The Child and Youth Population in South
Australia
A Profile
A report prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(Adelaide Office) for the SA Government Agencies Statistical
Committee (GASC), utilising the 2004 State Consultancy Fund.
October 2004
CONTENTS
Page
CHAPTER
Preface ............................................................................................................. iv
Symbols and Other Usages .................................................................................. vi
1 Population.................................................................................................. 1
2 Health .......................................................................................................17
3 Education and Training .............................................................................45
4 Labour Force ............................................................................................71
5 Living Arrangements and Housing ............................................................88
6 Income ....................................................................................................107
7 Safety and Justice...................................................................................121
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
List of tables ....................................................................................................142
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE iii
PREFACE
‘Compared with previous generations, children and young people in South
Australia today have some of the best prospects for living healthier and longer
lives. Children and young people are brighter and in some ways more capable
and adaptable than children have perhaps been in the past. However, the social
and economic context in which children and young people are growing up in
South Australia poses important challenges for children’s lifelong outcomes,
for families, for Government and the community’.
Child Protection Review Report: ‘Our Best Investment: A State Plan to Protect and
Advance the Interests of Children’, (‘The Layton Report’), 2003 § 3.2
This report has been produced in response to recognised State Government needs to
provide a rich information source to policy developers, decision makers and service
providers in areas that will facilitate improved outcomes for South Australian children,
young people and their families.
The Profile was prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Adelaide Office) for
the South Australian Government Agencies Statistical Committee (GASC) utilising the
2004 State Consultancy Fund.
The Child and Youth Population in South Australia: A Profile focuses on a broad
range of issues and is arranged into seven chapters of interest:
! Population;
! Health
! Education and Training;
! Labour Force;
! Living Arrangements and Housing;
! Income; and
! Safety and Justice.
Valuable advice and input was provided by members of the Steering Committee
which included representatives from the following agencies and organisations :
Department of Health
Department for Families and Communities
Department of Education and Children’s Services
Department of Further Education, Employment,
Science and Technology
Department of Justice
Aboriginal Housing Authority
SA Housing Trust
Public Health Information Development Unit (University of Adelaide)
Youth Affairs Council of South Australia
PREFACE
The project brief specified certain age groups that were to be used wherever possible
in the Profile. These age groups were 0-7, 8-11, 12-17 and 18-24. These age groups
conform to areas of responsibility within certain key State agencies. While these age
groupings were used wherever possible, it should be noted that they were not
available for quite a number of topics/datasets, in which case standard 5-year age
groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24) or other relevant or available groupings were
used.
When referring to numbers and percentages in the text of the report, rounding has
been applied. For exact figures, refer to the Tables supplied in each Chapter.
For further information about this report, please contact Liz Finlay on (08) 8237 7417
or email elizabeth.finlay@abs.gov.au
October 2004
SYMBOLS AND OTHER USAGES
ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics
AIHW Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
ANZSIC Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification
ASCO2 Australian Standard Classification of Occupations, Second Edition
ARR Apparent retention rate
BMI Body Mass Index
CDEP Community Development Employment Programs (for indigenous
persons)
DASC Drug and Alcohol Services Council
DECS SA Department of Education and Children’s Services
DEST (Commonwealth) Dept of Education, Science and Training
ERP Estimated resident population
FT Full-time
FTE Full Time Equivalent
ICD International Classification of Disease
IMR Infant Mortality Rate
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE v
PREFACE
ISAAC Integrated South Australian Activity Collection – SA Department of
Health
MCEETYA Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth
Affairs
n.a. not available or not applicable
NCVER National Centre for Vocational Education Research
n.e.c. not elsewhere classified
NESB From a non-English speaking background
nfd not further defined
n.p. not available for publication but included in totals where applicable
OCSAR Office of Crime Statistics and Research
PT Part-time
R-7 Reception to Year 7 (i.e. Primary levels in South Australian schools)
SA South Australia
SAPOL SA Police
SAAP Supported Accommodation Assistance Program
SASP South Australia’s Strategic Plan
SRR Standardised rate ratio
VET Vocational Education and Training
YLD Healthy years of life lost due to disability
YLL Years of life lost due to premature death.
$ Dollar
% per cent
‘000 thousands
vi THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 POPULATION
INTRODUCTION
The South Australian Government released its ‘Population Policy for South Australia’
in March 2004. That policy recognises the importance of sustainable population
growth and proposes a number of targets and strategies to meet its objectives. In
common with many developed parts of the world, South Australia is experiencing the
challenges of slow population growth, a sustained period of low fertility and an ageing
population. Numbers of children and young people have declined over the last ten
years. This Chapter examines demographic trends related to South Australia’s
children and young people including future population estimates. It also looks at
South Australia’s overall demographic context (natural increase, overseas and
interstate migration), young Indigenous people and, finally, the cultural diversity of
young South Australians (including new arrivals).
South Australia’s population aged under 25 has declined from 35% of the total in
1993 to 32% in 2003 and is projected to further decline to 29% in 2013 and 26% in
2023. If the population projections prove to be correct the consequences will be
significant.
AGE STRUCTURE
Table 1.1 towards the end of this Chapter shows that the population of South
Australia’s children and young people has declined over the last ten years and is
projected to continue to decline over the next twenty years, both in actual numbers
and as a proportion of the total population. This is according to the ABS Population
Projection Series B – the middle (medium) series of the three alternative series (high,
medium and low). The ageing of the population, which is already evident in the
current age structure, is expected to continue. This is the inevitable result of
sustained low fertility combined with increasing life expectancy. While these factors
are clearly evident for both South Australia and Australia as a whole, there are several
demographic characteristics which accentuate the situation for South Australia. For
many years South Australia has experienced a pattern of net interstate migration
outflow, comparatively low net overseas migration inflow and a fertility rate below the
Australian average.
It should be noted that ABS population projections are not predictions or forecasts.
They are an assessment of what would happen if the assumed levels of the
components of population change – births, deaths and migration – were to hold over
time.
The South Australian population aged under 25 has declined from 516,610 in 1993 to
491,670 in 2003 and is projected to further decline to 454,030 in 2013 and 413,750 in
2023. As a proportion of the total population the under 25s represented 35% in 1993,
32% in 2003 and are projected to be 29% in 2013 and 26% in 2023. If the population
projections prove to be correct the consequences will be significant.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 1
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
The two graphs below show the actual age structure in single years for (i) South
Australia and (ii) Australia for 1993 and 2003 and also projections (ABS Series B) for
2013 and 2023. The graphs illustrate that the population of children and young
people of all ages in South Australia is projected to decline by 2023, significantly for
those aged 0-21 but less so for those aged 22-24. On the other hand, there are less
significant changes projected for Australia as a whole. Tables 1.1 (South Australia)
and 1.2 (Australia) provide more detail.
AGE STRUCTURE, SINGLE YEARS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1993 to 2023
'000
24
22
20
18
16
14
1993
12 2003
2013
2023
10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
age (years)
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population by State (1993 and 2003),
ABS Population Projections Series B (2013 and 2023)
AGE STRUCTURE, SINGLE YEARS, AUSTRALIA, 1993 to 2023
'000
300
280
260
240
220
1993
200 2003
2013
2023
180
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
age (years)
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population by State (1993 and 2003),
ABS Population Projections Series B (2013 and 2023)
DEMOGRAPHIC CONTEXT
To gain a better understanding of the population dynamics of South Australia’s
children and young people, it is useful to examine key demographic trends over the
last ten years or so.
2 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
The graph below depicts each of the three components of recent population change
for South Australia – i.e. natural increase (the excess of births over deaths), net
overseas migration and net interstate migration for the period 1991-92 to 2002-03.
The overall combination of these factors has had a tendency to reduce the child and
youth population of South Australia.
COMPONENTS OF ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH: SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
1991-92 TO 2002-03
persons
Total annual population growth
12500
Natural increase
Net overseas migration
10000 Net interstate migration
7500
5000
2500
0
–2500
–5000
–7500
1992-93 1994-95 1996-97 1998-99 2000-01 2002-03
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. No. 3101.0)
NATURAL INCREASE
There has been a steady decline in the number of births in South Australia since the
1960s. In 1991-92 there were 19,660 births while in 2002-03 there were 17,240 (see
Table 1.3 towards the end of this Chapter). At the same time the number of deaths
has been gradually increasing from 11,060 in 1991-92 to 11,700 in 2002-03. The
graph below depicts the net consequence of these two trends. The natural increase
in 1991-92 was 8,600 persons, falling steadily to 5,540 persons by 2002-03.
BIRTHS, DEATHS AND NATURAL INCREASE: SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
1991-92 TO 2002-03
persons
Natural increase
22500
Births
20000 Deaths
17500
15000
12500
10000
7500
5000
2500
0
1992-93 1994-95 1996-97 1998-99 2000-01 2002-03
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. No. 3101.0)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 3
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
A comparison of the rates of natural increase for South Australia and Australia as a
whole (see graph below) shows that South Australia is lagging behind the national
average. The rate of natural increase is the percentage increase in population
attributable solely to natural increase. The rate of natural increase for South Australia
in 1991-92 of 0.6% has declined to 0.4% by 2002-03. The rate for Australia has also
declined - from 0.8% to 0.6% - but is nevertheless much higher than South Australia.
Factors that may be giving rise to this difference include South Australia’s higher
proportion of older people (hence more deaths) and a fertility rate lower than that of
Australia as a whole.
NATURAL INCREASE RATE (a): SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA,
1991-92 TO 2002-03
%
South Australia
0.8
Australia
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.0
1992-93 1994-95 1996-97 1998-99 2000-01 2002-03
(a) The percentage increase in population attributable solely to natural increase.
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. No. 3101.0)
Each of the components of South Australia’s population growth – natural increase,
net overseas migration and net interstate migration – has recorded results below
the Australian average for the last 10-15 years and more. While the phenomenon
of ‘declining natural increase’ appears to be firmly entrenched, there is scope for
improvement in net overseas migration and net interstate migration
OVERSEAS MIGRATION
Low levels of overseas migration have been a feature of South Australia’s recent
demographic experience. This is in marked contrast to the 1950s and 1960s when
South Australia had high levels of overseas migration. Over the last five years South
Australia, Tasmania and the ACT experienced the lowest rates of net overseas
migration, whereas Western Australia and NSW experienced the highest (ABS
Australian Demographic Statistics Cat. No. 3101.0). In general terms, overseas
migration can help in the short term to replenish the population, particularly when
fertility rates are low and the resident population is ageing.
4 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
NET OVERSEAS MIGRATION RATE (a): SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA,
1991-92 TO 2002-03
%
South Australia
0.8
Australia
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.0
1992-93 1994-95 1996-97 1998-99 2000-01 2002-03
(a) The percentage increase in population attributable solely to net overseas migration.
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. No. 3101.0)
INTERSTATE MIGRATION
Interstate migration, the movement of people across States and Territories, is an
important determinant of population distribution. For example, ABS interstate
migration figures show (Migration, Australia, Cat. No. 3412.0) in 2002-03 Queensland
gained a net 39,200 persons from interstate migration while New South Wales lost
31,800. Most other States and Territories experienced modest net losses from
interstate migration in 2002-03. Western Australia, for example, lost 2,800 and ACT
1,650. As for South Australia, the net loss was slightly less than 1,500 in 2002-03 –
the difference between 29,860 arrivals from other States/Territories and 31,350
departures to interstate destinations. Table 1.5 towards the end of this Chapter
shows trends over time for South Australia in terms of net population gain or loss by
age group from interstate migration. For children aged under 15 inflow has generally
been balanced by outflow resulting in negligible gains or losses for that age group.
On the other hand, the age group 15-24 has consistently experienced net losses from
interstate migration, however this has moderated significantly in recent years (from
1,100 in 1996-97 to 330 in 2002-03).
YOUNG INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Indigenous children and young people in South Australia are a very important group
to quantify. It is often accepted that this group fares less well than the general
population and are more likely to experience deprivation and hardship in many
aspects of their lives – for instance health, education, labour market opportunities and
the justice system.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 5
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
In 2001, the estimated number of Indigenous South Australians aged under 25 years
was 14,480 persons. This represented 3.0% of South Australia’s population aged
under 25 years. The equivalent proportion for Australia as a whole was 2.4%. Over
the ten years from 1991 to 2001 the number of Indigenous South Australians aged
under 25 years is estimated to have grown from 11,920 to 14,480 (see Table 1.6 for
more details and data sources).
The graph below shows that this growth was largely restricted to those in the age
groups 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19. It is important to note that the Census question on
Indigenous status (upon which these estimates are mainly based) relies on self-
identification. It is accepted that across Australia, an increasing propensity to identify
as Indigenous has been observed in recent Population Censuses. Consequently, this
factor may contribute to some of the growth in the numbers of Indigenous children
and young people.
YOUNG INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BY AGE GROUP, 1991, 1996 AND 2001
no.
1991
4000
1996
2001
3000
2000
1000
0
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24
age (years)
Source: Experimental Estimates of the Indigenous Population, 1991-1996 (ABS 3230.0)
Australian Demographic Statistics Quarterly (Sept Qtr 2002 edition) (ABS 3101.0)
Another feature of South Australia’s (and Australia’s) Indigenous population is that it is
comparatively young. Data derived from ABS Australian Demographic Statistics
Quarterly, Cat. No. 3101.0 and Experimental Estimates of the Indigenous population,
Cat. No. 3230.0 shows, in 2001, the median age of South Australia’s Indigenous
population was 20.8 years, while for Australia it was 20.5 years. This compares to
median ages of 37.6 years and 35.7 years for the total populations of South Australia
and Australia respectively. This large difference could be attributable to the higher
fertility rate and shorter life expectancy of Indigenous persons compared to non-
Indigenous persons.
6 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
Indigenous children and young people account for 57% of the total Indigenous
population in South Australia, representing a majority of the Indigenous population.
This is significantly different to the non-Indigenous population which implies that the
Indigenous population would require higher levels of access to family, child and youth
services.
Unlike the non-Indigenous population, the Indigenous child and youth population
accounts for the majority of the population. This implies that Indigenous families,
children and young people are a significant target group within the Indigenous
population.
Young Indigenous people are more likely to have moved their place of usual
residence than their non-Indigenous counterparts. This is an important consideration
in terms of approaches to culturally appropriate service delivery. The graph below
shows that at the time of the 2001 Census 30% of SA’s Indigenous children aged 1-7
years had changed their place of usual residence within a 12 month period compared
to 20% for their non-Indigenous counterparts. For those aged 8-11 years, 23% of
Indigenous children moved compared to 15.0% for non-Indigenous. A wider gap
existed for those aged 12-17, while for those aged 18-24, the rates were less than
40% for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.
PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MOVED (a) IN THE 12 MONTHS UP TO
THE 2001 POPULATION CENSUS, BY AGE GROUP AND INDIGENOUS STATUS
%
Indigenous
50
Non-Indigenous
40
30
20
10
0
1-7 8-11 12-17 18-24
Age group (years)
(a) Their place of usual residence in August 2001 was different to their place of usual residence in August
2000.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing, unpublished data
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 7
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
Given the nature of the problems facing the Indigenous population as a whole, young
people and children are a significant target group to implement preventative and early
intervention strategies to improve wellbeing indicators. Focus on whole of family
wellbeing, and this significantly young target group may prove to increase the status
of Indigenous people.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY – YOUNG SOUTH AUSTRALIANS FROM NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING
BACKGROUNDS (NESB)
Culturally diverse children and young people may have needs that are different from
the needs of the general child and youth population. Two quite different groups of
children and young people will be examined in this Section – firstly, those from a non-
English speaking background (NESB) and secondly, new arrivals to South Australia.
The 2001 Population Census shows that the majority of children and young people
from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) are born in Australia. These
children and young people usually have a parent or parents who were born overseas
in a non-English speaking country. For this reason a breakdown of languages spoken
at home is a better indicator of those from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Table 1.7 shows that in 2001 44,440 (or 9%) of South Australians aged under 25
spoke a language other than English at home. This is less than the 52,990 (or 10%)
recorded ten years previously in 1991. In 2001 the languages other than English
most frequently spoken by young South Australians were Greek, Italian, Vietnamese
and Chinese languages. Those languages showing an increase in usage over the ten
years to 2001 include Serbian and Arabic (including Lebanese). Those languages
showing a significant decrease in usage include Italian, Greek and German reflecting
the passage of time since the large migrant intake from Italy, Greece and Germany in
the 1950s and 1960s.
For purposes of comparison Table 1.7 also shows (in the right hand column) the
proportions of under 25s in Australia as a whole speaking a language other than
English at home in 2001. The rate for Australia (14%) was higher than that for South
Australia (9%) reflecting the higher proportion of migrants who settle in States other
than South Australia and the lower proportion of overseas students studying in South
Australia. In particular, there were comparatively higher rates at the national level of
those speaking Arabic (including Lebanese), Chinese languages, Spanish and also
certain languages not separately listed in the table such as Turkish and languages
specific to the Indian sub-continent (e.g. Hindi and Tamil).
CULTURAL DIVERSITY – YOUNG NEW ARRIVALS FROM OVERSEAS
At the 2001 Census there were slightly less than 11,000 young ‘usual residents’ of
South Australia who had arrived within the last five years from overseas countries.
Table 1.8 at the end of this Chapter gives a detailed breakdown by country of birth of
these new arrivals.
8 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
Around 30% (3,300 children and young people) were from the main English-speaking
countries such as United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa. As the graph
below indicates this group tended to be relatively evenly distributed across the age
groups.
As for those from other countries (7,670 children and young people), the largest group
was clearly those aged 18-24. Included in this group would be long-term students
from South East Asia who regarded South Australia as their place of usual residence.
It would also include migrants (including refugees) from, for example, the Middle East,
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Sub-Saharan African countries.
1.7 NEW ARRIVALS FROM OVERSEAS (ARRIVED 1996-2001), USUAL
RESIDENTS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA – PERSONS AGED 0-24 BY AGE GROUP,
2001 POPULATION CENSUS
no.
Main English-speaking countries
4000
Other countries
3000
2000
1000
0
0-7 8-11 12-17 18-24
Age groups of new arrivals (years)
Source: 2001 Population Census, data available on request.
CONCLUSION
It is clear that, in common with many other developed parts of the world, South
Australia is experiencing the challenges of slow population growth, a sustained period
of low fertility and an ageing population. It has been shown in this Chapter that the
number of children and young people has declined over the last ten years and are
projected to decline further over the next ten or twenty years. It will be a challenge for
the South Australian community to adapt to and to come to terms with this decline and
all of its implications.
While representing only 3% of South Australia’s children and young people, young
Indigenous persons are a significant group within the Indigenous population as a
whole and, considering the information presented in this profile, represent a
disadvantaged group requiring specific attention. It is important that, as a society, we
continue to strive to ensure that all young Indigenous persons are given every
opportunity to reach their potential.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 9
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.1 AGE STRUCTURE - CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1993 to 2023
South Australia
Actual ERP………….. Projections (Series B)…..
Age 1993 2003 2013 2023
0 19,774 17,240 15,473 15,129
1 19,676 17,624 15,535 15,245
2 19,865 17,829 15,683 15,346
3 20,094 18,312 15,923 15,449
4 19,959 18,704 16,156 15,551
5 19,817 18,662 16,409 15,631
6 19,961 18,975 16,649 15,684
7 20,554 19,515 16,896 15,726
8 20,568 20,068 17,165 15,777
9 20,925 19,829 17,418 15,811
10 20,344 20,170 17,672 15,852
11 20,148 20,272 17,870 15,913
12 20,011 20,129 18,211 16,057
13 19,333 20,153 18,643 16,263
14 19,374 20,206 18,955 16,465
15 19,327 20,153 18,895 16,696
16 19,863 20,359 19,244 16,984
17 20,227 21,009 19,783 17,243
18 20,919 21,155 20,349 17,509
19 21,151 21,336 20,126 17,775
20 22,317 20,979 20,436 17,990
21 23,276 20,513 20,429 18,090
22 23,851 20,253 20,205 18,330
23 22,949 19,435 20,024 18,536
24 22,329 18,788 19,880 18,698
South Australia
Actual ERP………..….. Projections (Series B)…..
1993 2003 2013 2023
Persons (no.)…………………..………….....……………….
0-7 159,700 146,861 128,724 123,761
8-11 81,985 80,339 70,125 63,353
12-17 118,135 122,009 113,731 99,708
18-24 156,792 142,459 141,449 126,928
Total 0-24 516,612 491,668 454,029 413,750
25 and over 944,062 1,035,753 1,117,098 1,181,437
Total all ages 1,460,674 1,527,421 1,571,127 1,595,187
Proportion of total population (%)……………….…
0-7 10.9 9.6 8.2 7.8
8-11 5.6 5.3 4.5 4.0
12-17 8.1 8.0 7.2 6.3
18-24 10.7 9.3 9.0 8.0
Total 0-24 35.4 32.2 28.9 25.9
25 and over 64.6 67.8 71.1 74.1
Total all ages 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population by State (1993 and 2003), ABS Population Projections Series B (2013 and 2023)
10 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.2 AGE STRUCTURE - CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: AUSTRALIA: 1993 to 2023
Australia
Actual ERP………….. Projections (Series B)…..
Age 1993 2003 2013 2023
0 258,357 247,051 236,752 245,946
1 257,838 246,884 236,570 246,457
2 260,822 254,525 238,082 247,266
3 260,235 257,560 240,731 248,044
4 255,270 258,641 243,366 248,795
5 253,861 258,626 246,214 249,520
6 253,397 263,979 249,135 250,118
7 256,854 266,994 252,064 250,574
8 257,790 273,212 255,007 251,007
9 257,403 273,494 257,931 251,509
10 258,857 274,778 260,627 251,967
11 255,193 276,655 262,236 252,399
12 254,688 278,429 271,419 254,198
13 248,149 275,754 274,396 257,067
14 248,812 272,828 275,631 259,822
15 249,292 270,589 275,667 262,837
16 251,490 271,427 281,285 266,067
17 255,761 276,180 284,572 269,351
18 264,759 279,796 291,136 272,634
19 272,343 278,795 292,070 276,218
20 282,994 283,386 293,954 279,785
21 297,536 280,643 296,372 282,077
22 302,070 277,644 298,588 291,710
23 283,738 269,652 296,775 295,350
24 276,463 265,511 294,598 297,536
Australia
Actual ERP………….. Projections (Series B)…..
1993 2003 2013 2023
Persons (no.)………….………………………….
0-7 2,056,634 2,054,260 1,942,914 1,986,720
8-11 1,029,243 1,098,139 1,035,801 1,006,882
12-17 1,508,192 1,645,207 1,662,970 1,569,342
18-24 1,979,903 1,935,427 2,063,493 1,995,310
Total 0-24 6,573,972 6,733,033 6,705,178 6,558,254
25 and over 11,093,121 13,148,436 15,198,236 17,154,634
Total all ages 17,667,093 19,881,469 21,903,414 23,712,888
Proportion of total population (%)……………….…
0-7 11.6 10.3 8.9 8.4
8-11 5.8 5.5 4.7 4.2
12-17 8.5 8.3 7.6 6.6
18-24 11.2 9.7 9.4 8.4
Total 0-24 37.2 33.9 30.6 27.7
25 and over 62.8 66.1 69.4 72.3
Total all ages 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population by State (1993 and 2003), ABS Population Projections Series B (2013 and 2023)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 11
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.3 NATURAL INCREASE IN POPULATION: SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1991-92 TO 2002-03
Natural Natural Increase rate (a)……..
Year Births Deaths Increase South Australia Australia
no. no. no. % %
1991-92 19,655 11,060 8,595 0.59 0.79
1992-93 19,819 11,351 8,468 0.58 0.78
1993-94 19,381 11,375 8,006 0.55 0.76
1994-95 19,475 11,522 7,953 0.54 0.73
1995-96 18,839 11,339 7,500 0.51 0.69
1996-97 18,576 11,625 6,951 0.47 0.69
1997-98 18,330 11,728 6,602 0.45 0.65
1998-99 18,399 11,648 6,751 0.45 0.65
1999-00 17,896 11,590 6,306 0.42 0.64
2000-01 17,414 11,919 5,495 0.37 0.62
2001-02 17,579 11,807 5,772 0.38 0.60
2002-03 17,242 11,699 5,543 0.36 0.59
(a) The percentage increase in the population attributable solely to natural increase.
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. 3101.0)
TABLE 1.4 NET OVERSEAS MIGRATION: SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1991-92 TO 2002-03
Net Overseas Net Overseas Migration rate (a)...
Year Migration South Australia Australia
no. % %
1991-92 2,897 0.20 0.40
1992-93 1,546 0.11 0.17
1993-94 1,994 0.14 0.26
1994-95 2,883 0.20 0.45
1995-96 3,653 0.25 0.58
1996-97 3,106 0.21 0.48
1997-98 3,160 0.21 0.43
1998-99 2,682 0.18 0.52
1999-00 3,829 0.26 0.57
2000-01 2,765 0.18 0.71
2001-02 2,798 0.19 0.57
2002-03 4,679 0.31 0.64
(a) The percentage increase in the population attributable solely to
net overseas migration
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. 3101.0)
12 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.5 INTERSTATE MIGRATION: SOUTH AUSTRALIA BY AGE GROUP, 1991-92 TO 2002-03
Age 1991-92 1996-97 2001-02 2002-03
ARRIVALS FROM INTERSTATE
0-4 2,276 2,636 2,444 2,438
5-9 2,116 2,323 2,007 2,033
10-14 1,669 1,849 1,641 1,683
15-19 1,882 2,219 2,518 2,440
20-24 3,755 3,944 3,624 3,446
Total 0-24 11,698 12,971 12,234 12,040
25 and over 15,048 16,360 17,131 17,816
Total all ages 26,746 29,331 29,365 29,856
DEPARTURES INTERSTATE
0-4 2,080 2,380 2,277 2,232
5-9 2,081 2,474 2,123 2,020
10-14 1,683 2,091 1,685 1,842
15-19 1,876 2,557 2,602 2,452
20-24 4,064 4,705 4,110 3,767
Total 0-24 11,784 14,207 12,797 12,313
25 and over 15,620 18,442 18,422 19,040
Total all ages 27,404 32,649 31,219 31,353
NET GAIN/LOSS DUE TO INTERSTATE MIGRATION
0-4 196 256 167 206
5-9 35 -151 -116 13
10-14 -14 -242 -44 -159
15-19 6 -338 -84 -12
20-24 -309 -761 -486 -321
Total 0-24 -86 -1,236 -563 -273
25 and over -572 -2,082 -1,291 -1,224
Total all ages -658 -3,318 -1,854 -1,497
Source: Migration, Australia (Cat 3412.0) and ABS data available on request.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 13
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.6 ESTIMATED RESIDENT INDIGENOUS POPULATION, AGE GROUPS BY SEX, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA: AT JUNE 1991, 1996 AND 2001
At June……………………
Age 1991 1996 2001
MALES
0-4 1,549 1,542 1,590
5-9 1,291 1,544 1,735
10-14 1,027 1,291 1,577
15-19 1,032 1,024 1,354
20-24 991 1,009 1,031
Total 0-24 5,890 6,410 7,287
25 and over 3,858 4,400 5,317
Total all ages 9,748 10,810 12,604
FEMALES
0-4 1,491 1,516 1,625
5-9 1,310 1,489 1,677
10-14 1,064 1,310 1,549
15-19 1,091 1,064 1,317
20-24 1,077 1,076 1,020
Total 0-24 6,033 6,455 7,188
25 and over 4,028 4,786 5,752
Total all ages 10,061 11,241 12,940
PERSONS
0-4 3,040 3,058 3,215
5-9 2,601 3,033 3,412
10-14 2,091 2,601 3,126
15-19 2,123 2,088 2,671
20-24 2,068 2,085 2,051
Total 0-24 11,923 12,865 14,475
25 and over 7,886 9,186 11,069
Total all ages 19,809 22,051 25,544
MEDIAN AGE (Years) (a)
Males n.a 20.0 20.2
Females n.a 21.2 21.4
Persons n.a 20.6 20.8
(a) The age at which half the population is older and half is younger.
