4364.0.55.002 - Australian Health Survey: Health Service Usage and Health Related Actions, 2011-12

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/03/2013 First Issue

Page tools: Print

Print Page Print all pages in this product

Print All

Contents >> Health actions of the general population >> Days off work or study/school

DAYS OFF WORK OR STUDY/SCHOOL

Poor health or injury can cause disruptions to a person's lifestyle, including limiting their ability to participate in daily activities such as employment or education.

In 2011-12, 13.3% of all persons who were employed, currently studying or at school reported they had taken time away from work or study/school in the last 2 weeks due to their own illness or injury, while 3.9% took time off to care for someone else. This was an increase from 2004-05 when 11.5% reported having time away for their own illness or injury, and 3.2% to care for someone else. Proportionally more women than men took time off due to their own illness or injury (14.5% compared with 12.2% respectively), and to care for someone who was ill or injured (4.5% compared with 3.3% respectively).

Graph Image for All persons - Proportion who had time off work, study or school in last 2 weeks, 2011-12(a)

Footnote(s): (a) Proportions based on total persons who were employed or studying/at school.

Source(s): Australian Health Survey: Health Service Usage and Health Related Actions

More than 1 in 4 people (26.5%) with a profound or severe core activity limitation had time off work or study/school due to illness or injury compared with just over 1 in 10 (11.8%) of people who had no disability or restrictive long-term health condition.

For more information see Table 1: Selected health service usage and health actions taken and Table 4: Selected health actions by selected population characteristics.