data supplied by the
Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services, along with some supporting insights from
ABS data sources such as the Population Census of 2011, the ABS General Social Survey and the ABS
General Household Expenditure Survey. Differences in methodologies across these data sources
may result in apparent inconsistencies. As such, each data set should be considered separately.
Older Tasmanians generally reported very good health, with three quarters reporting excellent/very
good or good health (75.7%) and less than a quarter reporting fair/poor.
Health self-perceptions of those aged 60 + years were similar to Tasmania’s total population, except
for ‘fair/poor’ health which was statistically higher for the older population.
Older Tasmanians aged 75 + years were less likely to have experienced a personal stressor in the
past year than any other age group.
In 2011-12, over 50% of Tasmanians aged 65+ years had arthritis; 45% had hypertensive disease;
25% had high cholesterol; nearly 14% had diabetes; and 8% had a stroke or other cerebrovascular
disease.
Older people are more likely than the total adult population to report adequate fruit and vegetable
consumption (54% and 14.9% respectively).
Nearly 28% of Tasmanians aged 60 years and over reported regularly participating in physical
recreation three or more times per week. The 18-24 year age group had the largest participation
rate at just under 30%.
Self assessed health
Self assessed health is a primary indicator and predictor of wellbeing, measuring a person’s
perception of their health, including both physical and mental wellbeing. Self-assessed health
status declines with advancing age and is adversely affected by lower socio-economic status. Figure
100100 indicates that Tasmanians 60+ years reported very good health, with just over three
quarters reporting either excellent, very good or good health (75.7%) and less than a quarter
reporting fair or poor health (23.8%).
147
Figure 100: Self assessed health for population age 60 years and over and total adult population, Tasmania 2009
41.3%
42.6%
34.4%
37.3%
Age 60+
Age 18+
23.8%
19.9%
Excellent/VeryGood
Good
Fair/Poor
In 2010, 78.6% of Tasmanians aged 25-34 years reported good or better self-assessed health and no
disability or long-term health condition. Over 16% of older persons age 75+ years were still
reporting good health and (Figure 101).
Figure 101 Good or better self-assessed health and no disability or long-term health condition (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
% of persons
Good or better self-assessed health and no disability or long-term
health condition, Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
78.6%
67.7%
61.2%
59.5%
45.6%
33.2%
16.6%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
148
Risk factors for poor health
Health risk factors are behavioural characteristics that are associated with an increased risk of
developing a chronic condition. The major behavioural risk factors included here are Body Mass
Index (BMI) and alcohol consumption.
Body mass index
BMI is a known measure of risk for a range of health conditions including Type 2 Diabetes and heart
disease. Body mass index values, based on self-reported height and weight, show no significant
differences between those aged 60+ years and 18 years and over. Overweight and obesity
combined made up 54% of Tasmania’s older population, compared to 51.9% for the total adult
population (Figure 102).53
Figure 102: BMI status population aged 60 years and over and total adult population, Tasmania 2009
35.9%
Age 60+
37.7%
35.9%
Age 18+
33.2%
18.1%
2.1%
18.7%
1.8%
Underweight
Normal
Overweight
Obese
Alcohol consumption
According to the 2009 alcohol guidelines54, consuming more than four standard alcoholic drinks on
a single occasion increases the risk of short term harm. Falls and other accidents as well as the risks
of adverse interaction of alcohol and medications are of particular concern for older people, who
are also more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol (Figure 103).
53
Department of Health and Human Services, 2012, Op Cit, p.2
54
Australian Guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol, NHMRC 2009
149
Figure 103: Alcohol related harm (caused by consuming 4-5 or more standard drinks on any single occasion), population aged 60
years and over and total population, Tasmania 2009
61.3%
Age 60+
54.7%
Age 18+
26.9%
26.7%
16.1%
8.8%
Higer risk
Low risk
Abstainers
Personal stressors
The ABS General Social Survey (2010) asked respondents whether they had experienced any
‘personal stressors’, that is events or circumstances which the person considers have been a
problem for themselves or someone close to them in the previous year. Personal stressors include:












serious accident
mental illness
serious disability
death of family member or close friend
divorce or separation
not able to get a job
involuntary loss of job
alcohol or drug related problems
gambling problem
abuse or violent crime
witness to violence
trouble with the police.
Figure 104 shows that older Tasmanians were less likely to have experienced a personal stressor in
the past year than any other age group with the exception of the youngest of 18-24 years. The
proportion of Tasmanians aged 65-74 years who reported they had experienced at least one of the
stressors was 54%, and for those aged 75+ years it was 49%.
150
Figure 104: Experienced at least one personal stressor in previous year (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Experienced at least one personal stressor in past 12 months,
Tasmania, 2010
100%
90%
% of persons
80%
71.1%
70%
60%
70.5%
63.0%
56.3%
51.5%
53.7%
48.6%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Chronic conditions
The prevalence of chronic health conditions impacts significantly on a person’s ability to cope and
their functioning capacity. As Figure 105 highlights, arthritis (52.8%) was the most frequently
reported diagnosed health condition by Tasmanians aged 60+ years, followed by cataracts (28.6%)
and depression/anxiety (19.1%).
Figure 105: Prevalence of self-reported diagnosed health conditions, population 60 years and over, Tasmania 2009
Arthritis * 52.8%
Cataracts, 28.6%
Depression/anxiety,
19.1%
Heart disease, 18.6%
Cancer, 17.2%
Asthma, 17.1%
Osteoporosis, 16.3%
Diabetes** , 13.8%
Stroke, 8.2%
Glaucoma, 6.7%
Macular degeneration,
5.7%
*includes all types of arthritis
** includes types 1 and 2
151
Table 19 indicates that within the 19.1% self-reported depression and anxiety condition, the
reported prevalence was significantly higher amongst females aged 60+ years than males.
Table 19 Prevalence of diagnosed depression/anxiety, persons 60+ years by gender, self reported
Gender
%
Males
Females
Total
15.2%
22.5%
19.1%
The ABS recently released Australian Health Survey 2011-12 data differ from the results of the
Tasmanian Population Health Survey 2009 indicating the following on selected long term health
conditions of Tasmanians 65+ years:
 60% were long sighted
 52% had arthritis
 45% had hypertensive disease
 35% had deafness
 25% had high cholesterol
 12% had Type 2 Diabetes
 11% had cataracts
 8% had a stroke or other cerebrovascular diseases.55
As noted earlier, differences in survey methodologies have resulted in some apparent inconsistencies.
Neurodegenerative disorders
Some degenerative disorders of the nervous system are incurable, debilitating and progressive
conditions result in increasing impairment of physical movement or mental functioning. This means
that the need for care and support services increases over the course of the disorder. Prevalence of
neurodegenerative disorders tends to increase with age.
In this section, cases of three neurodegenerative disorders are estimated for Tasmanian regions
and for Tasmania as a whole. The neurodegenerative disorders estimated are Parkinson’s disease,
dementia, and multiple sclerosis. Cases are estimated by applying age-specific prevalence rates
from research studies for each disorder to the age structure of regional populations from the ABS
Census of Population and Housing 2011. The term ‘cases’ is used rather than persons as prevalence
rates are taken from different studies and disorders may not be mutually exclusive.
55
ABS, 2013, Presentation : on ‘Who are Tasmania’s older people?’ using data from ABS Australian Health Survey: First Results, 20112012 – Tasmania (4364.0.55.001)
152
Prevalence rates are taken from:



Parkinson’s disease – Access Economics Pty Limited (2007) Living with Parkinson’s:
Challenges and Positive Steps for the Future;
Dementia – Access Economics Pty Limited (2009) Keeping dementia front of mind: Incidence
and prevalence 2009-2050; and
Multiple sclerosis – Simpson, Pittas, van der Mei, Blizzard, Ponsonby, and Taylor (2011)
Trends in the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Greater Hobart, Tasmania: 1951-2009.
Estimated cases of these three neurodegenerative disorders are also projected for the year 2031
using the DCAC 2008 Tasmanian Population Projections medium series projections of future
population age structure (as used in Ageing into the Future section of this DCAC report).
Table 20 provides the number of cases of Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and multiple sclerosis in
2011 and 2031 in people aged under and over 65 years, estimated using the method described
above. In 2011 in Tasmania there were an estimated 1,624 cases of Parkinson’s disease, 6,528
cases of dementia and 639 cases of multiple sclerosis. Approximately 82% of Parkinson’s disease
cases, 94% of dementia cases, and 19% of multiple sclerosis cases were aged 65+ years. However it
should be remembered that these are estimates only, based on prevalence rates by age.
