Socioeconomic characteristics and selected demographics
On this page:
How old were they?
What was their relationship status?
What was their highest level of educational attainment?
How many were employed?
How much did they earn?
What are their housing circumstances?
How many people did they normally live with?
In this section, the selected demographics and socioeconomic characteristics of ex-serving ADF males with at least one day of service since 1 January 2001 who died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 (the study period) are compared with the total ex-serving ADF male population (who were alive or had died) and Australian males who died by suicide during the same time period.
Findings show that ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were more likely to be younger, to have never married, to have a lower income or to have lived alone than the total ex-serving ADF male population.
Data considerations
In order to understand whether or not ex-serving ADF males have different characteristics and experiences as well as risk and protective factors for suicide, it is important to compare them with other Australian males. However, this presents a number of statistical challenges and it is very important to understand what the limitations are and what should be considered when interpreting the data.
Crude proportions are presented in this section with comparisons made using proportion ratios. These ratios represent the total observed differences between the cohorts being compared. Differences in the age structure between the populations is likely to be one of the contributing factors to the differences in the proportion ratios that have been observed and caution must be taken in concluding that differences are due to ADF service-related characteristics.
Furthermore, this approach does not take into account the relationships between different characteristics and how these may interact to affect suicide rates. The results presented below have not been adjusted for age as the data could not meet requirements to do so. Readers should take this into consideration when interpreting the results presented.
It is difficult to infer patterns or trends in some of the selected demographics and socioeconomic characteristics because small numbers mean that some results are not able to be published. Values based on small numbers of deaths have been suppressed in order to maintain data confidentiality, and/or avoid publishing statistics of low reliability or high volatility. Volatility is related to the size of the study cohort and the number of deaths observed. This means that when comparing small cohorts with other groups, we have less confidence that small observed differences reflect differences in underlying cohort risks.
How old were they?
The age structure for the total ex-serving ADF males was different to Australian males. Ex-serving ADF males were more likely to be aged 25–44 years and less likely to be aged 45–80 years.
While the proportion of total ex-serving ADF males aged 17–24 years (10%) was lower compared to Australian males (14%), they were relatively more likely to have died by suicide (18%) compared with Australian males who died by suicide (13%).
Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were almost twice as likely to be aged 25–34 years (36%) as Australian males who died by suicide (19%) of the same age.
The majority of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were aged under 45 years (86%) with an average age of 34 years. In comparison, more than half (53%) of Australian males who died by suicide were aged under 45 years with an average age of 44 years.
Figure 1: Proportion of ex-serving ADF males(a) and Australian males(a) by age group(b), as at 2011 Census(c)
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Age at Census (9 August 2011). The age range was limited to 17–80 years for both ex-serving ADF males and Australian males.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age group: 17–24 (years)(b) | 13 | 17.8 | 3,595 | 9.5 | 1.9 (0.6 - 6.1) | 1,192 | 13.2 | 1.4 (0.4 - 4.4) |
| Age group: 25–34 (years)(b) | 26 | 35.6 | 12,539 | 33.0 | 1.1 (0.6 - 1.8) | 1,687 | 18.7 | 1.9 (1.1 - 3.2)* |
| Age group: 35–44 (years)(b) | 24 | 32.9 | 9,925 | 26.2 | 1.3 (0.7 - 2.2) | 1,915 | 21.2 | 1.6 (0.9 - 2.8) |
| Age group: 45–80 (years)(b) | 10 | 13.7 | 11,888 | 31.3 | 0.4 (0.1 - 2.1) | 4,250 | 47.0 | 0.3 (0.1 - 1.4) |
| Total males | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
| Mean age | 34.2 | . . | 39.2 | . . | . . | 43.9 | . . | . . |
| Median age | 34 | . . | 37 | . . | . . | 43 | . . | . . |
CI – confidence interval
. . – not applicable
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Age at Census (9 August 2011). The age range was limited to 17–80 years for both ex-serving ADF males and Australian males.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. An asterisk (*) indicates a statistically significant difference. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
What was their relationship status?
Maintaining ongoing social supports while undertaking military service is complex. While ADF personnel often build strong relationships within the military, the nature of service may require them to spend extensive periods away from support from home, family and friends, both within and outside of the ADF (Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committee 2016). Having a significant other such as a spouse or partner (i.e. having someone to share concerns with and to care for), is recognised as a protective factor (Open Arms 2019b).
