City of Melton
Age groups - Unpaid care
In 2021, there were 332 carers aged 15 to 17 years in the City of Melton providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age.
The proportion of people providing unpaid care for the aged and disabled in the City of Melton can be an important indicator of the level of demand for aged care services and facilities by local and state governments. An increasing proportion of carers among the population may indicate inadequate aged care provision, or the need for in-home support, or support for the carers themselves.
Different age groups may provide different levels of care. Caring is likely to be highest among those in their 30s, caring for special needs children, and those in their 50s, caring for elderly parents.
Derived from the Census question:
'In the last two weeks did the person spend time providing unpaid care, help or assistance to family members or others because of a disability, a long term illness or problems related to old age?'.
Children aged 15 to 17 years
| Unpaid care | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Melton - 15 to 17 years | 2021 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age | Number | % | Victoria | Number | % | Victoria | 2011 to 2021 | |
| Provided unpaid assistance | 332 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 151 | 3.3 | 3.6 | +181 | 11001 |
| No unpaid assistance provided | 6,383 | 88.7 | 89.7 | 3,728 | 82.6 | 83.2 | +2,655 | 11002 |
| Not stated | 478 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 635 | 14.1 | 13.2 | -157 | 11003 |
| Total People | 7,193 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 4,514 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +2,679 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
Dominant groups
Analysis of the unpaid care provided by people aged 15 to 17 years in the City of Melton in 2021 compared to Victoria shows that there was a similar proportion of persons who provided unpaid care either to family members or others.
Overall, 4.6% of the population aged 15 to 17 years provided unpaid care, compared with 4.1% for Victoria.
Emerging groups
The number of people aged 15 to 17 years who provided unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age in the City of Melton increased by 181 people between 2011 and 2021.