The number of estimated cases projected for 2031 were 2,741 cases of Parkinson’s disease, 11,473
cases of dementia, and 732 cases of multiple sclerosis. The proportion of these in the 65+ years age
group are projected to be 89% of Parkinson’s disease cases, 96% of dementia cases, and 30% of
multiple sclerosis cases.
Table 20 Estimated cases (persons under and over 65 years) – selected neurodegenerative disorders, 2011-2031
Region
Disorder
Parkinson's disease
Dementia
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
North
Dementia
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
NorthWest Dementia
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Tasmania Dementia
Multiple sclerosis
South
2011
2031
Under 65 years 65+ years Total Under 65 years 65+ years Total
142
643 785
146
1,172 1,318
192
2,982 3,174
208
5,229 5,437
260
59 318
266
104
369
80
384 464
82
711
793
110
1,770 1,879
120
3,216 3,335
143
35 178
145
62
208
63
310 373
60
571
631
87
1,382 1,469
91
2,609 2,700
113
28 142
105
50
155
286
1,339 1,624
288
2,453 2,741
389
6,139 6,528
418
11,055 11,473
517
122 639
516
216
732
Source: Population from ABS Census 2011
Figure 106 shows the projected increase in estimated cases of each neurodegenerative disorder in
people aged 65+ years between 2011 and 2031.
153
Across all ages in Tasmania, the number of cases of Parkinson’s disease is projected to increase by
69%, dementia cases by 76%, and multiple sclerosis cases by 15%. However, the projected increase
in all three neurodegenerative disorders in persons over the age of 65 years suggests they will
almost double over the two decades to 2031: Parkinson’s disease by 83%; dementia by 80% and
multiple sclerosis by 77%.
Figure 106 Estimated cases (persons aged 65+ years) – selected neurodegenerative disorders, Tasmanian regions, 2011-2031
Estimated cases aged 65+ years - selected neurodegenerative
disorders Tasmanian regions, 2011-2031
6,000
Estimated cases
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2011
2031
2011
Parkinson's disease
2031
Dementia
North
NorthWest
2011
2031
Multiple sclerosis
South
Data sources: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011; DCAC Tasmanian Population Projections 2008; sources for prevalence rates as listed
above.
All the projected increases are due to the projected ageing of the Tasmanian population, and
published age-specific prevalence of the disorders. It should be noted that prevalence may not
remain at the levels used here into the future and projected estimates are also dependent on the
reliability of the population projections used and the demographic assumptions on which they are
based.
However these projected cases are likely to create challenges for the future provision of care for
these people.
Hospital admissions
Hospital admissions by Tasmanians aged 60+ years for each region are shown in Figure 107. In the
Northern region the 75-79 year age group had the greatest number of admissions, and in the North
West it was the 70-74 year age group. In the Southern region, the greatest number of hospital
admissions for older Tasmanians was in the 60-64 year and 70-74 year age groups.
154
It is likely that specialisation within each of Tasmania’s general hospitals would influence the types
of admissions at each hospital and this may influence the age groups of admitted patients.
Figure 107 Hospital admissions by age group over 60 years, Tasmanian regions, 2010-11
Data source: Department of Health and Human Services, 2013
Staying healthy – nutrition and sport
Good nutrition is a key factor in keeping people healthy. The National Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC) recommend a minimum daily intake of five serves of vegetables and two serves of
fruit. Figure 108 shows that older people were more likely than the total adult population to report
adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, with 54.4% and 14.9% reporting adequate fruit and
vegetable consumption respectively compared.
Figure 108 Adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, population 60 years and over and total population, Tasmania 2009
54.4%
Age 60+
49.8%
Age 18+
14.9%
Adequate fruit consumption
11.0%
Adequate vegetable consumption
155
Participation in sport and physical recreational and cultural and leisure activities have a significant
positive impact on personal health and wellbeing. Physical activity is also an important lifestyle
factor to reduce risks associated with disease, such as BMI over 30, hypertension and cholesterol.
Increased levels of light to moderate physical activity can have benefits for health conditions such
as arthritis, heart conditions and diabetes.
Figure 109 and Figure 110 both depict sport and physical recreation participation in Tasmania,
2011-12 by age group. Proportions shown in these differ between the ABS General Social Survey,
2010 and ABS Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2011-12 due to sampling
error. Actual values aside, both data sets reveal a trend of declining sport and recreation
participation as people age. Figure 110 also shows that attendance at sporting events declines
significantly after the age of 65 years.
Figure 109 Participation in sport and physical recreation (% of age group), Tasmania, 2011-12
Participation in sport and physical recreation in past 12 months
by age group, Tasmania, 2011-12
100%
Participation rate (% of age group)
90%
86.0%
78.7%
80%
73.3%
72.0%
71.5%
65.4%
70%
60%
53.9%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
15 to 17
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 and over
Age group (years)
Data source: DED analysis of data from ABS 4177.0 Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2011-12
156
Figure 110 Sport and recreation – participation and attendance (% of age group), Tasmania, 2010
Sport and recreation, Tasmania, 2010
% of persons
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75 or over
Age group (years)
Has participated in sport or recreational physical activity in last 12 months
Has attended a sporting event in last 12 months
More than one-quarter (28%) of Tasmanians aged 65+ years reported that they regularly
participated in sport and physical recreation, compared to the national average of 23% (Figure 111).
The percentage of older Tasmanians exercising more than three times a week is not that much
different from all age groups and the ratio of older Tasmanians exercising is greater than ratios for
the younger age groups of 15 to 17 and 35 to 44.
Figure 111 Regular participation in sport and physical recreation (3 or more times per week) by age group, 2011-12
Regular participation in sport and physical recreation
(3+ times/week) by age group, 2011-12
35%
29.5%
30%
25%
25.2%
23.0%
25.0%
28.6%
25.4%
24.7%
28.6%
26.6%
29.1%
27.8%
27.8%
23.2%
18.7%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
15 to 17
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 and over
Age group (years)
Tasmania
Australia
157
Participation in organised sport and physical recreation was found to decline steadily with
increasing age to 17% for older Tasmanians (65+ years) (see Figure 113). The decline in participation
in non-organised activities was not so marked and did not decline significantly until the 65+ years
age group, when it fell to 44% of this age group.
Figure 112 Participation in organised and non-organised sport and physical recreation by age group, Tasmania, 2011-12
Participation in sport and physical recreation
- organised and non-organised by age group
Tasmania, 2011-12
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
65.0%
46.1%
62.1%
59.9%
63.5%
59.6%
59.7%
47.4%
44.2%
36.3%
29.9%
28.1%
18.5%
15 to 17
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
16.9%
65 and over
Age group (years)
Organised
Non-organised
*columns with transparent shading indicate RSE> 25% and must be used with caution.