Source: Experimental Estimates of the Indigenous Population, 1991-1996 (ABS 3230.0)
Australian Demographic Statistics Quarterly (Sept Qtr 2002 edition) (ABS 3101.0)
14 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.7 LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: PERSONS UNDER 25 BY AGE GROUP,
1991 AND 2001 CENSUSES
1991 CENSUS -
Age groups……...………………..… Total
Language spoken at home 0-7 8-11 12-17 18-24 0-24 SA % Aust %
no. no. no. no. no. % %
German 418 293 633 834 2,178 0.4 0.3
Greek 2,201 1,188 2,359 4,435 10,183 2.0 1.6
Italian 2,109 1,431 3,210 6,360 13,110 2.6 1.8
Spanish 341 229 362 386 1,318 0.3 0.6
Russian 127 67 128 177 499 0.1 0.1
Croatian 233 149 328 533 1,243 0.2 0.4
Serbian 99 76 136 180 491 0.1 0.1
Polish 619 371 592 458 2,040 0.4 0.2
Arabic (incl Lebanese) 444 271 350 370 1,435 0.3 1.3
Khmer 399 324 180 264 1,167 0.2 0.1
Vietnamese 1,286 847 1,114 1,276 4,523 0.9 0.8
Filipino languages 203 123 169 213 708 0.1 0.3
Chinese languages 922 522 1,001 1,790 4,235 0.8 1.6
Australian Indigenous languages 534 292 439 551 1,816 0.4 0.4
Other languages 1,757 1,216 2,098 2,971 8,042 1.6 3.5
Total speaking languages other
than English at home 11,692 7,399 13,099 20,798 52,988 10.4 13.1
Speaks English only 141,838 70,295 103,211 130,104 445,448 87.3 83.7
Not stated 5,838 1,617 1,804 2,536 11,795 2.3 3.2
Total 159,368 79,311 118,114 153,438 510,231 100.0 100.0
2001 CENSUS -
Age groups……...………………..… Total
Language spoken at home 0-7 8-11 12-17 18-24 0-24 SA % Aust %
no. no. no. no. no. % %
German 226 141 292 253 912 0.2 0.2
Greek 1,847 1,001 1,509 1,895 6,252 1.3 0.9
Italian 1,194 798 1,399 2,210 5,601 1.2 0.8
Spanish 216 163 300 406 1,085 0.2 0.4
Russian 180 109 216 175 680 0.1 0.1
Bosnian 124 97 154 138 513 0.1 0.1
Croatian 172 120 220 304 816 0.2 0.2
Serbian 294 182 339 384 1,199 0.2 0.2
Polish 244 250 537 597 1,628 0.3 0.2
Iranic 242 149 269 345 1,005 0.2 0.2
Arabic (incl. Lebanese) 478 294 444 587 1,803 0.4 1.5
Khmer 282 207 438 451 1,378 0.3 0.2
Vietnamese 1,640 805 1,261 1,638 5,344 1.1 1.1
Tagalog (Filipino) 198 109 200 273 780 0.2 0.3
Chinese languages 916 564 1,000 2,297 4,777 1.0 2.3
Australian Indigenous Languages 557 324 509 519 1,909 0.4 0.4
Other languages 2,906 1,069 1,839 2,947 8,761 1.8 4.6
Total speaking languages other
than English at home 11,716 6,382 10,926 15,419 44,443 9.3 13.7
Speaks English only 126,591 70,318 106,357 111,207 414,473 86.3 80.6
Not stated 9,879 3,082 3,985 4,232 21,178 4.4 5.7
Total 148,186 79,782 121,268 130,858 480,094 100.0 100.0
Source: 1991 and 2001 Censuses of Population and Housing – data available on request
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 15
CHAPTER 1 • POPULATION
TABLE 1.8 NEW ARRIVALS FROM OVERSEAS (ARRIVED 1996-2001), SOUTH AUSTRALIA – PERSONS
AGED 0-24 BY AGE GROUP, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Age groups………….……………..
Country of Birth 0-7 8-11 12-17 18-24 Total
Main English-speaking countries-
Canada 52 16 33 44 145
New Zealand 279 167 167 254 867
South Africa 187 149 150 75 561
United Kingdom 495 334 331 233 1,393
United States of America 118 51 47 113 329
Total main English-speaking countries 1,131 717 728 719 3,295
Other countries -
Afghanistan 31 19 46 121 217
Bosnia and Herzegovina 39 80 171 156 446
Cambodia 6 14 26 55 101
China (excl. SARs (a) and Taiwan Province) 47 32 123 299 501
Croatia 18 25 85 64 192
Germany 66 25 22 29 142
Hong Kong (SAR (a) of China) 32 24 93 215 364
India 114 33 25 127 299
Indonesia 57 29 62 102 250
Iran 39 29 66 63 197
Iraq 30 40 38 28 136
Japan 32 13 52 121 218
Korea, Republic of (South) 90 19 44 82 235
Malaysia 60 20 39 671 790
Norway 4 3 0 127 134
Philippines 111 53 63 105 332
Singapore 28 12 33 178 251
Sub-Saharan African countries (b) 85 45 48 117 295
Sudan 17 21 31 33 102
Taiwan 4 11 24 78 117
Thailand 46 29 40 67 182
Viet Nam 38 28 71 182 319
Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of 62 43 47 72 224
Other countries 445 280 327 573 1,625
Total other countries 1,501 927 1,576 3,665 7,669
Total 2,632 1,644 2,304 4,384 10,964
(a) SAR - Special Administrative Region (of China)
(b) Excluding South Africa. Includes countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia.
16 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 HEALTH
INTRODUCTION
Increasingly, research shows that the health and development of children and young
people result from complex interactions of the social, biological and ecological
environments in which they live (Stanley et al. 2002). If these are supportive, they
provide a strong foundation for the development of competence and coping skills that
underpin learning, behaviour and health throughout life. However, a lack of enabling
social and environmental conditions is reflected in poorer health and developmental
outcomes.
In South Australia over the last twenty years, there have been significant
improvements in many indicators of child and youth health overall – for example,
continuing increases in life expectancy, falling perinatal and infant mortality rates, and
reductions in mortality rates from many diseases as a result of improved living
conditions, technological advances (such as better treatments for childhood
leukaemias) and specific environmental interventions (such as road safety initiatives).
However, not everyone has shared equally in these benefits. Life expectancies for
Indigenous children and young people in this State are still many years behind those
for their non-Indigenous counterparts, and Indigenous infant mortality rates are also
significantly higher (Tennant et al. 2003).
While some indicators show that the health of children and young people has
improved, evidence suggests that other outcomes have remained static or have
declined. For example, mental health problems now affect up to 20 per cent of young
people (Sawyer et al. 2000), and, when persistent, are associated with poor
educational outcomes, relationship difficulties, and high rates of welfare dependence,
delinquency and criminality (Nicholson et al. 2002). Suicide rates continue to be
among the highest in the developed world, especially for young men in rural areas.
Chronic health problems such as asthma, obesity and arthritis are affecting growing
numbers of children and young people, and preventable injuries and harmful
behaviours (such as smoking and substance use) remain prevalent, despite the
introduction of a range of national prevention initiatives (Nicholson et al. 2002).
Increasingly, research shows that the health and development of
children and young people result from complex interactions of the social,
biological and ecological environments in which they live (Stanley et al.
2002).
17 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
Furthermore, these health problems are distributed unequally across the South
Australian population. They are more prevalent for particular groups of children, and
young people such as those disadvantaged by :
low income, poor parental education, remote and rural locations, and unsupported
single parents;
many Indigenous children and youth;
refugee children and young people being held in immigration detention facilities
and other young migrants from war-affected countries;
children in protective care and juvenile offenders;
young homeless people and those who experience violence in their lives.
continue to be at risk of poorer outcomes, particularly in the areas of health,
development and education (Nicholson et al. 2000; Turrell et al. 1999; Tennant et al.
2003). Research indicates that these inequalities in health will only be improved by
policies that address the underlying social and economic conditions in which many
disadvantaged children and young people live (Stanley et al. 2002).
An eclectic range of health indicators appear in this Chapter. Firstly, a look at how
young South Australians (aged 18-24) measure up in four key health risk factors
related to lifestyle. Next there is a summary of an SA Dept of Health study of ‘Burden
of Disease’ as it relates to children and young people. Other topics covered are
pregnancy outcomes for women under 25 years and also infant mortality. There is
reference to Indigenous health indicators, information on selected procedures
performed in SA hospitals and, finally, some results from a survey of drug and alcohol
use among South Australian school children.
KEY HEALTH RISK FACTORS
The latest National Health Survey conducted by ABS was in 2001. Four important
health risk measures are shown in the graph below for persons aged 18-24 years.
Rates for South Australian young people are compared with their national
counterparts for smoking status, alcohol consumption at risky levels, lack of exercise
and adverse body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated from self-reported height and
weight information, using the formula: weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m).
To produce a measure of the prevalence of overweight or obesity in adults, BMI
values are grouped as follows:
Underweight: Less than 18.5;
Normal range: 18.5 to less than 20 and 20.0 to less than 25.0;
Overweight: 25.0 to less than 30.0; and
Obese: 30.0 and greater.
Table 2.1 towards the end of this Chapter provides more information.
18 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
KEY HEALTH RISK FACTORS, PROPORTION OF PERSONS AGED 18-24,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 2001
%
South Australia
40
Australia
30
20
10
0
Smoker Risky alcohol No exercise (b) Overweight (c)
consumption (a)
(a) Risky and high alcohol risk
(b) Sedentary exercise level
(c) Overweight or obese body mass index (BMI)
Source: National Health Survey (ABS Cat. No. 4364.0), unpublished data
Interestingly, the results for young South Australians are lower than the national
average in all four measures. For smoking and risky alcohol consumption the
difference is marginal, but for exercise and the incidence of overweight persons the
difference is better than marginal.
Nevertheless, the SA results warrant concern as these key health risk factors are
essentially lifestyle issues and are preventable. The fact remains that 30% of South
Australians aged 18-24 are smokers, 10% consume alcohol at risky levels, 19% do
not exercise and 25% are overweight. The SA Strategic Plan 2004 lists the following
targets –
! To reduce the percentage of young cigarette smokers by 10% within ten
years;
! To reduce the percentage of South Australians who are overweight or obese
by 10% within ten years; and
! To exceed the Australian participation in sport and physical activity within ten
years.
While the National Health Survey data shown above is for those aged 18-24 there is
some body mass index data (BMI) collected for South Australian 4-year olds. Recent
data obtained from the Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU,
University of Adelaide) show that around 18% of South Australian 4-year olds are
overweight or obese – for boys the proportion was 16% while for girls it was 20%.
Height and weight measurements were taken by Child and Youth Health (CYH) staff
at child care and pre-school centres and it is claimed that around 80% of all South
Australian 4-year olds are included. Data is also available for geographic areas within
South Australia.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 19
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
Rated on four key lifestyle measures, young South Australians scored a little better
than their national counterparts. However, the fact remains that 30% of South
Australians aged 18-24 are smokers, 10% consume alcohol at risky levels, 19% do
not exercise and 25% are overweight.
SA BURDEN OF DISEASE STUDY (1999-2001) – CHILD AND YOUTH PERSPECTIVE
Burden of disease methods estimate the illness and premature death associated with
a wide range of health problems for a given population. These summary measures
are used extensively throughout the world and were adapted and developed for the
Australian context by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The
Strategic Planning and Population Health Division of the SA Department of Health
applied this method to describe the average amount of ill health and premature death
occurring in the South Australian population during the period 1999-2001. This
involved compiling the best available evidence (which may be uncertain or
incomplete) on incidence, prevalence, case fatality and degree of severity for a
comprehensive list of conditions adapted from International Classification of Disease
(ICD) standards.
The Study results include two components: mortality and morbidity. Loss due to
premature death (the mortality burden) is described in terms of Years of Life Lost, or
YLLs. They represent the number of years of expected life not lived due to death
from a condition. YLLs for a given condition, sex and age interval are the product of
the number of deaths from that condition in that age and sex category (N) and the
standard life expectancy at the mean age of death in that age interval (L): YLL = N × L .
Morbidity burden is represented by the number of healthy years of life lost due to
disability (YLD), where disability refers to any departure from an ideal health state.
YLDs are the product of the number of incident cases (I) of a given condition in the
reference period, the severity weight (between 0 and 1 where 1 is most severe)
assigned to stages within the condition (SW) and the average duration in years (L) of
the condition: YLD = I × SW × L . All results reported use 3% pa discounting.
More information on the methods and results from the South Australian Burden of
Disease study can be accessed at
http://www.health.sa.gov.au/burdenofdisease/DesktopDefault.aspx
20 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
Rates of Premature Death
RATES OF YEARS OF LIFE LOST (YLL) DUE TO PREMATURE DEATH
(AVERAGE 1999-2001), FOR YOUNG SOUTH AUSTRALIANS, BY AGE/SEX
Rate (a)
40 Males
Females
30
20
10
0
0-4 5-14 15-24
Age group (years)
(a) The rate is the number of years of life lost (YLL) due to premature death per 1,000 persons of that age and
sex in one year.
Source: SA Dept of Health
The SA Department of Health estimated that the yearly average number of deaths
occurring during 1999-2001 resulted in the loss of 111,320 years of life (YLL) among
South Australians. The loss due to premature deaths in people aged less than 25
accounts for a relatively small proportion of total loss with 8% among males and 5% in
females.
The graph above shows a clear sex difference for those aged 0-4 years and an
almost threefold difference in the 15 to 24 group. A consistent change in YLL across
age groupings was apparent and, as the graph above shows, with the greatest rates
in the 0-4 age group, the lowest rates among the 5-14 age group but with the rates
increasing again in the 15-24 age group.
Rates of Morbidity
Among all South Australians, SA Department of Health estimates further 99,750
healthy years of life will be lost because of illness and injury occurring during one year
(the annual average of 1999-2001). More than one in five of these lost years will be
borne by young people aged less than 25 years and the graph below shows the rates
by age group and sex. The 5-14 group again has the lowest rates with rates in the
other two groups being at least two times greater. Males experience the greatest rate
of loss in the 0-4 group while females have the highest rates among 15 to 24 year
olds.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 21
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
RATES OF HEALTHY YEARS OF LIFE LOST (YLD) DUE TO DISABILITY
CAUSED BY ILLNESS OR INJURY (AVERAGE 1999-2001), FOR YOUNG SOUTH
AUSTRALIANS, BY AGE/SEX
Rate (a)
80 Males
Females
60
40
20
0
0-4 5-14 15-24
Age group (years)
(a) The rate is the number of healthy years of life lost (YLD) due to disability caused by illness/injury per 1,000
persons of that age and sex in one year.
Source: SA Dept of Health
Conditions responsible for premature mortality loss
Table 2.2 towards the end of this Chapter lists the top 10 conditions contributing to
premature mortality in South Australian young males and females aged 0-4, 5-14 and
15-24.
Death in very young ages is relatively rare in South Australia and is often due to quite
uncommon causes compared to the population overall. The conditions of Low birth
weight, Other neonatal causes (for example newborns affected by maternal
hypertension) and Other congenital anomalies (such as multiple congenital
malformations) were responsible for over one-third of premature mortality in 0 to 4
years old children (see Table 2.2). The greater rates among infant males were largely
attributable to Other neonatal causes where the rate among males is nearly twice that
of females and Sudden infant death syndrome (3.4 and 0.5 YLL per 1000 in males
and females respectively).
Among the 5 to 14 year group, road traffic accidents emerged as the greatest cause
of premature life loss. Road traffic accidents were the leading cause of death in the
15 to 24 year group too, accounting for over one-third of loss. The premature death
associated with risk taking behaviour and potentially avoidable causes became
increasingly apparent in this age group. Deaths by suicide, violence and illicit drug
use accounted for over three quarters of premature death among males and almost
60% in females.
22 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
In terms of Years of Life Lost, the top three conditions responsible for premature death are –
! For males aged 0-4: Other neonatal causes, Low birth weight, Sudden infant death syndrome.
! For females aged 0-4: Low birth weight, Other neonatal causes, Other congenital anomalies.
! For males aged 5-14: Road traffic accidents, Leukaemia, Other nervous system disorders.
! For females aged 5-14: Road traffic accidents, Other nervous system disorders, Brain cancer.
! For males aged 15-24: Road traffic accidents, Suicide, Heroin dependence and harmful use.
! For females aged 15-24: Road traffic accidents, Suicide, Heroin dependence and harmful use
More detail is available from Table 2.2 towards the end of this Chapter
.
Conditions responsible for loss of healthy years of life due to disability caused
by illness or injury
Table 2.3 towards the end of this Chapter lists the top 10 conditions contributing to the
loss of healthy years of life due to disability caused by illness or injury in South
Australian young males and females aged 0-4, 5-14 and 15-24.
Asthma is the leading cause of morbidity for both 0-4 and 5-14 age groupings and for
both sexes, responsible for over 25% of life lived with illness (see Table 2.3). Mental
disorders become prominent as leading causes of morbidity in the youngest age
group, initially in the form of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and disorders
within the Autistic spectrum with markedly higher rates among males with rates 2.5
and 4 times those of females respectively. Depression emerged as a leading
condition for both sexes in the 5-14 year group.
Rates increased further in the 15-24 age group with depression being the leading
cause of life lived with disability among young women and at a rate almost 3.5 times
that of males. Mental health conditions including substance abuse dominate the Top
10 causes of loss and are responsible for over 70% of the loss borne by the 15-24
age group.
In terms of Healthy Years of Life Lost, the top three disabling conditions responsible for this are –
! For males aged 0-4: Asthma, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Autism and Asperger’s
syndrome
! For females aged 0-4: Asthma, Other chromosomal anomalies, Low birth weight.
! For males aged 5-14: Asthma, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Depression.
! For females aged 5-14: Asthma, Depression, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
! For males aged 15-24: Alcohol dependence and harmful use, Bipolar affective disorder,
Schizophrenia.
! For females aged 15-24: Depression, Bipolar affective disorder, Alcohol dependence and
harmful use
More detail is available from Table 2.3 towards the end of this Chapter.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 23
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
PREGNANCY OUTCOMES
Table 2.4 towards the end of this Chapter shows time-series data for the last five
years of selected pregnancy outcomes for South Australian women aged under 25
years (by age group):
- Births
- Terminations
- Low birthweight babies
- Pre-term births.
The graph below shows the numbers of births and terminations for women aged less
than 20 years and those aged 20-24 years over the period 1999 to 2003. A gradual
downward trend is observable in all indicators except pregnancy terminations for
women aged less than 20 years, which has shown a small increase. For more detail
see Table 2.4. Data for 2003 terminations was not available at the time of preparation
of this Profile.
BIRTHS AND TERMINATIONS (a), WOMEN AGED LESS THAN 20 AND 20-24,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2003
no.
Age <20 births
3500
Age 20-24 births
Age <20 terminations
3000 Age 20-24 terminations
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
(a) Terminations data for 2003 not yet available.
Source: SA Dept of Health
The baby's birthweight is a key indicator of infant health. Babies are classified as low
birthweight if their birthweight is less than 2500 grams. Low birthweight babies have a
greater risk of poor health and dying, require longer hospitalisation after birth and are
more likely to develop significant disabilities.
Another key indicator of infant health is the length of gestation (duration of
pregnancy). A birth is pre-term if the length of gestation is less than 37 completed
weeks. Pre-term births are associated with many problems that cause significant
illness and mortality in newborn babies and may sometimes be associated with long
term disabilities.
24 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
The graph below shows the numbers of low birthweight babies and pre-term births for
women aged 15-19 years and those aged 20-24 years over the period 1999 to 2003.
In general the numbers for both indicators have stayed relatively stable over time. Of
note is the fall in the number of low birthweight babies for mothers aged 20-24 years
between 2002 and 2003. For more detail see Table 2.4 towards the end of this
Chapter.
LOW BIRTHWEIGHT BABIES AND PRE-TERM BIRTHS, WOMEN AGED LESS
THAN 20 AND 20-24, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2003
no.
Age <20 low birthweight babies
300
Age 20-24 low birthweight babies
Age <20 pre-term births
Age 20-24 pre-term births
250
200
150
100
50
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: SA Dept of Health
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 25
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
INFANT MORTALITY
Australia’s Infant mortality has declined greatly in the last 100 years. In 1902, over 1
in 10 infants born did not survive to their first birthday (IMR of 107.1). In 2002-03, less
than 1 in 200 infants born will not survive their first year of life (IMR of 4.7). The early
decline in infant mortality has been linked to improvements in public sanitation and
health education. Later declines may be a consequence of the introduction of
universal health insurance (Medicare) and improvements in medical technology, such
as neonatal intensive care units. (ABS, Deaths, 2002, Cat. No. 3302.0)
The graph below shows current infant mortality rates for States/Territories and
Australia. The graph shows that ACT, Western Australia and South Australia have
the lowest rates of infant mortality. See Table 2.5 for more details.
INFANT MORTALITY RATES (a), STATES AND AUSTRALIA, AVERAGE FOR THE
FIVE YEARS TO 2002-03
rate
12.5
10.0
7.5
5.0
2.5
0.0
NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas NT ACT Aust
(a) Number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births in the same period
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. No. 3101.0)
26 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
INDIGENOUS HEALTH INDICATORS
The available evidence (including the Population Census 2001) suggests that
Indigenous people generally have much poorer health than other South Australians.
They have a shorter average life expectancy, higher mortality and hospital separation
rates, and experience higher rates of infant mortality than the rest of the South
Australian population. See the graph below for a 3 year moving average of infant
mortality rates comparing Indigenous and total rates.
INFANT MORTALITY RATES (a), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 3 YR MOVING AVERAGE,
1993-95 TO 2000-0
Rate
Indigenous
14
Total
12
10
8
6
4
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Average of 3 cal yrs ending.........
(a) No. of infant deaths (i.e. of infants aged < 12 mths) per 1,000 live births in same period.
Source: ABS, Deaths (Cat. No. 3302.0)
As discussed in Chapter 1, the Indigenous population has a much younger age profile
than the rest of the population in South Australia. The median age of the Indigenous
population is 20.8 years compared with 37.6 years for the rest of the South Australian
population
Since the beginning of the 20th century, life expectancy has increased markedly for
Australians overall, reflecting improvements in areas such as public health and
medical interventions. However, at the turn of the 21st century, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples had, on average, the same life expectancies as the total
Australian population in the early part of the 20th century (ABS, Australian Social
Trends, 2002, Cat. No.4102.0, p. 86). It is difficult to assess trends in Indigenous life
expectancy for South Australia because many of the historical data are of poor
quality. What is known is that Indigenous South Australians do not live as long.
Recent ABS data estimate their life expectancy at birth to be about 20 years less than
for other South Australians. In 1998- 2000 the adjusted life expectancy for Indigenous
males in South Australia was 55.3 years – 21.3 years less than for the total male
population. Similarly, in 1998-2000 the adjusted life expectancy for Indigenous
females was 61.2 years – 21.1 years less than for the total female population.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 27
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
Cause of death data for Indigenous children is problematic as the numbers of deaths
of Indigenous children in South Australia are quite small. For example, in recent
years there were often less than 20 deaths registered of Indigenous children aged
less than 15 years. As the causes of these deaths were quite varied, it is not possible
to report them due to confidentiality issues.
The graph following shows crude death rates for Indigenous and non-Indigenous
children and youth aged 15 to 24 years.
CRUDE DEATH RATES (a), 15 to 24 YR AGE GROUP, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS PERSONS, 1996 - 2001
Rate
3 Indigenous
Non-indigenous
2
1
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
(a) No. of deaths per 1000 population.
Source: ABS, Deaths Australia (Cat. No. 3302.0), ABS Experimental estimates of the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander population, 1996-2006 (Cat.No. 3231.0)
Administrative collections such as birth and death registrations and data collected by
community service providers are a major source of information about Indigenous
people. However, Indigenous people are not always accurately identified in many of
these data collections. Also, the changing propensity of people to identify as
Indigenous means estimates of the Indigenous population should be treated with
some caution.
A health issue of major concern is the scourge of petrol sniffing amongst Indigenous
children and young people, particularly in remote communities such as those in the
Anungu Pitjanyjantjara Lands in South Australia’s Far North West. Chronic and
prolonged petrol sniffing often results in severe and irreversible disability.
In 2003 the ABS Adelaide Office completed an Indigenous Profile publication for SA
Government. It is available to State Government users in the Consultancy container
of ABS@ and has a section on Health. Another useful reference (despite having no
data by State) may be The Health and Welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Peoples, 2003, a joint ABS/AIHW publication, Cat. No. 4704.0.
28 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
SELECTED PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN SA HOSPITALS
Separation rates for 'selected' procedures and conditions may be interpreted as
indicators of the appropriateness of hospital admissions, and may also be indicators
of the availability and accessibility of primary care services.
A number of procedures and conditions, particularly relevant to the child and youth
population, have been selected for examination:
! Appendicectomy
! Caesarean section
! Myringotomy (a surgical procedure to drain fluid and place tubes in the
eardrums)
! Arthroscopy
! Tonsillectomy
! Asthma
Table 2.6 towards the end of this Chapter shows the numbers of such procedures and
conditions for the period 1998-99 to 2002-03. Table 2.7 presents standardised rate
ratios (SRRs) for each procedure/condition over five years as a way of comparing the
South Australian experience against Australia overall. If the SRR is greater than one
then the hospital separation rate for SA per head of population is higher than the
national average. SRR values of less than one indicate a State rate under the
national rate. It is a useful indicator for comparison purposes as an SRR of 1.50, for
example, indicates a state rate 50% above the national rate, while an SRR of 0.50
would indicate a state rate half that of Australia overall.
An SRR is not published if the number of hospital separations for SA is less than 30.
The graphs below and Table 2.7 show that SA's separation rates for Caesarian
sections, Myringotomies, Arthroscopies, Tonsillectomies and Asthma were higher
than the national average for patients aged under 25 years. Conversely, separation
rates for Appendicectomies were lower than Australia overall.
Of the six selected procedures and conditions, the highest SA SRRs generally related
to Myringotomies. Over 4,000 of these eardrum procedures were performed in SA
hospitals during 2002-03, mostly on patients aged under 25 years, and this represents
a rate 72% above the national average for this age cohort (SRR=1.72). A maximum
value of 2.04 (i.e. a rate more than twice the national average) was recorded in 2001-
02 for patients aged 0 to 4 years.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 29
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
SRRs were also high for Asthma for 0-24 year olds, ranging from 1.46 to 1.62 over
the five year period ending 2002-03. This could be an indication of the difficulty in
accessing primary care services for the treatment of Asthma. On the other hand
cases of asthma in SA may be more severe, therefore necessitating treatment in the
hospital sector.
STANDARDISED RATE RATIO (SRR) (a) FOR SELECTED PROCEDURES AND
CONDITIONS FOR PERSONS AGED LESS THAN 25 YEARS, SA HOSPITALS,
1998-99 TO 2002-03
SRR
Appendicectomy
2.0
Caesarean section
Myringotomy
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
SRR
Arthroscopy
1.8
Tonsillectomy
Asthma
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
a) If the SRR is greater than one then the hospital separation rate for SA per head of population is higher
than the national average. SRR values of less than one indicate a State rate under the national rate.
Source: SA Department of Health (using ISAAC data)
30 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN
At three yearly intervals, school students from across Australia participate in a
national survey of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. The most recent survey was
conducted in 2002 and was coordinated in South Australia by the Cancer Council SA,
in collaboration with the Drug and Alcohol Services Council and the SA Smoking and
Health Project.
Students in Years 7 through to 12 were recruited from Government, Catholic and
Independent schools throughout South Australia to participate in the survey. In 2002
the survey achieved a sample size of 2,839 South Australian students aged between
12 and 17 years.
Survey participants were asked to provide information on a “Substance ever used”
basis and also a “Substance used in the last week” basis. The graphs below and
Table 2.8 at the end of this Chapter show details on the latter measure for 1996, 1999
and 2002. The Survey asked about the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis and
also other drugs of concern such as steroids, inhalants, amphetamines,
hallucinogens, ecstasy, heroin and cocaine.
SA SCHOOL STUDENTS AGED 12-17, PROPORTION WHO USED TOBACCO IN
THE LAST WEEK, BY SEX, 1996, 1999 AND 2002
%
Males
20
Females
15
10
5
0
1996 1999 2002
Source: “Drug and Alcohol Use Among SA School Students, Summary Results from the Australian Students
Drug and Alcohol Survey”, Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC).
An apparent reduction is evident in the proportion of South Australian school students
who are smoking cigarettes (and other tobacco products). However, the rate of
smoking is consistently higher for girls than for boys over this six year time period.
Survey results show that recent tobacco use was highest among 16 year old boys and
15 year old girls with 21% and 26% respectively reporting that they had smoked in the
previous week.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 31
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
SA SCHOOL STUDENTS AGED 12-17, PROPORTION WHO USED ALCOHOL IN
THE LAST WEEK, BY SEX, 1996, 1999 AND 2002
%
Males
40
Females
30
20
10
0
1996 1999 2002
Source: “Drug and Alcohol Use Among SA School Students, Summary Results from the Australian Students
Drug and Alcohol Survey”, Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC).
Unlike the data for smoking, there is an apparent increase in the proportion of school
children who consumed alcohol in the previous week. Boys are more likely than girls
to have consumed alcohol in the previous week.
The 2002 Survey found that for boys the proportion of students reporting use of
alcohol in the previous week rises from 22% of 13 year olds to 40% of 15 year olds to
59% of 17 year olds. For girls, reported use in the previous week increases
substantially from ages 13 to 15 and then remains constant between ages 15 and 17
at around 40%.
