People needing help with daily activities

At the 2021 Census, People needing help with daily activities across Australia was 5.8%. The share of people with a profound or severe core-activity limitation — needing help with self-care, moving around or communicating.

Share of people with a core-activity need for assistance due to disability or age. It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

It is the Census's closest measure of significant disability and care need, and underpins planning for support services.

Across the 2,385 SA2 areas with data, People needing help with daily activities ranges from 0.0% to 14.6%, with a typical (median) area at 5.4%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Yes — People needing help with daily activities is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has risen from 4.6% in 2011 to 5.8% in 2021.

Use the interactive map to compare People needing help with daily activities down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.