158
APPENDICES
159
Appendix A – Building Evidence Project Working Group

Nick Evans – Director – Community Development Division DPAC (Chair)

Rebecca Moles – Manager Policy – Community Development Division DPAC

Margaret Kelly – Principal Liaison Officer – Older Persons – Community Development Division DPAC

Sue Leitch – CEO, COTA Tas

Linda Jamieson – Policy and Research Officer, COTA Tas

Soula Houndalas – Research Officer and Project Officer, COTA Tas

Peter Wilde – Honorary Research Associate – School of Geography and Environmental Studies UTAS

Liz Bingham – Policy Officer Preventive Health – Population Health DHHS

Julia Curtis – Acting Director – State and Territory Statistical Service ABS

Lynne Wilkinson – Assistant Director Assessment and Places Management, DoHA
A-160
Appendix B – Data tables
Table 22 Population by geographic location and age group, Tasmania, 2011 .....................................................163
Table 23 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) – number and % of population, geographic area, 2011 .......................164
Table 24 Distribution of older Tasmanians (65+ years), by geographic area, 2011 .............................................165
Table 25 Family/household type of older Tasmanians (65+ years), counted at home on Census night, 2011 ...166
Table 26 Marital status of older Tasmanians – young old; mid old; older old – Tasmanian LGAs, 2011.............167
Table 27 Older Tasmanians living alone – by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ................................................168
Table 28 Older Tasmanians living alone – % of age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 .............................................168
Table 29 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) raising children*, 2011 ..........................................................................169
Table 30 Indigenous status by age group, 2011 ...................................................................................................170
Table 31 Region of birth – Tasmanians by age group, 2011.................................................................................171
Table 32 Region of birth - % of age group (region of birth stated), Tasmania, 2011 ...........................................171
Table 33 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) by language spoken at home, 2011 ......................................................172
Table 34 Older Tasmanians - English speaking proficiency level for those who speak another language at
home, 2011...........................................................................................................................................................173
Table 35 Individual weekly income of older Tasmanians (65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011............................174
Table 36 Household mortgage repayments ($ monthly) – (persons) for households where older Tasmanians
(65+ years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011..................................................................................175
Table 37 Household rent payments ($ weekly) – (persons) for households where older Tasmanians (65+
years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011 ..........................................................................................176
Table 38 Housing stress (housing cost > 30% of household income) – persons and % of households where
older Tasmanians (65+ years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011 ....................................................177
Table 39 Disadvantaged areas* – number of SA1s and number of people, by Local Government Area, 2011 ..178
Table 40 Labour force participation by age group – comparison between Tasmania and Australia, 2011 .........179
Table 41 Hours worked per week – employed Tasmanians, age groups over 45 years (persons), 2011 ............179
Table 42 Labour force status by age group (persons), 2011 ................................................................................180
Table 43 Industry of employment, by age groups over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011 ...............................181
Table 44 Employment type of employed Tasmanians, by age group over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011..182
Table 46 Tenure of private dwellings, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011 ........................................................183
Table 47 Location of private dwellings, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011 ......................................................183
Table 48 Accommodation in non-private dwellings, by type, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011....................185
Table 49 Homeless and marginally housed Tasmanians, under and over 65 years of age, 2011 ........................186
Table 50 Number and proportion of Tasmanians aged 60+ years who hold a driver’s licence, 2013 .................187
Table 51 Household access to motor vehicles, older Tasmanians by age group (persons*), 2011 .....................188
Table 52 Needs assistance with core activities by age group (persons), 2011 ....................................................189
Table 53 Persons needing assistance with core activities who live alone - by age group, 2011 .........................190
Table 54 Residential mobility by age group (persons), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ...................................................191
Table 55 Voluntary work for an organisation or group (in past 12 months), persons by age group, Tasmanian
LGAs, 2011 ............................................................................................................................................................192
Table 56 Provided unpaid assistance to a person because of a disability, long illness or old age (in past 2
weeks), persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ........................................................................................193
Table 57 Spent time caring for children (under 15 years) other than own without pay (in past 2 weeks),
persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 .....................................................................................................194
B-161
Table 58 Non-school qualification, persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs 2011 ..............................................195
Table 59 Student status, older Tasmanians by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 .............................................196
Table 60 Household Internet access, older Tasmanians by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011 ..........................197
Table 61 Summary of selected characteristics from Tasmanian Population Health Survey (% of Tasmanians
60+ years), 2009 ...................................................................................................................................................198
B-162
Table 21 Population by geographic location and age group, Tasmania, 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
0-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90-94
11,247
987
976
812
559
389
226
136
73
41
1,275
183
191
216
