Remoteness

Remoteness of the area of residence impacts the risk of injuries. In general, residents of rural or more disadvantaged areas experience higher rates of injury hospitalisation and death compared to people who live in urban areas (Mitchell and Chong, 2010).

People living in Remote areas, when compared with people living in Major cities, were 2.5 times as likely to present to an Emergency Department (ED) for an injury in 2023–24.

Over the last 6 years, people living in Remote areas were the most likely to present to ED with an injury, while those in Major cities were the least likely (Figure 27).

The NAPEDC Database describes ED presentations, but does not contain information about the reasons for the differences in presentations between remoteness areas.

Figure 27: Number and age-standardised rate of injury ED presentations, by remoteness and triage category, Australia, 2018–19 to 2023–24

Figure 29 shows a timeline of ED presentations by remoteness and triage category. Presentations rates were highest in Remote areas, and increase in Very Remote areas

Figure 29 shows a timeline of ED presentations by remoteness and triage category. Presentations rates were highest in Remote areas, and increase in Very Remote areas

Notes:

  1. Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population.
  2. Remoteness regions are classified using the ABS 2021 Australian Statistical Geography (ASGS) Edition 3. Rates are updated when the relevant denominator data becomes available from the ABS.
  3. See Severity for more information on the triage categories.

Sources: AIHW National Non-admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database, and ABS National, state and territory population.

In 2023–24, injury hospitalisation rates indicated Major cities dwellers were the least likely to be hospitalised due to injury across regions (381,860 cases, with an age-standardised rate of 1,831.8 per 100,000 people). Age-standardised rates of injury hospitalisation increased with remoteness, with the highest rate per resident population observed in Very remote areas (4,181.1 per 100,000 persons) (Figure 28).

Figure 28: Age-standardised rates of injury hospitalisations by remoteness, Australia, 2014–15 to 2023–24

Figure 15 shows age-standardised rates of injury hospitalisations by remoteness. Injury hospitalisations and deaths rates increased with remoteness.

Figure 15 shows age-standardised rates of injury hospitalisations by remoteness. Injury hospitalisations and deaths rates increased with remoteness.

Note: Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population.

Sources: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database, and ABS National, state and territory population.

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