Marital status
The 2011 Census collected information on a person’s registered marital status and social marital status. Registered marital status records a person's current status in regard to a registered marriage, i.e. whether he/she is widowed, divorced, separated, married or has never married3. Social marital status records a person's relationship status based on their current living arrangements, in terms of whether she or he forms a couple relationship with another person living in the same usual residence and the nature of that relationship4.
For this report, marital status has been derived using the registered marital status and social marital status variables.
Never married: includes individuals with registered marital status indicating never married, but excludes those with a social marital status indicating being in a registered or de facto marriage with another member of the household.
Widowed/ Divorced/ Separated: includes individuals with registered marital status indicating widowed, divorced, or separated, but excludes individuals with a social marital status indicating being in a registered or de facto marriage with another member of the household.
Couple in a registered or de facto marriage: includes individuals who reported being in a registered marriage, or whose social marital status was recorded as being in a registered or de facto marriage with another member of the household regardless of how they responded to the question "What is the person's present (registered) marital status?"
Of the total ex-serving ADF male cohort, they were more likely to be in a registered or de facto marriage (69%) than to have never married (23%) or be widowed, divorced or separated (7.9%).
Compared with the total ex-serving ADF male population, ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide:
- were twice as likely to be never married (47%).
- were less likely (34%) to be in a registered or de facto marriage.
Compared with ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide:
- almost 4 in 10 (37%) Australian males who died by suicide were never married.
- just under half (47%) of Australian males who died by suicide were in a registered or de facto marriage.
-
a similar proportion of Australian males who died by suicide were widowed, divorced or separated (19% compared with 16% respectively).
[3] Statements - Registered Marital Status
[4] Statements - Social Marital Status
Figure 2: Proportion of ex-serving ADF males and Australian males(a) by marital status(b), as at 2011 Census(c)
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Marital status has been derived using the Registered Martial Status and Social Marital Status variables.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marital status(b): Never married | 34 | 46.6 | 8,654 | 22.8 | 2.0 (1.4 - 2.9)* | 3,366 | 37.2 | 1.3 (0.9 - 1.8) |
| Marital status(b): Widowed/ Divorced/ Separated | 14 | 19.2 | 3,016 | 7.9 | 2.4 (0.8 - 7.1) | 1,438 | 15.9 | 1.2 (0.4 - 3.6) |
| Marital status(b): Couple in a registered or de facto marriage | 25 | 34.2 | 26,277 | 69.2 | 0.5 (0.3 - 0.9)* | 4,240 | 46.9 | 0.7 (0.4 - 1.3) |
| Total males | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Marital status has been derived using the Registered Martial Status and Social Marital Status variables
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. An asterisk (*) indicates a statistically significant difference. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
What was their highest level of educational attainment?
In the general population, completing school and higher education is associated with better overall health and welfare outcomes (AIHW 2021c). This effect is also observed within the ADF, where people with higher educational attainment have fewer reported medical conditions, better mental and physical health and better quality of life (Hawthorne et al., 2014). Higher levels of educational attainment are also an important factor in how well ex-serving ADF members are able to transition to civilian life (DVA 2011).
Highest level of educational attainment
The 2011 Census collected information about the highest level of education an individual has completed. Programs are delivered by education providers including schools, vocational education institutions and universities.
In the 2011 Census, highest level of educational attainment was created by combining Non-School Qualification, Level of Education and Highest Year of School Completed to produce a single measure of a person's overall level of educational attainment, whether it be a school or non-school qualification. In this section, the highest level of educational attainment categories have been grouped into broader categories as follows:
Bachelor Degree or Higher: includes Bachelor Degree Level, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate not further defined, Graduate Diploma Level, Graduate Certificate Level, Post Graduate Degree Level (including not further defined), Doctoral Degree Level and Masters Degree Level.
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: includes Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level not further defined, Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree Level and Diploma Level.
Certificate III/IV: includes Certificates III and IV Level not further defined, Certificate III and Certificate IV.
Year 12 or equivalent or below: includes Secondary Education Year 12, Year 11, Year 10, Certificate Level and Certificates I and II Level not further defined, Certificate I, Certificate II and Secondary Education Year 9 and Year 8 or below.
Among ex-serving ADF males who had a school or non-school qualification, the most common highest level of educational attainment was Year 12 equivalent or below (30%). It was also the most common educational attainment of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide (36%).
