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 Parramatta, accounting for 33.6% (190 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (24.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 75-84 year olds, which increased by 190 people and 33.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Need for assistance with core activities by age

Parramatta - Persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises need for assistance for Parramatta in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.

Need for assistance with core activities by age snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Parramatta, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).

Parramatta

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

0-4

2021 count

26

2021 rate

1.2%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

5-14

2021 count

46

2021 rate

1.7%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

15-19

2021 count

13

2021 rate

1.8%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

20-24

2021 count

22

2021 rate

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

25-34

2021 count

44

2021 rate

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

35-44

2021 count

64

2021 rate

1.0%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

45-54

2021 count

73

2021 rate

3.3%

Change from 2016

+3.3pp

55-64

2021 count

121

2021 rate

6.7%

Change from 2016

+6.7pp

65-74

2021 count

162

2021 rate

13.1%

Change from 2016

+13.1pp

75-84

2021 count

190

2021 rate

33.6%

Change from 2016

+33.6pp

85+

2021 count

99

2021 rate

50.8%

Change from 2016

+50.8pp

Data table

Need for assistance for Parramatta. Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).

Need for assistance for Parramatta. Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
Need for assistance for Parramatta. Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Parramatta (C)%Count%Parramatta (C)%Countpp
0-4261.2%1.0%00.0%1.0%+26+1.2pp
5-14461.7%2.3%00.0%2.1%+46+1.7pp
15-19131.8%2.3%00.0%1.7%+13+1.8pp
20-24220.8%1.3%00.0%1.3%+22+0.8pp
25-34440.5%0.8%00.0%0.8%+44+0.5pp
35-44641.0%1.1%00.0%1.4%+64+1.0pp
45-54733.3%2.6%00.0%3.0%+73+3.3pp
55-641216.7%4.9%00.0%5.2%+121+6.7pp
65-7416213.1%10.0%00.0%9.7%+162+13.1pp
75-8419033.6%24.4%00.0%23.5%+190+33.6pp
85+9950.8%51.0%00.0%48.5%+99+50.8pp
Total8602.8%4.1%35.8%4.1%+857-3.0pp