Women in Melbourne’s West Sex-disaggregated data and gender analysis for service and program planning www.whwest.org.au Women’s Health West acknowledge the Produced by Women’s Health West support of the State Government of Victoria

Author Stephanie Rich Editor Elly Taylor Layout Nicola Harte Illustrations Isis and Pluto Copyright © WHW 2013 Contents

Data notes...... 5 Acronyms...... 6 Foreword...... 7

The North West Metropolitan Region and Western Metropolitan Sub-region of Melbourne...... 8 City of Brimbank...... 9 City of Hobsons Bay...... 9 City of Maribyrnong...... 9 City of Melton...... 9 City of Melbourne...... 10 City of Moonee Valley...... 10 City of Wyndham...... 10

Key population features...... 11 Sex distribution across the western region...... 12 Age distribution of females and males across the western region...... 13 Births and maternal profile...... 19

Sex-disaggregated data on the social determinants of health...... 23 1. Socio-economic status...... 24 Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage...... 25 2. Ethnicity...... 26 Overseas born status for women across the western region...... 26 Country of birth for females across the western region...... 28 Recent arrivals and emerging communities across the western region...... 30 3. Indigenous status...... 35 Indigenous status for female and male residents across the western region...... 35 4. English language and literacy...... 40 Proficiency in spoken English for female and male residents across the western region...... 40 Languages other than English (LOTE) spoken at home for female residents across the western region...... 46 Proportion of women who speak English ‘not well’ or ‘not at all’ for the 15 main LOTE groups for women across the western region...... 47 5. Income...... 53 Individual weekly income for women and men living in the western region...... 53 Household weekly income across the western region...... 56

3 Women’s Health West 6. Education...... 61 Highest year of schooling completed for female and male residents across the western region...... 61 Post-secondary school qualification level...... 63 7. Paid work, unpaid work and unemployment...... 65 Labour force status...... 65 Industry of employment...... 67 Work-life balance...... 70 Unpaid domestic work by women and men living in the Western region...... 72 Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability...... 74 Unpaid childcare undertaken across the western region...... 75 8. Housing...... 77 Housing affordability across the western region...... 77 Family household composition across the western region...... 79 Lone person households across the western region...... 80 Tenure characteristics of housing across the western region...... 82 Lone parent status across the western region...... 83 9. Disability...... 86 Need for assistance with core activity...... 86 10. Social connectedness and social participation...... 88 Participation in citizen engagement activities for males and females across the western region.... 88 Satisfaction with feeling part of the community...... 90 11. Safety...... 91 Perceptions of safety for women and men across the western region...... 91 12. Transport...... 95 Transport limitations experienced by women and men across the western region...... 95

Key health priorities for women in the western region...... 97 I. Prevention of violence against women...... 98 Reported family violence incidents for the north west metropolitan region...... 98 II. Sexual and reproductive health...... 100 Pap screening participation rates for women in the western region...... 100 Victorian sexually transmissible infections (STIs) notifications for the western region of Melbourne...... 102 Teenage fertility rates...... 104 Proportion of young people who practice safe sex by using a condom...... 106 Proportion of young women using contraception to avoid pregnancy...... 108 III. Mental health and social connectedness...... 109 Subjective wellbeing of residents across the western region...... 109 Electronic gaming machine expenditure for the western region...... 111 References...... 113

4 Women’s Health West Data notes

The figures, tables and graphs in this report have been compiled using a range of data sources, including: . Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing conducted in 2011 and 2006 . Community Indicators Victoria, Community Wellbeing data . Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, Pap screening participation data (prepared by the VCCR Data Manager in 2012) . Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Adolescent Community Profiles 2010 . Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) expenditure data . Department of Health, Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases . Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit, Births in Victoria 2007 and 2008 . Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Settlement reporting data

Please note that the following notes apply to the use of Census information in this report: . Statistics in this report using 2011 census data have been calculated using the ABS software program, Table Builder Basic. As such, the count data and percentages generated through Table Builder are considered to be true at the time of exportation. . For the data generated through Table Builder Basic, the ABS notes that data cells have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data, and that no reliance should be placed on small data cells. . Readers of this report are asked to note that percentages shown in tables may not at times add up to 100 per cent, in light of the rounding of decimal places. . Some population groups are noted to be undercounted in the Census, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons; people of migrant, refugee or asylum seeker background who have low English literacy; persons who are homeless, and individuals with a disability that prevents them from filling out the Census form (as noted in the ABS 2011 Census dictionary).

Disclaimer This report was produced by Women’s Health West in 2013. The report was prepared in good faith; the information contained in this report is based on sources believed to be reliable, and every care has been taken to ensure the information is presented accurately. The report cannot be deemed, in part nor in its entirety, to guarantee success in any programs or initiatives developed from its contents. Consequences of all decisions and actions taken as a result of reading this report are the responsibility of the decision makers.