Of the total ex-serving ADF male cohort:
- 23% held a Bachelor degree or higher compared with 12% of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide.
- 17% held an Advanced diploma and diploma compared with 12% of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide.
Compared with ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, Australian males who died by suicide:
- had a similar proportion who held a Bachelor degree or higher (12%).
- just under half (48%) held a Year 12 equivalent or below qualification, which was the most common highest level of education attainment among this cohort.
Figure 3: Proportions of ex-serving ADF males and Australian males(a) by highest level of educational attainment(b), as at 2011 Census(c)
CI – confidence interval
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Highest level of educational attainment was created by combining Non-School Qualification, Level of Education and Highest Year of School Completed to produce a single measure of a person's overall level of educational attainment, whether it be a school or non-school qualification.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes Bachelor Degree Level, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate Level and Postgraduate Degree Level.
(e) Includes Certificate Level not further defined and Certificate I/II Level.
(f) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(g) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data.
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(d) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(d) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(e) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest level of educational attainment: Bachelor Degree or Higher(f) | 9 | 12.3 | 8,628 | 22.7 | 0.5 (0.1 - 3.1) | 1,064 | 11.8 | 1.1 (0.2 - 6.0) |
| Highest level of educational attainment: Advanced Diploma and Diploma | 9 | 12.3 | 6,523 | 17.2 | 0.7 (0.1 - 4.1) | 550 | 6.1 | 2.0 (0.3 - 11.9) |
| Highest level of educational attainment: Certificate III/IV | 20 | 27.4 | 10,114 | 26.7 | 1.0 (0.5 - 2.1) | 2,337 | 25.8 | 1.1 (0.5 - 2.2) |
| Highest level of educational attainment: Year 12 or equivalent or below(g) | 26 | 35.6 | 11,317 | 29.8 | 1.2 (0.7 - 2.0) | 4,372 | 48.3 | 0.7 (0.4 - 1.2) |
| Highest level of educational attainment: Total with a school or non-school qualification | 64 | 87.7 | 36,582 | 96.4 | 0.9 (0.8 - 1.0) | 8,323 | 92.0 | 1.0 (0.9 - 1.0) |
| No educational attainment/Level of education not stated/Inadequately described | 9 | 12.3 | 1,365 | 3.6 | 3.4 (0.6 - 20.0) | 721 | 8.0 | 1.6 (0.3 - 9.0) |
| Total males | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) At home on Census night.
(c) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
(f) Includes Bachelor Degree Level, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate Level and Postgraduate Degree Level.
(g) Includes Certificate Level not further defined and Certificate I/II Level.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
How many were employed?
Employment provides direct economic benefit to individuals and families, including financial security, increased mobility and access to higher standards of living. It is also generally associated with benefits to physical and mental health and wellbeing, social connectedness, and improved developmental outcomes for the children of employed persons (Biddle 2013; WHO 2012).
While the ADF provides secure and stable employment, ex-serving ADF members managing symptoms of poor mental health may face difficulties transitioning to work as a civilian, as these symptoms may affect their ability to maintain employment (Harrod et al. 2017).
Labour force status
Labour force status is one indicator of the socioeconomic status of a person and is a key element in assessing the circumstances and needs of ex-serving ADF members and their families. Three categories of labour force status have been explored in this report (ABS 2011):
Employed: people who work for payment or profit, or as an unpaid helper in a family business in the week before Census night, have a job from which they are on leave or otherwise temporarily absent, or are on strike or stood down temporarily.
The hours a person works is an important aspect of their employment. For many people, working part-time enables them to balance work with other activities, such as a caring responsibility, study, or transition to retirement. As such, analysis of employed ex-serving ADF males has also been disaggregated by those who worked full-time, and those who worked part time.
Unemployed: people who reported they did not have a job but were actively looking for either full time or part time work and available to start work.
Not in the labour force: this includes people who, in the week before Census night, were neither employed nor unemployed. They include people who were keeping house (unpaid), retired, voluntarily inactive, permanently unable to work, in gaol, trainee teachers, members of contemplative religious orders, and people whose only activity in the week before Census night was jury service or unpaid voluntary work for a charitable organisation.
