Australia 2020 SummitStrengthening Communities, Supporting Families And Social Inclusion

April 2008

These background materials aim to tell an evidence-based story about how Australia is faring. They are not intended to be definitive or comprehensive, but were put together to stimulate discussion on the main challenges and opportunities facing the country and the choices to be made in addressing them. They do not represent government policy.

The materials end with a set of questions. We hope that these, along with many other questions, will be the subject of conversation both prior to and during the Summit.

3

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

65+

45-64

25-44

<25

Population (m)

1976 2006 2036

Australia's population is ageing - by 2036, it is predicted that one quarter of Australians will be over 65

Source: ABS 3222.0, Population Projections, Australia, 2004-2101 (2006); ABS 3201.0, Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories (2006)

1976 2006 2036<25 44 33 27

25-44 27 29 25

45-64 20 25 25

65+ 9 13 24

% population by age bracket

Australian population by age bracket: 1976-2036

For more on Australia's demographic transformation, see Population, Sustainability... (p14-17)

4

Permanent settler arrivals - top 10 countries of birth: 1985/6, 2005/6 (Ranked country of emigration; % total migrant population) Religion

We have a high migrant population, and a wealth of cultures

1. Others with <50,000 respondents (2006): French, Indonesian, Persian (includes Dari), Maltese, Russian, Dutch, Japanese, Tamil, Sinhalese, Samoan, Portuguese, Khmer, Thai, Assyrian, Hungarian, Korean, Turkish, Polish and SerbianSource: ABS 2068.0, Census Data 2006; ABS 1301.0, Year Book Australia 2008 (2008)

Country 1985-6 rank 1985-6 (%) 2005-6 rank 2005-6 (%)United Kingdom 1 15.9 1 17.7New Zealand 2 14.3 2 14.5India 10 2.3 3 8.6China 5 3.4 4 8.0Philippines 4 4.5 5 3.7South Africa 6 3.4 6 3.0Sudan 75 0.1 7 2.9Malaysia 9 2.5 8 2.3Singapore 26 0.9 9 2.0Vietnam 3 7.7 10 2.0Other - 45.0 - 35.3Total permanent arrivals 92,000 131,000

Migration Language

• Christianity is the most common religious belief (around 12.7m people)

• Buddhism is the second most common (around 420,000 followers – this has grown from 200,000 in 1996)

• Islam has around 340,000 followers, up from 200,000 in 1996

• Hinduism has around 150,000 followers, more than double the 1996 figure

• The Jewish community comprises around 89,000 people

• ~240,000 citizens cite religions and religious affiliations outside the above

3%

6%

10%

11%

12%

18%

20%

23%

0 5 10 15 20 25

Denmark

Finland

Netherlands

Australia

New Zealand

Canada

Sweden

United States

Immigrant population in selected OECD countries: 2001 (%)

English onlyChinese languages

ItalianGreek

Arabic (incl. Lebanese)Vietnamese

SpanishTagalog (incl. Filipino)

GermanHindi

MacedonianCroatian

Australian Indigenous languages

Language spoken at home1: 2006

0 15,600,000200,000 400,000Persons (#)

5

High cultural diversity is a phenomenon of inner urban communities, where between 5 and 35% of people arrived in Australia less than 5 years ago

Sydney Melbourne

Source: ABS, Data source: Census MapStats 2006 [Data available on request]2.7 to 4.4 0.2 to 2.74.4 to 6.86.8 to 16.716.7 to 35.1

Legend (% usual residents)

"New arrivals": Persons arriving on or after 1 January 2001(% total usual residents)

"New arrivals": Persons arriving on or after 1 January 2001(% total usual residents)

6

For most people, family remains the anchor-point of support networks and social engagement

Family is the most common form of support for people in crisis...

...and also the greatest beneficiary of our generosity and care

Source: ABS 4159.0, General Social Survey, 2006 (2007)

1%

5%

9%

13%

22%

33%

67%

80%

0 20 40 60 80

Family

Friend

Neighbour

Workmate

Community, charity or religious organisation

Health, legal or financial professional

Local council or other government service

Other

(% population over 18)

93.3% of people feel they have

someone to turn to outside their

home

Proportion of people who feel they would have support from each of the following groups during times of crisis

6%

8%13%

17%21%

24%2%

3%3%

5%5%5%

6%7%

15%

0 5 10 15 20 25

ClothingMoney for big items

Education/textbooksEmotional supportTransport/errands

Domestic workChild care

Teaching/advice

Driving them placesPaying billsLending car

Money for housingSpending money

Food

Other

(% population over 18)

Type of support/unpaid assistance

28.1% of people offer ad hoc support to relatives outside the home...