SA SCHOOL STUDENTS AGED 12-17, PROPORTION WHO USED CANNABIS IN
THE LAST WEEK, BY SEX, 1996, 1999 AND 2002
%
Males
20
Females
15
10
5
0
1996 1999 2002
Source: “Drug and Alcohol Use Among SA School Students, Summary Results from the Australian Students
Drug and Alcohol Survey”, Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC).
32 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among South Australian school
students, however, as the graph above indicates, there has been a significant
reduction over the last six years in the proportion of students who reported use in the
previous week. In 1996 16% of boys in the survey were weekly cannabis users
whereas by 2002 that proportion has almost halved to 8%. For girls the decline was
from 11% in 1996 to 6% in 2002.
Table 2.8 at the end of this Chapter has details about use in the previous week of
other drugs of concern. The use of inhalants is of concern with usage rates of around
4%. For drugs such as steroids, heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens and ecstasy, usage
rates were below 1% in 2002.
More information about this Survey can be obtained from the Drug and Alcohol
Services Council.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 33
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
REFERENCES
Glover J, Harris K and Tennant S. A Social Health Atlas of Australia (Second edition),
Volume 1: Australia. Openbook Publishers: Adelaide, 1999.
Keating DP and Hertzman C (eds.). Developmental Health and the Wealth of
Nations: Social, Biological and Educational Dynamics. The Guilford Press: New York,
1999.
Nicholson J, Sanson A, Rempel L, Smart D and Patton G. Longitudinal studies of
children and youth: Implications for future studies. In Children’s Health and
Development: new research directions for Australia. (Sanson A, ed.) Australian
Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). Australian Institute of Family Studies:
Commonwealth of Australia 2002.
Sawyer M, Arney F, Baghurst P, Clark JJ, Graetz BW, and Kosky RJ. The mental
health of young people in Australia. Canberra: DHAC, 2000.
Stanley F, Sanson A and McMichael T. New ways of causal pathways thinking for
public health. In Children’s Health and Development: new research directions for
Australia. (Sanson A, ed.) Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). Australian
Institute of Family Studies: Commonwealth of Australia 2002.
Tennant S, Hetzel D and Glover J. A Social Health Atlas of Young South Australians
(Second edition). Public Health Information Development Unit, The University of
Adelaide 2003.
Turrell G, Oldenburg B, McGuffog I and Dent R. Socioeconomic Status and Health:
Towards a national research program and a policy and intervention agenda.
Queensland University of Technology, School of Public Health, Ausinfo: Canberra,
1999.
34 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.1 FOUR KEY HEALTH RISK FACTORS, NUMBER AND PROPORTION OF PERSONS AGED 18-24,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 2001
Smoker Total persons Proportion
'000 '000 %
South Australia 38.6 130.5 29.6
Australia 559.1 1,784.3 31.3
Risky alcohol consumption Total persons Proportion
'000 '000 %
South Australia 13.6 130.5 10.4
Australia 202.2 1,784.3 11.3
No exercise (sedentary) Total persons Proportion
'000 '000 %
South Australia 24.5 130.5 18.7
Australia 404.0 1,784.3 22.6
Overweight or obese Total persons Proportion
'000 '000 %
South Australia 31.9 130.5 24.5
Australia 486.4 1,784.3 27.3
Source: ABS National Health Survey, 2001 (ABS Cat. 4364.0), unpublished data
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 35
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.2 TOP 10 CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO PREMATURE MORTALITY – YEARS OF LIFE LOST
(YLL) (a) AND RATE PER 1,000, AGE AND SEX, AVERAGE 1999-2001
Rate/ Rate/
Males 0-4 years YLL (a) 1,000 Females 0-4 years YLL (a) 1,000
1 Other neonatal causes 302.3 6.4 1 Low birth weight 199.7 4.4
2 Low birth weight 217.8 4.6 2 Other neonatal causes 159.7 3.5
3 Sudden infant death syndrome 162.9 3.4 3 Other congenital anomalies 125.7 2.8
4 Other congenital anomalies 143.9 3.0 4 Congenital heart disease 105.8 2.3
5 Birth trauma and asphyxia 113.5 2.4 5 Birth trauma and asphyxia 95.0 2.1
6 Congenital heart disease 104.8 2.2 6 Other nervous system disorders 75.6 1.7
7 Other nervous system disorders 70.6 1.5 7 Other chromosomal anomalies 61.5 1.3
8 Suffocation and foreign bodies 60.5 1.3 8 Suffocation and foreign bodies 40.7 0.9
9 Other endocrine and metabolic 60.3 1.3 9 Other endocrine and metabolic 40.7 0.9
10 Neonatal infections 51.5 1.1 10 Other cardiovascular disease 32.7 0.7
All other causes 446.9 9.4 All other causes 262.5 5.8
Total 1735.1 36.5 Total 1199.7 26.3
Males 5-14 years Females 5-14 years
1 Road traffic accidents 145.4 1.4 1 Road traffic accidents 98.5 1.0
2 Leukemia 48.7 0.5 2 Other nervous system disorders 59.5 0.6
3 Other nervous system disorders 39.3 0.4 3 Brain cancer 19.7 0.2
4 Other transport accidents 39.1 0.4 4 Leukemia 19.5 0.2
5 Suffocation & foreign bodies 29.2 0.3 5 Other congenital anomalies 10.0 0.1
6 Other benign neoplasms 19.5 0.2 6 Other endocrine and metabolic 10.0 0.1
7 Fires/burns/scalds 19.5 0.2 7 Rheumatoid artritis 10.0 0.1
8 Meningitis 19.3 0.2 8 Falls 10.0 0.1
9 Other cardiovascular disease 9.9 0.1 9 Other cardiovascular disease 9.8 0.1
10 Congenital heart disease 9.9 0.1 10 Asthma 9.8 0.1
All other causes 78.1 0.8 All other causes 68.3 0.7
Total 457.9 4.4 Total 325.0 3.3
Males 15-24 years Females 15-24 years
1 Road traffic accidents 891.4 8.8 1 Road traffic accidents 217.8 2.3
2 Suicide & self-inflicted injuries 606.5 6.0 2 Suicide & self-inflicted injuries 103.3 1.1
3 Heroin dependence & harmful use 156.3 1.5 3 Heroin dependence & harmful use 96.5 1.0
4 Homicide & violence 74.2 0.7 4 Homicide & violence 47.1 0.5
5 Poisoning 65.3 0.6 5 Leukemia 44.9 0.5
6 Polydrug dependence & harmful use 64.1 0.6 6 Epilepsy 28.8 0.3
7 Other nervous system disorders 56.2 0.6 7 Bone and connective tissue cancers 25.8 0.3
8 Leukemia 55.7 0.6 8 Asthma 19.5 0.2
9 Other transport accidents 55.4 0.5 9 Polydrug dependence & harmful use 19.5 0.2
10 Brain cancer 37.1 0.4 10 Other congenital anomalies 19.3 0.2
All other causes 426.0 4.2 All other causes 216.9 2.3
Total 2488.2 24.6 Total 839.6 8.7
(a) YLL – Years of Life Lost from a condition occurring in the equivalent of a one year period (i.e. the annual average of 1999, 2000 and 2001)
Source: SA Department of Health
36 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.3 TOP 10 CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO LOSS OF HEALTHY YEARS OF LIFE (YLD) DUE TO
DISABILITY CAUSED BY ILLNESS OR INJURY – HEALTHY YEARS OF LIFE LOST (YLD) (a) AND RATE PER
1,000, AGE AND SEX, AVERAGE 1999-2001
Rate/ Rate/
Males 0-4 years YLD (a) 1,000 Females 0-4 years YLD (a) 1,000
1 Asthma 552.7 11.6 1 Asthma 368.7 8.1
2 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 371.2 7.8 2 Other chromosomal anomalies 234.0 5.1
3 Autism and Asperger's syndrome 339.6 7.1 3 Low birth weight 174.3 3.8
4 Other chromosomal anomalies 198.9 4.2 4 Other congenital anomalies 152.7 3.3
5 Other congenital anomalies 192.6 4.0 5 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 142.2 3.1
6 Low birth weight 174.1 3.7 6 Mental retardation 101.2 2.2
7 Mental retardation 137.9 2.9 7 Congenital heart disease 96.1 2.1
8 Other chronic respiratory diseases 135.5 2.8 8 Other chronic respiratory diseases 83.3 1.8
9 Down syndrome 118.4 2.5 9 Autism and Asperger's syndrome 82.8 1.8
10 Congenital heart disease 110.7 2.3 10 Otitis media 69.7 1.5
All other causes 1047.3 22.0 All other causes 874.5 19.2
Total 3378.9 71.0 Total 2379.4 52.2
Males 5-14 years Females 5-14 years
1 Asthma 845.1 8.2 1 Asthma 972.9 10.0
2 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 321.3 3.1 2 Depression 242.0 2.5
3 Depression 211.0 2.0 3 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 124.1 1.3
4 Separation anxiety disorder 104.3 1.0 4 Separation anxiety disorder 98.9 1.0
5 Falls 99.9 1.0 5 Bulimia nervosa 73.3 0.8
6 Type 1 diabetes 67.1 0.7 6 Anorexia nervosa 69.2 0.7
7 Iron-deficiency anaemia 65.0 0.6 7 Iron-deficiency anaemia 67.8 0.7
8 Epilepsy 46.7 0.5 8 Type 1 diabetes 64.5 0.7
9 Striking and crushing accidents 46.6 0.5 9 Falls 61.5 0.6
10 Otitis media 41.9 0.4 10 Otitis media 46.9 0.5
All other causes 470.6 4.6 All other causes 520.8 5.3
Total 2319.7 22.5 Total 2341.9 24.0
Males 15-24 years Females 15-24 years
1 Alcohol dependence and harmful use 942.2 9.3 1 Depression 1036.0 10.7
2 Bipolar affective disorder 524.4 5.2 2 Bipolar affective disorder 518.5 5.4
3 Schizophrenia 392.1 3.9 3 Alcohol dependence and harmful use 488.3 5.1
4 Depression 363.4 3.6 4 Social phobia 432.6 4.5
5 Social phobia 346.5 3.4 5 Asthma 359.7 3.7
6 Borderline personality disorder 313.3 3.1 6 Schizophrenia 322.1 3.3
7 Heroin dependence & harmful use 311.0 3.1 7 Bulimia nervosa 240.2 2.5
8 Generalised anxiety disorder 205.0 2.0 8 Heroin dependence & harmful use 229.1 2.4
9 Cannabis dependence and harmful use 188.2 1.9 9 Anorexia nervosa 225.9 2.3
10 Post-traumatic stress disorder 144.0 1.4 10 Generalised anxiety disorder 206.2 2.1
All other causes 1640.0 16.2 All other causes 2125.1 22.0
Total 5370.1 53.1 Total 6183.6 64.1
(a) YLD – Healthy Years of Life Lost due to a disability from an illness or injury occurring in the equivalent of a one year period (i.e. the annual
average of 1999, 2000 and 2001)
Source: SA Department of Health
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 37
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.4 PREGNANCY OUTCOMES, AGE OF MOTHER LESS THAN 25 YEARS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999
TO 2003
Calendar Year
Age of Mother 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Number of Births
<15 years 6 13 3 7 9
15-19 years 1,004 917 942 959 936
20-24 years 2,862 2,792 2,755 2,766 2,696
Total <25 years 3,872 3,722 3,700 3,732 3,641
25 years and over 14,647 14,150 14,004 14,013 14,203
Number of Terminations
<15 years 35 28 30 20 nya
15-19 years 1,134 1,093 1,166 1,242 nya
20-24 years 1,638 1,540 1,560 1,490 nya
Total <25 years 2,807 2,661 2,756 2,752 nya
25 years and over 2,853 2,885 2,815 2,711 nya
Number of Low Birthweight babies
<15 years 1 1 0 1 0
15-19 years 88 95 97 79 98
20-24 years 211 219 204 215 189
Total <25 years 300 315 301 295 287
25 years and over 918 980 898 962 962
Number of Pre-term births
<15 years 1 2 0 1 0
15-19 years 102 96 102 84 110
20-24 years 230 266 220 231 229
Total <25 years 333 364 322 316 339
25 years and over 1,172 1,165 1,114 1,154 1,165
Source: SA Department of Health
38 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.5 INFANT DEATHS AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES, STATES/TERRITORIES AND AUSTRALIA,
1998-99 TO 2002-03
Period NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas NT ACT Aust
Number of Infant Deaths (a)
1998-99 438 318 274 83 120 41 44 22 1,340
1999-00 482 304 260 70 114 38 41 18 1,327
2000-01 465 255 290 78 105 43 33 13 1,282
2001-02 350 266 234 72 94 30 35 10 1,091
2002-03 400 297 241 73 79 28 34 19 1,171
Infant Mortality Rates (b)
1998-99 5.11 5.36 5.82 4.51 4.75 6.42 12.23 5.22 5.36
1999-00 5.62 5.09 5.49 3.91 4.58 6.55 11.28 4.35 5.32
2000-01 5.45 4.35 6.05 4.48 4.30 7.32 8.85 3.22 5.18
2001-02 4.16 4.40 4.91 4.10 3.92 5.11 9.36 2.53 4.41
2002-03 4.62 5.13 4.98 4.06 3.20 4.82 9.10 4.77 4.71
Average
1998-99 to 2002-03 4.99 4.87 5.45 4.21 4.15 6.04 10.16 4.02 5.00
(a) An infant death is the death of a live-born child who dies before reaching his/her first birthday
(b) Infant deaths per 1,000 live births in the same year.
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS Cat. 3101.0)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 39
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.6 NUMBER OF SA HOSPITAL SEPARATIONS (a) (b) FOR SELECTED PROCEDURES AND
CONDITIONS, BY AGE GROUP, 1998-99 TO 2002-03
Appendicectomy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps.
0 to 4 years 19 27 16 22 18
5 to 7 years 36 34 37 38 46
8 to 11 years 174 139 168 165 164
12 to 15 years 251 232 220 232 244
16 to 17 years 125 152 123 102 115
18 to 21 years 235 196 233 179 200
22 to 24 years 111 113 107 113 130
0 to 24 years subtotal 951 893 904 851 917
25 years and over 1,024 1,030 1,044 1,057 1,024
TOTAL 1,975 1,923 1,948 1,908 1,941
Caesarean section 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps.
0 to 4 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
5 to 7 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
8 to 11 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
12 to 15 years 4 13 6 3 1
16 to 17 years 53 46 46 48 44
18 to 21 years 277 269 279 308 290
22 to 24 years 384 366 354 418 404
0 to 24 years subtotal 718 694 685 777 739
25 years and over 3,835 3,794 3,816 4,333 4,337
TOTAL 4,553 4,488 4,501 5,110 5,076
Myringotomy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps.
0 to 4 years 2,629 2,313 2,515 2,507 2,338
5 to 7 years 1,020 844 1,075 1,073 913
8 to 11 years 335 257 318 322 277
12 to 15 years 85 77 86 83 75
16 to 17 years 12 14 19 18 15
18 to 21 years 25 24 27 28 19
22 to 24 years 12 17 16 18 15
0 to 24 years subtotal 4,118 3,546 4,056 4,049 3,652
25 years and over 409 439 521 502 498
TOTAL 4,527 3,985 4,577 4,551 4,150
(a) Includes both public and private hospitals in South Australia
(a) Separation: A completed episode of care for an admitted patient, as recorded by the hospital.
Source: SA Department of Health (using ISAAC data)
(Cont.)
40 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.6 (Cont) NUMBER OF SA HOSPITAL SEPARATIONS (a) (b) FOR SELECTED PROCEDURES
AND CONDITIONS, BY AGE GROUP, 1998-99 TO 2002-03
Arthroscopy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps.
0 to 4 years 4 9 11 5 3
5 to 7 years n.a. 3 1 1 4
8 to 11 years 28 25 22 18 18
12 to 15 years 257 291 246 219 211
16 to 17 years 294 283 306 317 236
18 to 21 years 676 673 715 705 650
22 to 24 years 587 669 588 548 504
0 to 24 years subtotal 1,846 1,953 1,889 1,813 1,626
25 years and over 11,049 11,666 11,723 12,650 11,974
TOTAL 12,895 13,619 13,612 14,463 13,600
Tonsillectomy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps.
0 to 4 years 654 665 680 817 755
5 to 7 years 733 583 575 755 612
8 to 11 years 421 327 352 413 366
12 to 15 years 296 292 291 312 291
16 to 17 years 176 149 187 188 162
18 to 21 years 281 281 263 291 298
22 to 24 years 131 80 104 117 118
0 to 24 years subtotal 2,692 2,377 2,452 2,893 2,602
25 years and over 571 489 463 569 587
TOTAL 3,263 2,866 2,915 3,462 3,189
Asthma 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps. no. seps.
0 to 4 years 2,041 1,590 1,741 1,606 1,266
5 to 7 years 587 517 655 506 400
8 to 11 years 526 407 559 387 313
12 to 15 years 352 277 284 218 169
16 to 17 years 116 128 130 91 66
18 to 21 years 176 169 186 144 113
22 to 24 years 124 114 118 74 53
0 to 24 years subtotal 3,922 3,202 3,673 3,026 2,380
25 years and over 1,779 1,809 1,859 1,763 1,476
TOTAL 5,701 5,011 5,532 4,789 3,856
(a) Includes both public and private hospitals in South Australia
(a) Separation: A completed episode of care for an admitted patient, as recorded by the hospital.
Source: SA Department of Health (using ISAAC data)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 41
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.7 STANDARDISED RATE RATIO (SRR) (a) OF SA HOSPITAL SEPARATIONS (b) (c) FOR
SELECTED PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS, BY AGE GROUP, 1998-99 TO 2002-03
Appendicectomy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised
sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio
0 to 4 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
5 to 7 years 0.75 0.81 0.91 0.90 1.12
8 to 11 years 0.90 0.75 0.91 0.88 0.90
12 to 15 years 0.89 0.91 0.88 0.96 1.01
16 to 17 years 0.94 1.13 0.89 0.81 0.89
18 to 21 years 0.99 0.86 1.02 0.81 0.88
22 to 24 years 0.79 0.87 0.80 0.87 1.01
0 to 24 years subtotal 0.90 0.90 0.91 0.89 0.95
25 years and over 0.97 0.97 0.96 0.98 0.95
TOTAL 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.93 0.94
Caesarean section 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised
sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio
0 to 4 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
5 to 7 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
8 to 11 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
12 to 15 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
16 to 17 years 1.71 1.50 1.25 1.35 1.30
18 to 21 years 1.24 1.25 1.15 1.17 1.09
22 to 24 years 1.18 1.14 1.08 1.17 1.13
0 to 24 years subtotal 1.22 1.21 1.12 1.18 1.12
25 years and over 1.02 0.97 0.92 0.99 0.91
TOTAL 1.06 1.02 0.96 1.03 0.95
Myringotomy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised
sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio
0 to 4 years 1.89 1.78 1.95 2.04 1.92
5 to 7 years 1.45 1.21 1.66 1.70 1.53
8 to 11 years 1.47 1.21 1.65 1.63 1.48
12 to 15 years 1.44 1.27 1.56 1.61 1.47
16 to 17 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
18 to 21 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
22 to 24 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
0 to 24 years subtotal 1.68 1.51 1.80 1.86 1.72
25 years and over 1.52 1.50 1.78 1.74 1.79
TOTAL 1.60 1.45 1.72 1.77 1.66
For footnotes see next page.
(Cont.)
42 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.7 (Cont.) STANDARDISED RATE RATIO (SRR) (a) OF SA HOSPITAL SEPARATIONS (b) (c) FOR
SELECTED PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS, BY AGE GROUP, 1998-99 TO 2002-03
Arthroscopy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised
sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio
0 to 4 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
5 to 7 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
8 to 11 years n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
12 to 15 years 1.55 1.59 1.57 1.45 1.50
16 to 17 years 1.53 1.42 1.57 1.71 1.39
18 to 21 years 1.63 1.54 1.70 1.68 1.66
22 to 24 years 1.71 1.90 1.74 1.74 1.66
0 to 24 years subtotal 1.63 1.64 1.68 1.67 1.60
25 years and over 1.62 1.59 1.55 1.63 1.56
TOTAL 1.65 1.62 1.59 1.66 1.59
Tonsillectomy 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised
sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio
0 to 4 years 1.13 1.17 1.33 1.40 1.31
5 to 7 years 1.29 1.09 1.23 1.42 1.25
8 to 11 years 1.20 1.06 1.30 1.37 1.27
12 to 15 years 1.14 1.25 1.36 1.35 1.30
16 to 17 years 1.27 1.11 1.44 1.40 1.28
18 to 21 years 1.31 1.26 1.22 1.26 1.29
22 to 24 years 1.37 0.89 1.20 1.30 1.31
0 to 24 years subtotal 1.22 1.13 1.29 1.37 1.28
25 years and over 1.55 1.40 1.31 1.41 1.44
TOTAL 1.22 1.12 1.24 1.32 1.25
Asthma 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003
Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised Standardised
sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio sep. rate ratio
0 to 4 years 1.61 1.62 1.63 1.74 1.47
5 to 7 years 1.47 1.64 1.71 1.82 1.62
8 to 11 years 1.65 1.66 1.96 1.86 1.71
12 to 15 years 1.46 1.48 1.55 1.67 1.59
16 to 17 years 1.37 1.47 1.56 1.49 1.34
18 to 21 years 1.02 1.09 1.22 1.20 1.10
22 to 24 years 1.11 1.06 1.17 1.01 0.85
0 to 24 years subtotal 1.50 1.53 1.61 1.67 1.46
25 years and over 1.15 1.19 1.29 1.37 1.26
TOTAL 1.34 1.36 1.45 1.51 1.35
a) The table presents standardised rate ratios (SRRs) for each procedure/condition over five years as a way of comparing the South Australian
experience against Australia overall. If the SRR is greater than one then the hospital separation rate for SA per head of population is
higher than the national average. SRR values of less than one indicate a State rate under the national rate.
(a) Includes both public and private hospitals in South Australia
(a) Separation: A completed episode of care for an admitted patient, as recorded by the hospital.
Source: SA Department of Health (using ISAAC data)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 43
CHAPTER 2 • HEALTH
TABLE 2.8 DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS AGED 12-17,
1996, 1999 AND 2002
Proportion who used in the last week
Substance Year Males Females Persons
% % %
Tobacco 1996 16.9 18.7 17.8
1999 16.3 17.4 16.8
2002 12.9 15.1 14.1
Alcohol 1996 31.0 28.6 29.9
1999 36.7 32.1 34.5
2002 35.0 31.3 33.1
Cannabis 1996 15.6 11.2 13.5
1999 14.5 8.0 11.2
2002 8.2 6.2 7.1
Steroids 1996 0.8 0.2 0.5
1999 1.1 0.1 0.7
2002 0.6 0.3 0.5
Inhalants 1996 5.8 5.5 5.6
1999 5.0 4.0 4.6
2002 4.5 3.7 4.0
Amphetamines 1996 1.6 0.6 1.1
1999 2.4 1.2 1.8
2002 1.2 1.4 1.3
Hallucinogens 1996 1.4 1.4 1.3
1999 3.1 0.6 1.9
2002 0.6 0.5 0.6
Ecstasy 1996 0.7 0.0 0.4
1999 1.5 0.4 1.0
2002 0.6 0.4 0.5
Heroin 1996 0.9 0.3 0.6
1999 1.4 0.4 0.9
2002 0.4 0.3 0.4
Cocaine 1996 0.7 0.2 0.4
1999 1.7 0.2 1.0
2002 0.4 0.3 0.3
Source: "Drug and Alcohol Use Among SA School Students,
Summary Results from the Australian Students Drug and Alcohol Survey",
Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC)
44 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 EDUCATION AND TRAINING
INTRODUCTION
Education and training are widely accepted as fundamental priorities for South
Australia’s further progress and wellbeing. This Chapter examines preschool
enrolments, patterns of school enrolments, measures of retention in school education
and measures of educational performance at Primary levels. It also examines
destinations of school leavers, participation in post school education and overseas
student enrolments. Finally, there is some 2001 Population Census data showing
details of internet usage by children and young people. One of the stated targets of
South Australia’s Strategic Plan (SASP - see www.stateplan.sa.gov.au ) is to
‘increase the level of internet use in metropolitan and regional South Australia’.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES
The term Children’s Services refers to those services of a non-compulsory nature that
are provided for the benefit of children and their families. The Children’s Services
sector involves government, community and private operators.
Children can attend non-government preschool programs from the age of 3. In the
government system, however, four-year-old children may attend four sessions of
preschool per week for four terms prior to commencing school. Children younger than
four who are Indigenous, live in rural areas, or who have special developmental
needs, may attend earlier.
The Department of Education and Children’s Services operates most of the State’s
preschool programs and provides funds to Catholic preschools and other non-
government organisations employing their own staff. The total number of eligible
children (including three, four and five year olds) enrolled in preschools in May 2003
was about 18,160. The following graph shows that there has been a steady decline in
the number of four-year-olds in the population, but that the total of enrolments in
preschool has increased in 2003. The 2003 enrolment figures indicate that
approximately 91% of the state’s four-year-olds were enrolled in preschool in Term 2,
2003.
45 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
PRESCHOOL ENROLMENTS, COMPARED TO POPULATION OF FOUR YEAR
OLDS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1994 to 2003
no.
Enrolments
20500
Total 4 yr olds SA
20000
19500
19000
18500
18000
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003*
Note: Includes 3,4 and 5 yr old children enrolled in DECS funded preschools only.
2003* ABS Population Projections Australia, Cat. No. 3222.0.
Source: DECS, Preschool Staffing Data Collection Term 2 and ABS Population by Age and Sex, Cat. No. 3201.0.
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS - OVERVIEW
The decline in the population of South Australia’s children and young people over the
last ten years, as shown in Chapter 1, was particularly present in the age group 0-7
and has yet to impact dramatically on total school enrolments. There has, however,
been a drift of enrolments from South Australian government schools to non-
government schools, particularly for Primary level (R-7) enrolments. The graph below
depicts such changes from 1999 to 2003. Table 3.1 at the end of this Chapter
provides more detail.
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS (FTE (a)), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BY LEVEL OF
EDUCATION (b) AND CATEGORY OF SCHOOL, 1999 AND 2003
FTE (a)
1999
125000
2003
100000
75000
50000
25000
0
Gov't Primary N-Gov't Primary Gov't Secondary N-Gov't Secondary
(a) FTE – Full time equivalent students. This is a measure that takes into account the participation of part
time students.
(b) Primary levels are in the range - Reception to Year 7 (R-7). Secondary levels are in the range – Year 8
to Year 12 (8-12)
Source: Schools, Australia (ABS Cat. No. 4221.0) and ABS data available on request.
46 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Table 3.1 shows that primary level (R-7) enrolments have remained constant at 63%
of all enrolments between 1999 and 2003. The government sector share of R-7
enrolments has gradually decreased from 73% to 70% (approx 6450 students) and
the relative share of secondary students between sectors has also decreased from
67% to 64% (approx 1,760 students). The combined effect has been represented by
a decrease of 8,200 FTE in government schools between 1999 and 2003 and a
corresponding increase in non-government schools of 7,150 FTE. Over the period
1999 to 2003, government schools have attracted an average of 69% and non-
government schools an average of 31% of all school enrolments. Government
schools still have a higher ratio of primary enrolments to secondary enrolments (13:7)
compared to non-government schools (12:8).
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS – METROPOLITAN/COUNTRY
Table 3.2 provides details of metropolitan/country patterns in school enrolments. A
notable difference between government and non-government education is the
distribution into metropolitan/country classifications. The government sector ratio of
students in metropolitan region to country region is 13:7 whereas the non-government
sector demonstrates a ratio of 17:3. It should be noted however that a significant
number of secondary students in metropolitan non-government schools are from rural
areas.
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS – BY AGE
The impact of lower fertility rates is illustrated through a decline in the number of
enrolments of children aged 5, 6 and 7 years of age as the graph below illustrates.
While at present the decline is more pronounced in these lower age categories, ABS
age projections suggest that the decline in enrolments is likely to continue and extend
across older age groups.
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS (FTE (a)), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BY SELECTED AGE (IN
YRS) OF STUDENT, 1999, 2001 AND 2003
Age
5 1999
6 2001
2003
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
12000 14000 16000 18000 20000 22000
Enrolments (FTE)
(a) FTE – Full time equivalent students. This is a measure that takes into account the participation of part
time students.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, data available on request
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 47
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Table 3.3 shows that, in general, the proportions of persons attending school to the
total population have remained relatively consistent over the last 5 years for most age
groupings. The participation of young adults (age 18-20) in post compulsory school
education has increased slightly during 1999 to 2003 from 5.1% to 5.6%. It is
anticipated that with an increase of VET in government schools and the inclusion of
such participation within the scope of the National Schools Statistical Collection
(NSSC), this proportion will increase. According to DECS statistics, government
schools have accounted (on average) for 77% of school education for the age group
18-20 and almost exclusively for the age group 21+.