Overall, the total ex-serving ADF male cohort were observed to have higher proportions in employment than those who died by suicide, with 7 in 10 (69%) working full time compared with almost 5 in 10 (47%) ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide. In comparison, over 4 in 10 (43%) of Australian males who died by suicide were working full time.
Values below based on small numbers of deaths have been suppressed in order to maintain data confidentiality, and/or avoid publishing statistics of low reliability.
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour force status: Employed - Worked full time(g) | 34 | 46.6 | 26,176 | 69.0 | 0.7 (0.5 - 1.0)* | 3,926 | 43.4 | 1.1 (0.8 - 1.5) |
| Labour force status: Employed -Worked part time(h) | 12 | 16.4 | 3,795 | 10.0 | 1.6 (0.5 - 5.9) | 996 | 11.0 | 1.5 (0.4 - 5.4) |
| Labour force status: Employed - Away from work(i) | n.p. | n.p. | 1,692 | 4.5 | n.p. | 362 | 4.0 | n.p. |
| Labour force status: Employed - Total employed | n.p. | n.p. | 31,663 | 83.4 | n.p. | 5,284 | 58.4 | n.p. |
| Labour force status: Unemployed -Looking for full time work | n.p. | n.p. | 1,128 | 3.0 | n.p. | 493 | 5.5 | n.p. |
| Labour force status: Unemployed -Looking for part time work | n.p. | n.p. | 256 | 0.7 | n.p. | 109 | 1.2 | n.p. |
| Labour force status: Unemployed -Total unemployed | n.p. | n.p. | 1,384 | 3.6 | n.p. | 602 | 6.7 | n.p. |
| Labour force status: Unemployed -Not in the labour force | 19 | 26.0 | 4,720 | 12.4 | 2.1 (1.0 - 4.5) | 2,975 | 32.9 | 0.8 (0.4 - 1.7) |
| Total Males(j) | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
n.p. – not available for publication but included in totals where applicable
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Refers to labour force status during the week prior to Census night.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. An asterisk (*) indicates a statistically significant difference. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
(g) Full time work refers to those who worked 35 hours or more in all jobs during the week prior to Census night.
(h) Part time work refers to those who worked less than 35 hours in all jobs during the week prior to Census night.
(i) Away from work refers to those who were temporarily absent from a paid job but who retained a formal attachment to that job.
(j) Includes not stated.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
How much did they earn?
Financial wellbeing is connected to wellbeing across a number of areas of a person’s life, such as ability to access education and health, therefore it is important to understand the income circumstances of ex-serving ADF males. Financial security is also an important protective factor against the risk of suicide (Open Arms 2019b).
Weekly personal income is a self-reported income measure sourced from the 2011 Census. Each person was asked to indicate the range within which their total income from all sources placed, rather than their exact income (ABS 2011). Generally, the ex-serving ADF male cohort had a higher weekly personal income than the Australian male population.
Ex-serving ADF males overall had higher levels of income than those who died by suicide. For the total ex-serving ADF male cohort:
- 6 in 10 (61%) had a weekly personal income of $1,000 or more compared with almost 3 in 10 (27%) ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide.
- 6.0% had a weekly personal income between $200 and $399 compared with 15% of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide.
Compared with ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, a similar proportion of Australian males who died by suicide had a weekly personal income of $1,000 or more (28%).
Figure 4: Proportions of ex-serving ADF males and Australian males(a) by weekly personal income(b), as at 2011 Census(c)
n.p. – not available for publication
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Income is reported as the total income an individual usually receives each week. Equivalent annual amounts appear in brackets.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) 'Negative' income in the 2011 Census includes people who own their own business and report negative income due to losses or negative gearing of rentals.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data.
