Statistics on carers in NSW

Statistics taken from the Australian Bureau of Statistics publication Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2003. This publication presents a summary of results from the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) throughout Australia, from June to November 2003.

The SDAC was also conducted in 1998 and this publication presents some comparisons with this survey. The 2003 SDAC was largely a repeat of the 1998 survey, with some additions to content in the areas of cognitive and emotional support, and computer and Internet use.

This information is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. For more information, please contact the ABS Statistical Information Service on 1300 135 211.

Please refer to the user guide for more information on how to interpret these statistics.

NB: footnote numbers in yellow are clickable

Carer characteristics

1998 2003
Number Carers 798,300 (13% of total NSW population) 748,000 (11% of total NSW population)
Primary Carers 162,200 (2.6% of total NSW population, 20% of all carers) 149,700 (2.3% of total population, 20% of all carers)
Gender Carers (as % of all carers) Male: 340,400 (43%) Male: 341,000 (46%)
Female: 457,800 (57%) Female: 407,000 (54%)
Primary Carers (as % of all primary carers Male: 43,500 (27%) Male: 42,100 (28%)
Female: 118,700 (73%) Female: 107,600 (72%)
Age All Carers Less than 18: 6.8%
Less than 18: 5.5%
18-24: 8% 18-24: 6.5%
25-34: 12.4% 25-34: 11.8%
35-44: 17.2% 35-44: 20.4%
45-54: 20.2% 45-54: 21.1%
55-64: 16.6% 55-64: 16.6%
65-74: 12.9% 65-74: 10.1%
75 and over: 5.8% 75 and over: 7.9%
Remoteness15 Carers living outside major cities N/A Primary Carers: 49,600 (31%)
All Carers: 240,900 (32%)
Total Population: 1,890,300 (29%)
Total % of Australian Carers in NSW 34% 29%

 

Employment and financial information16

1998 2003
Age Carers of work force age (18-64) 74% 76%
Labour Force Unemployment rate17 N/A Carers:
5.0%
Primary carers: 2.6%
Non-carers: 5.2%
Total Population: 5.2%
Not in the labour force Carers:
46%
Carers: 45%
Primary Carers: 61% Primary Carers: 64%
Non Carers: 33% Non Carers: 32%
Total Population: 35% Total Population: 34%
Employment Full-time Carers: 63% Carers: 63%
Primary Carers: 43% Primary Carers: 46%
Non-Carers: 73% Non-Carers: 71%
Total Population: 72% Total Population: 70%
Part-time Carers:
37%
Carers:
37%
Primary Carers: 57% Primary Carers: 54%
Non-Carers: 27% Non-Carers: 29%
Total Population: 28% Total Population: 30%
Income Median gross personal income per week N/A Primary Carer:
$224
Other Carer: $365
Total Carer: $301
Non-carer: $435
Total population: $401

Gross Household Incomes

Carer

Total Carer Total
Lowest quintile 16%
18% 22%
15%
Second quintile 29%
19% 19% 13%
Third quintile 19% 17% 13% 13%
Fourth quintile 17% 19% 11% 15%
Highest quintile 12% 19% 14% 19%
Income not known 5% 8% 22% 24%
Principal Source of Income Government benefit or allowance Primary Carer: 56%
Primary Carer: 55%
All Carers: 42% All Carers: 37%
Non-Carers: 27% Non-Carers: 23%
Total Population: 29% Total Population: 25%
Wages or salary Primary Carer: 29% Primary Carer: 26%
All Carers: 39% All Carers: 42%
Non-Carers: 52% Non-Carers: 52%
Total Population: 50% Total Population: 51%

 

Relationship of care recipient to primary carer

1998 2003
Care Recipient18
Relationship of main recipient of care to carer19 Partner: 41% Partner: 40%
Child: 28% Child: 29%
Other: 31% Other 32%
Main reasons for providing care
Could provide better care: 48% 41%
Family responsibility: 48% 65%
No other friends or family available: 28% 23%
No other friends or family willing: 17% 17%
Emotional obligation: 40% 34%
Alternative care unavailable20 26% N/A
Alternative care too costly21 N/A 20%
No other arrangements available22 N/A 18%
Had no choice 24% 15%

 

Time spent caring by primary carer

1998 2003
Hours per week Primary Carers23 Less than 40:
53% Less than 40: 42%
40 or more: 39% 40 or more: 45%
Not stated: 8% Not stated: 13%

 

Young carers

1998 2003
Number Carers (under 18) 54,000 (3.4% of all people under 18) 41,400 (2.6% of all people under 18)
Carers (under 25) 118,200 (5.4% of all people under 25) 90,200 (4% of all people under 25)
Gender Carers (under 25) Male: 61,500 (52%)
Male: 53,400 (59%)
Female: 56,700 (48%) Female: 36,800 (41%)


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page updated 14 September, 2007