5 Women’s Health West Acronyms

ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics CBD Central Business District CIV Community Indicators Victoria COB Country of birth DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhood Development DIAC Department of Immigration and Citizenship LGA Local government area LOTE Language other than English NATSEM National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling NWMR North west metropolitan region PCP Primary Care Partnership STI Sexually transmissible infection WMSR Western metropolitan sub-region

6 Women’s Health West Foreword

It is my pleasure to present the second edition of the Women in Melbourne’s West: A Data Book for Program and Service Planning in Health. The data book contains a sex-disaggregated statistical profile and gender analysis of the health, safety and wellbeing of women in Melbourne’s west using the most reputable national and state data sources.

Statistical data that is separated by sex presents information specific to the lived experiences of women and men. Sex disaggregated data is an integral foundation to best practice research, as only when quantatative data is disaggregated by sex do the gendered differences and inequities that exist in the lives of women, in comparison to men, become evident.

While it might appear that women have the same formal opportunities as men, these social and health profiles indicate that women in Melbourne’s west still fare worse than men. This is clear in relation to employment opportunities, income, personal and public safety, English proficiency and continue to undertake the bulk of (unpaid) childcare, domestic labour and caring responsibilities for people with a disability. The unequal status of women in our community causes many to experience disproportionate levels of disadvantage that significantly impact on their physical, mental and social health, safety and wellbeing.

Women’s Health West has structured the second edition of our data book with a stronger focus on the social determinants of health. Recent economic modeling in Australia has found that action on the social determinants is a sustainable way to reduce health inequities and will translate to millions of dollars in savings in Australian hospital, health and community service expenditure. This said, we have included quotes from the women we work with to illustrate the human face of these statistics and provide balance to what can often be an economic focus.

This approach is strongly aligned with the ‘social model of health’, which examines factors beyond individual or biological disposition to recognise the effect of social, economic, cultural and political factors and conditions on health and wellbeing. This conceptual framework for improving health outcomes is aimed at preventing and reducing illness and redressing inequalities and disadvantage that exist within our community. Indeed, we designed the data book to support the already strong commitment among organisations in Melbourne’s west to plan initiatives that respond to, and most importantly prevent, ill health and disease before it occurs.

In the interests of accessibility we have made this edition available in both Word and PDF formats. Another benefit is that Word makes it easy to copy and paste charts, graphs and other relevant information into planning documents, policies and submissions to help illustrate the case for additional services, resources and capacity building initiatives.

We know that the second edition of the data book, in keeping with the first, will be a valuable resource that further strengthens public health planning, program and service delivery that is responsive to, and respectful of, women’s unique health and wellbeing needs.

Robyn Gregory Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Health West

7 Women’s Health West The North West Metropolitan Region and Western Metropolitan Sub-region of Melbourne

The North and West Metropolitan Region (NWMR) of Melbourne incorporates the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne. It spans an area of 2,981 square kilometres and is comprised of fourteen municipalities. Notably, the NWMR contains four of the six designated growth areas in Melbourne, where the population is forecast to increase by over 20 per cent, to an estimated population of over two million, by 2020 (Department of Health, 2012a).

The Western Metropolitan Sub-region (WMSR) of Melbourne comprises the western portion of the NWMR, as defined by the Victorian Department of Human Services. The WMSR extends west in an expansive ‘wedge’ from Melbourne’s inner suburbs to meet the rural fringe of the metropolitan area. Within the sub-region are the seven local government areas (LGAs) of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.

The western region continues to grow at a substantial rate. Notably, it is home to two of the ten local government areas identified with the largest population growth in Australia over 2010- 11. The City of Wyndham is ranked second, and the City of Melton ranked seventh in Australia (Department of Planning and Community Development, 2012b).

The western region includes two Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs) – HealthWest (which services the municipalities of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham) and Inner North West (which includes the municipalities of Melbourne and Moonee Valley). The western region also has three Medicare Locals: Inner North West; Macedon Ranges and North Western Melbourne; and South Western Melbourne.

Source: Department of Health, 2012, North and West Metropolitan Region health status profile 2011