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly personal income: Negative(g)/Nil | n.p. | n.p. | 767 | 2.0 | n.p. | 521 | 5.8 | n.p. |
| Weekly personal income: $1 - $199 ($1-$10,399) | n.p. | n.p. | 714 | 1.9 | n.p. | 491 | 5.4 | n.p. |
| Weekly personal income: $200 - $399 ($10,400-$20,799) | 11 | 15.1 | 2,291 | 6.0 | 2.5 (0.6 - 10.3) | 2,142 | 23.7 | 0.6 (0.2 - 2.6) |
| Weekly personal income: $400 - $599 ($20,800-$31,199) | 11 | 15.1 | 2,400 | 6.3 | 2.4 (0.6 - 9.8) | 1,022 | 11.3 | 1.3 (0.3 - 5.5) |
| Weekly personal income: $600 - $799 ($31,200-$41,599) | 10 | 13.7 | 3,765 | 9.9 | 1.4 (0.3 - 6.6) | 1,038 | 11.5 | 1.2 (0.3 - 5.7) |
| Weekly personal income: $800 - $999 ($41,600-$51,999) | 14 | 19.2 | 4,183 | 11.0 | 1.7 (0.6 - 5.1) | 875 | 9.7 | 2.0 (0.7 - 5.9) |
| Weekly personal income: $1,000 - $1,499 ($52,000-$77,999) | 11 | 15.1 | 9,788 | 25.8 | 0.6 (0.1 - 2.4) | 1,361 | 15.0 | 1.0 (0.2 - 4.1) |
| Weekly personal income: $1,500 or more ($78,000 or more) | 9 | 12.3 | 13,448 | 35.4 | 0.4 (0.1 - 2.0) | 1,204 | 13.3 | 0.9 (0.2 - 5.3) |
| Total males(h) | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
n.p. – not available for publication but included in totals where applicable
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Income is reported as the total income an individual usually receives each week. Equivalent annual amounts appear in brackets.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
(g) 'Negative' income in the 2011 Census includes people who own their own business and report negative income due to losses or negative gearing of rentals.
(h) Includes not stated.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
What are their housing circumstances?
Housing plays a major role in people’s health and wellbeing by providing shelter, safety and security. Poor housing has been linked to adverse physical and mental health outcomes as well as negative effects on employment, education and social relationships (AIHW 2018a). A person’s housing needs and preferences change as they progress through different stages of their lives, due to factors such as employment, family structures, health and mental wellbeing and financial situations (ABS 2016). While serving ADF members have access to subsidised housing and rental assistance, once members transition out of the ADF, they are no longer able to access this support (Defence 2017).
Some dwelling types are indicative of the degree of housing security a person experiences. For example, owning your own home, especially without a mortgage, is usually more secure than renting in the private rental market (AIHW 2021d).
Due to small counts of ex-serving ADF members who died by suicide in multiple dwelling types, only analyses for those owning a private dwelling (with and without mortgage) and rented dwellings have been presented.
The most common housing circumstance for both ex-serving ADF males and all Australian males was living in a private dwelling owned outright/with a mortgage.
Two thirds (66%) of ex-serving ADF males were living in a private dwelling owned by a member of the household either outright or with a mortgage, compared with 51% of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide.
Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were 1.6 times as likely to be living in a rented dwelling, compared with the total ex-serving ADF male cohort (45% compared with 29% respectively).
Similarly, Australian males who died by suicide were more likely to be living in a private dwelling owned by a member of the household either outright or with a mortgage (59%) and less likely to be living in a rented dwelling (34%).
Figure 5: Proportions of ex-serving ADF males and Australian males(a) by tenure type, as at 2011 Census(b)
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) At home on Census night.
(c) Includes renting via real estate agent, state or territory housing authority, person not in same household, housing co-operative, community or church group, other landlord type and landlord type not stated.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(d) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(d) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(e) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(c) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenure and landlord type(b): Owned outright/with a mortgage | 37 | 50.7 | 24,995 | 65.9 | 0.8 (0.6 - 1.1) | 5,354 | 59.2 | 0.9 (0.6 - 1.2) |
| Tenure and landlord type(b): Total rented(f) | 33 | 45.2 | 11,021 | 29.0 | 1.6 (1.1 - 2.3)* | 3,084 | 34.1 | 1.3 (0.9 - 1.9) |
| Total males(g) | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) At home on Census night.
(c) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. An asterisk (*) indicates a statistically significant difference. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
(f) Includes renting via real estate agent, state or territory housing authority, person not in same household, housing co-operative, community or church group, other landlord type and landlord type not stated.
(g) Includes private dwellings with other tenure type or tenure type not stated, and non-private dwellings. As a result, sum of component items do not equal totals.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
What were their living arrangements?
Social support from other people and services can be vital in times of need and can contribute to connectedness through interactions between people. In particular, ‘family connection provides a protective factor against suicide, as disruptions to family relationships are associated with increased risk for suicide’ (Parliament of Australia 2022).