...and 30.6% of people provide unpaid assistance to them

Proportion of people who offer support or unpaidassistance to relatives outside the home

7

Increasingly, families come in a wide range of forms

Australia has more single parent and childless households

More people are remaining unmarried or living in de facto relationships No family structure is "typical"

Couple family with children1 Couple family with no children Single parent family Other household

1. Includes all couple combinations (de facto and married), with one or more children of either parent 2. Families in which there are biological children of one or other parent and another partner rather than both. 3. Families which contain a mix of the biological children of resident parents, and one or more children from another unionSource: ABS 2068.0, Census Data 2001 and 2006

Married De factoUnmarried

Only 40% of families are "traditional" nuclear families, with 2 parents and their shared biological children only

It is estimated that 28% of marriages entered into in 1985-7 will end in divorce; and 33% of marriages from 2000-2. Half of all divorces involve one or more children under 18

5% of families with children are "step" families2 and a further 3% of families with children are "blended"3

In 2001, 0.5% of all couple families reported being same-sex couples. Of these families, 11.2% had one or more children

6.0% 7.3% 8.8%

39.9% 40.7% 40.8%

54.1%

1996

51.9%

2001

50.4%

20060

100

20

40

60

80

% people by marital status – Australia: 1996-2006

34.1% 35.7% 37.2%

13.9% 15.8%15.4%

1.8%

50.2%

1996

1.8%

47.0%

2001

1.7%

45.3%

20060

100

20

40

60

80

% households by family type – Australia: 1996-2006

8

Median age of mothers at birth (left hand axis)Fertility rate (right hand axis)

Women are increasingly highly educated, are having fewer children (and later), and are participating more fully in the workforce

Employed full-timeEmployed part-timeUnemployed and seeking FT or PT work

Women are attaining tertiary qualification faster than men

Women are bearing fewer children, and having them later in life

More women are working, especially dominant in part-time employment

Australian Labour force profile: 1978-2008

Diploma/CertificateBachelor degree or higherOther1

Highest level of qualification - Australia: 1996-2006

1. Other post-secondary qualification not specified or inadequately describedSource: ABS, 2068.0 Census Data 2006; ABS, 4102.0 Australian Social Trends, Data Cube (2007); ABS, 6202.0 Labour Force Jan 2008

Crude birth rate and median age of mothers at birth: 1976-2006

Today, 16.4% of women have a bachelor degree or higher, compared with 14.7% of men

For more on education and the labour force, see Education, Skills and the Productivity Agenda

Women Men

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1986 1996 2006

% Population over 15

1986 1996 2006

110%

40%

30.8yrs

25.8yrs

1.82.1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Median age at birth(yrs)

Fertility rate(births per woman)

1976 1986 1991 1996 2001 20061981 1978 20081988 19980

20

40

60

80% Population over 15

Women Men

1978 20081988 1998

9

2026202120162011

80

60

40

20

100

0200620011996

Total households (%)

The composition of our households is changing, with increasing numbers of people living alone

Note: Projections use Series B assumptions including moderate fertility and migration levelsSource: ABS, 3236.0 Household and Family Projections, Australia, 2001-2026 (2006); ABS, 2068.0 Census Data 1996

Lone persons1996: 23%2026: 28%

Groups1996: 4.2%2026: 3.6%

Families1996: 73%2026: 66%

Projected composition of households - Australia: 1996-2026 Projected numbers of lone persons, by sex - Australia: 1996-2026

This highlights the continuing importance of communities – our support networks outside the home

Single-person households are expected to increase... ...with a particular spike in older lone women

0

100

200

300

400

500

Age (years)

Lone persons (#, 000)

Male 2006

25-3415-24 45-54 75-84 85+55-64

Female 2006

65-7435-44

Male 2026

Female 2026

Increasing divorce rates and longer female life expectancy are two

contributors to this trend

10

One in five Australians have some kind of disability

Most disability is mild or moderate Much of disability is addressed using aids and equipment

1. 4.8% of the population have non-core limitations 2. Total number of people with core-activity limitations was 3,001,900 3. Some people use more than one aidSource: ABS, 4430.0 Disability, Ageing and Carers: Summary of findings, 2003 (2004)

5.3%

3.5%

3.3%

3.0%

0

5

10

15

20

Mild Moderate Severe Profound

15.1%

Total

Percentage of Australians with core activitylimitations (2003, by severity)1

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

Number of people with a disability using aids or equipment, by aid type ('000)2,3

