Regional WA
Unpaid care
In Regional WA, 39,793 carers were providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age in 2016. This represents 9.5% of the population aged 15+.
The proportion of people providing unpaid care for the aged and disabled in Regional WA 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. The level of care provided by individuals is likely to be affected by Household Income, Age Structure and the ethnic makeup of the community (Language Spoken), as well as the sense of community cohesiveness.
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?'.
Persons aged 15 years and over.
| Unpaid care | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional WA - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence) | 2016 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | 2011 to 2016 | |
| Provided unpaid assistance | 39,793 | 9.5 | 11.0 | 35,884 | 9.1 | 10.7 | +3,909 | 11001 |
| No unpaid assistance provided | 324,072 | 77.5 | 81.0 | 312,799 | 79.1 | 81.1 | +11,273 | 11002 |
| Not stated | 54,334 | 13.0 | 8.0 | 46,871 | 11.8 | 8.2 | +7,463 | 11003 |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 418,199 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 395,554 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +22,645 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2016. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
Analysis of the unpaid care provided by the population in Regional WA in 2016 compared to Greater Capital Cities shows that there was a lower proportion of people who provided unpaid care either to family members or others.
Overall, 9.5% of the population provided unpaid care, compared with 11.0% for Greater Capital Cities.
Emerging groups
The number of people who provided unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age in Regional WA increased by 3,909 between 2011 and 2016.