Social support comes in many forms, but broadly covers ‘support accessible to an individual through social ties to other individuals, groups, and the larger community’ (Lin et al. 1979). Having a positive and reliable social support system can enhance resilience to stress, help protect against developing trauma-related psychopathology, decrease the functional consequences of trauma-induced disorders, and reduce medical morbidity and mortality (Ozbay et al. 2007). The composition of people living in the household may contribute to a person’s feelings of safety, and social and community connectedness (AIHW 2018a).
The nature of ADF service can make it difficult to develop and maintain social connections outside the military due to extended periods of time away from home for deployment/training. Understanding the household composition of ex-serving ADF males may provide insight into social support offered by family and friends (AIHW 2018a).
Types of households
Household composition describes the type of household within a dwelling. It indicates whether a family or other unrelated household members are present. For this report, household compositions are divided broadly into:
Family households: A private dwelling with 2 or more people, who are related by blood, marriage (registered or de facto), adoption, step or fostering, and who are usually resident in the same household. Other related individuals (brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles) may also be present in the household. Family households are further broken down by:
Couple family with children household: A private dwelling consisting of a family with children. The child may be either dependent (children aged under 15 or dependent students) or non-dependent adult children.
Couple family without children household: A private dwelling consisting of a family without children. This household type can include those couples whose children have left home and are not present in the household on Census night, not just those couples who have not had children.
One parent family with children household: A private dwelling consisting of a lone parent who has no spouse or partner usually resident in the household, and who forms a parent-child relationship with at least one child usually resident in the household. The child may be either dependent (children aged under 15 or dependent students) or non-dependent adult children.
Group households: A private dwelling consisting of two or more unrelated persons. There are no reported couple relationships, parent-child relationships or other blood relationships in these households.
Lone person households: A private dwelling occupied by only one person.
These household types are representative of the household as at the 2011 Census Night and may not be reflective of family structures. For example, a couple family without children household can include couples whose children have left home, not just those who have not had children.
Compared with the total ex-serving ADF male cohort, ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were less likely to live in a couple family.
Of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide:
- 34% lived in couple families with children compared with 46% ex-serving ADF males.
- 12% lived in couple families with no children compared with 26% ex-serving ADF males.
- Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were 3.1 times as likely to live in a lone person household than ex-serving ADF males (27% compared with 9.0% respectively).
In comparison to ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, a similar proportion of Australian males who died by suicide lived in a couple family with or without children (47% compared with 54% respectively).
- One in 5 (20%) Australian males who died by suicide lived in a couple family with children.
- One in 3 (34%) Australian males who died by suicide lived in a couple family with no children.
- One in 5 (20%) Australian males who died by suicide were living in a lone person household.
Figure 6: Proportions of ex-serving ADF males and Australian males(a) by household composition(b), as at 2011 Census(c)
n.p. – not available for publication
Statistics based on small numbers of deaths by suicide should be interpreted with caution and comparisons with other populations should be reported with context.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) Household composition has been derived using the Family Composition and Relationship in Household variables.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes children under 15, dependent students and non-dependent adult children.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household composition(l): Family household - Couple family with children(g) | 25 | 34.2 | 17,474 | 46.0 | 0.7 (0.4 - 1.3) | 1,804 | 19.9 | 1.7 (1.0 - 3.0) |
| Household composition(l): Family household - Couple family with no children | 9 | 12.3 | 9,670 | 25.5 | 0.5 (0.1 - 2.8) | 3,088 | 34.1 | 0.4 (0.1 - 2.1) |
| Household composition(l): Family household - Total couple family | 34 | 46.6 | 27,144 | 71.5 | 0.7 (0.5 - 0.9)* | 4,892 | 54.1 | 0.9 (0.6 - 1.2) |
| Household composition(l): Family household - One parent family with children(g) | 8 | 11.0 | 1,845 | 4.9 | 2.3 (0.3 - 16.4) | 840 | 9.3 | 1.2 (0.2 - 8.6) |
| Household composition(l): Family household - Total persons living in a family household(h) | n.p. | n.p. | 29,393 | 77.5 | n.p. | 5,882 | 65.0 | n.p. |
| Household composition(l): Persons living in a group household | n.p. | n.p. | 1,762 | 4.6 | n.p. | 451 | 5.0 | n.p. |
| Household composition(l): Persons living in a lone person household | 20 | 27.4 | 3,403 | 9.0 | 3.1 (1.5 - 6.3)* | 1,842 | 20.4 | 1.4 (0.7 - 2.8) |
| Total males(i) | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
n.p. – not available for publication but included in totals where applicable
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) This is a combination of the 2011 Census 'Family Composition' and 'Relationship in Household' variables.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. An asterisk (*) indicates a statistically significant difference. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
(g) Includes children under 15, dependent students and non-dependent adult children.