APPARENT RETENTION RATES
The apparent retention rate (ARR) is generally defined as the number of full-time (FT)
students in Year 12 in any year, expressed as a percentage of the number who
started secondary schooling 4 years earlier (in Year 8 for SA, Qld, WA and NT) or 5
years earlier (in Year 7 for NSW, Vic, Tas and ACT). Similar rates can be calculated
based on Full-time Equivalent (FTE) or person counts and often convey quite different
outcomes.
The apparent retention rate statistic is published annually in a number of national
reports including:
! Australian Bureau of Statistics, Schools, Australia (Cat. No. 4221.0)
! Productivity Commission Report on Government Services
! MCEETYA National Report on Schooling
The statistic is termed ‘apparent’ since it does not account for:
! students who repeat a year;
! adult re-entry students (from an earlier Year 8 cohort);
! inter-sector school transfers;
! interstate migration;
! students who spread Year 12 over 2 years or more; and
! State differences in enrolment policy and full-time Year 12 workloads.
Despite its crude calculation methodology, the ARR can be a useful indicator at a
state level, in conjunction with other measures. This assumes that movements in and
out of the state are fairly constant and have relatively minimal impact. It provides a
general indication of the proportion of the original year 8 cohort still in schooling.
However, broken down to smaller sub-groups, the movement of population cohorts
makes the ARR measure more problematic.
.
48 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Table 3.4 shows details of Apparent Retention Rates for each State and Territory and
for Australia as a whole for the years 1999 to 2003. Each of the three measures
described above (FT, FTE and Persons) appear in the table.
In South Australia (and also Tasmania) there are much higher than average rates of
part-time participation in Year 12 studies, hence the ‘full-time’ apparent retention rate
is likely to be misleading. For South Australia, the Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
measure is considered to be a more useful and meaningful indicator as part-time
students are included and converted into full-time equivalent units. The graph below
demonstrates the difference in results of the two measures – Full-time and Full-time
Equivalent for South Australia and Australia.
COMPARISON OF APPARENT RETENTION RATES (YR 7/8 TO YR 12) – FTE
AND FT, SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, ALL SCHOOLS, 1999 TO 2003
SA (FTE)
ARR (%) AUST (FTE)
82.5 SA (FT)
AUST (FT)
80.0
77.5
75.0
72.5
70.0
67.5
65.0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: ABS Schools Australia (Cat. No. 4221.0) and MCEETYA data.
FTE - Full-time equivalent (part-time students are converted to full-time equivalent units)
FT - Full-time students only
Note: ‘All Schools’ comprise both Government and Non-Government Schools.
It can be seen that, while there is a large disparity in the Full-time ARR when
comparing South Australia and Australia, FTE rates are at similar levels.
There is a notable difference between higher retention achieved for all South
Australian schools and lower retention within the government sector as shown in
Table 3.4. The profile of students in non-government schools is different to
government schools for a variety of reasons. The incidence of part-time students is
minimal in non-government schools but quite prevalent in the upper secondary years
of government schools.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 49
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SA Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) records show that
Indigenous enrolments in South Australia government schools have increased by 930
FTE from 5,710 FTE in 1999 to 6,640 FTE in 2003. This represents a growth of 16%.
Identification issues together with improved systems for collecting school data may
have contributed to this increase. Irrespective of this growth, the retention of
Indigenous students in secondary education is dramatically different to the total
population and warrants specific consideration. The Yr 8-12 FTE ARR for Indigenous
students in government schools in 2003 was 30% compared to 68% for all FTE
students in government schools (see Table 3.5 for more information). The graph
below shows the Yr 8-12 FTE ARR for Indigenous students in government schools for
the period 1999 to 2003, together with two intermediate steps – (i) Yr 8 to 10 and (ii)
Yr 10 to 12. The improvement in Yr 8-10 retention appears encouraging. However,
there appears to be emerging issues in the retention of Year 10 Indigenous students
to Year 12.
INDIGENOUS STUDENTS: APPARENT RETENTION RATES (FTE), SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, 1999 TO 2003
ARR(%)
100 Yr 8 to Yr 10
Yr 10 to Yr 12
Yr 8 to Yr 12
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: SA Dept of Education and Children’s Services (Accountability and Strategic Futures)
The retention of Indigenous students in secondary education is dramatically
different to the total population and warrants specific consideration.
50 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE – PRIMARY LEVEL STUDENTS
Literacy and Numeracy testing commenced in South Australian schools in 1997 for
Year 3 and Year 5 students. Testing of Year 7 students commenced in 2001. The
collection of this data is administered by the Department of Education and Children’s
Services (DECS) and undergoes rigorous analysis and equating of results across
years and at a national level. It provides a rich source of information for assessing the
performance and development of students as they progress through their schooling
years. This is particularly important at the classroom level. See Table 3.6 for details
of test scores.
DECS STATE TEST MEAN SCORES, LITERACY, 1999 TO 2003
score
Year 3 Literacy
67.5
Year 5 Literacy
65.0 Year 7 Literacy
62.5
60.0
57.5
55.0
52.5
50.0
47.5
45.0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: SA Dept of Education and Children’s Services
DECS STATE TEST MEAN SCORES, NUMERACY, 1999 TO 2003
score
Year 3 Numeracy
67.5
Year 5 Numeracy
65.0 Year 7 Numeracy
62.5
60.0
57.5
55.0
52.5
50.0
47.5
45.0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: SA Dept of Education and Children’s Services
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 51
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The following graph illustrates that Indigenous students have performed at a lower
level than the general student population in both literacy and numeracy. One point on
the literacy scale represents 4 months of learning, suggesting that Indigenous
students are approximately 2 years behind the total cohort. One point on the
numeracy scale represents 3 months of learning, indicating that there is a similar lag
by Indigenous students in numeracy
DIFFERENCE IN MEAN SCORES: INDIGENOUS STUDENTS TO GENERAL
STUDENT POPULATION, 1999 TO 2003
difference
0 Yr 3 Literacy
Yr 5 Literacy
–1 Yr 3 Numeracy
Yr 5 Numeracy
–2
–3
–4
–5
–6
–7
–8
–9
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: SA Dept of Education and Children’s Services
DESTINATIONS OF SCHOOL LEAVERS
The graph below and Table 3.7 towards the end of this Chapter show details of the
main activity undertaken by South Australian school leavers in May of the year after
they have left school. These results are from an ABS Survey undertaken in May of
each year – the Survey of Education and Work.
The Survey indicates that there have been, on average, around 20,000 young South
Australians leaving school each year in the period 1999 to 2003. In this five year
period the estimated number of school leavers ranged from a low of 18,300 in 2000 to
a high of 23,500 in 2001.
Outcomes for school leavers have fluctuated considerably over the last five years.
The proportion of school leavers whose main activity in the year after they had left
school was full-time post-school education, fell from 48% (9,500 persons) in 1999 to
41% (7,600 persons) in 2003. This is largely a consequence of an apparent decline
over the last five years in transitions straight from school to full-time university degree
courses.
Table 3.7 also shows that the proportion of school leavers whose main activity in the
year after they had left school was employment ranged from 33% (6,600 persons) in
1999 to 48% (11,300 persons) in 2001. The years 2002 and 2003 both registered
declines over the previous year – 8,300 and 6,900 persons respectively.
52 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MAIN DESTINATION (PRIMARY ACTIVITY) OF SA SCHOOL LEAVERS (a), MAY
SURVEY, 1999 TO 2003
persons
Full-time post-school education
12500
Employed
Unemployed
10000
7500
5000
2500
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
(a) Persons aged 15-24 who attended school in the previous year but are not attending school in the current
year.
Source: Education and Work (ABS Cat. No. 6227.0), data by State for school leavers aged 15-24 available
on request
HIGHER EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Participation in higher education and vocational education and training is important to
the development of a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering sustainable
economic growth and social inclusion.
Over time, globalisation, industry restructuring, technological change, and societal
and demographic changes have all impacted on the economy, and in particular, the
types of jobs available to young people.
These factors have resulted in increased demands on young people to remain in
education and training longer to acquire the necessary skills and abilities required by
employers.
The challenge will be to ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary
skills and abilities to take up the opportunities afforded by an ageing workforce and
the retirement from the labour market of a significant number of skilled workers over
the next decade.
PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
There are three universities in South Australia – the University of Adelaide, Flinders
University and the University of South Australia – and together they have total
enrolments exceeding 60,000 students (DEST). The scope of this Profile
encompasses persons up to the age of 24 years and there were around 32,820 higher
education students in this age group in 2004. For more detail see Table 3.8 towards
the end of this Chapter.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 53
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLMENTS, STUDENTS AGED UNDER 25 YEARS,
FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME (a) STATUS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2004
no.
Full-time
30000
Part-time
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
(a) Part-time is less than 75% of full-time course load
Source: SA Dept of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST)
The graph above shows that university enrolments by those aged under 25 years
have experienced increases over the last few years. In 1999 there were 27,540
university students aged under 25 years, while by 2004 there were 32,820 – an
overall increase of 19%. For more detail see Table 3.8. The increase in enrolments
is possibly a consequence of both increased domestic enrolments and increased
enrolments by overseas students.
The graph below shows enrolments by Indigenous students aged under 25 years in
South Australian universities. Again, the trend is an increasing one. See Table 3.9
for more detail.
HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLMENTS (a), INDIGENOUS STUDENTS AGED
UNDER 25 YEARS, FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME (b) STATUS, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2004
no.
Full-time
200
Part-time
150
100
50
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
(a) At first semester each year
(b) Part-time is less than 75% of full-time course load
Source: SA Dept of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST)
54 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
PARTICIPATION IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET)
In 2003, there were approximately 40,530 Vocational Education and Training (VET)
students aged between 12 and 24 in South Australia. Nearly 80 per cent of these
students were aged 18-24. Table 3.10 shows that the total number of VET students
has grown over the 5-year period 1999 to 2003, most notably for students aged 12-17
years. The average annual growth rate for South Australian VET students aged 12-
17 was 1.9 per cent per annum over the period 1999-2003 while the rate for students
aged 18-24 was 0.3 per cent per annum. Apprenticeships and traineeships, whereby
young people combine work with a structured learning program, comprise a significant
part of the VET sector. NCVER advises that there were 17,240 young people aged
less than 25 undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships in South Australia in 2003.
Indigenous students undertaking South Australian VET activity represented 2.9 per
cent of the total number of VET students in 1999. Rapid growth in the number of
Indigenous VET students over the 5-year period shown has resulted in this proportion
increasing to 4 per cent in 2003. The rapid increase in Indigenous VET students has
been most notable for students aged 12-17 where enrolments have increased at an
annual average rate of 17 per cent. Indigenous enrolments for VET students aged
18-24 have increased at 7 per cent per annum. See Table 3.10 for more details of the
number of Indigenous VET students.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET) ENROLMENTS – AGE 12-17
AND 18-24, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2003
no.
Age 12-17
40000
Age 18-24
30000
20000
10000
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Source: SA Dept of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 55
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
OVERSEAS STUDENT ENROLMENTS
A target in SASP is to increase South Australia’s share of overseas students. Data
sourced from AEI – International Education Network (a part of the Australian
Department of Education, Science and Training) shows that, in 2003, South
Australia’s share of overseas student enrolments in all education sectors was 4.4%,
which is less than our overall population share of 7.7% (ABS Population by Age and
Sex, Cat. No. 3201.0). Further details are in Tables 3.11 and 3.12. Only data for
2002 and 2003 appear in this Profile as data for earlier years were collected and
compiled on a different basis.
In 2003 there were 13,470 overseas student enrolments in South Australia, up from
11,030 in 2002, an increase of 22%. It should be noted that data by age group is not
available, but according to AEI, the majority of overseas students are aged under 25
years. The graph below shows that most overseas student enrolments in South
Australia were in the higher education (or university) sector with 6,510 enrolments in
2003, up from 5,090 in 2002.
OVERSEAS STUDENT ENROLMENTS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA BY EDUCATION
SECTOR, 2002 AND 2003
persons
8000 2002
2003
6000
4000
2000
0
Higher Vocational School ELICOS (a) Other
Education Sector
(a) ELICOS: English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students
Source: AEI – International Education Network (www.aei.dest.gov.au)
Table 3.12 shows that of the 13,470 overseas students in 2003, 2,500 were from
China, 1,990 from Malaysia, 1,410 from Hong Kong and 1,060 from Japan. Other
important source countries include Korea and Singapore.
South Australia’s share of national overseas student enrolments was 4.0% in 2002,
rising to 4.4% in 2003. The graph below shows that South Australia’s market
penetration is higher in school education but lower in the vocational education sector.
56 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S SHARE OF AUSTRALIA’S OVERSEAS STUDENT
ENROLMENTS BY EDUCATION SECTOR, 2002 AND 2003
2002
SA as % of 2003
8 Aust
6
4
2
0
Higher Vocational School ELICOS (a) Other TOTAL
Education Sector
ELICOS: English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.
Source: AEI – International Education Network (www.aei.dest.gov.au)
INTERNET USAGE BY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
A stated target of SASP is to ‘increase the level of internet use in metropolitan and
regional South Australia by 20% within 10 years’. A Census question on internet
usage was asked for the first time in 2001 and provides good base-line data for
internet usage. In this Section we will examine internet usage by children and young
people in Adelaide (Statistical Division), the rest of South Australia, total South
Australia and Australia as a whole.
The graph below shows that the rate of internet usage by children and young people
in Adelaide was a little higher than the national average. However, for rural and
regional South Australia (‘Rest of SA’), while there is parity for children of school age,
the rate for those aged 18-24 years (36%) is very much less than that for Adelaide
(59%) and Australia (57%). For more detail see Tables 3.13 and 3.14.
PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BY AGE GROUP WHO
USED THE INTERNET IN THE WEEK PRIOR TO CENSUS NIGHT, 2001.
%
Adelaide
100
Rest of SA
Total SA
Australia
75
50
25
0
8-11 12-17 18-24 Total 8-24
Age groups (years)
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing, data available on request
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 57
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.1 SCHOOL ENROLMENTS (FTE (a)), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BY LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND
CATEGORY OF SCHOOL, 1999 TO 2003
Level of school education……….
Year Primary (b) Secondary (c) Total
Government Schools
1999 116,676 62,535 179,210
2000 115,416 62,062 177,477
2001 114,287 61,935 176,222
2002 112,128 61,216 173,344
2003 110,230 60,778 171,008
Non-Government Schools
1999 43,024 31,075 74,099
2000 43,996 31,386 75,383
2001 45,172 31,707 76,879
2002 46,428 32,604 79,031
2003 47,773 33,471 81,244
All Schools
1999 159,700 93,609 253,309
2000 159,412 93,448 252,860
2001 159,459 93,642 253,101
2002 158,556 93,820 252,375
2003 158,003 94,249 252,252
(a) FTE – Full time equivalent students. This is a measure that takes into account the participation of part time students.
(b) Primary levels are in the range - Reception to Year 7 (R-7)
(c) Secondary levels are in the range – Year 8 to Year 12 (8-12)
Source: Schools, Australia (ABS Cat. No. 4221.0) and ABS data available on request.
58 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.2 SCHOOL ENROLMENTS (FTE (a)), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, METROPOLITAN/COUNTRY, BY
CATEGORY OF SCHOOL, 1999 TO 2003
SA Region…………….……..….
Year Metropolitan (b) Country Total SA
Government Schools
1999 119,770 59,440 179,210
2000 118,819 58,658 177,477
2001 118,172 58,049 176,222
2002 116,041 57,303 173,344
2003 114,275 56,733 171,008
Non-Government Schools
1999 61,690 12,409 74,099
2000 62,589 12,794 75,383
2001 63,598 13,282 76,879
2002 65,318 13,713 79,031
2003 67,150 14,095 81,244
All Schools
1999 181,460 71,849 253,309
2000 181,408 71,452 252,860
2001 181,770 71,331 253,101
2002 181,359 71,016 252,375
2003 181,424 70,828 252,252
(a) FTE – Full time equivalent students. This is a measure that takes into account the participation of part time students.
(b) Adelaide Statistical Division
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, data available on request
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 59
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.3 SCHOOL ENROLMENTS (FTE (a)), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BY AGE, 1999, 2001 AND 2003
Age 1999 2001 2003
Single Years -
4 1,117 1,142 1,055
5 18,841 18,398 18,007
6 19,864 19,791 18,980
7 19,820 19,643 19,296
8 19,893 19,959 19,888
9 19,907 19,783 19,758
10 19,841 19,968 19,960
11 19,752 19,932 20,024
12 19,908 19,907 19,996
13 20,206 19,737 19,954
14 20,196 19,747 19,877
15 19,542 19,187 19,342
16 17,209 17,546 17,411
17 12,524 13,330 13,461
18 2,212 2,425 2,593
19 487 567 682
20 231 232 247
21 and over 1,761 1,807 1,689
Total 253,309 253,101 252,220
Age groups -
4-7 59,642 58,973 57,338
8-11 79,393 79,642 79,630
12-17 109,584 109,455 110,040
18-20 2,929 3,224 3,523
21 and over 1,761 1,807 1,689
Proportion of total population (%) -
4-7 74.9 75.6 75.6
8-11 99.0 99.0 99.1
12-17 89.6 89.2 90.2
18-20 5.1 5.3 5.6
(a) FTE – Full time equivalent students. This is a measure that takes into account the participation of part time students.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, data available on request
60 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.4 APPARENT RETENTION RATES (a) – YEAR 7/8 TO YEAR 12, STATES AND AUSTRALIA, FULL-
TIME, FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT AND PERSONS, 1999 TO 2003
ALL SCHOOLS (b) -
Year NSW VIC QLD SA WA TAS NT ACT AUST
1999 FT 67.6 76.2 77.5 67.0 71.5 66.7 52.9 92.5 72.3
FTE 69.5 77.1 78.5 73.9 73.3 77.6 59.6 92.6 74.4
Persons 70.4 78.2 80.2 80.6 75.1 92.6 64.4 92.6 76.4
2000 FT 67.5 77.2 77.3 65.4 71.3 69.5 49.7 87.1 72.3
FTE 69.4 78.3 78.3 73.8 72.8 81.6 53.6 87.1 74.5
Persons 70.2 79.2 79.8 80.4 74.5 91.7 55.8 87.2 76.2
2001 FT 68.2 79.3 79.0 66.4 72.0 68.7 50.9 89.3 73.4
FTE 69.3 80.5 79.9 74.8 74.1 81.6 55.6 89.3 75.6
Persons 70.2 81.7 81.3 81.3 77.0 94.8 59.4 89.4 77.6
2002 FT 69.9 80.9 81.3 66.7 73.7 72.6 53.0 88.1 75.1
FTE 70.9 82.2 82.8 75.9 75.4 89.1 55.8 88.2 77.4
Persons 71.8 83.4 84.7 83.3 77.5 104.3 57.7 88.3 79.6
2003 FT 70.5 81.4 81.5 67.1 71.2 74.9 56.3 89.7 75.4
FTE 71.7 82.7 82.7 75.9 71.8 92.6 57.5 90.1 77.6
Persons 72.7 83.9 84.6 82.6 72.3 107.8 59.1 90.7 79.5
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS -
Year NSW VIC QLD SA WA TAS NT ACT AUST
1999 FT 61.2 69.8 71.8 58.1 66.5 65.7 60.0 110.0 66.4
FTE 63.8 71.1 73.4 67.2 69.1 80.7 69.1 110.1 69.4
Persons 64.9 72.7 75.9 76.2 71.8 101.4 75.2 110.2 72.4
2000 FT 61.0 71.1 72.2 56.2 66.0 69.8 58.9 104.8 66.6
FTE 63.6 72.7 73.6 67.6 68.2 86.3 64.0 104.8 69.8
Persons 64.7 74.0 75.9 76.6 70.7 100.1 66.6 104.9 72.3
2001 FT 62.0 73.7 73.6 57.4 65.9 68.5 59.7 107.6 67.8
FTE 63.5 75.6 75.0 68.9 68.9 86.2 66.4 107.6 70.9
Persons 64.7 77.4 77.1 77.8 73.1 104.3 71.4 107.7 73.9
2002 FT 63.8 74.4 76.5 56.9 69.0 72.9 63.1 98.7 69.5
FTE 65.2 76.4 78.7 69.5 71.6 95.4 66.3 98.9 72.9
Persons 66.4 78.2 81.5 79.7 74.7 116.2 67.9 99.0 76.0
2003 FT 65.0 74.9 76.1 56.8 64.8 74.5 69.0 101.0 69.6
FTE 66.7 76.9 77.9 68.2 65.6 98.9 69.5 101.7 72.8
Persons 68.1 78.8 80.8 77.3 66.4 119.9 70.8 102.7 75.7
Source: ABS Schools Australia (Cat. No. 4221.0) and MCEETYA data.
(a) The calculation of Year 12 apparent retention rates uses year 7 and 8 enrolments depending on the primary/secondary structure in a particular
State/Territory. For example, 2003 Year 12 apparent retention rates in NSW, VIC, TAS and ACT equals Year 12 enrolments in 2003 divided by Year 7
enrolments in 1998. On the other hand, 2003 Year 12 apparent retention rates in QLD, SA, WA and NT equals Year 12 enrolments in 2003 divided by
Year 8 enrolments in 1999.
(b) ‘All Schools’ comprise both Government and Non-Government Schools within Australia
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 61
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.5 INDIGENOUS STUDENTS: APPARENT RETENTION RATES (FTE), SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, 1999 TO 2003
Year Yr 8 to Yr 10 Yr 10 to Yr 12 Yr 8 to Yr 12
1999 70.7 35.5 22.5
2000 72.4 39.5 24.9
2001 77.1 44.8 31.7
2002 78.2 45.7 33.1
2003 83.6 39.1 30.1
Source: SA Dept of Education and Children’s Services
TABLE 3.6 DECS STATE TEST MEAN SCORES, ALL STUDENTS AND INDIGENOUS STUDENTS, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2003
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Year 3 Literacy
All Students 49.2 48.3 49.2 49.0 49.0
Indigenous 44.5 42.8 43.6 42.9 43.3
Year 5 Literacy
All Students 55.1 54.5 55.8 55.9 55.4
Indigenous 49.3 49.4 50.3 50.4 49.0
Year 7 Literacy
All Students 59.7 61.0 60.1
Indigenous 54.3 56.0 54.8
Year 3 Numeracy
All Students 49.7 49.0 49.4 51.1 49.5
Indigenous 42.5 40.9 42.6 43.0 43.7
Year 5 Numeracy
All Students 57.4 56.3 56.7 57.2 59.3
Indigenous 49.0 48.9 50.0 49.7 52.8
Year 7 Numeracy
All Students 64.3 65.5 65.6
Indigenous 55.9 59.8 58.8
Source: SA Dept of Education and Children’s Services
62 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.7 MAIN DESTINATION (PRIMARY ACTIVITY) OF SA SCHOOL LEAVERS (a), MAY SURVEY,
1999 TO 2003
Destination
(Primary Activity) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
PERSONS………………………………
Full-time post-school education 9,500 7,100 8,200 9,800 7,600
Of which - Higher Education 5,800 4,600 5,700 5,200 3,900
TAFE 3,200 2,100 2,300 3,800 2,800
Not in full-time post-school education 10,400 11,200 15,300 12,800 11,100
Of which - Employed 6,600 8,700 11,300 8,300 6,900
Unemployed 3,400 2,100 3,000 2,900 3,300
Total School Leavers 19,900 18,300 23,500 22,600 18,700
PROPORTION (%)………………………
Full-time post-school education 47.7 38.8 34.9 43.4 40.6
Of which - Higher Education 29.1 25.1 24.3 23.0 20.9
TAFE 16.1 11.5 9.8 16.8 15.0
Not in full-time post-school education 52.3 61.2 65.1 56.6 59.4
Of which - Employed 33.2 47.5 48.1 36.7 36.9
Unemployed 17.1 11.5 12.8 12.8 17.6
Total School Leavers 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
(a) Persons aged 15-24 who attended school in the previous year but are not attending school in the current year.
Source: Education and Work (ABS Cat. No. 6227.0), data by State for school leavers aged 15-24 available on request
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 63
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.8 HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLMENTS (a), STUDENTS AGED UNDER 25 YEARS (BY SINGLE
YEAR OF AGE), FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STATUS (b), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2004
Year Age FT PT Total Year Age FT PT Total
1999 <18 41 2 43 2000 <18 34 8 42
18 2,902 215 3,117 18 2,501 210 2,711
19 5,013 481 5,494 19 4,809 557 5,366
20 4,606 746 5,352 20 4,860 812 5,672
21 3,754 1,001 4,755 21 3,873 1,075 4,948
22 2,698 1,155 3,853 22 2,634 1,064 3,698
23 1,704 1,012 2,716 23 1,749 1,003 2,752
24 1,323 883 2,206 24 1,262 831 2,093
Total <25 22,041 5,495 27,536 Total <25 21,722 5,560 27,282
2001 <18 56 15 71 2002 <18 41 10 51
18 2,549 214 2,763 18 2,611 276 2,887
19 4,807 558 5,365 19 4,987 749 5,736
20 4,967 816 5,783 20 5,010 957 5,967
21 4,177 1,066 5,243 21 4,564 1,328 5,892
22 2,814 1,231 4,045 22 3,205 1,435 4,640
23 1,729 1,054 2,783 23 1,935 1,276 3,211
24 1,327 988 2,315 24 1,309 1,078 2,387
Total <25 22,426 5,942 28,368 Total <25 23,662 7,109 30,771
2003 <18 61 13 74 2004 <18 58 9 67
18 2,338 207 2,545 18 2,189 295 2,484
19 4,887 774 5,661 19 4,596 856 5,452
20 5,202 1,114 6,316 20 5,044 1,197 6,241
21 4,473 1,318 5,791 21 4,537 1,626 6,163
22 3,452 1,634 5,086 22 3,487 1,724 5,211
23 2,184 1,482 3,666 23 2,337 1,812 4,149
24 1,500 1,196 2,696 24 1,622 1,433 3,055
Total <25 24,097 7,738 31,835 Total <25 23,870 8,952 32,822
(a) At first semester of each year
(b) Part-time is less than 75% of full-time course load.
Source: SA Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST)
64 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.9 HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLMENTS (a), INDIGENOUS STUDENTS AGED UNDER 25 YEARS (BY
SINGLE YEAR OF AGE), FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STATUS (b), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2004
Year Age FT PT Total Year Age FT PT Total
1999 <18 0 0 0 2000 <18 1 1 2
18 23 1 24 18 21 6 27
19 30 2 32 19 28 2 30
20 28 10 38 20 23 10 33
21 24 10 34 21 28 7 35
22 11 5 16 22 8 11 19
23 14 7 21 23 12 3 15
24 15 8 23 24 7 9 16
Total <25 145 43 188 Total <25 128 49 177
2001 <18 0 0 0 2002 <18 0 0 0
18 14 2 16 18 17 17
19 28 2 30 19 41 7 48
20 29 6 35 20 30 4 34
21 22 3 25 21 17 9 26
22 20 6 26 22 19 3 22
23 10 7 17 23 10 11 21
24 11 9 20 24 11 10 21
Total <25 134 35 169 Total <25 145 44 189
2003 <18 0 0 0 2004 <18 2 0 2
18 18 4 22 18 25 3 28
19 36 6 42 19 28 10 38
20 31 5 36 20 30 9 39
21 29 8 37 21 37 7 44
22 13 14 27 22 20 12 32
23 10 6 16 23 11 13 24
24 10 5 15 24 6 13 19
Total <25 147 48 195 Total <25 159 67 226
(a) At first semester of each year
(b) Part-time is less than 75% of full-time course load
Source: SA Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 65
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.10 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET) ENROLMENTS – TOTAL AND INDIGENOUS,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 1999 TO 2003
Total enrolments Enrolments of Indigenous
Year of persons aged… persons aged………..