8 Women’s Health West City of Brimbank The latest 2011 Census data estimates the resident The original inhabitants of the Brimbank area were population for the City of Hobsons Bay to be 83, 862 the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people. comprising of 41, 618 males (49.6 per cent) and 42, 244 females (50.4 per cent). The City of Brimbank is situated in the western and north-western suburbs of Melbourne, and is City of Maribyrnong approximately eleven and twenty-three kilometres The original inhabitants of the Maribyrnong area were west and north-west respectively of the Melbourne the Woimurrung and Boonwurrung tribes of the Kulin GPO. Brimbank is comprised of twenty-five suburbs nation. that include: Albanvale, Albion, Ardeer, Brooklyn (in part), Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahey, The City of Maribyrnong is between five and eleven Derrimut, Hillside (in part), Kealba, Keilor, Keilor kilometres immediately west of Melbourne’s CBD. Downs, Keilor East (in part), Keilor Lodge, Keilor Maribyrnong is bounded by Moonee Valley City North, Keilor Park, Kings Park, St Albans, Sunshine, Council in the north, the City of Melbourne in the east, Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Sydenham, Taylors the City of Hobsons Bay in the south and the City Lakes and Tullamarine (in part). of Brimbank in the west. Maribyrnong municipality is comprised of 9 suburbs that include: Footscray, Brimbank municipality is noted as a growing West Footscray, Maribyrnong, Maidstone, Seddon, residential area, with considerable industrial and Yarraville, Kingsville, Braybrook and Tottenham. commercial districts. Brimbank spans approximately 123 square kilometres. Major transport routes to the Maribyrnong municipality is noted as one of the most City of Brimbank include the Calder Freeway, the ethnically diverse areas of Victoria. Large new housing Western Ringroad, Ballarat Road and the Sydenham, developments in Maribyrnong over recent years Melbourne-Ballarat and Melbourne-Bendigo railway have resulted in significant population growth. Major lines (Brimbank City Council, 2008). features in the City of Maribyrnong include Footscray Markets, Victoria University, Highpoint Shopping The latest 2011 ABS Census data estimates the Centre, Sun Theatre and Footscray and Pipemakers resident population for the City of Brimbank to be Parks (Maribyrnong City Council, 2008). 182, 735 comprising 91,343 males (50 per cent) and 91, 392 females (50 per cent). The latest 2011 Census data estimates the resident population for the City of Maribyrnong to be 71, 634, City of Hobsons Bay comprised of 36, 393 males (50.8 per cent) and 35, The original inhabitants of the Hobsons Bay area 241 females (49.2 per cent). were the Yalukit-willam people. City of Melton The City of Hobsons Bay is situated in the south- The original inhabitants of the Melton area were the western suburbs of Melbourne, and is approximately Wurundjeri Aboriginal people. five and twenty kilometres respectively from the Melbourne GPO. Hobsons Bay municipality is The City of Melton is situated in the outer western comprised of 12 suburbs that include: Altona, Altona suburbs of Melbourne, approximately forty kilometres Meadows, Altona North, Brooklyn (in part), Laverton west of the Melbourne GPO. The City of Melton is (in part), Newport, Seabrook, Seaholme, Spotswood, bounded by Moorabool Shire in the west, Macedon South Kingsville, Williamstown and Williamstown Ranges Shire in the north, Hume and Brimbank in North. the east, and Wyndham City in the south. Melton Hobsons Bay municipality contains both residential municipality is comprised of the suburbs of Melton, and industrial districts, and covers an area of Melton South, Melton West, Caroline Springs/Hillside approximately 66 square kilometres. Major transport area, Diggers Rest, Rockbank, Brookfield, Burnside, routes to Hobsons Bay include the West Gate Burnside Heights, Exford, Eynesbury (in part), Mount Freeway, the Princes Freeway, the Princes Highway Cottrell (in part), Parwan, Plumpton, Ravenhall, and the Werribee and Williamstown railway lines Taylors Hill, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Kurunjang. (Hobsons Bay City Council, 2009). Melton municipality is noted as a rapidly growing area, comprised of both urban and rural areas.

9 Women’s Health West Melton covers an area of approximately 527 square The municipality of Moonee Valley is noted as an kilometres. Major transport routes to the City of established residential region, with considerable Melton include the Calder Freeway, the Western industrial and commercial areas. Moonee Valley Freeway, the Melton Highway, the Western Highway, covers an area of approximately forty-four square and the Melton and Sydenham railway lines (City of kilometres. Major transport routes to the City of Melton, 2012). Moonee Valley include the Calder Freeway, the Tullamarine Freeway, Citylink, Essendon Airport, the The latest 2011 Census data estimates the resident Craigieburn and Flemington Racecourse railway lines population for the City of Melton to be 109, 259 and numerous tramlines (Moonee Valley City Council, comprising of 54, 265 males (49.7 per cent) and 54, 2012). 994 females (50.3 per cent). The latest 2011 Census data estimates the resident City of Melbourne population of the City of Moonee Valley to be 107, The original inhabitants of the Melbourne area were 442, comprising of 52, 060 males (48.5 per cent) and the people of the Kulin nation. 55, 382 females (51.5 per cent).

The City of Melbourne is Victoria’s capital city, and City of Wyndham covers approximately thirty seven square kilometres, The original inhabitants of the Wyndham area were while the entire Melbourne metropolitan area covers the Watha Wurring and Yalukit-Willam Aboriginal 7, 694 square kilometres. Melbourne municipality people. is comprised of various suburbs including: Carlton, Docklands, East Melbourne, Kensington, Flemington, The City of Wyndham is located in the outer south- North Melbourne, Parkville, Port Melbourne, west suburbs of Melbourne, located between twelve Southbank, South Yarra, West Melbourne, Melbourne and forty-five kilometres from the Melbourne GPO. and the CBD. Wyndham is bounded by the City of Melton and the City of Brimbank in the north, the City of Hobsons Bay Melbourne’s economic and political centre is located in the east, Port Phillip Bay in the south-east, the City within the Central Business District (CBD). The CBD of Greater Geelong in the south-west, and Moorabool covers approximately thirty-seven square kilometres Shire in the north-west. Wyndham municipality is (City of Melbourne, 2012). comprised of 16 suburbs that include: Cocoroc, Eynesbury (in part), Hoppers Crossing, Laverton (in The latest 2011 Census data estimates the resident part), Laverton North, Little River (in part), Mambourin, population for the City of Melbourne to be 93, 625, Mount Cottrell (in part), Point Cook, Quandong, comprising 46, 774 males (50 per cent) and 46, 851 Tarneit, Truganina (in part), Werribee, Werribee South, females (50 per cent). Williams Landing and Wyndham Vale.

