Population
Need for assistance
About this topic
Need for assistance measures people who report needing help with self-care, body movement, or communication because of a disability, a long-term health condition, or older age. It is a high-needs indicator rather than a general measure of disability.
This topic is useful for planning accessible facilities, care services, respite, and support for carers. The measure is based on self-report in the Census, so it should be interpreted with care and read alongside unpaid care and other disability-related indicators.
Interpretation notes
- The measure is self-reported and records need for help with core activities, so it is not a complete measure of disability prevalence.
- It applies to all persons and is strongest as an indicator of higher support need when read with unpaid care and ageing data.
Key insight
In 2021, 75-84 year olds was the most common age group among residents who needed assistance with core activities in Smithfield (NSW) (part), accounting for 40.6% (311 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (39.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 75-84 year olds, which increased by 311 people and 40.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Need for assistance with core activities by age
Smithfield (NSW) (part) - Persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises need for assistance for Smithfield (NSW) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Need for assistance with core activities by age snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Bars reflect 2021 counts; benchmark rates remain in the metrics.
0-4
2021 count
16
2021 rate
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
16
1.9%
+1.9pp
5-14
2021 count
63
2021 rate
3.6%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
63
3.6%
+3.6pp
15-19
2021 count
27
2021 rate
3.0%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
27
3.0%
+3.0pp
20-24
2021 count
31
2021 rate
3.6%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
31
3.6%
+3.6pp
25-34
2021 count
38
2021 rate
2.2%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
38
2.2%
+2.2pp
35-44
2021 count
81
2021 rate
5.2%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
81
5.2%
+5.2pp
45-54
2021 count
155
2021 rate
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
155
9.5%
-1.3pp
55-64
2021 count
235
2021 rate
15.0%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
235
15.0%
+11.3pp
65-74
2021 count
309
2021 rate
26.1%
Change from 2016
+16.4pp
309
26.1%
+16.4pp
75-84
2021 count
311
2021 rate
40.6%
Change from 2016
+40.6pp
311
40.6%
+40.6pp
85+
2021 count
259
2021 rate
70.0%
Change from 2016
+70.0pp
259
70.0%
+70.0pp
Chart view
Need for assistance with core activities by age change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
0-4
+16
+1.9pp
5-14
+63
+3.6pp
15-19
+27
+3.0pp
20-24
+31
+3.6pp
25-34
+38
+2.2pp
35-44
+81
+5.2pp
45-54
+151
-1.3pp
55-64
+232
+11.3pp
65-74
+306
+16.4pp
75-84
+311
+40.6pp
85+
+259
+70.0pp
Data table
Need for assistance for Smithfield (NSW) (part). Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| 0-4 | 16 | 1.9% | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.1% | +16 | +1.9pp |
| 5-14 | 63 | 3.6% | 2.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.5% | +63 | +3.6pp |
| 15-19 | 27 | 3.0% | 2.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.1% | +27 | +3.0pp |
| 20-24 | 31 | 3.6% | 2.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% | +31 | +3.6pp |
| 25-34 | 38 | 2.2% | 2.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.0% | +38 | +2.2pp |
| 35-44 | 81 | 5.2% | 3.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.6% | +81 | +5.2pp |
| 45-54 | 155 | 9.5% | 6.6% | 4 | 10.8% | 7.1% | +151 | -1.3pp |
| 55-64 | 235 | 15.0% | 12.0% | 3 | 3.7% | 12.2% | +232 | +11.3pp |
| 65-74 | 309 | 26.1% | 21.8% | 3 | 9.7% | 21.4% | +306 | +16.4pp |
| 75-84 | 311 | 40.6% | 39.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 41.4% | +311 | +40.6pp |
| 85+ | 259 | 70.0% | 61.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 66.6% | +259 | +70.0pp |
| Total | 1,526 | 11.6% | 9.3% | 25 | 8.0% | 8.5% | +1,501 | +3.6pp |