Self care Mobility Communic-ation

Medical None

11

Many families are taking on informal carer responsibilities, with both benefits and burdens

More than 250,000 Australians care for a person with a disability, of which ~63% are also in the workforce

Caring can be rewarding, but brings a range of challenges

Population aged 15 and over reporting primary or other carerresponsibilities and workforce participation – Australia: 20031 (%)

1. Refers to informal caring duties as reported to the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2. Includes part- and full-time employment by self or another 3. Due to decreased income or extra expenses resulting from carer duties 4. Refers only to carers who live with the recipient of careSource: ABS, 4430.0.55.003 Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Caring in the Community 2003 (2004)

48% of primary carers and 66% of other carers are also employed2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

10.6%

2.4%

All carers

Othercarers

Primarycarers

3%

10%

13%

24%

25%

27%

27%

28%

33%

49%

0 10 20 30 40 50

Proportion of primary carers aged 15 and over reporting the effects of caring – Australia: 20034 (%)

Sleep interruptions

Weariness/lack of energy

Well-being affected

Depression or frequent worry

Difficulty meeting living costs3

Feeling of satisfaction

Losing touch with friends

Anger or resentment

Stress related illness

Increased friendship circle

12

Housing stress is once again emerging as a serious challenge for families

...with fewer first home-buyers able to enter the market

Percentage of household income spent on housing (right axis)Weekly household housing costs (left axis)

Housing is an increasing burden on family budgets...

Mean household income2

Qualifying income3

1. 2005/6 dollars 2. Seasonally adjusted 3. Qualifying income is defined by HIA as the income necessary to meet repayments on an average established dwelling purchased by first home buyers. Qualifying income = monthly mortgage repayments x 40 months Source: ABS, 4130.0.55.001 Housing Occupancy and Costs, Australia, 2005-6 (2007); HIA Economics Group

Australian nominal household income versus first homebuyer qualifying income: 1994-2006

Average weekly household expenditure on housing – Australia: 1994-2006

185168

148138140136131127129

0

50

100

150

200

250

0

5

10

15

94-5 95-6 96-7 97-8 99-00 00-1 02-3 03-4 05-6

Weekly householdhousing costs (A$)1

% gross householdincome spent on housing

1994-5: 12.2%

2005-6: 14.2%

0

25,000

50,000

75,000

100,000

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

Household income (A$m)

13

Many working households have low incomes, and there is an older group of Australians who lack sufficient retirement savings

Low income appears to affect working people as much as those not working

or subsisting on social benefits

It is estimated it would cost ~$500k to retire in Australia today,3 but at least

one quarter of pre-retirees have less than that amount

1. All households which report a weekly income from employment or business. 2. All other households (may have government, extra-household, retirement or investment income) 3. Association of Superannuation Funds; Westpac. Assumes life expectancy of 77.6 for men and 82.9 for women, spending $35,430 a year for singles and $47,507 for couples 4. Includes savings/transaction accounts, superannuation, all investment classes. 5. Includes all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities – including house value and any (un)incorporated business valueSource: Gillian Bullock, How much do you need to retire? (2006) http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=147791; ABS, 6541.0 Survey of Income and Housing 2005-6, Confidentialised Unit Record File

Australian households with sufficient retirement savings3 – reference person aged 55-64, with >$500,000 in superannuation, financial assets or household net worth: 2005/6 (% households)

Australian households with an equivalised household income of less than 50% of the median: 2005/6 (% households)

12.5%12.4%

Workinghouseholds1

Non-workinghouseholds2

54%

14%

8%

Over $500k superannuation

Over $500k financial assets3

Over $500k total net worth4

14

Australia has relatively high numbers of low income households

1. The normalised measure of life expectancy, education, standard of living, and GDP per capita. 2. Defined as the percentage of the population living on less than 50% of the median adjusted household disposable income 3. Luxembourg and Hong Kong not shown (incomparable geographical size)Note: Income poverty data not available for Iceland and New ZealandSource: UN Development Program, Human Development Report 2007/8 (2008)

Australia ranks among the most highly developed nations in the world...

