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 Mitchell (S), accounting for 22.7% (497 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (18.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 5-14 year olds, which increased by 205 people and 2.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Need for assistance with core activities by age

Mitchell (S) - Persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises need for assistance for Mitchell (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.

Need for assistance with core activities by age snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Mitchell (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..

Mitchell (S)

Bars reflect 2021 counts; benchmark rates remain in the metrics.

0-4

2021 count

61

2021 rate

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

5-14

2021 count

417

2021 rate

6.1%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

15-19

2021 count

115

2021 rate

3.8%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

20-24

2021 count

79

2021 rate

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

25-34

2021 count

173

2021 rate

2.5%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

35-44

2021 count

173

2021 rate

2.6%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

45-54

2021 count

256

2021 rate

4.0%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

55-64

2021 count

378

2021 rate

6.4%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

65-74

2021 count

449

2021 rate

10.0%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

75-84

2021 count

497

2021 rate

22.7%

Change from 2016

+3.3pp

85+

2021 count

358

2021 rate

49.0%

Change from 2016

+9.9pp

Data table

Need for assistance for Mitchell (S). Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..

Need for assistance for Mitchell (S). Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Need for assistance for Mitchell (S). Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Vic.%Count%Regional Vic.%Countpp
0-4611.7%1.5%451.6%1.2%+16+0.1pp
5-144176.1%5.5%2123.8%3.9%+205+2.3pp
15-191153.8%4.6%712.5%3.4%+44+1.3pp
20-24792.7%3.7%702.8%2.9%+9-0.1pp
25-341732.5%2.8%1001.9%2.4%+73+0.6pp
35-441732.6%3.1%1262.4%3.0%+47+0.2pp
45-542564.0%4.3%2143.7%4.2%+42+0.3pp
55-643786.4%6.0%2735.4%5.8%+105+1.0pp
65-7444910.0%8.8%3409.4%8.1%+109+0.6pp
75-8449722.7%18.7%31619.4%17.0%+181+3.3pp
85+35849.0%46.4%22739.1%42.3%+131+9.9pp
Total2,9706.0%6.9%1,9994.9%6.0%+971+1.1pp