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 Greater Bendigo (C), accounting for 19.4% (1,454 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (18.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 75-84 year olds, which increased by 438 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Need for assistance with core activities by age
Greater Bendigo (C) - Persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises need for assistance for Greater Bendigo (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Need for assistance with core activities by age snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Bendigo (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Bars reflect 2021 counts; benchmark rates remain in the metrics.
0-4
2021 count
130
2021 rate
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
130
1.8%
+0.3pp
5-14
2021 count
1,031
2021 rate
6.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,031
6.6%
+1.9pp
15-19
2021 count
414
2021 rate
5.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
414
5.9%
+2.2pp
20-24
2021 count
280
2021 rate
3.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
280
3.9%
+1.2pp
25-34
2021 count
481
2021 rate
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
481
3.1%
+0.3pp
35-44
2021 count
490
2021 rate
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
490
3.3%
+0.2pp
45-54
2021 count
658
2021 rate
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
658
4.5%
+0.3pp
55-64
2021 count
957
2021 rate
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
957
6.3%
+0.6pp
65-74
2021 count
1,285
2021 rate
9.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,285
9.5%
+0.8pp
75-84
2021 count
1,454
2021 rate
19.4%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
1,454
19.4%
+2.6pp
85+
2021 count
1,449
2021 rate
46.8%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
1,449
46.8%
+5.3pp
Need for assistance with core activities by age change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
0-4
+21
+0.3pp
5-14
+363
+1.9pp
15-19
+154
+2.2pp
20-24
+79
+1.2pp
25-34
+97
+0.3pp
35-44
+79
+0.2pp
45-54
+62
+0.3pp
55-64
+157
+0.6pp
65-74
+335
+0.8pp
75-84
+438
+2.6pp
85+
+310
+5.3pp
Data table
Need for assistance for Greater Bendigo (C). Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| 0-4 | 130 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 109 | 1.5% | 1.2% | +21 | +0.3pp |
| 5-14 | 1,031 | 6.6% | 5.5% | 668 | 4.7% | 3.9% | +363 | +1.9pp |
| 15-19 | 414 | 5.9% | 4.6% | 260 | 3.7% | 3.4% | +154 | +2.2pp |
| 20-24 | 280 | 3.9% | 3.7% | 201 | 2.7% | 2.9% | +79 | +1.2pp |
| 25-34 | 481 | 3.1% | 2.8% | 384 | 2.8% | 2.4% | +97 | +0.3pp |
| 35-44 | 490 | 3.3% | 3.1% | 411 | 3.1% | 3.0% | +79 | +0.2pp |
| 45-54 | 658 | 4.5% | 4.3% | 596 | 4.2% | 4.2% | +62 | +0.3pp |
| 55-64 | 957 | 6.3% | 6.0% | 800 | 5.7% | 5.8% | +157 | +0.6pp |
| 65-74 | 1,285 | 9.5% | 8.8% | 950 | 8.7% | 8.1% | +335 | +0.8pp |
| 75-84 | 1,454 | 19.4% | 18.7% | 1,016 | 16.8% | 17.0% | +438 | +2.6pp |
| 85+ | 1,449 | 46.8% | 46.4% | 1,139 | 41.5% | 42.3% | +310 | +5.3pp |
| Total | 8,639 | 7.1% | 6.9% | 6,546 | 5.9% | 6.0% | +2,093 | +1.2pp |