4914.0.55.001 - Newsletter: Age Matters, Dec 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 15/01/2003   
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Ageing Statistics Program and Publications

Forthcoming Release: Ageing data from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing

Did you know that in August 2001:

  • 2.4 million Australians were aged 65 years and over, representing 12.6% of the population,
  • of these, 56.0% were female
  • South Australia and Tasmania had the highest median age (37.0 years) while the Northern Territory had the lowest (29.0 years)

The characteristics of the ageing population are explored in detail in a new publication Census of Population and Housing: Ageing in Australia, 2001 (Cat. no. 2048.0) which is due for release in June 2003. While the main focus of the publication is on the number and characteristics of older Australians (ie. persons aged 65 years and over), the ageing process in Australia is also explored by examining other age cohorts including mature age workers and the very old (those aged 85 years and over), and trends over time by comparing with data from previous Censuses. Topics covered include population structure, geographic distribution, mobility, indigenous status, birthplace and ancestry, language, religion, families and households, type of housing, housing costs, labour force participation, hours worked, income, transport, education, and use of computers and the internet.

Information about the full range of ABS data available from the Census can be found by accessing the ABS Catalogue of Products and Services (Cat. no. 1101.0) located on the ABS website. Much of these data are available free of charge and can also be accessed via the ABS website.


Following is a selection of current ABS publications with ageing relevance:


Title
Cat. no.
Released
Older People, Australia: A Social Report, 1999
4109.0
15 December 1999

Disability, Ageing and Carers: Summary of Findings, 1998
4430.0
21 April 1999

Caring in the Community, Australia, 1998
4436.0
23 August 2000

Retirement and Retirement Intentions, November 1997
6238.0
2 June 1998

Australian Social Trends, various articles
4102.0
Annual

Year Book Australia
1301.0
Annual

Eligibility, Uptake and Usage of the Seniors Card, Western Australia, 1997
4178.5
18 March 1998

Persons Aged Fifty Years and Over, Queensland, October 1998
4139.3
31 March 1999

Older People, New South Wales, 2000
4108.1
15 March 2000


For further information about these publications, please contact your local ABS Office or visit the ABS web site.