12-17 18-24 12-17 18-24
1999 8,127 31,341 348 786
2000 7,929 32,712 409 881
2001 8,756 31,472 685 949
2002 9,130 32,506 719 1,091
2003 8,778 31,754 662 1,033
1999-2003 change 651 413 314 247
Average annual %
change 1999-2003 1.9 0.3 17.4 7.1
Source: SA Dept of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST)
66 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.11 OVERSEAS STUDENT ENROLMENTS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA BY EDUCATION
SECTOR, 2002 AND 2003
Education Sector 2002 2003 Change
(no.) (no.) (%)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
Higher Education 5,090 6,507 27.8
Vocational Education 1,366 1,621 18.7
School Education 1,325 1,738 31.2
ELICOS (a) 1,997 2,266 13.5
Other 1,248 1,335 7.0
TOTAL 11,026 13,467 22.1
AUSTRALIA:
Higher Education 116,934 136,252 16.5
Vocational Education 59,470 57,326 -3.6
School Education 23,273 26,799 15.2
ELICOS (a) 58,336 60,930 4.4
Other 20,342 22,017 8.2
TOTAL 273,855 303,324 10.8
SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S SHARE OF TOTAL:
2002 2003
(%) (%)
Higher Education 4.4 4.8
Vocational Education 2.3 2.8
School Education 5.7 6.5
ELICOS (a) 3.4 3.7
Other 6.1 6.1
TOTAL 4.0 4.4
(a) ELICOS: English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students
Source: AEI - International Education Network (www.aei.dest.gov.au)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 67
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.12 OVERSEAS STUDENT ENROLMENTS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA BY COUNTRY
OF CITIZENSHIP, 2002 AND 2003
Country of Citizenship 2002 2003 Change
(no.) (no.) (%)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
China 1,811 2,502 38.2
Hong Kong (SAR of China) 1,137 1,405 23.6
India 258 380 47.3
Indonesia 338 390 15.4
Korea, Republic of 678 948 39.8
Japan 928 1,056 13.8
Malaysia 1,537 1,986 29.2
Singapore 551 605 9.8
Taiwan 337 414 22.8
Thailand 412 456 10.7
United States of America 487 479 -1.6
Other 2,552 2,846 11.5
TOTAL 11,026 13,467 22.1
AUSTRALIA:
China 47,931 57,579 20.1
Hong Kong (SAR of China) 22,091 23,803 7.7
India 11,364 14,386 26.6
Indonesia 20,985 20,336 -3.1
Korea, Republic of 18,658 22,159 18.8
Japan 17,329 18,987 9.6
Malaysia 17,530 19,779 12.8
Singapore 12,062 11,843 -1.8
Taiwan 9,953 10,559 6.1
Thailand 15,643 17,025 8.8
United States of America 11,064 12,189 10.2
Other 69,245 74,679 7.8
TOTAL 273,855 303,324 10.8
Source: AEI - International Education Network (www.aei.dest.gov.au)
68 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.13 NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BY AGE GROUP BY INTERNET USAGE (IN THE WEEK
PRIOR TO CENSUS NIGHT), 2001
Age groups………………………..
Internet use 8-11 12-17 18-24 Total 8-24
no. no. no. no.
ADELAIDE:
Yes, at home only 12,502 32,312 25,814 70,628
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 7,554 13,447 19,338 40,339
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 3,425 12,657 15,366 31,448
Total internet users 23,481 58,416 60,518 142,415
Did not use the internet 29,634 25,094 39,624 94,352
Internet use not stated 2,159 2,642 2,801 7,602
Total 55,274 86,152 102,943 244,369
REST OF SA
Yes, at home only 4,216 10,096 4,277 18,589
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 4,215 7,365 4,152 15,732
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 1,071 3,761 1,590 6,422
Total internet users 9,502 21,222 10,019 40,743
Did not use the internet 13,909 12,524 16,397 42,830
Internet use not stated 1,099 1,370 1,499 3,968
Total 24,510 35,116 27,915 87,541
TOTAL SA
Yes, at home only 16,718 42,408 30,091 89,217
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 11,769 20,812 23,490 56,071
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 4,496 16,418 16,956 37,870
Total internet users 32,983 79,638 70,537 183,158
Did not use the internet 43,543 37,618 56,021 137,182
Internet use not stated 3,258 4,012 4,300 11,570
Total 79,784 121,268 130,858 331,910
AUSTRALIA
Yes, at home only 263,754 626,160 461,212 1,351,126
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 107,512 212,173 302,250 621,935
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 46,867 182,791 240,722 470,380
Total internet users 418,133 1,021,124 1,004,184 2,443,441
Did not use the internet 607,957 506,422 685,066 1,799,445
Internet use not stated 52,356 68,197 76,392 196,945
Total 1,078,446 1,595,743 1,765,642 4,439,831
(a) Elsewhere - e.g. at school, university, public library, workplace,
at a friend's or relative's home.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 69
CHAPTER 3 • EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TABLE 3.14 PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BY AGE GROUP BY INTERNET USAGE (IN THE
WEEK PRIOR TO CENSUS NIGHT), 2001
Proportion………………
Internet use 8-11 12-17 18-24 Total 8-24
% % % %
ADELAIDE:
Yes, at home only 22.6 37.5 25.1 28.9
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 13.7 15.6 18.8 16.5
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 6.2 14.7 14.9 12.9
Total internet users 42.5 67.8 58.8 58.3
Did not use the internet 53.6 29.1 38.5 38.6
Internet use not stated 3.9 3.1 2.7 3.1
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
REST OF SA
Yes, at home only 17.2 28.8 15.3 21.2
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 17.2 21.0 14.9 18.0
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 4.4 10.7 5.7 7.3
Total internet users 38.8 60.4 35.9 46.5
Did not use the internet 56.7 35.7 58.7 48.9
Internet use not stated 4.5 3.9 5.4 4.5
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
TOTAL SA
Yes, at home only 21.0 35.0 23.0 26.9
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 14.8 17.2 18.0 16.9
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 5.6 13.5 13.0 11.4
Total internet users 41.3 65.7 53.9 55.2
Did not use the internet 54.6 31.0 42.8 41.3
Internet use not stated 4.1 3.3 3.3 3.5
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
AUSTRALIA
Yes, at home only 24.5 39.2 26.1 30.4
Yes, elsewhere (a) only 10.0 13.3 17.1 14.0
Yes, both at home and elsewhere (a) 4.3 11.5 13.6 10.6
Total internet users 38.8 64.0 56.9 55.0
Did not use the internet 56.4 31.7 38.8 40.5
Internet use not stated 4.9 4.3 4.3 4.4
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
(a) Elsewhere - e.g. at school, university, public library, workplace,
at a friend's or relative's home.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
70 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
INTRODUCTION
For most people, the time between the age of 15 and 24 is one of significant
transition. Some make a smooth transition from school to post-school education and
then to the beginnings of a career path. For many others the transition runs less
smoothly. Often a period of unemployment will be a feature of some young people’s
labour force experience. Economic and social changes over recent times (for
example, technological change and industry restructuring) have had an effect on
young South Australians’ labour market options. One of the most significant impacts
for young people has been the decline in the number of full-time ‘entry level’ positions
that become available. At the same time there is an expectation that young people
should prolong their time in education and training.
This Chapter examines the themes of employment and unemployment. There are
sections on casual employment and also the labour force experience of young
Indigenous people. There is some information on occupations and industries that
young people are working in and, finally, some information on an emerging issue of
concern - that of families with no employed parent.
EMPLOYMENT
Young people can take a range of different pathways in the transition from education
to a career. Some combine employment with ongoing study; some spend time
seeking employment or working in a variety of temporary jobs; still others settle into a
career path quickly. Regardless of whether they are studying or not, the income
derived from employment is an important resource for young people. It may be their
only economic resource; or may represent an important step in increasing their
economic independence. Employment also provides an opportunity to develop work
and social skills. However, employment for young people can be quite different to
employment for older people, and is often characterised by lower paid jobs, less
skilled occupations and less job security. (Australian Social Trends, 2004, ABS Cat.
No. 4102.0).
One of the most significant impacts for young people has been the decline in the
number of full-time ‘entry level’ positions that become available. At the same time
there is an expectation that young people should prolong their time in education
and training.
71 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
Table 4.1 and the two graphs below show trends in full-time (FT) and part-time (PT)
employment for young South Australians aged 15-19 and 20-24 over the last five
years. The most noticeable difference is that part-time employment for persons aged
15-19 is much greater than full-time employment whereas the opposite is true for
persons aged 20-24. While the trend in full-time employment has remained relatively
stable over the last five years for both age groups, part-time employment has
increased.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYED PERSONS AGED 15-19, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, FULL-
TIME (a) AND PART-TIME (b) STATUS, 1998-99 TO 2003-04
'000
Aged 15-19 employed FT (a)
40
Aged 15-19 employed PT (b)
30
20
10
0
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
NUMBER OF EMPLOYED PERSONS AGED 20-24, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, FULL-
TIME (a) AND PART-TIME (b) STATUS, 1998-99 TO 2003-04
'000
Aged 20-24 employed FT (a)
60
Aged 20-24 employed PT (b)
40
20
0
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
(a) Persons who usually work 35 hours or more per week in all jobs.
(b) Persons who usually work less than 35 hours per week in all jobs.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey
72 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
Table 4.1 also shows the proportion or ratio of South Australians aged 15-19 and 20-
24 years who are employed. Just under half of all 15-19 year olds are employed
either full-time or part-time whereas the equivalent proportion for those aged 20-24
years is a little under three-quarters. Details for Australia as a whole also appear in
the table for purposes of comparison and they exhibit very similar proportions/ratios to
that of South Australia.
In terms of labour force participation, persons aged 15-19 are much less likely to be in
the labour force (i.e. neither working nor looking for work) than persons aged 20-24.
A common situation for persons aged 15-19 is the combination of full-time study with
part-time work (derived from ABS, Labour Force, Australia, Cat. No. 6202.0).
There are significant differences in the number of hours per week that persons aged
15-19 and 20-24 work. On average, employed persons aged 15-19 work around 22
hours per week compared with an average of 34 hours for 20-24 year olds and 38
hours for those aged over 25 (derived from ABS Labour Force data).
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
One of the indicators chosen as a ‘top level goal’ in the ‘South Australia: Strategic
Plan, 2004’ was youth unemployment, specifically the full-time unemployment rate for
those aged 15-19. The goal (as stated in SASP) is “ to equal or better the national
rate within five years”. The graphs below show the full-time unemployment rate (see
graph note (a) for definition) for those aged 15-19 and also for those aged 20-24.
South Australia’s rate is compared with that of Australia over the period 1998-99 to
2003-04. Table 4.2 towards the end of this Chapter provides more detail.
FULL-TIME UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (a), PERSONS AGED 15-19, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 1998-99 TO 2003-04
%
South Australia
35
Australia
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
(a) Full-time unemployment rates are calculated as follows – the number of persons in the age group who
were unemployed and seeking full-time work as a proportion of the full-time labour force in that age group.
The full-time labour force is the sum of those seeking full-time work plus those working full-time.
Source: ABS, Labour Force, Australia (Cat.No. 6202.0.5.001)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 73
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
FULL-TIME UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (a), PERSONS AGED 20-24, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 1998-99 TO 2003-04
%
South Australia
20.0
Australia
17.5
15.0
12.5
10.0
7.5
5.0
2.5
0.0
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
(a) Full-time unemployment rates are calculated as follows – the number of persons in the age group who
were unemployed and seeking full-time work as a proportion of the full-time labour force in that age group.
The full-time labour force is the sum of those seeking full-time work plus those working full-time.
Source: ABS, Labour Force, Australia (Cat.No. 6202.0.5.001)
It is noted that South Australia’s full-time unemployment rate has been higher than
Australia’s over the period shown both for persons aged 15-19 and those aged 20-24.
It is also noted that, over time, South Australia’s rate has shown modest improvement
generally commensurate with the trend for Australia as a whole.
The data shows, compared with 20-24 year olds, unemployed young people aged 15
to 19 are far more likely to be looking for part-time work.
ABS Labour Force data also shows the labour force status of young people varies for
males and females. The major differences include:
! 20 to 24 year old females are less likely to be participating in the labour force
than males of the same age;
! employed females are more likely to be working part-time compared with
males, in both age cohorts; and
! unemployed males are more likely to be seeking full-time work than
unemployed females.
74 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
CASUAL EMPLOYMENT
A key feature of the labour market over the past decade or so has been the growth in
casual employment. It has been suggested that the key drivers of this have been
growth in industries that are relatively reliant on casual labour and a general increase
in demand from employers for more flexible forms of employment to meet peak
demand periods.
It is considered that some employers prefer casual employment due to the greater
flexibility it offers and some employees prefer it for the wage premium most casual
employees receive.
A large proportion of casual employment exists among 15 to 24 year olds. There are
almost 50,000 people in this age group who are ‘self-identified’ casuals, representing
over 35% of all casual workers in the State. The majority (60%) of young casual
workers are females.
For some young people, these job opportunities can become stepping stones to
permanent employment. For others, however, they can give rise to a lack of
employment security and the risk of becoming trapped long-term in this often low-paid
unskilled market.
INDIGENOUS YOUNG PEOPLE
There are approximately 4,700 Indigenous South Australians aged 15 to 24 years.
The youth (aged 15-24) full-time unemployment rate for Indigenous persons in the
State is 37%, much higher than the State average of around 17% (2001 Population
Census).
Educational attainment is a key contributor to the high level of disadvantage
experienced by Indigenous people. Compared with the general South Australian
population, Indigenous people have historically recorded lower school retention rates
and a significantly smaller share have non-school qualifications (2001 Population
Census). However, the participation of Indigenous students in vocational education
and training (VET) has increased by 50% in the last five years (See Chapter 3).
The graph following and Table 4.3 give details of the sector of employment of young
Indigenous persons who were employed at the time of the 2001 Census, by weekly
hours worked.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 75
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
NUMBER OF EMPLOYED INDIGENOUS PERSONS AGED 15-24 BY SECTOR OF
EMPLOYMENT, BY WEEKLY HOURS WORKED, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
2001 POPULATION CENSUS
persons
400 <35 hours
35+ hours
300
200
100
0
C'wealth Govt State Govt Local Govt Private Sector CDEP (a) Not stated
(a) Community Development Employment Program
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Of a total of 1,360 young Indigenous persons who were employed at the time of the
2001 Census, there were 740 in the Private Sector – mainly in the fields of retail,
manufacturing, hospitality, construction, health services and other services. There
were more working full-time than part-time in the Private Sector. A further 370 were
engaged in a range of Community Development Employment Programs (CDEP),
which operate largely in Indigenous communities in the Far North and the Far West
regions of South Australia. Most CDEP workers worked less than 35 hours per week.
Others worked in Commonwealth and State agencies and also Local Government.
OCCUPATIONS
What sort of paid work do young South Australians do?
The occupations in which young people are employed differs considerably from that of
the general working-age population. Tables 4.4 and 4.5 towards the end of this
Chapter give details of the ‘top twenty’ occupation groups for young South Australians
aged 15-19 and those aged 20-24 at the time of the 2001 Population Census.
76 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
Table 4.4 shows that for those aged 15-19, around 13,630 (or one third of the total of
41,220) worked as ‘elementary sales workers’ – clearly ranked the most frequently
nominated occupation group on the list. Typically these workers would be casual
part-time sales assistants or checkout operators working for supermarkets, fast food
chains or other retail businesses. A large proportion would still be students.
‘Labourers’ was the second ranked occupation group for those aged 15-19 with
around 7,780 employed teenagers (or 19%). We have seen already in Table 4.1 that
around two-thirds of teenage workers are part-time workers. Many of the other
occupations in the ‘top twenty’ are similarly unskilled or semi-skilled occupations. On
the other hand, there are large numbers working as apprentices in a variety of trades.
Table 4.5 shows that for those aged 20-24 ‘elementary sales workers’ and ‘labourers’
were also ranked as the top two occupation groups but comprised a much smaller
proportion of the total. Of a total of 62,440 employed persons aged 20-24, 8,000
(13%) were elementary sales workers while 7,690 (12%) were labourers. By way of
contrast with teenage workers, there is much more representation by skilled
occupation groups in the ‘top twenty’ list for those aged 20-24. For example,
Business and IT Professionals is the occupation group ranked sixth with 2,730
workers. Managing Supervisors are ranked seventh. The list also shows that young
graduates are now entering the workforce as, for example, registered nurses,
journalists, teachers, and other professional occupations. Also many of the
apprentices have now become fully-fledged tradespersons in a range of sectors.
INDUSTRY GROUPS
In what industries do young South Australians work?
Tables 4.6 and 4.7 towards the end of this Chapter give details of the ‘top twenty’
industry groups in which young South Australians aged 15-19 and those aged 20-24
were employed at the time of the 2001 Population Census. Food Retailing was the
industry group that topped the list for both age groups.
Table 4.6 shows that for those aged 15-19, around 12,610 (or just over 30% of the
total of 41,220) worked in the Food Retailing sector – clearly the first ranked industry
sector on the list. The next three ranking industry groups were Personal and
Household Goods Retailing, Hospitality and Motor Vehicle Retailing and Services
(which includes automotive fuel retailing) respectively. The fact that these four top the
list is consistent with the large numbers of sales assistants (mainly part-time) noted in
the Occupation Section above. Less prominent are Construction, Agriculture and
Manufacturing which would employ teenagers as labourers and process workers and,
to a lesser extent, apprentices. Business Services and also Personal Services each
have over 1,000 teenage employees. The Business Services sector would include
young people engaged in clerical work in offices and would also include those
engaged as cleaners. The Personal Services sector includes hairdressing salons and
video hire outlets.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 77
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
Table 4.7 shows that for those aged 20-24 Retailing and Hospitality industry groups
also head the list but comprised a much smaller proportion of the total than for those
aged 15-19. By way of contrast with teenage workers, there was a much more
diverse range of industry groups represented. For example, Business Services had
5,220 employees and Health Services 3,380. The sub-categories within Business
Services that employ many 20-24 year olds include accounting services, IT
consultancy services, legal services and employment placement services. For Health
Services the sub-categories include hospitals, nursing homes, and medical and dental
practices. Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, with 2,900 employees aged 20-
24 includes the motor vehicle manufacturing industry.
CHILDREN IN FAMILIES WITH NO EMPLOYED PARENT
Families with no employed parent have been identified as a matter of policy concern
by Australian governments in recent years (Reference Group on Welfare Reform,
2000, DFACS, Canberra). These families not only experience economic
disadvantage, but also may have reduced social opportunities which may impact on
their wellbeing. Research suggests that children living in families with no employed
parent are particularly at risk, as the absence of a resident employed parent may
negatively impact on the child’s immediate material wellbeing as well as adversely
affecting their future income, ‘social class’ and economic success (Gregory, R.G,
1999 – Discussion Paper No. 406, Centre for Economic Policy Research, ANU,
Canberra). Table 4.8 at the end of this Chapter provides estimates of the proportion
of children aged under 15 living in jobless families for each State and Territory of
Australia. In 2002 Tasmania had the highest proportion (21%) while ACT had the
lowest (11%); South Australia had 20% and Australia as a whole 18%.
The graph below shows that, for each of the last five years, South Australia’s rate was
generally a little higher than the Australian average (with the exception of 1999).
Looking at different types of families – around 10% of children in couple families have
neither parent employed, whereas around 55% of children in one-parent families do
not have their parent employed (Australian Social Trends, 2004, ABS Cat. No.
4102.0).
78 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AGED LESS THAN 15 IN FAMILIES WITH NO
EMPLOYED PARENT, SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 1998 TO 2002
%
South Australia
25
Australia
20
15
10
5
0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Source: Benchmarked from the ABS Survey of Income and Housing - unpublished data
In South Australia there are large variations when small area data is observed. Using
2001 Census data there are parts of the Northern Adelaide region with rates above
40%, while parts of Eastern Adelaide, the Barossa, the Adelaide Hills and the South
East are below 10%.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 79
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.1 YOUNG EMPLOYED PERSONS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BY FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STATUS,
1998-99 TO 2003-04
Proportion employed (d)
Employed Employed Total Civilian
Year (a) Full-time (b) Part-time (c) employed population SA Aust
('000) ('000) ('000) ('000) % %
Aged 15-19
1998-99 15.2 30.8 46.0 99.6 46.1 47.6
1999-00 16.8 30.9 47.7 100.9 47.3 49.1
2000-01 17.5 32.8 50.3 102.5 49.1 49.7
2001-02 16.2 35.3 51.5 103.2 49.9 49.0
2002-03 17.5 34.8 52.3 103.6 50.5 49.6
2003-04 17.7 34.2 51.8 104.0 49.8 50.7
Aged 20-24
1998-99 49.4 19.6 69.0 99.4 69.4 73.1
1999-00 50.6 19.9 70.4 95.8 73.5 74.4
2000-01 50.9 19.9 70.9 95.1 74.5 74.3
2001-02 48.8 21.9 70.6 95.8 73.7 73.4
2002-03 49.4 23.9 73.3 98.1 74.7 73.5
2003-04 49.3 25.4 74.7 101.6 73.5 73.9
(a) Monthly annual average
(b) Persons who usually work 35 hours or more per week in all jobs.
(c) Persons who usually work less than 35 hours per week in all jobs.
(d) Total employed as a % of civilian population.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey
80 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.2 YOUNG PERSONS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED AND SEEKING FULL-TIME WORK, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 1998-99 TO 2003-04
FT unemployment rate (b)
Unemployed and FT labour force
Year (a) seeking FT work (c) SA Aust
('000) ('000) % %
Aged 15-19
1998-99 7.6 22.9 33.4 25.2
1999-00 6.9 23.7 29.1 21.9
2000-01 5.7 23.2 24.5 22.6
2001-02 6.6 22.8 29.0 24.2
2002-03 5.4 22.9 23.7 22.5
2003-04 6.4 24.1 26.7 21.4
Aged 20-24
1997-98 10.6 63.4 16.8 13.9
1998-99 10.1 59.5 17.0 12.4
1999-00 7.5 58.0 12.9 10.3
2000-01 6.5 57.4 11.4 10.5
2001-02 6.5 55.3 11.8 11.4
2002-03 7.2 56.6 12.7 11.1
2003-04 6.9 56.2 12.3 10.1
(a) Monthly annual average
(b) Full-time unemployment rates are calculated as follows – the number of persons
in the age group who were unemployed and seeking full-time work as a proportion
of the full-time labour force in that age group.
(c) The full-time labour force is the sum of those seeking
full-time work plus those working full-time
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 81
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.3 NUMBER OF EMPLOYED INDIGENOUS PERSONS AGED 15-24 BY EMPLOYMENT SECTOR, BY
WEEKLY HOURS WORKED, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Weekly hours worked…………………………
Sector 35 or more Less than 35 Not stated Total
Commonwealth Government Agencies 36 21 6 63
State Government Agencies 66 31 6 103
Local Government 23 13 4 40
Private Sector 368 321 46 735
CDEP (a) 24 321 22 367
Sector not stated 10 13 29 52
Total 527 720 113 1,360
(a) Community Development Employment Program
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
82 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.4 TOP TWENTY OCCUPATION GROUPS (RANKED), EMPLOYED PERSONS AGED 15-19 YEARS,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Occupation Group (a) no.
Elementary Sales Workers 13,633
Labourers and Related Workers 7,781
Intermediate Service Workers 3,801
Intermediate Production and Transport Workers 3,758
Intermediate Clerical Workers 2,127
Other Tradespersons and Related Workers (incl apprentices) (b) 1,112
Construction Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 811
Food Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 785
Automotive Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 770
Mechanical and Fabrication Engineering Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 706
Managing Supervisors (Sales and Service) 661
Elementary Service Workers 531
Electrical and Electronics Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 528
Other Associate Professionals (c) 431
Elementary Clerks 378
Intermediate Sales and Related Workers 300
Skilled Agricultural and Horticultural Workers 295
Business and Administration Associate Professionals 273
Farmers and Farm Managers 265
Business and Information Professionals 239
Other (incl not stated) 2,034
Total 41,219
(a) Australian Standard Classification of Occupations, Second Edition (ASCO2) - Sub-Major categories
(b) Mainly apprentice hairdressers and apprentice cabinetmakers
(c) Mainly sportspersons and related support workers
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 83
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.5 TOP TWENTY OCCUPATION GROUPS (RANKED), EMPLOYED PERSONS AGED 20-24 YEARS,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Occupation Group (a) no.
Elementary Sales Workers 7,999
Labourers and Related Workers 7,687
Intermediate Clerical Workers 6,634
Intermediate Service Workers 6,181
Intermediate Production and Transport Workers 4,763
Business and Information Professionals 2,725
Managing Supervisors (Sales and Service) 2,153
Other Tradespersons and Related Workers (incl apprentices) (b) 1,999
Business and Administration Associate Professionals 1,940
Mechanical and Fabrication Engineering Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 1,720
Construction Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 1,473
Health Professionals (c) 1,318
Social, Arts and Miscellaneous Professionals (d) 1,304
Automotive Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 1,275
Electrical and Electronics Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 1,259
Education Professionals 1,256
Intermediate Sales and Related Workers 1,191
Food Tradespersons (incl apprentices) 1,033
Secretaries and Personal Assistants 901
Science, Building and Engineering Professionals 816
Other (incl not stated) 6,817
Total 62,444
(a) Australian Standard Classification of Occupations, Second Edition (ASCO2) - Sub-Major categories
(b) Mainly hairdressers, cabinetmakers and printers (incl apprentices)
(c) Mainly registered nurses but also occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical imaging professionals, etc
(d) Includes, for example, designers, social welfare professionals, journalists, legal professionals, etc
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
84 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.6 TOP TWENTY INDUSTRY GROUPS (RANKED), EMPLOYED PERSONS AGED 15-19 YEARS,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Industry Groups (a) no.
Food Retailing 12,608
Personal and Household Good Retailing 4,846
Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants ('Hospitality') 4,722
Motor Vehicle Retailing and Services (incl Automotive Fuel Retailing) 1,597
Business Services 1,524
Agriculture 1,277
Personal Services 1,065
Construction Trade Services 1,010
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing 931
Sport and Recreation 831
Personal and Household Good Wholesaling 750
Health Services 730
Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing 711
General Construction 547
Education 525
Community Services 486
Metal Product Manufacturing 419
Other Manufacturing (Furniture, Sporting Goods, etc) 407
Machinery and Motor Vehicle Wholesaling 365
Retail Trade, undefined 345
Other (incl not stated) 5,523
Total 41,219
(a) Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) -
Subdivision (2-digit) categories
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 85
CHAPTER 4 • LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.7 TOP TWENTY INDUSTRY GROUPS (RANKED), EMPLOYED PERSONS AGED 20-24 YEARS,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Industry Groups (a) no.
Food Retailing 5,522
Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants ('Hospitality') 5,406
Personal and Household Good Retailing 5,275
Business Services 5,220
Health Services 3,375
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing 2,898
Education 2,498
Motor Vehicle Retailing and Services (incl Automotive Fuel Retailing) 2,169
Construction Trade Services 2,112
Agriculture 2,084
Government Administration 1,635
Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing 1,633
Personal Services 1,562
Personal and Household Good Wholesaling 1,507
Community Services 1,437
Finance 1,123
Sport and Recreation 1,089
General Construction 1,068
Metal Product Manufacturing 1,007
Communication Services (Telecommunications, Postal) 995
Other (incl not stated) 12,829
Total 62,444
(a) Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) -
Subdivision (2-digit) categories
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
86 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 4 LABOUR FORCE
TABLE 4.8 PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AGED LESS THAN 15 IN FAMILIES WITH NO EMPLOYED PARENT,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 1998 TO 2002
State 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
% % % % %
NSW 21.0 18.8 16.3 17.7 17.3
Vic 18.4 17.7 16.1 16.6 16.7
QLD 20.4 18.6 17.8 19.9 20.5
SA 22.4 18.2 19.1 18.7 19.7
WA 16.4 17.2 16.5 17.1 17.5
Tas 21.6 24.2 20.8 20.9 20.6
NT 14.6 13.2 16.2 15.6 13.3
ACT 8.9 13.2 13.2 11.7 10.8
Australia 19.7 18.3 16.8 17.9 17.9
Source: Benchmarked from the ABS Survey of Income and Housing -unpublished data
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 87
CHAPTER 5 LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
INTRODUCTION
People are likely to live in a greater number of household types over a lifetime than in
the past. Increasingly, living arrangements across a lifetime may also include living
alone or in a group household before forming a long-term partnership, or living as a
lone parent or alone after separation or divorce. It is acknowledged also that living
arrangements have (and will continue to) vary widely with culture and life
circumstances.
This Chapter looks at living arrangement patterns for South Australian children and
young people at the 2001 Census, including dwelling tenure. There is also a Section
on children and young people living in a household where there is no motor vehicle.
There is a Section looking at housing issues in respect of Indigenous children and
young people and, towards the end, short Sections on overcrowding and
homelessness.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: CHILDREN UNDER 15
Around 20% of South Australian children under 15 years of age live in one parent
families. The graph below shows details of children in one- and two-parent families as
at the 2001 Census of Population and Housing. Table 5.1 has more detail.
Table 5.1 also shows that the proportion of children in one-parent families increases
as they get older with 18% of those aged 0-7 years in one-parent families, 22% of
those aged 8-11 years and 24% of those aged 12-14 years.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 (a) BY AGE GROUP
AND FAMILY TYPE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
persons
In two parent family
125000
In one parent family
100000
75000
50000
25000
0
0-7 8-11 12-14
Age group (years)
(a) Enumerated in occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
88 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24
Living arrangements for those aged 15-24 are far more diverse, particularly for those
aged 20-24 who are often making the transition from the parental home to
independent living. See the graphs below and Table 5.3.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS BY AGE
GROUP, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
persons
Living in the parental home
60000
Living outside the parental home
Other (a)
40000
20000
0
15-17 18-19 20-24
Age group (years)
(a) Other – includes those enumerated in non-private dwellings, those enumerated in non-classifiable
households and also visitors from within Australia (i.e. at the time of the Census they were not in their usual
place of residence).