City of Moonee Valley Wyndham municipality is noted as being residential The original inhabitants of the Moonee Valley area and rural areas that has industrial, residential and were the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people. commercial districts. Notably, Wyndham is one of Melbourne’s principal growth areas. It is estimated to The City of Moonee Valley is situated in the north- encompass a total land area of approximately 542 western suburbs of Melbourne, approximately square kilometres. Major transportation pathways to between three and thirteen kilometres from the the City of Wyndham include the Princes Freeway, Melbourne CBD. The Moonee Valley Municipality is the Princes Highway, the Western Ring Road, and comprised of 15 suburbs including: Aberfeldie, Airport the Werribee and Melbourne-Geelong railway lines West, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Essendon, (Wyndham City Council, 2008). Essendon Fields, Essendon North, Essendon West, Flemington (in part), Keilor East (in part), Moonee The latest 2011 Census data estimates the resident Ponds, Niddrie, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights and population for the City of Wyndham to be 161, 575 Travancore. comprising of 80, 584 males (49.9 per cent) and 80, 994 females (50.1 per cent).

10 Women’s Health West KEY POPULATION FEATURES

11 Women’s Health West Key population features

Sex distribution across the western region The western metropolitan region of Melbourne is home to a greater number of women than men

The western metropolitan region of Melbourne is home to a slightly greater number of women than men, with females accounting for 50.3 per cent of the overall population in the west. Of the seven LGAs in the western region, the City of Maribyrnong alone is home to more male than female residents. The City of Moonee Valley is the municipality in the western region that has the most notable difference in sex distribution, with its resident population comprising of 51.5 per cent of females compared to 48.5 per cent of males.

TABLE: Sex distribution of females and males across the western metropolitan sub-region of Melbourne Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne No. % No. % No. % No. % Males 80,581 49.9 52,060 48.5 54,265 49.7 46,774 50.0 Females 80,994 50.1 55,382 51.5 54,994 50.3 46,851 50.0 Total 161,575 100.0 107,442 100.0 109,259 100.0 93,625 100.0

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Western region No. % No. % No. % No. % Males 36,393 50.8 41,618 49.6 91,343 50.0 403,034 49.7 Females 35,241 49.2 42,244 50.4 91,392 50.0 407,098 50.3 Total 71,634 100.0 83,862 100.0 182,735 100.0 810,132 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing1

1 Please note for sources marked with an * in this report: Data in these table cells has been randomly adjusted by the ABS to avoid the release of confidential data.

12 Women’s Health West Key population features

Age distribution of females and males across the western region Females account for a higher proportion of older residents than their male counterparts

The age structure of the male and female population can provide health and social planners with important information regarding the spread of age groups within an area. This information is vital in informing gender-sensitive planning of infrastructure, programs and services that are required to support male and female residents. Overall, women live longer than men, however the differences between women’s and men’s population health profiles are paradoxical: women tend to live longer than men however they experience higher rates of morbidity that severely impacts on their quality of life. Notably, it is gender inequities that are recognised as the main causes of health inequalities between women and men (World Health Organisation, 2013).

In looking at the western region, there are a higher proportion of females than males in the older age groups. For the western region overall, 7.7 per cent of the female population is aged 70 years and above (compared to 6 per cent of males respectively). Higher proportions of women in the older age groups are reflective of the overall longer life expectancies of women when compared with men. As such, it is essential that programs and services that are developed to support the older resident population in the western region, adopt a gender-sensitive approach that accounts for the specific support needs of older women.

For Moonee Valley, the highest proportion of female residents is aged 40 to 44 years (7.7 per cent). Similarly, women aged 40 to 44 years indicate the highest proportion of women residing in Hobsons Bay (8.3 per cent). Melbourne reported the highest proportion of female residents aged between 20 and 29 years (41.4 per cent). This higher proportion of young female residents is likely to be reflective of the considerable number of female tertiary students living in suburbs such as Carlton and Parkville and attending university and tertiary institutions in Melbourne. Young women aged 25 to 29 represents the highest proportion of female residents in Maribyrnong (10.5 per cent) and in Brimbank (8 per cent). The highest proportion of female residents in Wyndham is aged 30 to 34 years of age (9.7 per cent compared to 9.6 per cent of male residents). The highest proportion of Melton female residents is also aged 30 to 34 years (9.6 per cent compared to 8.9 per cent of males). Notably, the highest proportion of women by age groupings across the different LGAs are within the average childbearing age for women in Australia (25 to 44 years of age).