(h) Includes individuals who were living in other families.
(i) Includes other families, unrelated individuals, individuals with a non-classifiable relationship in household and not applicable.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
How many people did they normally live with?
While family is considered one of the main pillars of social support, non-family members who live in a dwelling can also play a role in developing a person’s immediate social network. This analysis uses the number of residents usually present in dwelling as a proxy for social connectedness.
Number of people usually living in a dwelling
This is a count of the number of people usually living in an occupied private dwelling, and includes up to three residents who were temporarily absent from the household on Census night (9 August 2011). Note that the count includes the individual themselves.
For the purposes of this report, persons in households with 5 or more people were grouped together.
The most common number of people usually living in a dwelling was 2-persons for the total ex-serving ADF male cohort (30%), Australian males (32%) and Australian males who died by suicide (28%).
However, for ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, the most common was a 1-person dwelling (27%). Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide were nearly 3 times as likely to be the only person living in their dwelling compared with total ex-serving ADF males (9.6%).
Compared with ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 2 in 10 (21%) Australian males who died by suicide were living on their own.
Figure 7: Proportions of ex-serving ADF males and Australian males(a) by number of persons usually resident in dwelling, as at 2011 Census(b)
n.p. – not available for publication
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) At home on Census night.
(c) The number of people usually resident in an occupied private dwelling and includes up to three residents who were temporarily absent from the household on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data
| Number of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Number of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Proportion of total ex-serving ADF males(e) | Ex-serving ADF males who died by suicide vs. Ex-serving ADF males proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | Number of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Proportion of Australian males who died by suicide, 9 Aug 2011 - 31 Dec 2018(d) | Ex-serving males who died by suicide vs. Australian males who died by suicide proportion ratio (95% CI)(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of persons usually resident in dwelling: 1 | 20 | 27.4 | 3,642 | 9.6 | 2.9 (1.4 - 5.9)* | 1,907 | 21.1 | 1.3 (0.6 - 2.7) |
| Number of persons usually resident in dwelling: 2 | 13 | 17.8 | 11,395 | 30.0 | 0.6 (0.2 - 1.9) | 2,542 | 28.1 | 0.6 (0.2 - 2.0) |
| Number of persons usually resident in dwelling: 3 | 17 | 23.3 | 7,676 | 20.2 | 1.2 (0.5 - 2.7) | 1,599 | 17.7 | 1.3 (0.6 - 3.1) |
| Number of persons usually resident in dwelling: 4 | 15 | 20.5 | 8,213 | 21.6 | 0.9 (0.4 - 2.6) | 1,490 | 16.5 | 1.3 (0.5 - 3.4) |
| Number of persons usually resident in dwelling: 5 or more | n.p. | n.p. | 5125 | 13.5 | n.p. | 1069 | 11.8 | n.p. |
| Total males(g) | 73 | 100.0 | 37,947 | 100.0 | 1 | 9,044 | 100.0 | 1 |
CI – confidence interval
n.p. – not available for publication but included in totals where applicable
Comparisons between ex-serving ADF males and Australian males should be undertaken with caution owing to the different underlying age structures of these populations.
Notes:
(a) Excludes individuals who were an overseas visitor.
(b) This is a count of the number of persons usually resident in an occupied private dwelling, and includes up to three residents who were temporarily absent from the household on 9 August 2011.
(c) At home on Census night.
(d) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record and died by suicide between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(e) Includes individuals who were alive at the time of 2011 Census and had a Census record, who were still alive or had died (including by suicide) during the study period between 9 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 inclusive.
(f) Ninety-five per cent (95%) confidence intervals are presented to indicate the statistical precision and significance. The result is interpreted as having a statistically significant association if the confidence interval does not cross the value of 1. An asterisk (*) indicates a statistically significant difference. A statistically significant association has been based on unrounded lower and upper confidence intervals.
(g) Includes not applicable.
Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS - NDI - DSD 2001–2018 data and ABS MADIP – 2011 Census data (9 August 2011) – Cause of death/Deaths registrations data