162
107
66
33
21
6
32,119
3,887
3,519
3,491
2,602
2,120
1,604
1,289
848
288
6,171
797
672
665
457
384
252
163
98
41
1,875
347
380
500
433
278
177
91
74
32
28,946
3,075
2,696
2,442
2,091
1,755
1,448
1,177
725
247
31,780
3,499
3,306
2,932
2,002
1,509
1,244
1,145
839
339
9,256
1,197
1,142
1,188
867
604
405
284
127
57
21,502
2,568
2,453
2,229
1,662
1,243
915
710
421
142
8,422
1,043
950
876
628
465
337
286
135
49
3,754
512
489
433
366
216
123
93
41
18
1,136
217
242
236
197
139
84
70
17
10
157,483
18,312
17,016
16,020 12,026
9,209
6,881
5,477
3,419
1,270
3,084
522
590
630
531
328
211
152
101
34
3,910
578
503
531
395
336
246
201
91
25
341
68
108
85
71
44
25
19
8
7
4,060
509
514
476
388
269
192
132
71
21
42,235
4,226
3,878
3,718
2,923
2,285
1,804
1,519
1,031
452
11,487
1,424
1,434
1,343
1,036
748
595
448
262
90
7,346
951
878
936
705
564
410
239
133
59
13,172
1,759
1,588
1,541
1,238
952
662
505
283
98
85,635
10,037
9,493
9,260
7,287
5,526
4,145
3,215
1,980
786
12,605
1,304
1,182
1,159
920
766
578
417
282
88
12,646
1,724
1,529
1,497
1,249
969
767
523
298
117
5,282
597
528
498
366
249
214
113
98
25
15,207
1,682
1,566
1,594
1,358
1,077
825
650
474
150
3,742
504
457
468
346
246
151
91
58
19
898
105
143
125
81
87
43
39
26
13
5,701
757
767
797
592
455
332
236
136
48
8,187
1,064
1,013
947
794
626
454
354
185
66
3,090
366
315
271
241
204
115
49
23
5
67,358
8,103
7,500
7,356
5,947
4,679
3,479
2,472
1,580
531
311,295
36,528
34,089
32,732 25,312 19,449
14,522 11,174
6,980
2,587
14,544,661 1,447,404 1,297,244 1,206,115 919,319 708,089 545,263 436,937 270,799 103,773
95-99
8
0
69
5
5
42
98
10
42
5
4
3
291
11
12
0
4
109
18
8
17
179
26
30
8
34
4
3
11
10
0
126
596
24,836
100+ 65-74 subtotal 75-84 subtotal 85+ subtotal Total 65+
Total
5
948
362
127
1,437
15,459
0
269
99
27
395
2,260
14
4,722
2,893
1,219
8,834
51,850
0
841
415
144
1,400
9,705
0
711
268
111
1,090
4,192
11
3,846
2,625
1,025
7,496
44,655
12
3,511
2,389
1,288
7,188
48,705
3
1,471
689
197
2,357
15,140
5
2,905
1,625
610
5,140
33,892
0
1,093
623
189
1,905
13,196
0
582
216
63
861
6,049
4
336
154
34
524
2,355
54
21,235
12,358
5,034
38,627
247,458
0
859
363
146
1,368
6,194
0
731
447
128
1,306
6,828
0
115
44
15
174
776
0
657
324
96
1,077
6,636
14
5,208
3,323
1,606
10,137
64,194
4
1,784
1,043
374
3,201
18,889
0
1,269
649
200
2,118
12,229
0
2,190
1,167
398
3,755
21,815
18
12,813
7,360
2,963
23,136
137,561
3
1,686
995
399
3,080
19,330
5
2,218
1,290
450
3,958
21,354
0
615
327
131
1,073
7,978
0
2,435
1,475
658
4,568
24,617
0
592
242
81
915
6,086
0
168
82
42
292
1,563
0
1,047
568
195
1,810
9,832
7
1,420
808
268
2,496
13,707
0
445
164
28
637
4,679
15
10,626
5,951
2,252
18,829
109,146
88
44,761
25,696
10,251
80,708
495,352
3,279
1,627,408
982,200
402,687 3,012,295 21,507,719
B-163
Table 22 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) – number and % of population, geographic area, 2011
B-164
Table 23 Distribution of older Tasmanians (65+ years), by geographic area, 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
% of older Tasmanians
1.8%
0.5%
10.9%
1.7%
1.3%
9.3%
8.9%
2.9%
6.4%
2.4%
1.1%
0.7%
South
47.9%
Break O'Day
1.7%
Dorset
1.6%
Flinders
0.2%
George Town
1.3%
Launceston
12.6%
Meander Valley
4.0%
Northern Midlands
2.6%
West Tamar
4.7%
North
28.7%
Burnie
3.8%
Central Coast
4.9%
Circular Head
1.3%
Devonport
5.7%
Kentish
1.1%
King Island
0.4%
Latrobe
2.2%
Waratah/Wynyard
3.1%
West Coast
0.8%
NorthWest
23.3%
Tasmania
100.0%
B-165
Table 24 Family/household type of older Tasmanians (65+ years), counted at home on Census night, 2011
Region
LGA
One family household
Couple
family
with no
children
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
Couple
family
with
children
One
parent
family
Multiple family household
Other
family
655
96
85
199
17
17
4,176
475
352
660
97
59
525
30
25
2,972
438
405
2,844
344
255
1,203
117
93
2,588
256
147
928
100
73
432
52
37
268
22
14
17,450
2,044
1,562
679
56
40
676
27
43
82
6
6
542
60
44
4,214
473
400
1,550
135
85
1,079
119
66
1,963
177
110
10,785
1,053
794
1,467
131
113
1,895
190
112
511
57
38
2,133
199
137
459
77
38
125
9
10
893
77
52
1,290
78
70
304
20
24
9,077
838
594
37,312
3,935
2,950
1,343,391 229,525 140,475
15
6
66
13
9
81
39
21
21
24
5
8
308
3
10
0
5
81
36
10
18
163
23
25
11
29
9
0
20
13
7
137
608
25,913
Couple Couple
family
family
with no
with
children children
23
8
83
8
6
55
65
13
59
7
10
3
340
5
9
0
4
68
15
16
27
144
13
12
8
25
0
0
10
11
3
82
566
52,642
0
0
11
0
0
8
7
3
3
5
0
0
37
0
4
0
0
6
0
0
8
18
0
0
3
8
3
0
0
3
0
17
72
8,721
One
parent
family
5
0
10
3
0
14
3
5
5
0
0
0
45
0
0
0
0
7
4
0
3
14
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
62
5,202
Non-family household
Other
family
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
500
Lone person
household
Non-classifiable
Non-private dwelling
Total
Group household
286
94
2,234
364
247
2,454
2,105
515
1,256
489
217
106
10,367
341
345
49
249
3,034
870
529
824
6,241
841
1,006
289
1,250
176
86
422
648
187
4,905
21,513
719,261
B-166
33
9
75
20
21
158
103
58
54
38
11
3
583
22
13
0
12
153
54
32
57
343
41
59
11
70
25
4
26
28
17
281
1,207
48,010
39
14
151
26
25
133
143
30
78
48
22
8
717
23
27
0
19
181
42
27
63
382
49
67
19
71
11
6
17
31
16
287
1,386
76,525
97
1,334
6
370
435
8,068
73
1,323
40
928
309
7,027
696
6,604
105
2,163
260
4,727
69
1,781
16
802
20
452
2,126
35,579
47
1,216
54
1,208
3
146
62
997
825
9,442
165
2,956
74
1,952
167
3,417
1,397
21,334
176
2,857
191
3,557
53
1,000
258
4,180
39
837
12
252
88
1,605
132
2,304
22
600
971
17,192
4,494
74,105
180,276 2,830,441
Table 25 Marital status of older Tasmanians – young old; mid old; older old – Tasmanian LGAs,
2011
Region
LGA
65 to 74 years
75 to 84 years
85 years and over
Total 65+ years
Never
Never
Never
Never
Widowed Divorced Separated Married
married
married
married
married
Brighton
36
153
134
31
593
9
126
39
3
187
5
93
4
3
22
50
372
177
37
802
Central Highlands
13
44
41
9
165
5
30
7
3
57
3
18
0
0
4
21
92
48
12
226
Clarence
157
597
554
127
3,288
70
1,003
184
43 1,591
30
744
41
10
390
257
2,344
779
180
5,269
Derwent Valley
33
120
117
18
553
9
175
29
7
198
3
96
3
4
34
45
391
149
29
785
37
66
90
19
495
15
83
19
7
150
3
64
6
0
33
55
213
115
26
678
Glenorchy
196
690
629
130
2,204
97
1,019
211
43 1,254
38
690
39
8
246
331
2,399
879
181
3,704
Hobart
292
375
609
92
2,142
140
790
195
42 1,223
78
820
47
4
337
510
1,985
851
138
3,702
Huon Valley
70
167
213
51
970
26
208
48
14
393
10
130
6
0
53
106
505
267
65
1,416
Kingborough
119
342
411
49
1,982
59
492
127
15
930
29
376
24
7
177
207
1,210
562
71
3,089
Sorell
45
126
180
29
709
24
193
65
17
329
3
111
4
0
77
72
430
249
46
1,115
Southern Midlands
27
61
75
11
409
15
76
15
6
98
11
46
0
0
6
53
183
90
17
513
Tasman
14
35
38
22
226
3
39
18
3
91
0
22
0
0
18
17
96
56
25
335
South
1,039
2,776
3,091
588
13,736
472
4,234
957
203 6,501
213
3,210
174
36 1,397
1,724 10,220
4,222
827
21,634
Break O'Day
38
103
121
17
584
19
120
25
6
192
9
82
8
3
40
66
305
154
26
816
Dorset
36
99
91
17
493
25
147
13
13
251
3
87
3
0
32
64
333
107
30
776
Flinders
10
8
17
3
76
3
15
0
0
21
0
9
0
0
4
13
32
17
3
101
George Town
15
86
64
31
459
5
126
26
3
163
0
65
5
0
34
20
277
95
34
656
Launceston
285
785
761
160
3,224
174
1,211
256
44 1,640
76
1,030
43
14
438
535
3,026
1,060
218
5,302
Meander Valley
91
249
230
49
1,164
34
373
62
16
557
15
247
5
3
105
140
869
297
68
1,826
Northern Midlands
56
169
155
27
863
20
196
28
16
389
12
133
7
4
40
88