...but, of these countries, bears one of the highest rates of low income households2

Human Development Index1

- top 20 most developed nations: 2005% of population subsisting on less than 50% of median

equivalised disposable household income – top 20 most developed nations3: 2000-4

For more on income disparity in Indigenous populations, see The Future of Indigenous Australia (p4)

IcelandNorway

0.962Australia

Austria

Belgium

Germany

New ZealandItaly

0.00 0.95 0.96 0.97

Japan

France

SwitzerlandSwedenIreland

United Kingdom

Human Development Index1

0.94

Finland

Canada

United StatesSpain

Denmark

Netherlands

12.2

0 5 10 15 20

Finland

Germany

DenmarkNorwaySweden

NetherlandsFrance

SwitzerlandAustria

Belgium

CanadaJapan

AustraliaUnited Kingdom

ItalySpain

IrelandUnited States

% population living on less than 50% median HDI2

15

Despite record low unemployment, many Australian children are growing up in a household where no adult works

% working age households with children without an employed parent

Source: UNICEF, Child Poverty in Perspective: An overview of child well-being in rich countries (2007); ABS, 6260.0 Labour Force Projections, 1999-2016 (1999); ABS, 6202.0.55.001, Labour Force, Australia, Spreadsheets Jan 2008

Our low official unemployment rates mask a high number of non-working Australians

• Unemployment rate in 2007 was as low as 4.36%, however official workforce participation rate was only 62.8%

People may be "non-participants" for a range of reasons• Retirement, studentship, illness or disability• Unpaid volunteer or care work• Long-term workless people who have stopped looking• People who simply choose not to work

The problem is acutely felt by families with children• The child caring burden may be a disincentive to

participating in the workforce – especially for single parents• 2006 data indicates that 15.7% of all children under 15 live in

a household where no parent works – including 47.7% of single parent families

Australia is one of the worst performing OECD countries for children raised in "workless" households

Percentage of working-age households with children without an employed parent - OECD countries: 2000

For more on worklessness in Indigenous households, see The Future of Indigenous Australia (p6)

9.5%

0 5 10

Japan Portugal

Switzerland Austria

United States Greece

Sweden Canada Finland

Italy Belgium

Denmark Spain

Norway Netherlands

France Ireland

New Zealand Czech Republic

United Kingdom Germany

Poland Australia Hungary

16

Financial stress Disability or illness

1.8% of children under 15 have a parent requiring assistance with core activities. Of these, 20% live in single parent families

Children also assist with non-primary care to other family members

• The Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers reports that 2.6% of children under 15 offer some level of non-primary care to another person (parent or other relative) due to age, illness or disability

Carer families are more likely than non-carer families to

• Have low income (27% are in the bottom income quintile)

• Rely on government pensions/ allowances (42% of carers cite this as the primary source of income, compared with 27% of non-carers)

• Be non-participants in the workforce (44% of carers compared with 32% of non-carers)

Exposure to drugs or violence

Family violence levels (whilst difficult to accurately quantify3) impact on children

• 49% of adults experiencing violence from a current partner2 have care of a child; 27% say that the child has witnessed the violence2

• A 1999 study found that witnessing parental family violence was the strongest predictor of perpetration of violence in young people's own intimate relationships

Many children are also exposed to drugs• The home is by far the most commonly

cited "usual place of use" for alcohol and illicit drugs

• Children are at a higher risk of early initiation to drug use if family members are substance abusers4

Whilst the link between substance abuse and violence is not self-evident, child protective services report their significant co-incidence in child-related incidents

• The NSW Department of Community Services reported in 2003 that up to 80% of child abuse cases were associated with drug/alcohol misuse

Many children live with multiple family disadvantages

1. Percentages refer to % households with dependent children experiencing the crisis in last 12 months 2. Includes both men and women experiencing violence. Figures for violence experienced at the hands of a previous partner are 61% caring for a child, and 36% witnessing the violence 3. Due to difficulty of obtaining accurate reporting rates. 4. The literature on this topic is extensive – see ARECY reportSource: ABS, 4159.0, General Social Survey 2006 (2007); ABS, 2068.0 Census Data 2006; ABS, 4430.0 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (2004); Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra, Indermaru, D "Young Australians and Domestic Violence", Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice No. 195 (2001); NSW Department of Human Services, Annual Report 2002-3 (2003); AIHW, 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: First Results (2005); Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, The impact of drug and alcohol misuse on children and families (2007)

Three or moreTwo eventsOne event

Single parent families are far more likely to experience multiple financial crises

For information on educational disadvantage, see Education, Skills and the Productivity Agenda (p8)

0

10

20

30

40

50

19%

Coupleswith

children

47%

Single parents

with children

11%

Childlesshouseholds

Households experiencing cash-flowcrisis events in last 12 months: 2006 (%)