13 Women’s Health West Key population features

TABLE: Age distribution of females and males across the western metropolitan sub-region of Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % 0-4 2655 7.3% 2576 7.3% 2887 6.9% 2856 6.8% 5-9 1824 5.0% 1783 5.1% 2407 5.8% 2337 5.5% 10-14 1586 4.4% 1441 4.1% 2493 6.0% 2223 5.3% 15-19 1713 4.7% 1649 4.7% 2535 6.1% 2344 5.5% 20-24 3328 9.1% 3012 8.5% 2790 6.7% 2468 5.8% 25-29 4192 11.5% 3704 10.5% 3100 7.4% 2862 6.8% 30-34 3865 10.6% 3677 10.4% 3087 7.4% 3141 7.4% 35-39 3569 9.8% 3367 9.6% 3331 8.0% 3314 7.8% 40-44 2859 7.9% 2775 7.9% 3255 7.8% 3487 8.3% 45-49 2417 6.6% 2288 6.5% 3165 7.6% 3157 7.5% 50-54 2146 5.9% 2058 5.8% 2886 6.9% 2972 7.0% 55-59 1678 4.6% 1663 4.7% 2401 5.8% 2455 5.8% 60-64 1303 3.6% 1258 3.6% 2063 5.0% 2154 5.1% 65-69 879 2.4% 905 2.6% 1521 3.7% 1633 3.9% 70-74 797 2.2% 817 2.3% 1272 3.1% 1430 3.4% 75-79 591 1.6% 808 2.3% 1049 2.5% 1349 3.2% 80-84 569 1.6% 734 2.1% 778 1.9% 1046 2.5% 85-89 306 0.8% 481 1.4% 448 1.1% 688 1.6% 90-94 94 0.3% 200 0.6% 115 0.3% 265 0.6% 95-99 16 0.0% 40 0.1% 33 0.1% 59 0.1% 100+ 5 0.0% 5 0.0% 3 0.0% 4 0.0% Total 36392 100.0% 35241 100.0% 41619 100.0% 42244 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Brimbank Western region Male Female Male Female Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % 0-4 6131 6.7% 5837 6.4% 29365 7.3% 28197 6.9% 5-9 5769 6.3% 5541 6.1% 24939 6.2% 23824 5.9% 10-14 5865 6.4% 5657 6.2% 23476 5.8% 22287 5.5% 15-19 6623 7.3% 6082 6.7% 25967 6.4% 25316 6.2% 20-24 7559 8.3% 6792 7.4% 35982 8.9% 35565 8.7% 25-29 7972 8.7% 7343 8.0% 39117 9.7% 39018 9.6% 30-34 6909 7.6% 6739 7.4% 36440 9.0% 36119 8.9% 35-39 6375 7.0% 6761 7.4% 32976 8.2% 32679 8.0% 40-44 6319 6.9% 6662 7.3% 29532 7.3% 30104 7.4% 45-49 6057 6.6% 6194 6.8% 26306 6.5% 26415 6.5% 50-54 5762 6.3% 6163 6.7% 23501 5.8% 24394 6.0% 55-59 5366 5.9% 5550 6.1% 20671 5.1% 21188 5.2% 60-64 4841 5.3% 4906 5.4% 17710 4.4% 18135 4.5% 65-69 3505 3.8% 3410 3.7% 12548 3.1% 12478 3.1% 70-74 2609 2.9% 2641 2.9% 9416 2.3% 9975 2.5% 75-79 1788 2.0% 2095 2.3% 6738 1.7% 8248 2.0% 80-84 1119 1.2% 1614 1.8% 4868 1.2% 6645 1.6% 85-89 599 0.7% 1022 1.1% 2550 0.6% 4398 1.1% 90-94 147 0.2% 299 0.3% 758 0.2% 1684 0.4% 95-99 17 0.0% 79 0.1% 145 0.0% 382 0.1% 100+ 11 0.0% 5 0.0% 28 0.0% 48 0.0% Total 91343 100.0% 91392 100.0% 403033 100.0% 407099 100.0%

14 Women’s Health West Key population features

15 Women’s Health West Key population features

16 Women’s Health West Key population features

17 Women’s Health West Key population features

18 Women’s Health West Key population features Births and maternal profile The number of live births in the western region has increased considerably over the years 2005 to 2008

Data on the birth rate and maternal profile of a given area can provide health and social planners with important insights into the services and supports that are required for women who are pregnant and parenting, and their families.

The following tables show the number of births in the western region over the years 2005-2008, as collected by the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit (PDCU) and published in the report Births in Victoria 2007 and 2008. The results highlight the fact that the number of births has increased considerably over the period 2005-2008 in the western region, with 9,998 live births in 2005 to 11,699 live births in 2008.

Notably in 2008, the highest number of live births in the western region was reported in the City of Brimbank, with 2,765 live births. Indeed, over the 2005-2008 period, Brimbank consistency reported the highest number of live births of all the municipalities in the western region.

TABLE: Live births by Local Government Area, 2005-2008 2005 2006 2007 2008 Melbourne 696 688 762 831 Melton 1,142 1,405 1,579 1,669 Moonee Valley 1,426 1,338 1,509 1,485 Wyndham 1,963 2,050 2,314 2,416 Brimbank 2,582 2,527 2,778 2,765 Hobsons Bay 1,127 1,260 1,350 1,308 Maribyrnong 1,062 1,128 1,244 1,225 Western region 9,998 10,396 11,536 11,699 Source: ‘Births in Victoria 2007 and 2008’, Victorian Peri natal Data Collection Unit

CHART:

19 Women’s Health West Key population features

Over recent decades there has been a marked shift in the childbearing of Australian women towards an increasing number of women having children at a later age. The age at which women tend to have their first birth has increased in Australia: of women who experienced their first birth in 2008, 42 per cent were aged 30 years or older (ABS, 2010).