498
190
47
1,292
West Tamar
59
239
239
50
1,602
29
344
105
11
678
11
239
14
6
129
99
822
358
67
2,409
North
590
1,738
1,678
354
8,465
309
2,532
515
109 3,891
126
1,892
85
30
822
1,025
6,162
2,278
493
13,178
Burnie
67
260
175
32
1,146
36
352
64
27
516
12
262
14
4
105
115
874
253
63
1,767
Central Coast
70
313
227
53
1,561
43
446
69
20
714
13
265
13
6
144
126
1,024
309
79
2,419
Circular Head
29
97
60
13
420
13
118
16
4
173
3
86
3
0
42
45
301
79
17
635
Devonport
110
334
288
52
1,646
48
516
100
14
796
21
428
22
6
189
179
1,278
410
72
2,631
Kentish
28
71
71
6
417
12
61
26
4
140
4
60
0
0
22
44
192
97
10
579
King Island
9
17
26
5
114
0
34
15
4
27
0
27
3
0
8
9
78
44
9
149
Latrobe
30
133
100
26
755
16
192
37
4
318
4
128
4
0
58
50
453
141
30
1,131
Waratah/Wynyard
43
209
166
36
964
20
285
45
7
450
3
167
12
3
86
66
661
223
46
1,500
West Coast
35
70
57
24
260
18
61
10
3
74
0
22
0
0
12
53
153
67
27
346
NorthWest
421
1,504
1,170
247
7,283
206
2,065
382
87 3,208
60
1,445
71
19
666
687
5,014
1,623
353
11,157
Tasmania
2,051
6,030
5,961
1,195
29,524
993
8,838
1,859
398 13,608
399
6,547
332
84 2,885
3,443 21,415
8,152
1,677
46,017
Australia
81,533
201,793 208,629
50,246 1,085,210 41,344 320,971 71,997
17,725 530,155 16,673 251,882 15,119
3,197 115,807 139,550 774,646 295,745
71,168 1,731,172
B-167
Table 26 Older Tasmanians living alone – by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
65-74 yrs
180
61
890
174
121
997
865
282
557
245
114
60
4,546
165
157
32
117
1,264
386
253
346
2,720
355
437
126
487
93
38
191
290
111
2,128
9,394
307,610
75-84 yrs
89
26
895
141
91
958
761
172
478
185
76
33
3,905
121
148
6
102
1,145
340
189
327
2,378
345
408
117
498
55
32
173
252
62
1,942
8,225
276,686
85+ yrs
19
9
452
45
35
499
477
57
220
54
26
13
1,906
58
45
9
29
629
142
91
153
1,156
144
161
48
264
22
16
58
104
15
832
3,894
134,968
Table 27 Older Tasmanians living alone – % of age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
Total 65+ yrs
288
96
2,237
360
247
2,454
2,103
511
1,255
484
216
106
10,357
344
350
47
248
3,038
868
533
826
6,254
844
1,006
291
1,249
170
86
422
646
188
4,902
21,513
719,264
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
65-74 yrs
19.0%
22.6%
18.9%
20.7%
17.1%
25.9%
24.6%
19.2%
19.2%
22.4%
19.6%
17.8%
21.4%
19.2%
21.4%
28.1%
17.8%
24.3%
21.6%
20.0%
15.8%
21.2%
21.0%
19.7%
20.5%
20.0%
15.7%
22.9%
18.2%
20.4%
24.9%
20.0%
21.0%
18.9%
B-168
75-84 yrs
24.7%
25.7%
30.9%
33.8%
33.8%
36.5%
31.9%
25.0%
29.4%
29.6%
35.2%
21.6%
31.6%
33.2%
33.0%
14.3%
31.4%
34.5%
32.6%
29.2%
28.1%
32.3%
34.7%
31.7%
35.9%
33.7%
22.7%
39.5%
30.5%
31.1%
37.3%
32.6%
32.0%
28.2%
85+ yrs
15.1%
30.0%
37.1%
31.3%
32.1%
48.7%
37.1%
29.1%
36.1%
28.1%
40.6%
40.6%
37.9%
40.0%
34.6%
75.0%
29.6%
39.2%
37.8%
45.7%
38.6%
39.0%
36.2%
35.7%
36.4%
40.1%
26.8%
39.0%
29.9%
38.5%
46.9%
36.8%
38.0%
33.5%
Total 65+ yrs
20.1%
23.9%
25.3%
25.7%
22.7%
32.7%
29.3%
21.7%
24.4%
25.3%
25.0%
20.3%
26.8%
25.2%
26.7%
28.0%
22.9%
30.0%
27.1%
25.2%
22.0%
27.0%
27.4%
25.4%
27.1%
27.3%
18.5%
29.9%
23.3%
25.9%
29.2%
26.0%
26.7%
23.9%
Table 28 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) raising children*, 2011
One parent
Total
families
Persons (65+)
Persons (65+) Persons (65+)
Brighton
22
4
26
Central Highlands
4
0
4
Clarence
52
28
80
Derwent Valley
18
0
18
3
3
6
Glenorchy
60
42
102
Hobart
53
23
76
Huon Valley
19
7
26
Kingborough
48
15
63
Sorell
15
8
23
Southern Midlands
11
3
14
Tasman
6
0
6
South
311
133
444
Break O'Day
7
4
11
Dorset
6
3
9
Flinders
0
0
0
George Town
4
0
4
Launceston
63
39
102
Meander Valley
18
7
25
Northern Midlands
15
4
19
West Tamar
34
8
42
North
147
65
212
Burnie
22
4
26
Central Coast
26
6
32
Circular Head
10
0
10
Devonport
30
6
36
Kentish
13
6
19
King Island
0
3
3
Latrobe
6
6
12
Waratah/Wynyard
4
12
16
West Coast
5
3
8
NorthWest
116
46
162
Tasmania
574
244
818
Australia
35,596
13,311
48,907
*Persons aged 65+ years counted at home in one-family households with dependent children aged under 15 years
Region
LGA
Couple families
B-169
Table 29 Indigenous status by age group, 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
Under 65 years
65 to 74 years
75 to 84 years
85 years and over
Total 65+ years
Total population
Indigenous Non-indigenous Indigenous Non-indigenous Indigenous Non-indigenous Indigenous Non-indigenous Indigenous Non-indigenous Indigenous Non-indigenous
1,135
12,085
27
875
4
335
0
115
31
1,325
1,166
13,410
103
1,668
12
243
0
96
0
25
12
364
115
2,032
1,436
40,060
34
4,513
22
2,719
7
1,139
63
8,371
1,499
48,431
380
7,670
18
790
0
394
0
132
18
1,316
398
8,986
155
2,842
11
666
3
257
5
85
19
1,008
174
3,850
1,813
33,987
50
3,608
18
2,456
10
964
78
7,028
1,891
41,015
573
39,042
16
3,322
8
2,245
4
1,178
28
6,745
601
45,787
1,213
11,168
52
1,360
33
625
6
186
91
2,171
1,304
13,339
1,007
26,936
31
2,771
8
1,535
3
575
42
4,881
1,049
31,817
512
10,313
4
1,034
5
584
0
186
9
1,804
521
12,117
245
4,718
18
539
0
201
0
61
18
801
263
5,519
104
1,647
11
310
3
143
0
33
14
486
118
2,133
8,676
192,136
284
20,031
104
11,590
35
4,679
423
36,300
9,099
228,436
218
4,388
8
820
3
340
0
131
11
1,291
229
5,679
209
5,087
7
700
3
426
0
123
10
1,249
219
6,336
112
457
12
101
5
33
0
14
17
148
129
605
278
5,101
3
609
4
283
0
82
7
974
285
6,075
1,881
50,102
50
4,910
21
3,135
6
1,497
77
9,542
1,958
59,644
441
14,826
13
1,702
4
1,000
0
358
17
3,060
458
17,886
307
9,569
4
1,214
6
609
0
183
10
2,006
317
11,575
396
17,097
19
2,085
3
1,116
0
382
22
3,583
418
20,680
3,842
106,627
116
12,141
49
6,942
6
2,770
171
21,853
4,013
128,480
1,066
14,613
25
1,575
10
925
0
367
35
2,867
1,101
17,480
1,194
15,525
49
2,076
16
1,194
6
405
71
3,675
1,265
19,200
891
5,704
36
548
8
302
0
124
44
974
935
6,678
1,240
18,060
34
2,280
11
1,373
8
611
53
4,264
1,293
22,324
225
4,796
9
560
4
219
0
81
13
860
238
5,656
27
1,206
0
165
0
77
0
34
0
276
27
1,482
394
7,371
18
982
11
533
0
188
29
1,703
423
9,074
809
10,045
24
1,342
15
751
0
254
39
2,347
848
12,392
297
3,522
9
405
0
155
0
31
9
591
306
4,113
6,143
80,842
204
9,933
75
5,529
14
2,095
293
17,557
6,436
98,399
18,735
380,538
602
42,182
231
24,081
59
9,545
892
75,808
19,627
456,346
527,598
17,072,579
14,174
1,534,485
5,333
920,396
1,264
373,304
20,771
2,828,185
548,369
19,900,764
B-170
Table 30 Region of birth – Tasmanians by age group, 2011
Region of birth
Australia
Oceania and Antarctica (not Aust)
North-West Europe
Southern and Eastern Europe
North Africa and the Middle East
South-East Asia
North-East Asia
Southern and Central Asia
Americas
Sub-Saharan Africa
SUBTOTAL
Supplementary codes
Not stated
TOTAL
Under 65 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 years Over 65
years
years
years and over years
356,018
32,491
18,358
7,402
58,251
4,937
499
170
55
724
17,719
7,071
3,861
1,384
12,316
1,899
984
845
334
2,163
1,317
51
21
4
76
3,964
178
58
19
255
3,167
101
66
22
189
2,444
140
68
28
236
2,571
288
95
29
412
2,823
193
79
29
301
396,859
41,996
23,621
9,306
74,923
113
8
3
6
17
17,672
2,759
2,074
934
5,767
414,644
44,763
25,698
10,246
80,707
Total
414,269
5,661
30,035
4,062
1,393
4,219
3,356
2,680
2,983
3,124
471,782
130
23,439
495,351
Table 31 Region of birth - % of age group (region of birth stated), Tasmania, 2011
Region of birth
Australia
Oceania and Antarctica (not Aust)
North-West Europe
Southern and Eastern Europe
North Africa and the Middle East
South-East Asia
North-East Asia
Southern and Central Asia
Americas
Sub-Saharan Africa
