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, 85+ year olds was the most common age group among residents who needed assistance with core activities in Chatswood, accounting for 55.8% (349 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (52.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in 85+ year olds, which increased by 349 people and 55.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Need for assistance with core activities by age
Chatswood - Persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises need for assistance for Chatswood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Need for assistance with core activities by age snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chatswood, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
Bars reflect 2021 counts; benchmark rates remain in the metrics.
0-4
2021 count
8
2021 rate
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
8
0.6%
+0.6pp
5-14
2021 count
55
2021 rate
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
55
1.8%
+1.8pp
15-19
2021 count
17
2021 rate
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
17
1.4%
+1.4pp
20-24
2021 count
21
2021 rate
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
21
1.3%
+1.3pp
25-34
2021 count
23
2021 rate
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
23
0.5%
+0.5pp
35-44
2021 count
40
2021 rate
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
40
0.9%
+0.9pp
45-54
2021 count
32
2021 rate
1.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
32
1.0%
+1.0pp
55-64
2021 count
69
2021 rate
2.8%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
69
2.8%
+2.8pp
65-74
2021 count
156
2021 rate
7.5%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
156
7.5%
+7.5pp
75-84
2021 count
279
2021 rate
24.5%
Change from 2016
+24.5pp
279
24.5%
+24.5pp
85+
2021 count
349
2021 rate
55.8%
Change from 2016
+55.8pp
349
55.8%
+55.8pp
Chart view
Need for assistance with core activities by age change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
0-4
+8
+0.6pp
5-14
+55
+1.8pp
15-19
+17
+1.4pp
20-24
+21
+1.3pp
25-34
+23
+0.5pp
35-44
+40
+0.9pp
45-54
+32
+1.0pp
55-64
+69
+2.8pp
65-74
+156
+7.5pp
75-84
+279
+24.5pp
85+
+349
+55.8pp
Data table
Need for assistance for Chatswood. Need for assistance with core activities by age. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| 0-4 | 8 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| 5-14 | 55 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.2% | +55 | +1.8pp |
| 15-19 | 17 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | +17 | +1.4pp |
| 20-24 | 21 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.0% | +21 | +1.3pp |
| 25-34 | 23 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% | +23 | +0.5pp |
| 35-44 | 40 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.9% | +40 | +0.9pp |
| 45-54 | 32 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.2% | +32 | +1.0pp |
| 55-64 | 69 | 2.8% | 2.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.5% | +69 | +2.8pp |
| 65-74 | 156 | 7.5% | 6.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.3% | +156 | +7.5pp |
| 75-84 | 279 | 24.5% | 19.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 19.0% | +279 | +24.5pp |
| 85+ | 349 | 55.8% | 52.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 51.2% | +349 | +55.8pp |
| Total | 1,052 | 4.1% | 3.9% | 3 | 3.3% | 3.4% | +1,049 | +0.8pp |