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: SELECTED CATEGORIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE
AGED 18-19 AND 20-24 YEARS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (a), SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Partner in a couple family with children
Partner in a couple family (no children)
Lone parent
Group household member
Living alone
Age 18-19
Age 20-24
0 2500 5000 7500 10000 12500 15000
persons
(a) In occupied private dwellings.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
At the 2001 Census, persons aged 15-24 years living with parents were classified as
either dependent students or non-dependent children. Over one-third (35%) of all
South Australian persons aged 15-24 years were living in the parental home as
dependent students. A further 26% were living with parents as non-dependent
children. As would be expected, the proportion of young people living in the parental
home decreased with age, from 88% of 15-17 year-olds to 40% of 20-24 year-olds.
See Table 5.3 for more detail. The proportion of young adults living in the parental
home has increased since the 1980s – attributable in part to a deferral of leaving
home until completion of study or achievement of financial independence (‘Young
adults living in the parental home’, Australian Social Trends, 2000, ABS Cat No.
4102.0).
In terms of the age groups covered by this Profile, those aged 20-24 years are the
most significant group to have established living arrangements away from the parental
home. Around 52% (or 46,580) of South Australian 20-24 year-olds live in an
independent situation. Table 5.3 shows that a significant number of these (18,460
persons) are in a partnership or marriage – some with children but the majority
without. A further 10,960 live in group households (of unrelated individuals), while
7,300 live alone. Another significant group amongst independent 20-24 year-olds are
sole parents, numbering 2,740 persons.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ENUMERATED IN NON-PRIVATE DWELLINGS
While a relatively small proportion of the total, there were 1,830 children aged 0-14
years and a further 5,740 young people aged 15-24 years enumerated in non-private
dwellings at the 2001 Population Census. Tables 5.2 (for children) and 5.4 (for young
people) give details of the type of non-private dwellings in which these children and
young people were enumerated.
Of those aged 15-24, there were 1,820 in residential colleges (usually university
students), 820 were in boarding schools and 650 were in a prison or a detention
centre. There were 420 staying in staff quarters (e.g. at a defence facility), 210 were
in boarding houses, while 100 were in refuges or hostels for the homeless. Others
were away from home in hospital or in a hotel or motel.
As for those aged under 15, it is notable that 190 such children were enumerated in a
detention institution for adults.
DWELLING TENURE
The graph below and Table 5.5 show details of dwelling tenure for children and young
people who live in the parental home. For children aged 0-14 years the majority
(71%) live in a dwelling that is owned or being purchased by their parents. A further
7% live in a dwelling that is rented from the State housing authority, while 18% live in
private and other types of rented dwellings. Children in one parent families are far
more likely to live in rented dwellings, both public and private sector compare to other
types of tenure.
90 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
Dwelling tenure patterns for children and young people aged 15-24 years who live in
the parental home exhibit somewhat different patterns to those aged 0-14. Home
ownership is higher and the proportion living in rented dwellings is lower.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PARENTAL HOME: DWELLING
TENURE (PROPORTIONS), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
Age 0-14
60
Age 15-24
40
20
0
Owned Being purchased Rented-Public Rented-Private
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Focusing now on those young people who have left the parental home, the graph
below and Table 5.6 illustrate patterns of dwelling tenure for the main groups. Private
rental is clearly the dominant mode of housing for all groups and particularly for those
living in group households. A reasonable proportion (39%) of those in a partnership
or marriage are already purchasing their own home. Public sector rental, while
comparatively small, is utilised particularly by sole parents (22% of their housing).
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS WHO ARE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (c),
SELECTED GROUPS, DWELLING TENURE (PROPORTIONS), SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
Partner (a)
80
Lone parent
Group h'hd (b)
Living alone
60
40
20
0
Owned Being purchased Rented-Public Rented-Private
(a) In a partnership or marriage.
(b) Group household member.
(c) In occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT A MOTOR VEHICLE
Children and young people living in households without a motor vehicle may suffer
social isolation and a more restricted range of cultural, educational and recreational
options as a consequence of reduced mobility.
The graph below shows that this is largely an issue for those living in one parent
families and that the situation is likely to improve as children get older. Around one in
six (or 17% of) children aged 0-7 years living in one parent families live in a household
without a motor vehicle. This proportion falls to 12% for those aged 12-14 years and
to 6% for those aged 20-24 years. The incidence of children in two parent families
living in a household with no motor vehicle is very much lower ranging from 2% for
those age 0-7 years to 0.4% for those aged 20-24 years. Table 5.7 towards the end
of this Chapter shows more detail.
PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE PARENTAL
HOME WHERE THERE IS NO MOTOR VEHICLE, AGE GROUP AND FAMILY
TYPE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
In a two parent family
20
In a one parent family
15
10
5
0
0-7 8-11 12-14 15-17 18-19 20-24
Age group (years)
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Looking now at those young people who have left home to live independently, the
graph below shows that 28% to 46% of those aged 15-17 years live in a household
with no motor vehicle. For the age groups 18-19 years and 20-24 years, those who
are sole parents and also those who live alone are far less likely to live in a household
with a motor vehicle than those in a partnership or marriage or those living in group
households
The least disadvantaged group (by this measure) are those aged 20-24 years in a
partnership or marriage where only 4% lived in a household with no motor vehicle.
Table 5.7 towards the end of this Chapter shows more detail.
92 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (c): PROPORTION
LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE THERE IS NO MOTOR VEHICLE, SELECTED
GROUPS BY AGE GROUP, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
Partner (a)
50
Lone parent
Group hhd (b)
Lone person
40
30
20
10
0
15-17 18-19 20-24
Age group (years)
(a) In a partnership or marriage.
(b) Group household member.
(c) In occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
INDIGENOUS CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The relationship between adequate housing and the general health and wellbeing of
the Indigenous community has been a focus of concern, underlying a range of
programs and policies targeted towards the needs of the Indigenous population.
Housing in Remote Communities
Having a home that provides adequate shelter and basic services is an expectation of
most Australians. The lack of such housing, or difficulties with the supply of drinking
water, electricity and sewerage systems, has a major impact on the quality of life of
many Indigenous communities and the children and young people who live there.
Information from the 2001 Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey
(CHINS), conducted by the ABS on behalf of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Commission (ATSIC) describes the housing circumstances of people living in
Indigenous communities located in remote parts of South Australia and other States
and Territories with remote communities.
The CHINS research has found that two of the major problems with living conditions
of Indigenous people are with the inadequate supply of houses and with the poor
quality of much of the housing that is available, both being regarded as unacceptable
by general community standards.
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
It may be for these reasons that some Indigenous people share their dwellings with
other people, increasing the level of crowding in their household. However many also
prefer to live, or at least sleep, near kin. As a result, dwellings occupied by
Indigenous people tend to have more people than those of other Australians. In
remote Indigenous communities, the average occupancy ratio was 5.8 people per
dwelling, compared to the national average of 2.6
The condition of dwellings in terms of the extent of repairs required provides further
insight into the quality of housing. Around 30% of all community-owned or managed
dwellings in these communities needed either major repairs or replacement. The
reliability of the infrastructure provided is also important. The provision and
maintenance of basic essential services such as water, sewerage and power, are
critical elements in the development of a healthy living environment. In SA’s remote
communities water supply is often bore water and electricity is mainly sourced from
community generators. While the large majority of people living in remote Indigenous
communities have access to these services, many communities experience problems
in their operation and maintenance. In other words, the services are often deficient in
terms of reliability and dependability.
Housing in Non Remote Areas
While some of the issues mentioned above are also relevant for Indigenous families in
non-remote parts of South Australia, there are a number of other problems that these
families are likely to face. The majority of Indigenous families in South Australia live
in non-remote areas of the State and, as such, often have to negotiate satisfactory
outcomes within the “mainstream housing market”. Organisations such as the
Aboriginal Housing Authority and the SA Housing Trust continue to have very
important roles in assisting families to obtain housing.
The following section is based on data and information provided by the South
Australian Housing Trust and the Aboriginal Housing Authority. Youth is defined as
young people under 25 years of age and children are defined as under 11 years of
age.
Public Housing
It is important to note that while the Aboriginal Housing Authority (AHA) houses only
Indigenous people, the South Australian Housing Trust (SAHT) offers housing to both
Indigenous and non-Indigenous customers.
The Aboriginal Housing Authority and the South Australian Housing Trust measure
demand for public housing through waiting lists. Waiting list information at June 2004
showed the vast majority of customers on the AHA waiting list were between 25 and
34 years of age (41%) whereas youth registered on the waiting list represented 15%.
This compares with 27% and 22% respectively for the SAHT. The lower proportion of
young people on the AHA waiting list is considered to be partly due to the aging of the
customers on the waiting list and secondly due to the demand for Indigenous housing
being usually from large families, which have their young people as occupants rather
than young people applying for housing themselves.
94 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
Most young Indigenous people in AHA properties are usually part of a family unit. At
June 2004, 53% of all AHA occupants were aged less than 25. Of these, 94% were
sons and daughters of the tenant. In comparison, 29% of SAHT occupants were aged
less than 25 years (90% were sons and daughters).
In 2003/04, young Indigenous people were allocated 18% of total AHA properties
available. In 2002/03 the proportion was 13%, in 2001/02 17% and in 2000/01 19%.
While the proportion of young new tenants is lower than for properties with the SAHT
(see below), the AHA houses a much higher proportion of families – between 50%
and 63% since 2000/01 (compared to between 31% and 35% for the SAHT).
The SAHT allocated 22% of its new tenancies in 2003/04 to young people, 24% in
2002/03, 23% in 2001-02 and 24% in 2000/01.
An important issue for young Indigenous people who seek to become independent
are the barriers that sometimes arise when they try to rent a flat or a house in the
private rental market. The potential for discrimination by landlords and real estate
agents, while rarely overt, may nevertheless result in non-Indigenous tenants being
preferred to Indigenous tenants.
Dwelling tenure for children aged under 15 years in the parental home –
Indigenous status
The graph below and Table 5.8 towards the end of this Chapter provide 2001 Census
details of dwelling tenure for Indigenous and non-Indigenous children aged under 15
years living in the parental home.
At the time of the 2001 Census around a quarter of Indigenous children living in the
parental home lived in a dwelling that was owned or being purchased by their family.
For non-Indigenous children the proportion was nearly three quarters. A high
proportion of Indigenous children (36%) were living in public housing (i.e. rented from
the SA Housing Trust, the Aboriginal Housing Authority or other State agencies),
while a further 15% were living in dwellings rented from a community or co-operative
housing group, particularly in remote communities.
Similar proportions of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children (around 16%) lived in
dwellings rented from private landlords or real estate agents.
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 YEARS IN THE PARENTAL HOME: INDIGENOUS
STATUS, DWELLING TENURE (PROPORTIONS), SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001
POPULATION CENSUS
%
Indigenous
60
Non-Indigenous
40
20
0
Owned Buying Rented(a) Rented(b) Rented(c) Rented(d)
(a) Rented from a State housing authority
(b) Rented from a community or co-operative housing group
(c) Rented from a private landlord or real estate agent
(d) Rented from other type of landlord (incl employer, incl not stated landlord type)
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Dwelling tenure for young people aged 15-24 living independently – Indigenous
status
The graph below and Table 5.9 towards the end of this Chapter provide 2001 Census
details of dwelling tenure for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people aged 15-
24 years who are living independently (in occupied private dwellings).
Indigenous youth are far more likely than their non-Indigenous counterparts to be
living in public housing (27%) and in dwellings rented from a community or co-
operative housing group (25%). They are far less likely to be owning or buying their
dwelling or to be renting in the private sector.
96 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (e) -
INDIGENOUS STATUS, DWELLING TENURE (PROPORTIONS), SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
Indigenous
60
Non-Indigenous
50
40
30
20
10
0
Owned Buying Rented(a) Rented(b) Rented(c) Rented(d)
(a) Rented from a State housing authority
(b) Rented from a community or co-operative housing group
(c) Rented from a private landlord or real estate agent
(d) Rented from other type of landlord (incl employer, incl not stated landlord type)
(e) In occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Indigenous children aged under 15 years in households without a motor
vehicle.
Several pages back general data was provided showing the proportion of children
living in a home without a motor vehicle at the time of the 2001 Census – an indicator
of lack of mobility.
22% of Indigenous children aged under 15 years are in homes with no motor vehicle,
while for non-Indigenous children the proportion is much lower (4%).
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
OVERCROWDING
Households that require two or more additional bedrooms are deemed to be
overcrowded (Commonwealth – State Housing Agreement (CSHA) and Council of
Australian Governments (COAG) definition). Census data can be used to identify the
number of households that do not have sufficient bedrooms (need at least one
additional bedroom) and the extra number required for the particular household,
based on the characteristics and number of residents in the household.
Estimates of the number and proportion of overcrowded households – i.e. those with
insufficient bedrooms, requiring 2 or more additional bedrooms – can be made on
examination of family composition (age and sex of children). The graph below and
Table 5.10 indicate that around 11% of households with children require one extra
bedroom to accommodate all family members satisfactorily, while around 2% require
two or more extra bedrooms. There appears to be little difference between one- and
two-parent families.
HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN: PROPORTION WITH INSUFFICIENT
BEDROOMS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
Couple with children household
20
One parent family household
15
10
5
0
One extra bedroom required 2 or more extra bedrooms required
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness is an issue of considerable importance to the SA Government.
South Australia’s Strategic Plan has as one of its targets to “halve the number of
‘rough sleepers’ in South Australia by 2010”. This refers to ‘primary homelessness’ of
whom there were a total of 900 persons enumerated in South Australia at the 2001
Census. Of this total, 130 were aged 0-11 years, 80 were aged 12-18 years and 70
were aged 19-24 years.
98 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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In June 2004 an important report was released – ‘Counting the Homeless, 2001,
South Australia’, Chamberlain, C. and McKenzie, D, Swinburne University and RMIT
University. This report, which is based largely on ABS Census data, broadens the
definition of homelessness to include secondary homelessness and tertiary
homelessness. Secondary homelessness includes people who move frequently from
one form of temporary shelter to another. It includes those staying in emergency or
transitional accommodation provided under the Supported Accommodation
Assistance Program (SAAP). It also includes people residing temporarily with other
households because they have no accommodation of their own and also includes
people staying in boarding houses on a short-term basis.
Tertiary homelessness refers to those people who live in boarding houses on a
medium to long-term basis.
A part of this report gives estimates of homeless numbers by age group. Taking this
broader view of homelessness (i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary homelessness
combined), the report estimates that there were 7,590 homeless persons in South
Australia in 2001. Of this total, an estimated 820 were aged 0-11 years, 2,390 were
aged 12-18 years and 690 were aged 19-24 years.
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.1 LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS ENUMERATED IN
OCCUPIED PRIVATE DWELLINGS BY FAMILY TYPE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Age group……………………….………
Family type 0-7 8-11 12-14 Total
In one parent family 25,411 17,140 13,519 56,070
In two parent family 116,369 59,597 43,559 219,525
Total 141,780 76,737 57,078 275,595
Not applicable (a) 6,224 2,902 2,465 11,591
Total (b) 148,004 79,639 59,543 287,186
(a) Not applicable - Includes those enumerated in non-private dwellings, those enumerated in non-classifiable households
and also visitors from within Australia (i.e. at the time of the Census they were not in their usual place of residence).
(b) Excludes overseas visitors.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
TABLE 5.2 NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS ENUMERATED IN NON-PRIVATE DWELLINGS BY
TYPE OF NON-PRIVATE DWELLING, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Age group……………………………
Type of Non-private Dwelling 0-7 8-11 12-14 Total 0-14
Hotel, motel 123 51 75 249
Staff quarters 10 4 0 14
Boarding house, private hotel 0 0 17 17
Boarding school 0 46 235 281
Residential college, hall of residence 3 0 94 97
Public hospital (not psychiatric) 310 23 30 363
Private hospital (not psychiatric) 93 3 0 96
Psychiatric hospital or institution 10 3 3 16
Hostel for homeless, night shelter, refuge 63 12 9 84
Childcare institution 0 0 12 12
Corrective institution for children 0 0 9 9
Other welfare institution 7 0 4 11
Prison, corrective and detention institution for adults 105 58 30 193
Other and not classifiable 58 164 167 389
Total 782 364 685 1,831
Note: Small cells in this table have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
100 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.3 LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS BY FAMILY
TYPE AND RELATIONSHIP WITHIN HOUSEHOLD, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Age group………………….
15-17 18-19 20-24 Total
Youth in the parental Home
Two parent family
Non-dependent child 4,870 11,231 21,082 37,183
Dependent student 36,357 8,961 7,278 52,596
Total 41,227 20,192 28,360 89,779
One-parent family
Non-dependent child 2,440 3,548 6,188 12,176
Dependent student 10,166 2,233 1,674 14,073
Total 12,606 5,781 7,862 26,249
Total 53,833 25,973 36,222 116,028
Youth outside the parental home
Couple family without children
Husband/wife in a registered marriage 25 148 4,068 4,241
Partner in de facto marriage 257 1,188 8,526 9,971
Other related individual 242 284 440 966
Total 524 1,620 13,034 15,178
Couple family with children
Husband/wife in a registered marriage 8 92 2,558 2,658
Partner in de facto marriage 87 401 3,305 3,793
Other related individual 316 266 398 980
Total 411 759 6,261 7,431
One-parent family
Lone parent 164 464 2,738 3,366
Other related individual 296 216 848 1,360
Total 460 680 3,586 4,726
Other family
Other related individual 700 1,367 3,354 5,421
Non-family households
Group household member 617 2,808 10,964 14,389
Lone persons 470 1,477 7,300 9,247
Unrelated individual living in
a family household (a) 752 1,016 2,083 3,851
Total 1,839 5,301 20,347 27,487
Total 3,934 9,727 46,582 60,243
Total members of classifiable households 57,767 35,700 82,804 176,271
Not applicable (b) 3,704 3,886 8,144 15,734
Total (c) 61,471 39,586 90,948 192,005
(a) For example, a boarder.
(b) Not applicable - Includes those enumerated in non-private dwellings, those enumerated in non-classifiable households
and also visitors from within Australia (i.e. at the time of the Census they were not in their usual place of residence).
(c) Excludes overseas visitors.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.4 NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS ENUMERATED IN NON-PRIVATE
DWELLINGS BY TYPE OF NON-PRIVATE DWELLING, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Age group………………………
Type of Non-private Dwelling 15-17 18-19 20-24 Total
Hotel, motel 88 114 476 678
Staff quarters 29 136 259 424
Boarding house, private hotel 47 37 129 213
Boarding school 712 62 46 820
Residential college, hall of residence 119 744 953 1,816
Public hospital (not psychiatric) 40 36 140 216
Private hospital (not psychiatric) 8 4 19 31
Psychiatric hospital or institution 3 9 55 67
Hostel for the disabled 3 11 42 56
Hostel for homeless, night shelter, refuge 45 17 41 103
Corrective institution for children 34 0 0 34
Prison, corrective and detention institution for adults 62 97 490 649
Other and not classifiable 175 145 311 631
Total 1,365 1,412 2,961 5,738
Note: Small cells in this table have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
102 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.5 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PARENTAL HOME: FAMILY TYPE, DWELLING TENURE,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
In one parent family In couple family Total Proportion
Dwelling tenure (Persons) (Persons) (Persons) (%)
Children aged 0-14
Fully owned 5,729 53,277 59,006 21.4
Being purchased 15,632 122,400 138,032 50.1
Rented - State housing authority 11,455 7,777 19,232 7.0
Rented - Private and other 21,372 29,533 50,905 18.5
Other tenure 1,056 4,176 5,232 1.9
Tenure not stated 826 2,362 3,188 1.2
Total 56,070 219,525 275,595 100.0
Children/young people aged 15-24
Fully owned 6,023 38,704 44,727 38.5
Being purchased 9,459 40,623 50,082 43.2
Rented - State housing authority 4,031 2,655 6,686 5.8
Rented - Private and other 6,026 5,866 11,892 10.2
Other tenure 356 1,011 1,367 1.2
Tenure not stated 354 920 1,274 1.1
Total 26,249 89,779 116,028 100.0
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
TABLE 5.6 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS WHO HAVE LEFT THE PARENTAL HOME, SELECTED
GROUPS, DWELLING TENURE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
In a Group
partnership Lone household Living
Dwelling tenure or marriage parent member alone
NUMBER OF PERSONS
Fully owned 1,249 190 645 917
Being purchased 8,046 421 1,856 1,557
Rented - State housing authority 946 733 388 716
Rented - private and other 9,541 1,901 10,999 5,269
Other tenure 626 56 286 509
Tenure not stated 255 65 215 280
Total 20,663 3,366 14,389 9,248
PROPORTION (%)
Fully owned 6.0 5.6 4.5 9.9
Being purchased 38.9 12.5 12.9 16.8
Rented - State housing authority 4.6 21.8 2.7 7.7
Rented - private and other 46.2 56.5 76.4 57.0
Other tenure 3.0 1.7 2.0 5.5
Tenure not stated 1.2 1.9 1.5 3.0
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
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CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.7 PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH NO MOTOR
VEHICLE, AGE GROUPS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Age group…………………………………………
0-7 8-11 12-14 15-17 18-19 20-24
% % % % % %
Living in the parental home -
In a two parent family 1.6 1.1 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.4
In a one parent family 17.0 13.1 11.7 9.5 6.8 5.9
Living outside the parental home (selected groups only) -
In a partnership or marriage n.a n.a n.a 27.9 10.2 4.2
Lone parent n.a n.a n.a 25.8 37.8 24.8
Group household member n.a n.a n.a 26.0 13.7 9.4
Lone person n.a n.a n.a 46.5 33.5 20.9
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
TABLE 5.8 CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 YEARS IN THE PARENTAL HOME: INDIGENOUS STATUS, DWELLING
TENURE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Non- Not
Dwelling tenure Indigenous Indigenous stated Total
NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS
Fully owned 460 57,915 631 59,006
Being purchased 1,603 134,879 1,550 138,032
Rented - State/Territory housing authority 3,010 15,707 515 19,232
Rented - Community or co-operative housing group 1,288 1,426 46 2,760
Rented - Private 1,378 40,754 1,013 43,145
Rented from employer 106 2,814 61 2,981
Rented - other and not stated 268 1,689 62 2,019
Other tenure 158 4,965 106 5,229
Tenure not stated 137 2,747 304 3,188
Total 8,408 262,896 4,288 275,592
PROPORTION (%)
Fully owned 5.5 22.0 14.7 21.4
Being purchased 19.1 51.3 36.1 50.1
Rented - State/Territory housing authority 35.8 6.0 12.0 7.0
Rented - Community or co-operative housing group 15.3 0.5 1.1 1.0
Rented - Private 16.4 15.5 23.6 15.7
Rented from employer 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.1
Rented - other and not stated 3.2 0.6 1.4 0.7
Other tenure 1.9 1.9 2.5 1.9
Tenure not stated 1.6 1.0 7.1 1.2
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
104 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.9 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (a) - INDIGENOUS STATUS,
DWELLING TENURE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Non- Not
Dwelling tenure Indigenous Indigenous stated Total
No.of YOUNG PEOPLE 15-24 LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (a)
Fully owned 68 5,670 81 5,819
Being purchased 148 14,528 97 14,773
Rented - State/Territory housing authority 496 3,094 66 3,656
Rented - Community or co-operative housing group 468 521 9 998
Rented - Private 498 28,615 230 29,343
Rented from employer 29 803 6 838
Rented - other and not stated 51 1,336 16 1,403
Other tenure 50 1,799 19 1,868
Tenure not stated 58 836 138 1,032
Total 1,866 57,202 662 59,730
PROPORTION (%)
Fully owned 3.6 9.9 12.2 9.7
Being purchased 7.9 25.4 14.7 24.7
Rented - State/Territory housing authority 26.6 5.4 10.0 6.1
Rented - Community or co-operative housing group 25.1 0.9 1.4 1.7
Rented - Private 26.7 50.0 34.7 49.1
Rented from employer 1.6 1.4 0.9 1.4
Rented - other and not stated 2.7 2.3 2.4 2.3
Other tenure 2.7 3.1 2.9 3.1
Tenure not stated 3.1 1.5 20.8 1.7
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
(a) In occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 105
CHAPTER 5 • LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
TABLE 5.10 OVERCROWDING IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Insufficient bedrooms…...…...…....…
2 or more Total with
One extra extra insufficient
Sufficient bedroom bedrooms number of
Household type bedrooms required required bedrooms Total
Number of dwellings
Couple with children household 150,623 20,176 3,593 23,769 174,392
One parent family household 53,115 6,417 1,587 8,004 61,119
Proportion (%)
Couple with children household 86.4 11.6 2.1 13.6 100.0
One parent family household 86.9 10.5 2.6 13.1 100.0
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
106 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 INCOME
INTRODUCTION
Most children and young people depend on their parents for shelter and for financial
and emotional support. However, the need for support changes as teenagers
progress to adulthood and seek to establish their independence. The period of this
transition can vary greatly among young people depending on their individual
capacities and life opportunities. Some children and young people are not able to
depend on parents or families, and are required through life circumstances to live
independently (or with a considerable degree of independence) regardless of whether
they are ready.
This Chapter looks at the range of incomes of South Australian families with children
at the time of the 2001 Population Census. Indigenous children and those living in
one parent families are more likely to find themselves comparatively disadvantaged in
terms of parental incomes. Many young people aged 15-24 years living in the
parental home are students. Their family and individual incomes are examined,
together with non-students aged 15-24 years living in the parental home. Also in this
Chapter we look at how those young people who have left the parental home are
faring, in terms of income. Another section looks at the incidence of financial stress
amongst families with dependent children.
CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS
Income inequality is an important issue when examining the wellbeing of South
Australian children and families. At the time of the 2001 population Census, 25% of
Australian families had total incomes of less than $600 per week, i.e. low income
families (the bottom income quartile). All income measures used relate to gross
income. The graph below and Table 6.1 show that a substantial proportion of South
Australian children aged 0-14 years live in low-income families. For example, at the
time of the 2001 Population Census there were 72,830 children living in families with
incomes below $600 per week, representing 29% of South Australian children aged 0-
14 years (where family income is known).
107 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS (a) – WEEKLY FAMILY INCOME (b) BY FAMILY
TYPE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
no.
In one parent family
40000
In two parent family
30000
20000
10000
0
<$400 $400- $600- $800- $1,000- $1,200- $1,500- $2,000+
Family income (weekly)
(a) In occupied private dwellings
(b) The sum of the weekly incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Looking at family type, 77% of children living in one parent families lived in families
with incomes below $600 per week, while for those living in two parent families the
proportion was 16%.
Measures of poverty and ‘poverty lines’ are complex and, at times, controversial. In
brief, poverty lines are threshold income values. If a family’s income is below the
value applicable for that family, then that family is deemed to be in poverty. Also,
poverty itself means different things to different people. For example, experts
recognise 3 different approaches to defining poverty: absolute poverty, relative
poverty and subjective poverty (ABS Australian Social Trends 1998, Income &
Expenditure – Income Distribution: Poverty: Different assumptions, different profiles,
Australia Now).
The composition of the family (one or two parent family, 1, 2, 3 or more dependent
children, etc.) and also whether an adult within the family is or is not employed are
important to some measures of poverty. Within the parameters of this Profile we are
unable to examine concepts of poverty in such detail. However, in fairly basic terms,
a family with one or more children which has an income below $600 per week may be
considered to have a comparatively restricted range of options in terms of
expenditures on housing, education, transport, household goods, health services and
recreation. Financial stress and cash flow problems are more likely to be a feature of
such families than those with higher incomes.
The graph below and Table 6.2 show that, compared to most other States and
Territories, South Australia has a higher proportion of children in families with incomes
less than $600 per week. The proportion of 29% for South Australia is only exceeded
by Tasmania (33%) and Northern Territory (34%). ACT had the lowest proportion
(16%), while the Australian average was 26%. However, in this regard, it should be
noted that there may be differences in the relative costs of living between the States
and Territories.
108 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS (a) – PROPORTION IN FAMILIES WHERE
WEEKLY FAMILY INCOME (b) IS LESS THAN $600 PER WEEK, STATES AND
AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
%
40
30
20
10
0
NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas NT ACT AUST
(a) In occupied private dwellings
(b) The sum of the incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Compared to most other States and Territories, South Australia has a
higher proportion of children in families with family incomes of less than
$600 per week. However, in this regard, it should be noted that there
may be differences in the relative costs of living between the States and
Territories.
INDIGENOUS CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS
In line with other indicators in this Profile, Indigenous children are disadvantaged
when comparative family income distributions are examined. The graph below and
Table 6.3 show that over 30% of Indigenous children live in families with family
incomes below $400 per week. For non-Indigenous children the proportion was 13%.