In looking at the percentage distribution by age and country of origin of women who gave birth in Victoria during 2007-2008, women from the Middle East reported the youngest mean age (29.6 per cent). Women born in the Middle East represent the highest proportion of women aged less than 25 years (22.9 per cent). This was closely followed by the proportion of women aged less than 25 years who were born in Oceania (18 per cent), Africa (17 per cent) and Australia (14.7 per cent). An older maternal age profile of women giving birth at 40+ years was reported for women born in the United Kingdom (9 per cent), Europe (6.8 per cent), and North America (6.6 per cent).

TABLE: Maternal age group by maternal place of birth, all confinements in Victoria, 2007-2008 Aged 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 Mean age 40+ yrs Total Total no. <20 yrs yrs yrs yrs (yrs) Australia 3.1% 11.6% 24.4% 34.9% 22.1% 3.9% 100% 30.7 103, 735 Asia 0.6% 9.7% 32.1% 26.3% 18.6% 3.9% 100% 30.7 17, 547 Europe 0.4% 9.0% 25.6% 35.1% 22.9% 6.8% 100% 31.6 4, 080 Oceania (including NZ) 4.0% 14.0% 24.9% 30.9% 20.3% 5.9% 100% 30.4 3, 885 United Kingdom 0.5% 3.3% 15.5% 38.4% 33.4% 9.0% 100% 33.4 3, 630 Africa 2.9% 14.1% 26.5% 33.5% 18.6% 4.5% 100% 30.3 3, 644 Middle East 2.6% 20.3% 28.1% 26.6% 17.2% 5.2% 100% 29.6 2, 999 Nth America 0.2% 4.5% 20.0% 37.8% 30.9% 6.6% 100% 32.8 870 Sth America 0.6% 7.2% 21.5% 38.1% 26.8% 5.7% 100% 32.1 845 Source: ‘Births in Victoria 2007 and 2008’, Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit

CHART:

20 Women’s Health West Key population features

In Australia, Indigenous women have a higher fertility rate and higher rates of teenage births when compared to non-Indigenous women. It is important to note that cultural and social norms surrounding reproduction and motherhood are not homogenous and often shift over time. Research suggests that for Indigenous young women, cultural norms provide strong support for motherhood being a highly valued and respected part of the life-course (WHW 2011).

The age of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women who gave birth in Victoria during 2007-2008 indicates that Indigenous women were considerably more likely to be under 20 years of age when they gave birth. It is noted that during 2007-2008, 16.5 per cent of Indigenous women who gave birth were less than 20 years of age, compared to 2.5 per cent of non-Indigenous women. Conversely, non-Indigenous women were more likely to be 35 years or older when they gave birth, with over a quarter of non-Indigenous women who gave birth during 2007-2008 aged 35 years or older (26.2 per cent respectively).

TABLE: ATSI – identifying mothers for Victorian births and confinements, 2007-2008 ATSI identifying Non-ATSI identifying No. % No. % Younger than 20 years 232 16.5 % 3, 470 2.5 % 20 – 34 years 1, 006 71.4 % 1000, 154 71.3 % 35 years or older 170 12.1 % 36, 748 26.2 % Total 1, 408 100.0 % 140, 372 100.0 % Source: ‘Births in Victoria 2007 and 2008’, Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit

Please note: ‘The term ‘confinements’ as used in the graph here refers to the number of women who gave birth

CHART:

21 Women’s Health West

Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

SEX-DISAGGREGATED DATA ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

23 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

1. Socio-economic status Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage The top ten most disadvantaged LGAs in metropolitan Melbourne include four of the seven municipalities in the western region.

The association between socio-economic status and health and wellbeing is well established in the field of public health (Wilkinson & Marmot 2003). People who experience low socio-economic status carry a greater burden of ill health (morbidity and disability) and live shorter lives than those who are better off. And the more a person experiences disadvantage, the worse their prospects for good health (also known as the ‘social gradient’ in health).

Socio-economic disadvantage can be indicated in several ways including low income levels, poor levels of educational attainment, employment in relatively unskilled occupations, and unemployment. There are also composite measures of disadvantage that have been devised such as the Socio-economic Indexes for Small Areas (SEIFA), which is derived from Census data. A key SEIFA is the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSED). The IRSED attributes scores of disadvantage to local areas based on a composite of characteristics such as low income, low educational attainment, high unemployment, employment in relatively unskilled occupations, and other variables. IRSED scores and other indicators of socio-economic disadvantage are presented in the following discussion.

The table below presents the IRSED scores for the 31 local government areas in metropolitan Melbourne, with the seven LGAs in the western region indicated as the shaded rows. It is noted that low IRSED scores occur when an area has many residents on low incomes with little training and often in unskilled occupations. High IRSED scores occur when an area has few people on low incomes with little training and few residents in unskilled occupations. In other words, low IRSED scores reflect greater disadvantage and high IRSED scores reflect lesser disadvantage.