TOTAL (region of birth stated)
Under 65 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 years Over 65
years
years
years and over years
89.7%
77.4%
77.7%
79.5%
77.7%
1.2%
1.2%
0.7%
0.6%
1.0%
4.5%
16.8%
16.3%
14.9%
16.4%
0.5%
2.3%
3.6%
3.6%
2.9%
0.3%
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
0.1%
1.0%
0.4%
0.2%
0.2%
0.3%
0.8%
0.2%
0.3%
0.2%
0.3%
0.6%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.6%
0.7%
0.4%
0.3%
0.5%
0.7%
0.5%
0.3%
0.3%
0.4%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Total
87.8%
1.2%
6.4%
0.9%
0.3%
0.9%
0.7%
0.6%
0.6%
0.7%
100%
B-171
Table 32 Older Tasmanians (65+ years) by language spoken at home, 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
English
1,306
371
8,067
1,295
1,009
6,479
6,073
2,169
4,554
1,765
796
488
South
34,372
Break O'Day
1,293
Dorset
1,222
Flinders
160
George Town
990
Launceston
9,204
Meander Valley
2,942
Northern Midlands
1,972
West Tamar
3,422
North
21,205
Burnie
2,715
Central Coast
3,621
Circular Head
999
Devonport
4,243
Kentish
848
King Island
259
Latrobe
1,708
Waratah/Wynyard
2,343
West Coast
588
NorthWest
17,324
Tasmania
72,999
Australia
2,346,580
Other North
European
20
1
114
11
8
117
96
38
179
22
5
10
621
13
16
1
16
144
39
17
101
347
28
75
11
33
16
11
18
27
8
227
1,195
49,549
South
European
17
0
106
9
0
177
332
17
53
11
3
5
730
3
4
4
9
119
24
9
43
215
14
14
3
25
3
0
5
4
0
68
1,012
221,712
East
European
7
0
49
7
4
207
150
17
28
8
0
0
477
3
3
0
0
73
17
14
18
128
20
12
0
21
6
0
7
5
0
71
673
81,927
SouthWest &
Central Asian
0
0
0
0
7
0
16
0
8
0
0
0
31
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
31,505
South
Asian
0
0
9
0
0
18
22
4
3
0
0
0
56
0
0
0
0
21
4
0
7
32
3
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
7
94
15,834
SouthEast
Asian
6
0
11
0
0
18
5
0
5
0
3
0
48
4
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
13
0
3
6
4
6
4
0
5
0
28
88
27,074
B-172
East
Aust
Asian Indigenous
0
0
0
0
19
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
73
0
0
0
13
0
4
0
0
0
5
0
129
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
26
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
13
0
168
0
54,053
2,637
Other Supp Codes Not stated
0
0
82
0
0
25
7
3
446
0
0
77
0
0
58
13
5
447
7
4
411
0
0
113
0
3
292
0
0
102
0
0
48
0
0
22
27
15
2,123
0
0
52
4
0
64
0
0
3
4
0
63
10
9
532
0
0
174
0
0
102
0
0
155
18
9
1,145
0
3
284
0
0
232
0
0
58
0
0
235
0
0
44
0
4
9
0
0
67
0
0
111
0
0
47
0
7
1,087
46
32
4,362
5,135
1,470
174,805
Table 33 Older Tasmanians - English speaking proficiency level for those who speak another language at home, 2011
Region
LGA
65 to 74 years
Very well
Well
Not well Not at all
Total
Very well
Brighton
19
7
5
0
31
6
Central Highlands
0
0
0
0
0
0
Clarence
117
55
14
0
186
76
Derwent Valley
13
7
0
0
20
3
13
3
0
0
16
0
Glenorchy
121
96
32
22
271
100
Hobart
152
115
43
13
323
95
Huon Valley
36
20
0
0
56
8
Kingborough
124
29
13
3
169
63
Sorell
21
6
0
0
27
13
Southern Midlands
10
5
0
0
15
4
Tasman
10
0
0
0
10
0
South
636
343
107
38
1,124
368
Break O'Day
12
3
0
0
15
0
Dorset
20
0
0
3
23
5
Flinders
0
0
0
0
0
0
George Town
12
8
0
0
20
5
Launceston
109
64
13
18
204
68
Meander Valley
31
13
7
4
55
19
Northern Midlands
19
9
0
0
28
12
West Tamar
66
26
0
0
92
42
North
269
123
20
25
437
151
Burnie
19
13
0
3
35
12
Central Coast
47
14
0
0
61
25
Circular Head
12
5
0
0
17
5
Devonport
32
25
9
0
66
15
Kentish
13
4
4
0
21
7
King Island
11
0
0
0
11
4
Latrobe
15
5
0
0
20
4
Waratah/Wynyard
15
8
0
0
23
12
West Coast
8
0
0
0
8
0
NorthWest
172
74
13
3
262
84
Tasmania
1,077
537
143
64
1,821
603
Australia
90,232
93,368
65,204
14,821 263,625
45,133
75 to 84 years
Not well Not at all
Total
Very well
7
0
4
17
0
0
0
0
0
0
29
14
5
124
10
4
0
0
7
6
6
0
0
6
3
106
32
11
249
36
123
70
8
296
33
10
4
0
22
4
35
7
0
105
20
6
0
0
19
3
0
3
0
7
0
6
0
0
6
0
332
130
28
858
115
0
0
0
0
7
3
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
12
8
66
15
11
160
32
21
0
0
40
5
4
0
0
16
0
31
5
0
78
13
132
20
11
314
65
13
11
0
36
9
7
0
0
32
7
0
0
0
5
0
14
6
0
35
10
0
0
0
7
3
3
0
0
7
0
6
0
0
10
4
5
0
0
17
6
3
0
0
3
0
51
17
0
152
39
517
166
40
1,326
216
59,331
55,169
17,917 177,550
14,932
Well
85 years and over
Well
Not well Not at all
6
0
0
0
0
0
13
7
4
3
0
0
0
0
0
37
27
5
36
26
9
0
5
0
18
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
113
68
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26
15
3
14
0
0
0
0
0
6
9
0
46
24
3
7
0
0
6
4
0
3
0
0
3
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26
4
0
183
97
24
17,654
17,302
8,618
B-173
Total
6
0
34
9
3
105
104
9
44
3
0
0
317
7
0
0
8
76
19
0
28
138
16
17
3
13
6
0
8
6
0
69
520
58,506
Very well
25
0
203
22
16
257
280
48
207
37
14
10
1,119
19
25
0
25
209
55
31
121
485
40
79
17
57
23
15
23
33
8
295
1,896
150,297
Total 65+ years
Not well Not at all
20
5
4
0
0
0
97
35
9
14
0
0
9
0
0
239
91
38
274
139
30
30
9
0
82
23
6
12
0
0
5
3
0
6
0
0
788
305
87
3
0
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
15
0
0
156
43
32
48
7
4
13
0
0
63
14
0
301
64
39
33
11
3
27
4
0
8
0
0
42
15
0
7
4
0
3
0
0
15
0
0
13
0
0
3
0
0
151
34
3
1,237
406
128
170,353 137,675
41,356
Well
Total
54
0
344
36
25
625
723
87
318
49
22
16
2,299
22
31
0
40
440
114
44
198
889
87
110
25
114
34
18
38
46
11
483
3,667
499,681
Table 34 Individual weekly income of older Tasmanians (65+ years), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
B-174
Table 35 Household mortgage repayments ($ monthly) – (persons) for households where older Tasmanians (65+ years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011
B-175
Table 36 Household rent payments ($ weekly) – (persons) for households where older Tasmanians (65+ years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011
B-176
Table 37 Housing stress (housing cost > 30% of household income) – persons and % of households where older Tasmanians (65+ years) were counted at home on Census night, 2011
B-177
Table 38 Disadvantaged areas* – number of SA1s and number of people, by Local Government Area, 2011
Disadvantaged SA1s
All SA1s
Number of SA1s Persons 65+ years Total population Number of SA1s Persons 65+ years Total population
Brighton
19
451
6,425
41
1,437
15,460
Central Highlands
0
0
0
8
398
2,261
Clarence
13
475
4,377
150
8,830
51,852
Derwent Valley
6
390
2,178
35
1,398
9,705
1
35
222
22
1,088
4,191
Glenorchy
16
1,196
5,492
131
7,496
44,654
Hobart
0
0
0
129
7,186
48,706
Huon Valley
2
157
808
46
2,359
15,140
Kingborough
0
0
0
96
5,140
33,892
Sorell
3
213
936
38
1,912
13,196
Southern Midlands
1
111
260
18
853
6,047
Tasman
0
0
0
10
530
2,355
South
61
3,028
20,698
724
38,627
247,459
Break O'Day
2
207
789
23
1,368
6,192
Dorset
0
0
0
24
1,311
6,828
Flinders
1
8
65
4
162
776
George Town
8
407
2,852
22
1,081
6,636
Launceston
25
1,126
9,591
187
10,138
64,192
Meander Valley
0
0
0
59
3,201
18,889
Northern Midlands
1
35
274
37
2,116
12,230
West Tamar
3
160
701
65
3,755
21,816
North
40
1,943
14,272
421
23,132
137,559
Burnie
4
119
1,525
56
3,071
19,330
Central Coast
3
193
1,352
68
3,958
21,354
Circular Head
1
60
537
25
1,078
7,978
Devonport
9
410
2,733
68
4,571
24,617
Kentish
1
160
523
19
924
6,086
King Island
0
0
0
5
288
1,563
Latrobe
0
0
0
28
1,805
9,833
Waratah/Wynyard
3
174
974
46
2,497
13,707
West Coast
1
68
428
21
646
4,679
NorthWest
22
1,184
8,072
336
18,838
109,147
Tasmania
123
6,155
43,042
1,481
80,597
494,165
Region
LGA
Data source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011 and ABS SEIFA 2011