Using $600 per week as a threshold, there were 56% of Indigenous children in
families with family incomes below $600 per week. For non-Indigenous children the
proportion was 28%.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 109
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
PROPORTION OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 YEARS (a) – WEEKLY FAMILY
INCOME (b) BY INDIGENOUS STATUS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION
CENSUS
(a) In occupied private dwellings
%
Indigenous
40
Non-Indigenous
30
20
10
0
<$400 $400 - $600 - $800 - $1,000 - $1,200 - $1,500 - $2,000+
Family income (weekly)
(b) The sum of the weekly incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING IN THE PARENTAL HOME
Young people aged 15-24 years who live in the parental home, lived in families whose
income tended to be considerably higher than for those aged 0-14 years (as shown
above). A range of factors may explain this. For example, parental incomes may be
higher as parents become better established in careers and the imperative for parents
to remain home with children or work reduced hours is diminished as children grow
older. Another factor could be that some young people may now in fact be
contributing to family income.
Around 62% of young people aged 15-24 years who live in the parental home lived
with families whose income exceeded $1,000 per week. Conversely around 16%
lived in families with incomes of less than $600 per week. See Table 6.4 for more
detail.
110 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING IN THE PARENTAL HOME –
WEEKLY FAMILY INCOME (a) BY FAMILY TYPE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001
POPULATION CENSUS
no.
In one parent family
20000
In two parent family
15000
10000
5000
0
<$400 $400- $600- $800- $1,000- $1,200- $1,500- $2,000+
Family income (weekly)
(a) The sum of the weekly incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
Some consider that more young adults in their 20s are continuing to
live in the parental home for longer periods than was the case 20-30
years ago. This may be attributable in part to deferring leaving home
until completion of study or achievement of financial independence
and ability to afford to live independently.
Looking now at individual incomes of young people aged 15-24 years who live in the
parental home. The graph below and Table 6.5 show details of individual income for
students and non-students. The majority of young people living at home are full-time
students. Around 40% of these full-time students had no income, while a further 50%
had weekly incomes of under $160. Part-time students typically had incomes of
$160-$399 per week. The incomes of those who were non-students would comprise
in some cases, income from jobs and in other cases income from government
benefits such as Newstart.
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 111
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING IN THE PARENTAL HOME –
INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY INCOME BY STUDENT STATUS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
2001 POPULATION CENSUS
no.
Full-time student
25000
Part-time student
Not a student
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
Nil $1 - $80 - $160 - $300 - $400 - $500 - $600+
Individual income (weekly)
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
There are many financial reasons for young people to remain living in the parental
home including: inability to afford to live independently due to low junior wages; the
cut off rate for the Youth Allowance (see next section); high costs of the private rental
market; considerable waiting lists for public housing arrangements (see Chapter 5
Living Arrangements and Housing) and being a carer (of the family/parent(s)).
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY
As shown in Chapter 5 a wide range of young people aged 15-24 years are living
independently. The vast majority of this group is aged 20-24 years. Some are
married or in a partnership (with or without dependent children), others live with
friends or flatmates in a ‘group household’ situation, others live alone and yet others
have the responsibility of sole parenthood.
Individual incomes for this group are generally low for a variety of reasons. Some are
engaged in long-term higher education or vocational studies. As we have seen in
Chapter 4, the likelihood of unemployment is comparatively high amongst this group
and those who are in employment may be in part-time or unskilled jobs where
incomes are low.
It should also be noted that the cut-off rate for Youth Allowance means a young
person needs to be 25 before they are considered independent and their parent(s)’s
income is no longer included in calculations for eligibility criteria.
112 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
The graph below and Table 6.6 show that incomes tended to range between $400 to
$799 per week for those employed full-time. Around 73% of those employed full-time
had weekly incomes within this range. For those employed part-time, weekly incomes
were typically in the range $160 to $299. It is likely that many of this group combined
part-time work with post-school education commitments such as university or
vocational studies. It is probable that those who were not employed would often be in
receipt of some sort of Centrelink payment.
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (a) –
INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY INCOME BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
no.
Employed full-time
8000
Employed part-time
Not employed
6000
4000
2000
0
Nil $1 - $160 - $300 - $400 - $500 - $600 - $800+
Individual income (weekly)
(a) In occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Dwellings
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 113
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL STRESS INDICATORS
Some South Australian families with children can face greater difficulties in
maintaining or improving their standard of living, and in coping with financial stress
than others. Young people living independently (alone or in share housing) could also
face similar high financial stress situations. In this report the term financial stress is
used to indicate financial problems and difficulties. The extent to which young people
experience financial difficulties may relate to their available income, eligibility for
support payments, levels of debt, and access to public housing. The extent to which
families experience financial difficulties may be related to whether they have savings,
equity in a home or other assets and also their level of debt. The level and security or
predictability of income can also be an important determinant of financial health. A
recent ABS survey – the General Social Survey, 2002 - provides a general overview
of the proportion of households experiencing financial stress. See Table 6.7 further
on in this Chapter for details.
The graph below (and Table 6.7) shows details of the proportion of family households
with dependent children that experienced various kinds of cash flow problems over a
12 month period in 2001/2002. SA and national data is shown for couple families,
however, for one parent families only national data is available. In this report it is
assumed that SA and national data for one parent families are likely to be broadly
similar if SA data was available.
TYPE OF CASH FLOW PROBLEM EXPERIENCED IN LAST 12 MONTHS:
PROPORTION OF FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN BY FAMILY TYPE,
2002
%
Couple family - SA
40
Couple family - Aust
One parent family - Aust
30
20
10
0
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)
Type of cash flow problem
Type of cash flow problem –
(a) Unable to pay electricity, gas or telephone bills on time.
(b) Unable to pay mortgage or rent payments on time.
(c) Unable to pay car registration or insurance on time.
(d) Unable to make minimum payment of credit card.
(e) Pawned or sold something because cash was needed.
(f) Went without meals
(g) Sought financial help from family or friends.
(h) Sought assistance from welfare or community organisations.
Source: ABS General Social Survey, 2002 (Cat No. 4159.0 and 4159.4.55.001)
114 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
In Australia, around 15% of two parent families with dependent children reported that
in the last 12 months they had been unable to pay an electricity, gas or telephone bill
on time because they were short of money. For one parent families the proportion
was much higher at 37%.
10% of one parent families had to pawn or sell something because cash was needed,
while the rate for two parent families was 3%. Further, it is of concern that 8% of one
parent families reported that they went without meals because they were short of
money.
A quarter of one parent families had sought financial help from family or friends to
avert a cash flow problem and 12% had approached welfare or community
organisations for aid and assistance
The graph below (and Table 6.7) shows details of the proportion of family households
with dependent children that took various kinds of dissaving actions over a 12 month
period in 2001/2002. Similar proportions of one- and two-parent families reduced
mortgage payments, drew down savings, increased credit card debt levels and took
out personal loans. One parent families were more likely to enter into a loan
agreement with family or friends than two parent families.
TYPE OF DISSAVING ACTION TAKEN IN LAST 12 MONTHS: PROPORTION OF
FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN BY FAMILY TYPE, 2002
%
Couple family - SA
25
Couple family - Aust
One parent family - Aust
20
15
10
5
0
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
Type of dissaving action taken
Type of dissaving action taken –
(a) Reduced home loan repayments
(b) Drew on accumulated savings or term deposits
(c) Increased the balance owing on credit cards by $1,000 or more
(d) Entered into a loan agreement with family or friends
(e) Took out a personal loan
(f) Sold household goods or jewellery
Source: ABS General Social Survey, 2002 (Cat No. 4159.0 and 4159.4.55.001)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 115
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
TABLE 6.1 CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 YEARS (a) – WEEKLY FAMILY INCOME (b) BY FAMILY TYPE,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
In one parent In two parent
Weekly family income (b) family family Total
<$200 3,275 1,350 4,625
$200-$299 6,148 1,103 7,251
$300-$399 13,386 8,201 21,587
$400-$499 10,922 10,215 21,137
$500-$599 6,445 11,789 18,234
$600-$699 3,845 16,926 20,771
$700-$799 2,661 14,718 17,379
$800-$999 2,737 35,491 38,228
$1,000-$1,199 1,649 25,561 27,210
$1,200-$1,499 387 31,334 31,721
$1,500-$1,999 612 26,062 26,674
$2,000 or more 80 16,312 16,392
Total where family income is stated 52,147 199,062 251,209
Family income not stated 3,923 20,463 24,386
Total children aged under 15 years (a) 56,070 219,525 275,595
(a) In occupied private dwellings
(b) The sum of the incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
TABLE 6.2 CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS (a) – NUMBER AND PROPORTION IN FAMILIES WHERE WEEKLY
FAMILY INCOME (b) IS LESS THAN $600 PER WEEK, STATES AND AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Children aged under 15 years………
Proportion in
families where
In families where Total in families family income is
family income is less where family income less than $600 per
State than $600 per week is stated week
no. no. %
NSW 281,493 1,106,853 25.4
Vic 195,448 803,616 24.3
Qld 182,323 640,550 28.5
SA 72,834 251,209 29.0
WA 87,443 327,450 26.7
Tas 28,110 84,204 33.4
NT 12,993 38,644 33.6
ACT 9,055 55,886 16.2
AUST 869,699 3,308,412 26.3
(a) In occupied private dwellings
(b) The sum of the incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
116 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
TABLE 6.3 CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 YEARS (a) – WEEKLY FAMILY INCOME (b) BY INDIGENOUS
STATUS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Non-
Weekly family income (b) Indigenous Indigenous Not stated Total
NUMBER OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 YEARS
<$200 369 4,115 142 4,626
$200-$299 578 6,499 174 7,251
$300-$399 1,328 19,695 564 21,587
$400-$499 1,008 19,730 399 21,137
$500-$599 757 17,162 315 18,234
$600-$699 750 19,737 284 20,771
$700-$799 472 16,679 228 17,379
$800-$999 739 37,061 428 38,228
$1,000-$1,199 477 26,447 286 27,210
$1,200-$1,499 380 31,059 282 31,721
$1,500-$1,999 287 26,164 223 26,674
$2,000 or more 117 16,165 110 16,392
Total where family income is stated 7,262 240,513 3,435 251,210
Family income not stated 1,148 22,385 853 24,386
Total 8,410 262,898 4,288 275,596
PROPORTION (%)
<$200 5.1 1.7 4.1 1.8
$200-$299 8.0 2.7 5.1 2.9
$300-$399 18.3 8.2 16.4 8.6
$400-$499 13.9 8.2 11.6 8.4
$500-$599 10.4 7.1 9.2 7.3
$600-$699 10.3 8.2 8.3 8.3
$700-$799 6.5 6.9 6.6 6.9
$800-$999 10.2 15.4 12.5 15.2
$1,000-$1,199 6.6 11.0 8.3 10.8
$1,200-$1,499 5.2 12.9 8.2 12.6
$1,500-$1,999 4.0 10.9 6.5 10.6
$2,000 or more 1.6 6.7 3.2 6.5
Total where family income is stated 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
(a) In occupied private dwellings
(b) The sum of the incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 117
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
TABLE 6.4 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING IN THE PARENTAL HOME – WEEKLY FAMILY
INCOME (a) BY FAMILY TYPE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
In one In two
parent parent
Weekly family income (a) family family Total
<$200 512 304 816
$200-$299 1,098 179 1,277
$300-$399 2,316 889 3,205
$400-$499 2,699 1,978 4,677
$500-$599 2,732 2,471 5,203
$600-$699 2,351 2,967 5,318
$700-$799 2,062 3,339 5,401
$800-$999 3,315 7,607 10,922
$1,000-$1,199 2,150 8,370 10,520
$1,200-$1,499 2,003 13,002 15,005
$1,500-$1,999 1,315 16,814 18,129
$2,000 or more 402 15,955 16,357
Total where family income is stated 22,955 73,875 96,830
Family income not stated 3,294 15,904 19,198
Total aged 15-24
living in the parental home 26,249 89,779 116,028
(a) The sum of the incomes of all persons in the family aged 15 years and over
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
TABLE 6.5 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING IN THE PARENTAL HOME – INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY
INCOME BY STUDENT STATUS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Full-time Part-time
Individual Weekly income student student Not a student Total
no. no. no. no.
$0 23,913 595 3,187 27,695
$1 - $79 18,295 476 1,731 20,502
$80 - $160 12,005 976 4,787 17,768
$160 - $299 4,543 2,459 9,483 16,485
$300 - $399 755 1,293 6,268 8,316
$400 - $499 256 855 6,250 7,361
$500 - $599 129 538 4,186 4,853
$600 or more 173 597 3,806 4,576
Not stated 6,600 246 1,622 8,468
Total aged 15-24
living in the parental home 66,669 8,035 41,320 116,024
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
118 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
TABLE 6.6 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 YEARS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY (a) – INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY
INCOME BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2001 POPULATION CENSUS
Employed Employed
full- part- Not
Individual Weekly income time time employed Total
no. no. no. no.
$0 50 105 2,861 3,016
$1 - $159 118 2,070 7,292 9,480
$160 - $299 1,358 4,788 6,874 13,020
$300 - $399 2,729 2,962 2,223 7,914
$400 - $499 5,268 2,001 667 7,936
$500 - $599 5,588 1,072 256 6,916
$600 - $799 5,867 847 176 6,890
$800 or more 1,982 363 137 2,482
Income not stated 306 320 1,449 2,075
Total aged 15-24
living independently 23,266 14,528 21,935 59,729
(a) In occupied private dwellings
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 119
CHAPTER 6 • INCOME
TABLE 6.7 HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL STRESS INDICATORS, HOUSEHOLDS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA , 2002
COUPLE FAMILY ONE PARENT FAMILY
SA Australia SA Australia
PROPORTION (%)……………………………
Unable to raise $2,000 within a week for something important (a) 13.1 12.8 ** 41.3
Number of different types of cash flow problem/s in last 12 months (a)
None 78.7 76.0 ** 51.6
One 10.3 10.4 ** 14.8
Two 4.0 5.1 ** 11.1
Three or more 6.1 6.3 ** 21.8
Type/s of cash flow problem/s in last 12 months (b)
Unable to pay electricity, gas or telephone bills on time 14.8 14.6 ** 36.6
Unable to pay mortgage or rent payments on time 5.2 5.4 ** 13.4
Unable to pay car registration or insurance on time 7.0 7.4 ** 13.4
Unable to make minimum payment on credit card 3.9 4.4 ** 8.6
Pawned or sold something because cash was needed 2.4 2.5 ** 9.9
Unable to heat home 0.2 0.7 ** 3.5
Went without meals n.a 1.0 ** 8.0
Sought financial help from family or friends 6.7 8.2 ** 24.8
Sought assistance from welfare or community organisations 2.2 1.9 ** 11.6
Number of different types of dissaving action/s taken in last 12 months (a)
None 75.8 75.6 ** 63.4
One 17.4 15.2 ** 25.0
Two 4.6 5.2 ** 8.3
Three or more 1.5 2.5 ** 2.8
Type/s of dissaving action/s taken in last 12 months (b)
Reduced home loan repayments 3.2 3.8 ** 2.7
Drew on accumulated savings or term deposits 9.2 9.7 ** 11.5
Increased the balance owing on credit cards by $1,000 or more 6.3 8.0 ** 7.4
Entered into a loan agreement with family or friends 2.7 2.8 ** 9.1
Took out a personal loan 5.6 4.1 ** 7.3
Sold household goods or jewellery 1.1 1.4 ** 6.6
Sold shares, stocks or bonds 1.3 1.9 ** 1.4
Sold other assets 1.6 1.5 ** 2.7
Other action taken 0.6 0.7 ** 3.5
** Results for SA one parent families are not available as relative standard errors are greater than 50%
and therefore considered too unreliable for general use
(a) Information for some households was not known or was not adequately reported.
(b) Households may have taken more than one of these actions, so the categories may not add to 100%
Source: ABS General Social Survey, 2002 (Cat. No.4159.0 and 4159.4.55.001)
120 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
CHAPTER 7 SAFETY AND JUSTICE
INTRODUCTION
The incidence of crime committed by young people is often reported on in the
media.
Young people can also be the victims of violence inflicted by adults through
abuse, neglect, commercial exploitation, assault and homicide. A study by NSW
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (Coumarelos C and Allen J “Predicting
Violence Against Women: The 1996 Women’s Safety Survey”, Crime and Justice
Bulletin, Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, No. 42, December 1988),
has found that a history of violent victimisation, whether as a child or adult,
predicts future victimisation. Victims of crime and their families can suffer
physically, emotionally and financially. Any changes in crime rates and
victimisation rates therefore are of ongoing concern to the community
Just as direct experience of crime can affect people’s day-to-day lives and
wellbeing, so too can fear of crime. Fear of becoming a victim and decreased
feelings of safety may restrict a person’s participation in society. However,
people’s perceptions of crime do not always align with levels of criminal activity
and victimisation (Australian Social Trends, 2003, ABS Cat. No. 4102.0). It
should be noted that administrative collections such as police statistics on
apprehensions or recorded crimes, provide only one picture of the true level of
crime. While the number of unreported crimes is difficult to measure, crime
victimisation surveys typically show that overall only about 40% of crimes are
reported to police and that the level of reporting to police varies widely according
to the nature of the crime (ABS Recorded Crime, 2003, Cat. No. 4510.0). For this
reason, the measurement of crime rates from police statistics should be treated
with caution.
This Chapter examines police apprehensions of children and youth aged 10 to 24
years, as well as victims of crime data for youth aged 15 to 24 years. Other topics
covered include child abuse and neglect and children in alternative care (aged 0
to 17 years). Some information is also provided on youth (aged 15 to 24 years)
perceptions of safety
POLICE APPREHENSIONS
This section is limited to data on police apprehensions (specifically, the number
of Police Apprehension Reports completed). No information is presented on the
outcome of these apprehensions (e.g. withdrawn, referred to formal caution,
family conference or court). For data on these areas, readers may wish to refer to
Volumes 1 - 3 of the Crime and Justice Report, published annually by the Office
of Crime Statistics and Research (OCSAR) and available at
http://www.ocsar.sa.gov.au. All data on police apprehensions in this Chapter is
sourced from SAPOL/OCSAR.
121 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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For youths who were aged 10 to 17 years at the time of the alleged offence, the
Young Offenders Act 1993 (which came into operation on 1 January 1994)
applies. Under the Act, depending upon the nature of the offending, there are
several processing options, as follows:
Informal cautions:
These apply to offences considered ‘trivial’ by the operational
police officer. They are given on the spot and are not formally
recorded.
Where police decide to formally apprehend a young person, there are three
options:
a. Formal cautions;
b. Family conferences;
c. Youth Court.
If a youth commits a serious offence, is a repeat offender or
fails to comply with a family conference undertaking, he/she
may be formally charged and sent to the Youth Court.
Persons aged 18 years or more at the time of an alleged offence are dealt with by
the adult criminal justice system.
A brief overview of recorded offending for young people aged 10 to 24 years
during the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 for SA is provided in the first 3 sections
following below.
POLICE APPREHENSIONS1- DEMOGRAPHICS
As shown in the graph below, between 2000/01 and 2002/03 the total number of
police apprehensions involving young people aged 10 to 24 years ranged
between 25,380 and 26,390 per financial year. This number of apprehensions is
spread over a population of some 305,000 (ABS Estimated Resident Population
by State (2003) – see Table 1.1 in Chapter 1).
Most apprehensions involved young people in the age group 18 to 24 years, with
the proportion increasing from 63% in 2000/01 to 66% in 2002/03.
Apprehensions involving persons aged 18 to 24 years were stable between
2000/01 and 2001/02, but increased by 6% in 2002/03 (up to 17,420).
The number of apprehensions involving 10 to 14 year olds did not show any clear
upward or downward trend, ranging between 2760 in 2000/01 and 2790 in
2002/03.
The number of apprehensions of persons aged 15 to 17 years declined in both
2001/02 and 2002/03, with an overall decrease of 12% (from 6,960 in 2000/01 to
6,110 in 2002/03).
1
It should be noted that this section refers to the number of apprehensions recorded, not discrete individuals. A person who has been apprehended
on more than one occasion over the period in question will counted on each occasion.
122 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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NUMBER OF APPREHENSIONS PER YEAR 2000/01 TO 2002/03 FOR
PERSONS AGED 10 TO 24
Number
2000-2001
30000
2001-2002
2002-2003
20000
10000
0
10-14 15-17 18-24 Total
Age group (years)
Source: OCSAR
The proportion of apprehensions involving 10 to 14 year olds was stable between
2000/01 and 2002/03, ranging between 10% and 11%.
Between 2000/01 and 2002/03 there was a slight decrease in the proportion of
apprehensions involving 15 to 17 year olds, from 27% to 23%.
Males accounted for approximately eight out of ten of all the apprehensions
involving persons aged 10 to 24 in the years 2000/01 to 2002/03. However, this
figure varied according to the particular age group, with males accounting for a
slightly lower percentage of apprehensions in the 10 to 14 years age range (78%
averaged over the three periods, compared with 82% for 15 to 17 years and 84%
for 18 to 24 years).
Apprehensions for females aged 18 to 24 increased from 2,720 in 2000/01 to
2,890 in 2002/03, while the number of apprehensions involving females aged 15
to 17 years was stable (between 1,150 and 1,160).
Refer to Table 7.1 at the end of this Chapter.
Most apprehensions involved young people in the age group 18 to 24 years, with
the proportion increasing from 63% in 2000/01 to 66% in 2002/03. Apprehensions
involving persons aged 18 to 24 years were stable between 2000/01 and 2001/02,
but increased by 6% in 2002/03 (up to 17,420).
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POLICE APPREHENSIONS INVOLVING INDIGENOUS PERSONS
Between 2000/01 and 2002/03, the number of apprehensions involving persons
2
aged between 10 and 24 who were identified as Indigenous increased from
2,920 to 3,610. This represents an increase in the proportion of Indigenous
apprehensions from 11% to 14%.
As shown in the graph below, the proportion of apprehensions involving an
Indigenous person varied according to age group. In particular, substantially
higher proportions of apprehensions involving persons aged 10 to 14 years were
identified as Indigenous (24% to 32% over the years 2001/02 to 2002/03),
compared with 10% to 16% of apprehensions involving persons aged 15 to 17
years and 9% to 10% of those involving persons aged 18 to 24 years. This
finding is consistent with other research by OCSAR that suggests that the age of
first contact with the criminal justice system is generally younger for Indigenous
persons (Scrzypiec, G. 2004,1984 Cohort Study).
PERCENTAGE OF APPREHENSIONS PER YEAR THAT INVOLVED
INDIGENOUS PERSONS 2000/01 TO 2002/03
%
2000-2001
40
2001-2002
2002-2003
30
20
10
0
10-14 15-17 18-24 Total
Age group (years)
Source: OCSAR
There were substantial differences in the age distribution of Indigenous and non-
Indigenous apprehensions for the years 2000/01 to 2002/03. A much higher
percentage of Indigenous apprehensions involved young persons aged 10 to 14
(25% in 2002/03, compared with 8% for non-Indigenous apprehensions), while a
lower proportion were aged 18 to 24 years (48% compared with 69% of non-
Indigenous apprehensions). The proportion of apprehensions involving persons
aged 15 to 17 years was similar for both groups (27% of Indigenous
apprehensions compared with 23% for non-Indigenous).
Refer to Table 7.2 at the end of this Chapter for further details.
2
As recorded by the Police officer completing the Apprehension Report, based on appearance.
124 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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POLICE APPREHENSIONS – MOST SERIOUS CHARGE
This section looks at apprehensions for persons aged 10 to 24 according to the
type of offence. Where an apprehension report involved two or more different
charges, the most serious charge (e.g. the offence with the highest statutory
penalty) was included.
Most apprehensions over the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 involving a young person
aged between 10 and 24 years involved a driving offence as the most serious
charge. In fact over the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 the number of apprehensions
involving driving has increased from 8750 to 9540 and also increased as a
proportion of total apprehensions (from 33% to 36%).
10 to 14 year olds
Most apprehensions over the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 involving a young person
aged between 10 and 14 years had a property offence as the major charge (60%
in 2002/03), followed by offences against good order (21%) and violent offences
(14%).
Over the period 2000/01 to 20002/03 for the 10 to 14 year age group, the number
of apprehensions with property offence or good order offence as the most serious
charge increased, while the number with a violent offence as the major charge
was relatively stable.
Conversely, for the 10 to 14 year age group, the number of apprehensions with a
drug offence as the most serious charge decreased (from 150 in 2000/01 down to
about 20 in 2002/03). This is may be due to the Police Drug Diversion Initiative,
which commenced in South Australia in September 2001 and provided for a
range of diversion options for persons apprehended in possession of small
amounts of illicit drugs.
15 to 17 year olds
All offence type apprehensions for 15 to 17 year old young people were steady
between 2000/01 and 2002/03, except for drug offences which decreased from
590 to 90 (or by 85%). For 15 to 17 year olds, property offences also dominated
the major charge profile of apprehensions, although to a lesser extent than the
younger age group (41% in 2002/03 compared to 60% for apprehensions
involving young persons aged 10 to 14 years). In contrast to the younger age
group, over the period 2000/01 to 2002/03, the number of apprehensions
involving persons aged 15 to 17 years with a property offence as the major
charge decreased (from 2790 to 2530)
18 to 24 year olds
Driving offences dominated the major charge profile of apprehensions involving
persons aged 18 to 24 years, accounting for almost half of all apprehensions in
2002/03.
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For young people aged 18 to 24, over the period 2000/01 to 2002/03, the number
of driving offences increased from 7,380 to 8,250. This is possibly due to an
increasing use of technology such as speed cameras and red light cameras,
which also enable police to detect registration and licensing offences. The
number of apprehensions involving an offence against good order also increased
(from 2,780 to 3,060). Conversely, there was a decrease in the number of
apprehensions involving a property offence as the major charge (from 3,990 to
3,710).
Refer to table 7.3 and 7.3a as well as the graph following.
MOST SERIOUS OFFENCE PER APPREHENSION BY OFFENCE TYPE AND
AGE 2002/03
%
10-14
80
15-17
18-24
10-24
60
40
20
0
Violent Property Good order Drugs Driving
Offence type
Note: The offence group of ‘other’ has not been included in this graph due to small numbers.
Source: OCSAR
Females and Males
In 2002/03, the most common major charge for males aged 10 to 24 was a driving
offence (37%), followed by property offence (29%) and offences against good
order (20%). In contrast, the most common major charge for females was a
property offence (36%), followed by a driving offence 33%) and offences against
good order (16%). Refer to Table 7.4 and Table 7.5 for further data on the
number of apprehensions by offence type by sex.
Indigenous
The most serious offence profile of apprehensions involving Indigenous persons
in 2002/03 was substantially different to that of non-Indigenous persons. As
shown in the graph below, compared with apprehensions involving non-
Indigenous persons, Indigenous apprehensions were more likely to have a
violent, property or against good order offence as the most serious charge and
less likely to have a drug or driving offence as the most serious charge.
126 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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While the majority of apprehensions in 10 to 14 year age group involved property
offences (56% and 61% for Indigenous and non-Indigenous respectively),
Indigenous apprehensions in this age group were higher than non-Indigenous
apprehensions involving an offence against good order as the major charge (28%
compared with 18% of non-Indigenous apprehensions). Conversely, the number
of Indigenous apprehensions involving a violent offence was 11% compared with
15%).
As with the 10 to 14 year age group, the majority of apprehensions involving
persons aged 15 to 17 years had a property offence as the major charge,
regardless of Indigenous status (44% and 41% for Indigenous and non-
Indigenous apprehensions respectively). However, the number of Indigenous
apprehensions involving an offence against good order were higher than non-
Indigenous apprehensions (32% compared with 22% for non-Indigenous
apprehensions). Conversely the number of Indigenous apprehensions involving a
driving offence as the major charge were lower than non-Indigenous
apprehensions (8% compared with 21%) for this age group.
Refer to Tables 7.6 and 7.7 at the rear of this Chapter for more detailed data on
Indigenous and non-Indigenous apprehensions by offence type.
PERCENTAGE OF APPREHENSIONS BY MOST SERIOUS OFFENCE TYPE
AND INDIGENOUS STATUS
Source: OCSAR
%
Indigenous
40
Non-indigenous
30
20
10
0
Violent Property Good order Drugs Driving
Offence type
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VICTIMS OF CRIME
Data in this section is drawn from two sources: ABS Crime and Safety 2002, Cat.
No. 4509.0 and ABS Recorded Crime 2003, Cat. No. 4510.0. The data from these
publications refers to persons aged 15 years or more.
Young people (aged 15 to 24 years) appear to be more at risk of being victims of
crime than are people of other ages. See sections and graphs following. This
may be because they are, in many cases, vulnerable to or impotent against
persons who are more experienced than their victims, or who are in positions of
authority over them. Young people are also likely to be victimised by other young
people through robbery, theft or assault.