In looking at the table below, the top ten most disadvantaged LGAs in metropolitan Melbourne include four western region municipalities: Brimbank (ranked second), Maribyrnong (ranked fourth), Melton (ranked ninth) and Hobsons Bay (ranked tenth). In fact, all seven of the LGAs in the western region are within the top 17 most disadvantaged municipalities in metropolitan Melbourne.

24 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSED) for the 31 local government areas in metropolitan Melbourne

Local Government Area Rank IRSED Score

1 Greater Dandenong (C) 1 895 2 Brimbank (C) 2 926 3 Hume (C) 3 952 4 Maribyrnong (C) 4 974 5 Whittlesea (C) 5 989 6 Darebin (C) 6 990 7 Frankston (C) 7 997 8 Moreland (C) 8 998 9 Melton (S) 9 1002 10 Hobsons Bay (C) 9 1002 11 Casey (C) 10 1006 12 Wyndham (C) 11 1013 13 Yarra (C) 12 1019 14 Mornington Peninsula (S) 13 1023 15 Cardinia (S) 14 1024 16 Melbourne (C) 15 1026 17 Moonee Valley (C) 16 1027 18 Yarra Ranges (S) 17 1037 19 Kingston (C) 18 1038 20 Maroondah (C) 19 1044 21 Monash (C) 20 1045 22 Banyule (C) 21 1047 23 Knox (C) 22 1049 24 Whitehorse (C) 23 1051 25 Port Phillip (C) 24 1066 26 Glen Eira (C) 25 1069 27 Manningham (C) 26 1071 28 Stonnington (C) 27 1084 29 Bayside (C) 28 1091 30 Boroondara (C) 29 1098 31 Nillumbik (S) 29 1098

25 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 2. Ethnicity Overseas born status for women in the western region Within each of the municipalities in the western region, over a quarter of female residents were born overseas

Being an African, women are supposed to be in the background, “ not taking charge. Lead On Again helped me, even being a woman. You can be a leader, you can take charge. Lead On Again program participant, 2012 ” The western region of Melbourne is a culturally diverse and vibrant community. It is therefore important to consider the support needs that residents of migrant and refugee backgrounds have in realising their optimal health and wellbeing. Residents of migrant and refugee background can face a variety of challenges that include difficulties negotiating the Australian health care system, language barriers, access to culturally appropriate services, food security, accessing education and employment opportunities, and experiences of discrimination and racism (Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, 2011). It is noted that women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are at great risk of poor health and wellbeing outcomes. They are also less likely to access prevention and screening programs and are over-represented in acute and crisis care (Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, 2011).

The 2011 Census data indicates that 37 per cent of female residents in the western region of Melbourne were born overseas. This is notably higher than for Victoria (26.4 per cent of females). The highest proportion of female residents born overseas was reported in the City of Melbourne (49.3 per cent), followed closely by Brimbank (46.6 per cent). Indeed, within each of the municipalities in the western region, over a quarter of female residents were born overseas.

26 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Overseas born status for females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Birth status No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % Born in 49,581 61.2% 37,198 67.2% 36,778 66.9% 18,864 40.3% 18,797 53.3% Australia Born 27,247 33.6% 15,392 27.8% 15,391 28.0% 23,120 49.3% 13,940 39.6% overseas Not stated 4,165 5.1% 2,788 5.0% 2,827 5.1% 4,866 10.4% 2,506 7.1% Total 80,993 100.0% 55,378 100.0% 54,996 100.0% 46,850 100.0% 35,243 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Hobsons Bay Brimbank Western Region Victoria Birth status No. % No. % No. % No. % Born in 26,925 63.7% 42,635 46.7% 23,0778 56.7% 1,868,813 68.7% Australia Born 13,052 30.9% 42,554 46.6% 150,696 37.0% 717,437 26.4% overseas Not stated 2,267 5.4% 6,203 6.8% 25,622 6.3% 135,173 5.0% Total 42,244 100.0% 91,392 100.0% 407,096 100.0% 2,721,423 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

CHART:

27 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Country of birth for females across the western region The three most common countries of birth for females born overseas in the western region were Vietnam, India and China

In the western region, 56.7 per cent of females were born in Australia. The other three most common countries of birth for female residents for the western region were Vietnam (4.3 per cent), India (3 per cent) and China (2.4 per cent). Brimbank reported the highest proportion of female residents who were born in Vietnam (10.6 per cent), while Wyndham reported the highest proportion of female residents born in India (4.5 per cent). The City of Melbourne reported the highest proportion of female residents who were born in China (9.6 per cent).