*SA1s in the lowest 5% of Australian SA1s on the ABS SEIFA Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage
B-178
Table 39 Labour force participation by age group – comparison between Tasmania and Australia, 2011
Table 40 Hours worked per week – employed Tasmanians, age groups over 45 years (persons), 2011
B-179
Table 41 Labour force status by age group (persons), 2011
B-180
Table 42 Industry of employment, by age groups over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011
Region
South
North
NorthWest
Tasmania
Industry
45-54 years 55-64 years 65-74 years 75-84 years
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Accommodation and Food Services
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
Information Media and Telecommunications
Financial and Insurance Services
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Administrative and Support Services
Public Administration and Safety
Education and Training
Health Care and Social Assistance
Arts and Recreation Services
Other Services
Mining
Manufacturing
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Other Services
Mining
Manufacturing
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Other Services
Mining
Manufacturing
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Other Services
913
95
1,865
621
1,949
733
2,116
1,131
1,179
485
617
345
1,544
687
3,789
3,212
4,126
525
957
791
160
1,544
244
1,065
544
1,367
716
806
182
371
177
436
429
1,146
1,667
2,231
184
481
781
488
1,515
158
834
479
1,009
572
733
84
184
135
291
377
821
1,161
1,582
85
364
2,488
747
4,931
1,023
3,857
1,756
4,498
2,425
2,733
751
1,172
657
2,278
1,497
5,760
6,046
7,952
794
1,802
650
69
1,122
332
1,139
457
1,490
773
852
301
361
285
1,095
499
2,110
2,214
2,807
348
588
710
80
815
160
593
378
851
435
653
118
219
147
396
257
731
1,116
1,525
131
375
643
237
749
97
532
299
636
364
534
50
76
82
263
218
512
701
1,068
50
275
2,003
386
2,686
589
2,264
1,134
2,977
1,572
2,051
469
656
514
1,763
974
3,360
4,031
5,408
529
1,238
281
17
192
35
169
91
311
144
197
27
52
67
302
90
203
270
409
67
151
291
11
144
11
90
59
171
70
143
23
38
37
115
44
73
162
205
31
71
292
29
86
9
70
41
124
70
115
8
10
28
65
24
44
71
120
12
51
864
57
422
55
332
191
606
284
455
58
100
132
482
158
323
503
734
110
273
B-181
52
0
22
3
16
6
37
8
16
5
11
13
23
3
11
21
37
12
0
80
0
9
0
8
4
12
9
9
0
0
4
4
3
9
11
15
0
10
79
3
11
0
3
6
5
8
4
0
0
0
12
6
0
6
7
3
8
211
3
42
3
27
16
54
25
29
5
14
17
39
12
20
38
59
15
18
85+ years
9
0
0
0
0
5
5
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
9
0
0
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
29
0
3
0
3
5
8
3
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
Table 43 Employment type of employed Tasmanians, by age group over 45 years, Tasmanian regions, 2011
Region
South
North
NorthWest
Tasmania
Employment type
Owner managers
Owner managers
Owner managers
Owner managers
45-54 years 55-64 years 65-74 years 75-84 years 85+ years
4,623
22,162
317
2,733
11,699
286
1,966
9,529
215
9,325
43,470
818
3,759
13,536
391
2,270
7,243
343
1,650
5,506
250
7,685
26,322
984
1,084
1,842
216
663
988
189
487
640
158
2,237
3,474
563
149
117
54
101
62
44
70
40
51
320
219
149
13
15
6
12
7
6
11
0
3
39
22
18
B-182
Table 45 Tenure of private dwellings, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
Owned
outright
725
265
5,776
871
640
4,582
4,287
1,541
3,403
1,234
543
316
South
24,183
Break O'Day
879
Dorset
828
Flinders
102
George Town
623
Launceston
5,710
Meander Valley
2,092
Northern Midlands
1,340
West Tamar
2,521
North
14,095
Burnie
1,927
Central Coast
2,395
Circular Head
698
Devonport
2,773
Kentish
605
King Island
159
Latrobe
1,074
Waratah/Wynyard
1,567
West Coast
435
NorthWest
11,633
Tasmania
49,910
Australia
1,842,923
Owned
with a
mortgage
184
34
583
137
68
474
383
215
364
189
96
41
2,768
83
68
11
82
541
183
143
266
1,377
180
209
53
218
64
20
91
132
41
1,008
5,152
227,654
% living in
housing
owned or
mortgaged
73.4%
82.4%
83.3%
80.4%
79.6%
75.3%
79.1%
85.2%
84.3%
83.1%
81.4%
82.8%
80.6%
81.9%
77.8%
78.5%
75.8%
72.5%
81.5%
78.9%
85.9%
77.6%
78.4%
77.4%
79.6%
76.3%
84.2%
75.2%
76.6%
78.2%
82.1%
77.9%
79.1%
78.1%
Rented:
Real estate
agent
19
5
66
35
22
157
116
26
46
22
4
0
518
27
15
0
34
276
58
19
57
486
94
68
18
115
7
0
54
52
9
417
1,422
85,804
Rented:
State or
territory
housing
authority
157
3
340
49
13
492
154
33
86
28
15
5
1,375
23
25
11
48
488
52
34
26
707
128
143
31
230
7
3
56
92
13
703
2,785
109,477
Rented:
Rented:
Rented:
Person Housing coOther
not in
op,
landlord
same
community
type
household or church
group
42
10
194
55
51
293
218
80
168
83
38
21
1,253
39
56
6
41
423
151
113
106
935
110
169
22
204
29
10
89
118
18
769
2,957
86,391
8
0
36
9
0
97
124
30
71
10
12
3
400
4
21
6
16
185
28
36
16
312
29
14
41
30
22
13
29
47
4
229
941
24,833
Table 46 Location of private dwellings, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011
B-183
13
14
27
3
8
59
40
12
10
10
5
0
201
13
13
0
4
112
15
31
19
207
20
22
17
21
10
6
15
9
3
123
532
13,877
Rented: % living in
Landlord
rented
type not
housing
stated
3
17
31
3
12
50
28
22
24
12
18
3
223
23
23
0
13
73
35
34
25
226
20
33
5
22
15
3
17
11
3
129
578
17,032
19.5%
13.5%
9.1%
12.3%
11.9%
17.1%
11.5%
9.9%
9.1%
9.6%
11.7%
7.4%
11.9%
11.0%
13.3%
16.0%
16.8%
18.1%
12.2%
14.2%
7.7%
14.4%
14.9%
13.3%
14.2%
15.9%
11.3%
14.7%
17.1%
15.1%
8.6%
14.6%
13.2%
12.7%
Other
tenure
type
9
0
126
7
13
60
205
18
67
11
9
3
528
8
33
3
9
220
28
15
39
355
9
65
11
50
4
4
21
23
3
190
1,073
56,318
Tenure
type not
stated
78
15
455
84
62
452
349
83
228
114
45
39
2,004
75
70
5
60
593
148
115
171
1,237
170
247
48
259
32
20
74
121
51
1,022
4,262
185,854
Total
living in
private
dwellings
1,238
363
7,634
1,253
889
6,716
5,904
2,060
4,467
1,713
785
431
33,453
1,174
1,152
144
930
8,621
2,790
1,880
3,246
19,937
2,687
3,365
944
3,922
795
238
1,520
2,172
580
16,223
69,612
2,650,163
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
Caravan/
residential
park or
camping
ground
0
0
9
0
5
6
0
0
4
0
0
0
24
9
0
0
3
6
4
4
20
46
0
21
0
19
0
0
9
21
0
70
141
19,277
Marina
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
419
Manufacture
d home
estate
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11,044
Retirement
village (selfcontained)
0
0
154
0
0
279
346
0
89
0
0
7
875
14
0
0
0
562
131
3
161
871
37
0
0
125
39
0
44
3
0
248
1,993
136,134
Other
1,238
361
7,471
1,250
880
6,429
5,561
2,060
4,377
1,713
786
423
32,549
1,150
1,152
145
931
8,044
2,653
1,874
3,066
19,015
2,650
3,345
944
3,778
757
240
1,467
2,147
578
15,906
67,470
2,483,290
B-184
Table 47 Accommodation in non-private dwellings, by type, older Tasmanians (65+ years), 2011
B-185
Table 48 Homeless and marginally housed Tasmanians, under and over 65 years of age, 2011
Accommodation type
Homeless
Other
marginal
housing
Improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out
Supported accommodation for the homeless
Staying temporarily with other households
Staying in boarding houses
In other temporary lodging
Living in 'severely' crowded dwellings
Total homeless
Living in other crowded dwellings
Living in other improvised dwellings
Marginally housed in caravan parks
Total marginally housed
Total homeless or marginally housed
Under 65 years
Male Female Persons
102
42
144
245
214
459
255
202
457
150
69
219
6
12
18
99
81
180
857
620
1,477
292
281
573
85
55
140
81
46
127
458
382
840
1,315
1,002
2,317
65 years and over
Male Female Persons