It could also be said that young people tend to take more risks. They may go out
to places of entertainment where dangers of theft and assault are known; they
may experiment with drugs and alcohol; they may explore the limits of the
boundaries of socially acceptable behaviour.
The ABS Crime and Safety Survey shows that most young victims of robbery
were males, who represented an estimated 81% (36,100 persons) of the 15 to 24
age group of victims at the national level and, over 90% of the category in South
Australia. For all age groups in South Australia, males represented 78% of the
estimated 5,500 victims of robbery.
The ABS publication Recorded Crime, compiled from police statistics, shows the
number of reported robberies for all age groups for South Australia in 2002 was
1,620, approximately 30% of the estimated incidents in the ABS Crime and Safety
Survey mentioned above, for that year. Of the 15 to 24 age group, males
accounted for 80% of the 580 reported victims of robbery in 2003 in South
Australia and 78% of the 7010 reports nationally.
The prevalence of recorded robbery victims in South Australia and Australia, by
age group and by sex for 2003, is shown in the following graphs. Prevalence
rates are higher for the age groups 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 as compared to the age
group 25 and over. Males in all age groups have a higher rate of being a
recorded victim of robbery than females, but most significantly in the younger age
group of 15 to 19 years.
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RECORDED VICTIMS OF ROBBERY AS A PROPORTION OF AGE GROUP
(%), SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 2003
%
South Australia
0.4
Australia
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
15-19 20-24 25 and over
Age Group (years)
Source: ABS Recorded Crime – Victims 2003, ABS Cat. No. 4510.0
RECORDED VICTIMS OF ROBBERY, RATES BY SEX AND AGE GROUP,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 2003
%
Male
0.6
Female
0.4
0.2
0.0
15-19 20-24 25 and over
Age Group (years)
Source: ABS Recorded Crime – Victims 2003, ABS Cat. No. 4510.0
Similarly, the young are more subject to assault than is the general population.
See the graph following. Of the 195,000 persons aged 15-24 years in South
Australia in 2002, 15,000 (8%) had been assaulted in the previous 12 months,
while for persons aged over 25 years the prevalence rate was 5%.
In 2003, recorded instances of assault against persons 15 to 24 years of age in
South Australia amounted to 5,300 persons, a prevalence rate of 3%. For victims
over 25 years of age, the prevalence rate was 1%.
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However, it is the 15-19 year olds who experience the higher number of assaults,
with the ABS Crime and Safety Survey estimating that 9% of this group had been
assaulted in 2002. The next highest prevalence of assault is found in persons
aged 25-34 years (8%), followed by persons aged 20-24 (7%). See Table 7.9
towards the end of the Chapter.
There are marked differences in prevalence rates for assault between the sexes,
with males having a greater chance of being assaulted in all age groups shown.
VICTIMS OF ASSAULT, RATES BY SEX AND AGE GROUP, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 2002
%
Male
10
Female
8
6
4
2
0
15-19 20-24 25 and over
Age group (years)
Source: Crime and Safety 2002, Cat. No. 4509.0
As is shown in graph below, the 2002 ABS Crime and Safety survey of victims
found that South Australians have a lower level of victimisation by assault than
that found overall in Australia. Interestingly, the 2003 recorded crime results show
that the prevalence of reported assaults in South Australia was higher in all age
groups.
130 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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VICTIMS OF ASSAULT AS A PROPORTION OF AGE GROUP, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 2002
%
South Australia
10
Australia
8
6
4
2
0
15-19 20-24 25 and over
Age group (years)
Source: Crime and Safety 2002, ABS Cat. No. 4509.0
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The South Australian government is responsible for child protection and
alternative care services. The Department for Families and Communities, through
the Children, Youth and Family Services Branch, has statutory responsibility,
under the Children’s Protection Act, 1993 for receiving notifications of suspected
child abuse and neglect, assessing and responding to those notifications. All data
and information in this section is from the Children, Youth and Family services
Branch.
South Australia, in common with other Australian States and Territories, has child
protection and alternative care legislation and/or policy that refer to balancing the
protection of children with the need to maintain and support the family. The
provision of practical assistance, support, supervision or specialist family
preservation services may enable the child to remain at home but, if this is not
possible, it may be necessary to place a child into alternative care with the goal of
later family reunification where feasible.
The data provided on child abuse and neglect covers notifications or “screened in
notification”, and confirmations. The term “screened in notification” refers to those
reports where the Department assesses that the information provided by a notifier
meets the threshold for consideration as a suspicion on reasonable grounds of
child abuse or neglect.
Data is maintained for young people aged 0 to 17 years. Confirmations are
notifications that have been assessed as meeting the criteria for a suspicion of
child abuse or neglect on reasonable grounds.
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The number of screened in notifications has increased considerably over the last
5 years, rising from 9590 to 14920 (55% increase). Over the same period,
Indigenous notifications increased by 71%, with non-Indigenous increasing by
52%. The overall 12 to 17 year old age group had the largest growth in
notifications of 71% over the same period.
The increase in the number of notifications may be due to a number of factors
including:
Increased media attention to the issues of child abuse and
neglect;
Increased awareness about child abuse and neglect in the
community;
Factors occurring in various combinations that may place
children at risk, including poverty, drug and alcohol abuse,
domestic violence, intergenerational transmission of poor
parenting practice, stressful life events, mental health issues.
See Tables 7.10 and 7.11 at the end of the Chapter for detailed data.
Unpublished data shows that over the last five years there has been a
proportionally higher increase in notifications concerning children under the age of
2 years. Many of these notifications have combinations of risk factors, among the
highest being domestic violence. It has become increasingly recognised that
infants’ safety, health and wellbeing is compromised when living in households
affected by domestic violence. See table 7.10.
The increase in the number of confirmations is also significant, though not to the
same degree as the increase in screened in notifications. Total confirmations
have risen from 2090 to 2490 (19%) over the period 1999/00 to 2003/04. Over
the same period Indigenous confirmations increased by 46%, with non-
Indigenous increasing by 13%. The overall 0 to 7 age group had the largest
growth in confirmations of 30%. See Table 7.11 towards the end of the Chapter
for further details. In South Australia, neglect is the most common type of abuse
substantiated (unpublished data).
No comparisons have been provided with the child protection data in other
Australian jurisdictions. Jurisdictional differences in legislation, policy and
practice render such comparisons quite complex. While all jurisdictions are
striving for similar goals, that is the safety and wellbeing of the child, preferably
within his or her own family situation, there are very significant differences
amongst States and Territories as to how notifications are assessed and
responded to.
Total confirmations have risen from 2090 to 2490 (19%) over the period 1999/00 to
2003/04. Over the same period Indigenous substantiations increased by 46%, with
non-Indigenous increasing by 13%. The overall 0 to 7 age group had the largest
growth in confirmations of 30%.
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CHILDREN IN ALTERNATIVE CARE
The data discussed in this section (and in tables 7.12 and 7.13) presents
information on the numbers of children in alternative care in two ways. Firstly,
children who are in an alternative care placement, which is supported by financial
payment from government, at a given point of time, i.e. 30th June. Secondly, the
number of children who had at least one alternative care placement (financially
supported by government) during the financial year.
Alternative care is one of a range of services provided to children, young people
and their families, who are in need of care and protection. This type of service
assists and supports children and young people in a variety of care arrangements
other than with their parents. These arrangements include foster care,
placements with relatives or kin, and residential care. In most cases, children in
alternative care will also be on a care and protection order of some kind.
Some children are placed in alternative care because they were the subject of a
child protection substantiation and require a more protective environment. Other
situations in which a child may be placed in alternative care include where
parents are incapable of providing adequate care for the child, or where there is
family conflict. Children and young people may be in alternative care placement
for a short period of time and then return to the care of their immediate family.
Other children and young people may be in alternative care over many years. The
increase in the alternative care population is likely to be influenced by the
increase in child protection reported to Children, Youth and Family Services.
Over the past five years, there has been a 13% increase in the population in
alternative care. The largest growth in alternative care placements has occurred
in the overall age group 0 to 7 years (23%). Table 7.12 provides detailed data.
Table 7.13 shows numbers of young people aged 0 to 17 who have had at least
one alternative care placement during the year. The data shows that overall,
numbers have fallen from 1300 to 1000, a decrease of 23%.
PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY
People between the ages of 15 and 24 (with little difference between the age
groups of 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years) had much the same perceptions of
personal safety as did the remainder of the adult population. The proportion that
felt safe or very unsafe at home alone during the day was 3% for persons aged
15-24, and 4% for persons aged 25 or over. Similarly, 11% of young people
(aged 15 to 24 years) felt unsafe or very unsafe at home along during the night,
compared to 12% of the remainder of the population. (Source: Crime and Safety
ABS Cat. No. 4509.0)
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Tables 7.1 to 7.8 relate to police apprehensions. Source for this data is OCSAR/SAPOL
Apprehension data: A note about comprehensiveness
It is also important to note that because these statistics are derived from operational records, they are affected by
changes to the criminal law or justice administration. For example, the number of young people apprehended for
drug offences may change substantially if police devote more (or less) resources to enforcing drug laws.
Changes to police recording practices also impact upon the statistics. In 1999, for example, a modification to
SAPOL work practices altered the way in which certain driving related offences (notably licencing, motor
registration and dangerous or reckless driving) were entered onto the database, with the result that more of these
offences were counted than previously. It is therefore misleading to compare apprehension statistics post 1999
with those recorded prior to 1999. Hence, the data focuses on apprehension trends from the financial years
2000/01 to 2002/03.
Table 7.1 Number of apprehensions per year 2000/01 to 2002/03 by sex
Age group and year Sex
Males Females Persons
2000/01
10 to 14 years 2203 553 2756
15 to 17 years 5797 1159 6956
18 to 24 years 13821 2722 16543
Total 21821 4434 26255
2001/02
10 to 14 years 1992 607 2599
15 to 17 years 5106 1157 6263
18 to 24 years 13775 2741 16516
Total 20873 4505 25378
2002/03
10 to 14 years 2184 603 2787
15 to 17 years 4961 1150 6111
18 to 24 years 14603 2888 17491
Total 21748 4641 26389
134 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
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Table 7.2 Number of apprehensions per year 2000/01 to 2002/03 by Indigenous status
Age group and year Indigenous status
Indigenous Non- Unknown Total
Indigenous
2000/01
10 to 14 years 654 1960 142 2756
15 to 17 years 725 5912 319 6956
18 to 24 years 1540 14133 870 16543
Total 2919 22005 1331 26255
2001/02
10 to 14 years 773 1670 156 2599
15 to 17 years 867 5084 312 6263
18 to 24 years 1515 14047 954 16516
Total 3155 20801 1422 25378
2002/03
10 to 14 years 883 1700 204 2787
15 to 17 years 985 4803 323 6111
18 to 24 years 1740 14769 982 17491
Total 3608 21272 1509 26389
Note: Indigenous status is as recorded by the Police officer completing the Apprehension Report, based on appearance.
Table 7.3 Number of apprehensions per year 2000/01 to 2002/03 by offence type
Persons
Age group and year Offence type
Violent Property Against Drugs Driving Other Total
good order
2000/01
10 to 14 years 358 1604 505 152 120 17 2756
15 to 17 years 852 2793 1454 587 1249 21 6956
18 to 24 years 1762 3994 2775 489 7379 144 16543
Total 2972 8391 4734 1228 8748 182 26255
2001/02
10 to 14 years 305 1610 513 62 94 15 2599
15 to 17 years 753 2740 1370 223 1157 20 6263
18 to 24 years 1769 3690 2807 488 7659 103 16516
Total 2827 8040 4690 773 8910 138 25378
2002/03
10 to 14 years 376 1675 583 15 106 32 2787
15 to 17 years 812 2530 1426 86 1184 73 6111
18 to 24 years 1783 3714 3058 399 8250 287 17491
Total 2971 7919 5067 500 9540 392 26389
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 135
C H A P T E R 7 • SAFETY AND JUSTICE
Table 7.3a Apprehensions in 2002/03 : Number of apprehensions by most serious charge and age group
Offence Age group
type
Total
10 to 14 years 15 to 17 years 18 to 24 years 10 to 24 years
No. % No. % No. % No. %
Violent 376 13.5 812 13.3 1783 10.2 2971 11.3
Property 1675 60.1 2530 41.4 3714 21.2 7919 30
Good order 583 20.9 1426 23.3 3058 17.5 5067 19.2
Drugs 15 0.5 86 1.4 399 2.3 500 1.9
Driving 106 3.8 1184 19.4 8250 47.2 9540 36.2
Other 32 1.1 73 1.2 287 1.6 392 1.5
All offences 2787 100 6111 100 17491 100 26389 100
Table 7.4 Apprehensions in 2002/03 : Number of apprehensions by most serious charge and age group
(males)
Males
Age group and year Offence type
Violent Property Against Drugs Driving Other Total
good order
2000/01
10 to 14 years 265 1292 404 118 108 16 2203
15 to 17 years 655 2292 1202 511 1119 18 5797
18 to 24 years 1539 3176 2420 359 6231 96 13821
Total 2459 6760 4026 988 7458 130 21821
2001/02
10 to 14 years 223 1239 383 46 86 15 1992
15 to 17 years 567 2209 1117 190 1006 17 5106
18 to 24 years 1496 2933 2445 388 6429 84 13775
Total 2286 6381 3945 624 7521 116 20873
2002/03
10 to 14 years 278 1299 478 13 93 23 2184
15 to 17 years 633 2004 1164 66 1035 59 4961
18 to 24 years 1529 2962 2676 311 6901 224 14603
Total 2440 6265 4318 390 8029 306 21748
136 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
C H A P T E R 7 • SAFETY AND JUSTICE
Table 7.5 Apprehensions in 2002/03 : Number of apprehensions by most serious charge and age group
(females)
Females
Age group and year Offence type
Violent Property Against Drugs Driving Other Total
good order
2000/01
10 to 14 years 93 312 101 34 12 1 553
15 to 17 years 197 501 252 76 130 3 1159
18 to 24 years 223 818 355 130 1148 48 2722
Total 513 1631 708 240 1290 52 4434
2001/02
10 to 14 years 82 371 130 16 8 0 607
15 to 17 years 186 531 253 33 151 3 1157
18 to 24 years 273 757 362 100 1230 19 2741
Total 541 1659 745 149 1389 22 4505
2002/03
10 to 14 years 98 376 105 2 13 9 603
15 to 17 years 179 526 262 20 149 14 1150
18 to 24 years 254 752 382 88 1349 63 2888
Total 531 1654 749 110 1511 86 4641
Table 7.6 Apprehensions in 2002/03 : Number of apprehensions by most serious charge and age group
(Indigenous)
Indigenous
Age group and year Offence type
Violent Property Against Drugs Driving Other Total
good order
2000/01
10 to 14 years 88 373 172 7 12 2 654
15 to 17 years 133 305 214 25 42 6 725
18 to 24 years 307 486 406 13 267 61 1540
Total 528 1164 792 45 321 69 2919
2001/02
10 to 14 years 73 492 186 11 9 2 773
15 to 17 years 132 411 263 16 40 5 867
18 to 24 years 329 478 416 15 268 9 1515
Total 534 1381 865 42 317 16 3155
2002/03
10 to 14 years 98 496 245 5 21 18 883
15 to 17 years 121 429 310 12 82 31 985
18 to 24 years 303 463 404 17 368 185 1740
Total 522 1388 959 34 471 234 3608
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 137
C H A P T E R 7 • SAFETY AND JUSTICE
Table 7.7 Apprehensions in 2002/03 : Number of apprehensions by most serious charge and age group
(Non-Indigenous)
Non-Indigenous
Age group and year Offence type
Violent Property Against Drugs Driving Other Total
good order
2000/01
10 to 14 years 253 1157 313 129 96 12 1960
15 to 17 years 705 2384 1166 527 1120 10 5912
18 to 24 years 1425 3434 2297 467 6437 73 14133
Total 2383 6975 3776 1123 7653 95 22005
2001/02
10 to 14 years 219 1008 309 48 75 11 1670
15 to 17 years 594 2229 1041 186 1020 14 5084
18 to 24 years 1403 3130 2327 464 6636 87 14047
Total 2216 6367 3677 698 7731 112 20801
2002/03
10 to 14 years 259 1034 312 10 74 11 1700
15 to 17 years 662 1973 1055 70 1008 35 4803
18 to 24 years 1438 3153 2613 376 7094 95 14769
Total 2359 6160 3980 456 8176 141 21272
Table 7.8 Apprehensions in 2002/03 : Number of apprehensions by most serious charge and age group
(Indigenous status unknown)
Indigenous status
unknown
Age group and year Offence type
Violent Property Against Drugs Driving Other Total
good order
2000/01
10 to 14 years 17 74 20 16 12 3 142
15 to 17 years 14 104 74 35 87 5 319
18 to 24 years 30 74 72 9 675 10 870
Total 61 252 166 60 774 18 1331
2001/02
10 to 14 years 13 110 18 3 10 2 156
15 to 17 years 27 100 66 21 97 1 312
18 to 24 years 37 82 64 9 755 7 954
Total 77 292 148 33 862 10 1422
2002/03
10 to 14 years 19 145 26 0 11 3 204
15 to 17 years 29 128 61 4 94 7 323
18 to 24 years 42 98 41 6 788 7 982
Total 90 371 128 10 893 17 1509
138 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
C H A P T E R 7 • SAFETY AND JUSTICE
TABLE 7.9 VICTIMS OF ROBBERY AND ASSAULT – PREVALENCE RATES BY AGE GROUP, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA AND AUSTRALIA, 2002
Age group Robbery Assault
SA Aust SA Aust
15 - 19 1.7 1.6 8.6 9.9
20 - 24 1.1 1.9 6.7 8.1
25 and over 1.6 2.0 0.4 1.4
Total 1.7 2.0 4.5 3.9
Source: ABS Crime and Safety (Cat. No. 4509.0) and unpublished data
TABLE 7.10 SCREENED IN NOTIFICATIONS – CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Age (years) Indigenous status 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
0 - 7 years Aboriginal 826 969 1065 1265 1471
Non - Aboriginal 4109 4301 4598 5397 5913
Total 4935 5270 5663 6662 7384
8 - 11 years Aboriginal 452 414 508 641 677
Non - Aboriginal 1875 1991 2302 2765 3046
Total 2327 2405 2810 3406 3723
12 - 17 years Aboriginal 283 290 323 438 538
Non - Aboriginal 1777 1854 2163 2671 2989
Total 2060 2144 2486 3109 3527
Unknown Aboriginal 30 19 30 31 39
Non - Aboriginal 239 148 213 229 241
Total 269 167 243 260 280
Total Aboriginal 1591 1692 1926 2377 2725
Non - Aboriginal 8000 8296 9277 11066 12192
Total 9591 9988 11203 13443 14917
Source: Department for Families and Communities (Children, Youth and Family Services Branch)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 139
C H A P T E R 7 • SAFETY AND JUSTICE
TABLE 7.11 CONFIRMATIONS – CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Age (years) Indigenous status 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
0 - 7 years Aboriginal 252 272 277 278 382
Non - Aboriginal 841 818 925 1062 1038
Total 1093 1090 1202 1340 1420
8 - 11 years Aboriginal 108 98 135 130 156
Non - Aboriginal 425 418 446 501 419
Total 533 516 581 631 575
12 - 17 years Aboriginal 72 67 69 72 92
Non - Aboriginal 375 317 364 377 391
Total 447 384 433 449 483
Unknown Aboriginal 3 1 2 1 3
Non - Aboriginal 9 8 12 2 9
Total 12 9 14 3 12
Total Aboriginal 435 438 483 481 633
Non - Aboriginal 1650 1561 1747 1942 1857
Total 2085 1999 2230 2423 2490
Source: Department for Families and Communities (Children, Youth and Family Services Branch)
TABLE 7.12 CHILDREN IN ALTERNATIVE CARE AS AT 30th JUNE
Age (years) Indigenous status 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
0 - 7 years Aboriginal 81 90 98 100 91
Non - Aboriginal 278 288 262 320 351
Total 359 378 360 420 442
8 - 11 years Aboriginal 63 63 54 67 66
Non - Aboriginal 220 248 246 243 244
Total 283 311 300 310 310
12 - 17 years Aboriginal 66 71 78 83 80
Non - Aboriginal 358 377 421 395 368
Total 424 448 499 478 448
Total Aboriginal 210 224 230 250 237
Non - Aboriginal 856 913 929 958 963
Total 1066 1137 1159 1208 1200
Source: Department for Families and Communities (Children, Youth and Family Services Branch)
140 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
C H A P T E R 7 • SAFETY AND JUSTICE
TABLE 7.13 CHILDREN WHO HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE ALTERNATIVE CARE PLACEMENT
Age (years) Indigenous status 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
0 - 7 years Aboriginal 150 153 150 126 115
Non - Aboriginal 528 467 370 379 347
Total 678 620 520 505 462
8 - 11 years Aboriginal 52 41 49 58 47
Non - Aboriginal 215 206 176 181 152
Total 267 247 225 239 199
12 - 17 years Aboriginal 52 66 53 66 53
Non - Aboriginal 304 328 336 281 289
Total 356 394 389 347 342
Total Aboriginal 254 260 252 250 215
Non - Aboriginal 1047 1001 882 841 788
Total 1301 1261 1134 1091 1003
Source: Department for Families and Communities (Children, Youth and Family Services Branch)
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 141
LIST OF TABLES
POPULATION
1.1 Age structure - children and young people:
South Australia: 1993 to 2023 10
1.2 Age structure - children and young people:
Australia: 1993 to 2003 11
1.3 Natural increase in population
South Australia, 1991-92 to 2002-03 12
1.4 Net overseas migration:
South Australia, 1991-92 to 2002-03 12
1.5 Interstate migration:
South Australia by age group, 1991-92 to 2002-03 13
1.6 Estimated resident Indigenous population,
age groups by sex, South Australia:
at June 1991, 1996 and 2001 14
1.7 Language spoken at home, South Australia:
persons under 25 by age group,
1991 and 2001 censuses 15
1.8 New arrivals from overseas (arrived 1996-2001),
South Australia: persons aged 0-24 by age group,
2001 population census 16
HEALTH
2.1 Four key health risk factors,
Number and proportion of persons aged 18-24,
South Australia and Australia, 2001 35
2.2 Top 10 conditions contributing to premature mortality - years
of life lost (YLL) and rate per 1,000, age and sex,
average 1999-2001 68 36
2.3 Top 10 conditions contributing to loss of healthy years of life (YLD)
due to disability caused by illness or injury - healthy years of life
lost (YLD) and rate per 1,000, age and sex, average 1999-2001 37
2.4 Pregnancy outcomes, age of mother less than 25 years,
South Australia, 1999 to 2003 38
2.5 Infant deaths and infant mortality rates, states/territories
and Australia, 1998-99 to 2002-03 39
2.6 Number of SA hospital separations for selected procedures and
conditions, by age group, 1998-99 to 2002-03 40
2.7 Standardised rate ratio (SRR) of SA hospital separations for
selected procedures and conditions, by age group,
1998-99 to 2002-03 42
2.8 Drug and alcohol use among South Australian school students
aged 12-17, 1996, 1999 and 2002 44
THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION: A PROFILE 142
LIST OF TABLES
EDUCATION AND TRAINNG
3.1 School enrolments (FTE), South Australia, by level of education
and category of school, 1999 to 2003 58
3.2 School enrolments (FTE), South Australia, metropolitan/country,
by category of school, 1999 to 2003 59
3.3 School enrolments (FTE), South Australia, by age,
1999, 2001 and 2003 60
3.4 Apparent retention rates - year 7/8 to year 12, states and Australia,
full-time, full-time equivalent and persons, 1999 to 2003 61
3.5 Indigenous students: apparent retention rates (FTE),
South Australia, government schools, 1999 to 2003 62
3.6 DECS state test mean scores, all students and Indigenous students,
South Australia, 1999 to 2003 62
3.7 Main destination (primary activity) of SA school leavers, May survey,
1999 to 2003 63
3.8 Higher education enrolments, students aged under 25 years
(by single year of age), full-time and part-time status,
South Australia, 1999 to 2004 64
3.9 Higher education enrolments, Indigenous students aged under
25 years (by single year of age), full-time and part-time status,
South Australia, 1999 to 2004 65
3.10 Vocational education and training (VET) enrolments - total
and Indigenous, South Australia, 1999 to 2003 66
3.11 Overseas student enrolments in South Australia and Australia
by education sector, 2002 and 2003 67
3.12 Overseas student enrolments in South Australia and Australia
by country of citizenship, 2002 and 2003 68
3.13 Number of children and young people by age group by
internet usage (in the week prior to census night), 2001 69
3.14 Proportion of children and young people by age group by internet
usage (in the week prior to census night), 2001 70
LABOUR FORCE
4.1 Young employed persons, South Australia, by ft/pt status,
1998-99 to 2003-04 80
4.2 Young persons who are unemployed and seeking full-time work,
South Australia, 1998-99 to 2003-04 81
4.3 Number of employed Indigenous persons aged 15-24
by employment sector, by weekly hours worked,
South Australia, 2001 population census 82
4.4 Top twenty occupation groups (ranked), employed persons
aged 15-19 years, South Australia, 2001 population census 83
4.5 Top twenty occupation groups (ranked), employed persons
aged 20-24 years, South Australia, 2001 population census 84
4.6 Top twenty industry groups (ranked), employed persons
aged 15-19 years, South Australia, 2001 population census 85
4.7 Top twenty industry groups (ranked), employed persons
aged 20-24 years, South Australia, 2001 population census 86
CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 143
LIST OF TABLES
4.8 Proportion of children aged less than 15 in families with
no employed parent, South Australia and Australia, 1998 to 2002 87
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND HOUSING
5.1 Living arrangements: number of children under 15 years
enumerated in occupied private dwellings by family type,
South Australia, 2001 population census 100
5.2 Number of children under 15 years enumerated in non-private
dwellings by type of non-private dwelling, South Australia,
2001 population census 100
5.3 Living arrangements: number of young people aged 15-24 years
by family type and relationship within household, South Australia,
2001 population census 101
5.4 Number of young people aged 15-24 years enumerated in
non-private dwellings by type of non-private dwelling,
South Australia, 2001 population census 102
5.5 Children and young people in parental home: family type,
dwelling tenure, South Australia, 2001 population census 103
5.6 Young people aged 15-24 years who have left the parental home,
selected groups, dwelling tenure, South Australia,
2001 population census 103
5.7 Proportion of children and young people living in households
with no motor vehicle, age groups, South Australia,
2001 population census 104
5.8 Children aged under 15 years in the parental home:
Indigenous status, dwelling tenure, South Australia,
2001 population census 104
5.9 Young people aged 15-24 years living independently –
Indigenous status, dwelling tenure, South Australia,
2001 population census 105
5.10 Overcrowding in households with children, South Australia,
2001 population census 106
INCOME
6.1 Children aged under 15 years – weekly family income
by family type, South Australia, 2001 population census 116
6.2 Children aged under 15 years - number and proportion
in families where weekly family income is less than $600
per week, States and Australia, 2001 population census 116
6.3 Children aged under 15 years - weekly family income by
Indigenous status, South Australia, 2001 population census 117
6.4 Young people aged 15-24 years living in the parental home –
weekly family income by family type, South Australia,
2001 population census 118
144 THE CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE
LIST OF TABLES
6.5 Young people aged 15-24 years living in the parental home –
individual weekly income by student status, South Australia,
2001 population census 118
6.6 Young people aged 15-24 years living independently –
individual weekly income by employment status,
South Australia, 2001 population census 119
6.7 Household financial stress indicators, households with dependent
children, South Australia and Australia, 2002 120
SAFETY AND JUSTICE
7.1 Number of apprehensions per year 2000/01 to 2002/03
by sex 134
7.2 Number of apprehensions per year 2000/01 to 2002/03
by Indigenous status 135
7.3 Number of apprehensions per year, 2002/03 by offence type 135
7.3a Number of apprehensions, 2002/03
by most serious charge and age group 136
7.4 Number of apprehensions per year, 2002/03
by most serious charge and age group (males) 136
7.5 Number of apprehensions per year, 2002/03
by most serious charge and age group (females) 137
7.6 Number of apprehensions, 2002/03
by most serious charge and age group (Indigenous) 137
7.7 Number of apprehensions, 2002/03
by most serious charge and age group (non-Indigenous) 138
7.8 Number of apprehensions per year, 2002/03 by most serious charge
and age group (Indigenous status not known) 138
7.9 Victims of robbery and assault – prevalence rates by age group,
South Australia and Australia, 2002 139
7.10 Screened in notifications – child abuse and neglect 139
7.11 Confirmations – child abuse and neglect 140
7.12 Children in alternative care as at 30th June 140
7.13 Children who have had at least one alternative care placement 141
CHILD AND YOUTH POPULATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A PROFILE 145