Age group and sex
Between 2013–14 and 2017–18, hospitalisations for people aged:
- 65 to 74 increased by an average of 5.9% each year, faster than the average annual population growth for this age group (4.1%)
- 85 and over increased by an average of 4.7% each year, faster than the average population growth for this age group (3.5%).
In 2017–18 people aged 65 and over, who make up 15% of Australia’s population, accounted for 42% of hospitalisations and 48% of patient days.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
In 2017–18, compared with other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were hospitalised:
- 2.6 times as often overall (after accounting for age)
- twice as often for overnight stays
- 13 times as often for same-day dialysis
- about the same for other same-day cute care, and for subacute/non-acute care.
Remoteness
In 2017–18, hospitalisation rates were highest for patients living in Very remote areas (90% higher than the national rate).
About 85% of hospitalisations for patients living in Very remote areas were in public hospitals, compared with 55% for patients living in Major cities.
Socioeconomic status
In 2017–18:
- for public hospitals, the rates were highest (30% higher than the national rate) for patients living in areas classified in the lowest (most disadvantaged) SES status group
- for private hospitals, the rates were highest for patients living in areas classified in the highest (least disadvantaged) SES status group.