Most common cash-flow problems for families are• Utilities bills• Financial support

sought from family• Car repayments • Mortgage/rent • Credit card • Support sought from

welfare/ community organisations

• Pawned or sold possessions

• Went without meals • Unable to heat home

17

Problem gambling is an added pressure for some Australians

Gambling is an increasing financialburden on some Australians

In 1999, gambling cost ~$760 per Australian adult (or 3% of Household Disposable Income). This is more than the 1999 per adult spend on energy (~$600) or household appliances (~$400), and just shy of alcohol (~$860)

Problem gambling carries a range of financial and non-financial pressures

The 1999 national study estimated that ~1% of adult Australians had severe gambling problems, with a further ~1.1% considered moderately problematic1

More recent evidence indicates that problem gambling is still an issue. A 2006 study of gambling in NSW found that 0.8% of NSW adults have a severe gambling problem, with a further 1.6% considered a moderate risk

Australia has 21% of the world's poker machines – and 42.3 cents in every dollar passing through a poker machine comes from a problem gambler

The Commission identified a range of common gambling-related harms• Depression • Loss/change of job or adversely affected work performance• Bankruptcy• Obtaining money illegally• Trouble with police/the law• Often or always spending more than can afford• Relationship breakdown• Lack of time to look after the family's interests

1. According to the South Oaks Gambling Screen, self-assessment questions and other indicators of harm. See Productivity Commission Chapter 6 2. Defined as participation in the last 12 months. 3. Refers to HDI for 2005-6Source: Productivity Commission, Inquiry into Australia's Gambling Industries (1999); ABS, 8684.0 Gambling Services, Australia, 2004-5 (2006); ABS, 1301.0 Year Book Australia, 2008; NSW Office of Liquor, Racing and Gaming, Prevalence of Gambling and Problem Gambling in NSW – A Community Survey (ACNeilsen 2007)

More recent data from 2005 suggests that this trend has flattened out somewhat – with net takings from gambling representing an expenditure of $966 per adult or ~3% of Equivalised Household Disposable Income3

0

200

400

600

800

1000

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0$ per capita

1972-3 1977-8 1982-3 1987-8 1992-3 1997-8

% HDI

$ per capita (adult) expenditure% household disposable income

Gambling expenditure per capita and proportion of household disposable income, Australia, 1972-1998

18

There is significant variation in the social outcomes experienced by communities

These differentials are exacerbated by variable access to social infrastructure

Case study – A comparison of three Victorian communities

Source: Community Indicators Victoria www.communityindicators.net.au, citing ABS, Victoria Police, Community Indicators Victoria Survey, Department of Planning and Community Development

Swan Hill (Regional) Frankston (Outer suburban) Bayside (Inner suburban)

Education Crime Health Community

0

20

40

60

80

100

Bayside Frankston Swan Hill

% Population aged 20-24 with year 12 or higher (2006)

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

Bayside Frankston Swan Hill

Family violenceOffences against the person

Recorded offences per 100,000 people (2006-07)

0

20

40

60

80

Bayside Frankston Swan Hill

% People self-reporting health as excellent or very good (2007)

80

85

90

95

100

Bayside Frankston Swan Hill

% People who can get help from family,friends or neighbours if needed (2006)

19

The costs of substance abuse are borne by communities as well as individuals

Despite declines in the use of some drugs,substance abuse remains a significant issue...

...with a range of more and less quantifiable costs to the community

1. Refers to % population reporting use of illicit drugs in preceding 12 monthsSource: AIHW, 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: First Results (2005); Collins, Lapsley and Lecvalier, Improving economic data to inform decisions in drug control (2000) www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_2000-01-01)1)page003.html

Work-force

reduction

Absen-teeism

Product-ivity

losses

Medical Nursing Ancillary

Property destructi

on

Insu-rance

adminis-tration

Policing Penal

Hospital

Judicial

PaidUnpaid

Production Health care Crime Resources

Tangible

Foreign trade

Produc-tion

Reduced quality

of life

Loss of life

Intangible

Total external

costs

For more on drugs as a health risk factor, see Long-term Health Strategy (p7)

0

5

10

15

20

25

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Population over 14 years old reporting substance use: 1995-2004 (%)

-57%0.2Heroin0%0.5Inhalants11%1.1Cocaine51%3.3Methamphetamines

300%3.5Ecstasy-15%11.4Cannabis

% change (since 1994)

2004(% pop)Illicit substance

-57%0.2Heroin0%0.5Inhalants11%1.1Cocaine51%3.3Methamphetamines

300%3.5Ecstasy-15%11.4Cannabis

% change (since 1994)

2004(% pop)Illicit substance

Use of illicit drugs(last 12 months)1

20

Communities also suffer the effects of dangerous alcohol consumption

...and brings a range of related risks to the health and wellbeing of the broader community

Binge drinking is a serious problem, though traditionally under-recognised...