10
3
13
12
8
20
23
21
44
18
3
21
0
3
3
0
3
3
63
41
104
11
11
22
6
8
14
17
12
29
34
31
65
97
72
169
Total
Male Female Persons
112
45
157
257
222
479
278
223
501
168
72
240
6
15
21
99
84
183
920
661
1,581
303
292
595
91
63
154
98
58
156
492
413
905
1,412
1,074
Data source: ABS Estimating homelessness, 2011
B-186
2,486
Table 49 Number and proportion of Tasmanians aged 60+ years holding a driver’s licence, 2013
Female
Male
ERP female
population 2012
ERP male
population 2012
% females with
drivers licence
% males with
drivers licence
Persons with
drivers licence
Est Resident
Population 2012
% of total 65+
population
65-74
years
21,914
24,103
24,125
24,350
91%
99%
46,017
48,475
95%
75-84
years
9,156
10,724
14,499
12,002
63%
89%
19,880
26,501
75%
85+ years
1,685
2,214
6,841
3,792
25%
58%
3,899
10,633
37%
Total 65+
years
32,755
37,041
45,465
40,144
72%
92%
69,796
85,609
82%
ERP refers to Estimated Resident Population - June 2012 (ABS 3101.0)
Data source: DIER, Unpublished data, 2013 and ABS, Australian Demographic Statistics, 2012
B-187
Table 50 Household access to motor vehicles, older Tasmanians by age group (persons*), 2011
Region
LGA
Brighton
Central Highlands
Clarence
Derwent Valley
Glenorchy
Hobart
Huon Valley
Kingborough
Sorell
Southern Midlands
Tasman
South
Break O'Day
Dorset
Flinders
George Town
Launceston
Meander Valley
Northern Midlands
West Tamar
North
Burnie
Central Coast
Circular Head
Devonport
Kentish
King Island
Latrobe
Waratah/Wynyard
West Coast
NorthWest
Tasmania
Australia
65 to 74 years
75 to 84 years
85 years and over
Total 65+ years
No motor vehicle 1+ motor vehicles No motor vehicle 1+ motor vehicles No motor vehicle 1+ motor vehicles No motor vehicle 1+ motor vehicles
43
744
28
255
18
43
89
1,042
3
225
7
79
3
17
13
321
186
3,818
264
2,112
278
528
728
6,458
35
695
56
291
25
55
116
1,041
10
530
15
211
12
48
37
789
309
2,980
494
1,680
350
397
1,153
5,057
231
2,650
293
1,576
303
465
827
4,691
36
1,238
29
540
27
97
92
1,875
68
2,456
122
1,229
120
271
310
3,956
23
915
39
490
37
91
99
1,496
12
489
20
162
10
30
42
681
3
265
3
113
3
17
9
395
959
17,005
1,370
8,738
1,186
2,059
3,515
27,802
22
682
33
264
30
63
85
1,009
21
612
34
343
15
57
70
1,012
5
96
3
26
0
10
8
132
25
535
33
219
18
42
76
796
374
4,036
462
2,204
419
560
1,255
6,800
46
1,503
98
756
77
172
221
2,431
37
1,069
47
496
39
100
123
1,665
42
1,789
82
896
62
207
186
2,892
572
10,322
792
5,204
660
1,211
2,024
16,737
87
1,359
111
698
80
174
278
2,231
72
1,779
124
892
80
192
276
2,863
28
508
29
243
23
56
80
807
121
1,893
184
1,024
143
278
448
3,195
13
501
16
171
11
45
40
717
5
133
4
57
6
18
15
208
19
854
46
403
24
86
89
1,343
60
1,154
100
549
60
114
220
1,817
33
339
24
108
11
11
68
458
438
8,520
638
4,145
438
974
1,514
13,639
1,969
35,847
2,800
18,087
2,284
4,244
7,053
58,178
90,773
1,314,108
125,116
680,196
88,359
164,757
304,248
2,159,061
*Persons counted at home on Census night 2011
B-188
Table 51 Needs assistance with core activities by age group (persons), 2011
B-189
Table 52 Persons needing assistance with core activities who live alone - by age group, 2011
B-190
Table 53 Residential mobility by age group (persons), Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
B-191
Table 54 Voluntary work for an organisation or group (in past 12 months), persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
B-192
Table 55 Provided unpaid assistance to a person because of a disability, long illness or old age (in past 2 weeks), persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
B-193
Table 56 Spent time caring for children (under 15 years) other than own without pay (in past 2 weeks), persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
B-194
Table 57 Non-school qualification, persons by age group, Tasmanian LGAs 2011
* ‘tertiary’ includes Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Postgraduate Degree. ‘technical/trades includes Certficate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma
B-195
Table 58 Student status, older Tasmanians by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
B-196
Table 59 Household Internet access, older Tasmanians by age group, Tasmanian LGAs, 2011
persons counted at home in private dwellings on Census night
B-197
Table 60 Summary of selected characteristics from Tasmanian Population Health Survey (% of Tasmanians 60+ years), 2009
Community and societal characteristic
expensive
lack of quality
lack of variety
Reasons for not having type of food wanted
culturally inappropriate
unreliable public transport
difficult to reach shops using normal mode of transport
none at all
less than 5
Number of people spoken to yesteday
5 to 9
10 or more
no, not at all
not often
Help from friends when in need
sometimes
yes, definitely
no, not at all
not often
Help from family when in need
sometimes
yes, definitely
no, not at all
not often
Help from neighbours when in need
sometimes
yes, definitely
yes
Able to raise $2000 within 2 days in an emergency
no
yes
Attended a local community event in the past 6 months
no
no, not at all
not often
Access to community services/resources
sometimes
yes, definitely
no, not at all
not often
Feel safe walking alone down your street after dark
sometimes
yes, definitely
Not applicable - e.g. remote property
no, not at all
not often
Feel valued by society
sometimes
yes, definitely
no, not at all
not often
Feel there are opportunities to have a real say on issues that are important
sometimes
yes, definitely
less than 1 year
greater than 1 year but less than or equal to 5 years
Length of time lived in current neighbourhood or area or council or LGA
greater than 5 years but less than or equal to 10 years
greater than 10 years
North NorthWest South Tasmania
24.60% 24.50% 23.70% 24.10%
23.10% 20.00% 24.30% 23.00%
10.00%
8.10%
10.80% 10.00%
6.70%
7.10%
5.70% 6.30%
8.00%
6.60%
9.60% 8.50%
6.80%
5.80%
7.80% 7.00%
2.10%
2.50%
1.70% 2.00%
30.50% 23.10% 28.80% 28.00%
31.60% 33.30% 32.40% 32.40%
35.40% 40.60% 36.50% 37.10%
4.20%
2.90%
4.70% 4.10%
3.10%
1.80%
2.40% 2.40%
11.00% 13.00% 12.70% 12.30%
80.60% 81.30% 79.90% 80.40%
8.00%
8.40%
7.50% 7.80%
2.90%
2.80%
3.20% 3.00%
9.70%
9.90%
9.40% 9.60%
78.80% 77.70% 79.30% 78.80%
11.40% 12.00% 12.50% 12.10%
4.70%
3.20%
4.40% 4.20%
14.70% 12.50% 15.40% 14.50%
67.30% 70.30% 65.30% 67.00%
86.60% 86.00% 89.70% 88.00%
10.80% 11.60%
8.00% 9.60%
55.30% 56.40% 52.00% 54.10%
44.60% 42.00% 47.10% 45.20%
4.50%
3.70%
4.50% 4.30%
1.90%
1.00%
1.80% 1.60%
7.10%
5.70%
8.70% 7.60%
83.50% 87.00% 81.70% 83.40%
20.60% 21.70% 20.80% 20.90%
4.20%
4.80%
4.70% 4.60%
9.70%
7.60%
7.70% 8.30%
54.20% 54.20% 57.10% 55.60%
9.70%
10.00%
7.80% 8.90%
10.40%
8.80%
9.80% 9.80%
5.20%
6.20%
5.10% 5.40%
25.10% 25.50% 27.10% 26.20%
53.00% 52.40% 51.20% 52.00%
15.10% 11.80% 13.80% 13.70%
8.90%
7.60%
9.10% 8.70%
22.40% 23.90% 24.30% 23.70%
51.10% 53.20% 49.60% 50.80%
2.70%
3.30%
2.70% 2.90%
13.20% 14.60% 14.70% 14.30%
13.90% 15.70% 15.30% 15.00%
70.20% 66.20% 67.20% 67.80%
Percentages in red font have a relative standard error in excess of 25% and must be used with caution
B-198
Appendix C - COTA Have Your Say Postcard
FACING THE FUTURE - A Baseline Profile on Older Tasmanians 2013
C-199
R-200
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End of Document
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FACING THE FUTURE - Facts and Figures

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