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 Port Stephens (A), accounting for 16.8% (1,103 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (18.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 75-84 year olds, which increased by 317 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Need for assistance with core activities by age
Port Stephens (A) - Persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises need for assistance for Port Stephens (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Need for assistance with core activities by age snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Stephens (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Bars reflect 2021 counts; benchmark rates remain in the metrics.
0-4
2021 count
67
2021 rate
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
67
1.8%
+0.2pp
5-14
2021 count
635
2021 rate
6.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
635
6.9%
+2.2pp
15-19
2021 count
230
2021 rate
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
230
5.3%
+1.5pp
20-24
2021 count
138
2021 rate
3.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
138
3.8%
+1.6pp
25-34
2021 count
206
2021 rate
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
206
2.9%
+0.2pp
35-44
2021 count
246
2021 rate
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
246
3.1%
+0.1pp
45-54
2021 count
401
2021 rate
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
401
4.3%
-0.1pp
55-64
2021 count
628
2021 rate
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
628
5.8%
-0.6pp
65-74
2021 count
1,008
2021 rate
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,008
9.1%
+0.4pp
75-84
2021 count
1,103
2021 rate
16.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,103
16.8%
+0.4pp
85+
2021 count
795
2021 rate
42.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
795
42.7%
+1.2pp
Need for assistance with core activities by age change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
0-4
+7
+0.2pp
5-14
+231
+2.2pp
15-19
+72
+1.5pp
20-24
+60
+1.6pp
25-34
+24
+0.2pp
35-44
+12
+0.1pp
45-54
-10
-0.1pp
55-64
+11
-0.6pp
65-74
+181
+0.4pp
75-84
+317
+0.4pp
85+
+99
+1.2pp
Data table
Need for assistance for Port Stephens (A). Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| 0-4 | 67 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 60 | 1.6% | 1.3% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| 5-14 | 635 | 6.9% | 5.2% | 404 | 4.7% | 3.8% | +231 | +2.2pp |
| 15-19 | 230 | 5.3% | 4.2% | 158 | 3.8% | 3.2% | +72 | +1.5pp |
| 20-24 | 138 | 3.8% | 3.4% | 78 | 2.2% | 2.6% | +60 | +1.6pp |
| 25-34 | 206 | 2.9% | 2.6% | 182 | 2.7% | 2.4% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| 35-44 | 246 | 3.1% | 2.8% | 234 | 3.0% | 3.0% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| 45-54 | 401 | 4.3% | 4.2% | 411 | 4.4% | 4.4% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| 55-64 | 628 | 5.8% | 6.0% | 617 | 6.4% | 6.2% | +11 | -0.6pp |
| 65-74 | 1,008 | 9.1% | 9.1% | 827 | 8.7% | 8.7% | +181 | +0.4pp |
| 75-84 | 1,103 | 16.8% | 18.9% | 786 | 16.4% | 17.8% | +317 | +0.4pp |
| 85+ | 795 | 42.7% | 46.5% | 696 | 41.5% | 43.8% | +99 | +1.2pp |
| Total | 5,453 | 7.2% | 6.8% | 4,455 | 6.4% | 6.3% | +998 | +0.8pp |