Source: Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation, Aussie Drinkers in Denial? (13 March 2008); AIHW, 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: First Results (2005)

79% of Australians do not believe they drink too much despite …• Average male consumption 4 times recommended• Average female consumption 2 times recommended

Most see other people as the problem …• 60% agree that Australians in general drink too much• 51% of 18-24 year olds think others drink too much alcohol• Only 14% self nominated as drinking too much

Alcohol misuse costs the Australian economy an estimated $15.3b

MenWomen

For more on alcohol as a health risk factor, see Long-term Health Strategy (p7)

Percentage of population consuming over 5 standard drinks on a typical occasion

0

20

40

60

80

14-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

(%)

Age

2.8%

0.4%1.6%

1.1%6.0%

15.2%

0 5 10 15 20

Driving/operating machinery

Verbal abusePhysical abuse

Property damage

TheftPublic nuisance

Population over 14 years old who have performed an activityunder the influence of alcohol in the last 12 months: 2004 (%)

Engaging in risky behaviour

15.3%10.6%

3.5%5.4%

22.5%

27.5%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Population over 14 years old who havebeen victims of alcohol-related incidents: 2004 (%)

Causing harm to others

Verbal abuse

Physical abuse

Put in fear

21

Australia has relatively high crime, and people feel less safe than in many other countries

Percentage of population reporting as victims of crime in the last 12 months - top 20 countries: 2004/51

1. Refers to all violent or non-violent crime to person or property, in the 12 months to 2004 and/or 2005 (varies by country). Excludes non-conventional crime such as consumer fraud and corruption. Data collected by survey as to crime victimisation rather than official crime/prosecutorial statisticsSource: UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Criminal Victimisation In International Perspective: Key Findings From The 2004-5 ICVS And EU ICS (2007)

Percentage of population who report feeling unsafe on the streets after dark - top 20 countries: 2004/5

The UN cites that in 2004/5, ~17% of Australians were victims of crime...

...and that ~27% of Australians felt unsafe walking the streets at night

17.3

0 5 10 15 20

SpainJapan

HungaryPortugal

AustriaFranceGreece

ItalyFinland

LuxembourgGermanyScotlandBulgaria

PolandNorway

(% of population )

AustraliaUSA

Belgium

SwedenCanada

27.0

0 10 20 30 40

IcelandNorwayFinlandCanada

(% of population )

DenmarkNetherlands

USAAustria

SwedenFrance

BelgiumHungary

Northern IrelandAustralia

IrelandNew Zealand

GermanyScotland

England & WalesPoland

22

Crime rates in Australia are dropping, although some violent crime is on the rise

199820022005

1. For break-in/vehicle theft, refers to % surveyed households; for robbery, assault and sexual assault, refers to % surveyed individuals. Includes reported and non-reported crimes 2. Reporting rates refer to break-in / attempted break-in respectively 3. Data on reporting rates for sexual assault is difficult to obtain. Lievore (2001) estimates ~15%. See Non-reporting and hidden recording of sexual assault in Australia.Source: ABS 4509.0, Crime and Safety, Australia 2005 (2006)

Population1 who have been victims of specified crimes (reported and unreported) – Australia: 1998-2005

Reporting rate: 2005 74% / 31%2 90% 39% 31% N/A3

0

2

4

6

8

Vehicle theft Robbery Assault Sexual assault

-29%

-41%

-20%

+12%

+33%

(%)1

Break-in/attempted break-in

23

Questions

Community and family life can give people the support, resilience and outlook that they need to play a full part in Australia’s future. What can we do to enable local communities to provide social networks and support to every member?

What are the root causes and consequences of social exclusion? What roles can different sectors play in tackling them?

What measures can we take to ensure that people feel safe in their homes and communities?

What roles do government, business and community sectors play in helping families care for older Australians, children and people with a disability?

How do we ensure that all Australians have access to adequate housing that is affordable, secure, safe and accessible?

What can be done to help new Australians to settle and participate in the community?

Some localities experience chronic disadvantage. What needs to be done to ensure that communities have the appropriate physical and social infrastructure to foster people's health and wellbeing?