TABLE: Top 15 Country of birth for females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Female Female Female Female COB No. % No. % No. % No. % Australia 49,581 61.2 37,198 67.2 36,778 66.9 18,864 40.3 Vietnam 614 0.8 1,161 2.1 773 1.4 687 1.5 India 3,666 4.5 1,029 1.9 1,300 2.4 1,175 2.5 China 1,390 1.7 850 1.5 349 0.6 4,498 9.6 England 2,370 2.9 936 1.7 1,275 2.3 1,150 2.5 Philippines 2,229 2.8 331 0.6 1,511 2.7 310 0.7 New Zealand 2,501 3.1 653 1.2 983 1.8 1,216 2.6 Italy 844 1.0 2,815 5.1 452 0.8 328 0.7 Malta 568 0.7 418 0.8 883 1.6 51 0.1 Malaysia 674 0.8 303 0.5 217 0.4 2,709 5.8 Greece 254 0.3 763 1.4 160 0.3 84 0.2 FYRM 332 0.4 134 0.2 507 0.9 25 0.1 Croatia 236 0.3 302 0.5 351 0.6 58 0.1 Indonesia 487 0.6 113 0.2 125 0.2 1,524 3.3 Sri Lanka 596 0.7 237 0.4 411 0.7 215 0.5 Total 80,993 100.0 55,378 100.0 54,996 100.0 46,850 100.0 (FYRM) = Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Western Region Female Female Female Female COB No. % No. % No. % No. % Australia 18,797 53.3 26,925 63.7 42,635 46.7 23,0778 56.7 Vietnam 3,699 10.5 726 1.7 9,670 10.6 17,330 4.3 India 1,000 2.8 936 2.2 3,153 3.4 12,259 3.0 China 1,116 3.2 464 1.1 1,125 1.2 9,792 2.4 England 665 1.9 1,442 3.4 920 1.0 8,758 2.2 Philippines 460 1.3 618 1.5 2,901 3.2 8,360 2.1 New Zealand 616 1.7 815 1.9 1,180 1.3 7,964 2.0 Italy 536 1.5 857 2.0 1,828 2.0 7,660 1.9 Malta 104 0.3 652 1.5 2,683 2.9 5,359 1.3 Malaysia 286 0.8 140 0.3 358 0.4 4,687 1.2 Greece 513 1.5 619 1.5 1,215 1.3 3,608 0.9 FYRM 289 0.8 373 0.9 1,626 1.8 3,286 0.8 Croatia 213 0.6 320 0.8 1,380 1.5 2,860 0.7 Indonesia 166 0.5 122 0.3 211 0.2 2,748 0.7 Sri Lanka 107 0.3 90 0.2 629 0.7 2,285 0.6 Total 35,243 100.0 42,244 100.0 91,392 100.0 407,096 100.0 (FYRM) = Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

28 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Top 10 mainly non-English speaking birthplace countries for females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Female Female Female Female COB No. % No. % No. % No. % Vietnam 614 0.8 1,161 2.1 773 1.4 687 1.5 India 3,666 4.5 1,029 1.9 1,300 2.4 1,175 2.5 China 1,390 1.7 850 1.5 349 0.6 4,498 9.6 Philippines 2,229 2.8 331 0.6 1,511 2.7 310 0.7 Italy 844 1.0 2,815 5.1 452 0.8 328 0.7 Malta 568 0.7 418 0.8 883 1.6 51 0.1 Malaysia 674 0.8 303 0.5 217 0.4 2,709 5.8 Greece 254 0.3 763 1.4 160 0.3 84 0.2 FYRM 332 0.4 134 0.2 507 0.9 25 0.1 Croatia 236 0.3 302 0.5 351 0.6 58 0.1 (FYRM) = Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Western Region Female Female Female Female COB No. % No. % No. % No. % Vietnam 3,699 10.5 726 1.7 9,670 10.6 17,330 4.3 India 1,000 2.8 936 2.2 3,153 3.4 12,259 3.0 China 1,116 3.2 464 1.1 1,125 1.2 9,792 2.4 Philippines 460 1.3 618 1.5 2,901 3.2 8,360 2.1 Italy 536 1.5 857 2.0 1,828 2.0 7,660 1.9 Malta 104 0.3 652 1.5 2,683 2.9 5,359 1.3 Malaysia 286 0.8 140 0.3 358 0.4 4,687 1.2 Greece 513 1.5 619 1.5 1,215 1.3 3,608 0.9 FYRM 289 0.8 373 0.9 1,626 1.8 3,286 0.8 Croatia 213 0.6 320 0.8 1,380 1.5 2,860 0.7 (FYRM) = Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

CHART:

29 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Recent arrivals and emerging communities across the western region During October 2010 to October 2012, there were 8,513 female migration arrivals to the western region

We only learn English, but it’s important to learn “ about day to day life. Congolese woman, Financial” Literacy Program 2012 Migrant, refugee and asylum seeker background communities in Victoria face a range of challenges in supporting their health and wellbeing. In addition to the influence of pre-settlement experiences on health, safety and wellbeing, early and post-settlement periods are also times in which people of refugee and asylum seeker background can be exposed to negative influences on their health. Such factors can include (but are not limited to) challenges in learning new cultures and languages, difficulties in accessing culturally appropriate and affordable services and programs, food security and the use of private and public transport (Foundation House 2012a).

In the period October 2010 to October 2012, there were 8,513 female migration arrivals to the Melbourne’s western region. The majority of these arrivals came through the family or skilled migration streams. Of the 8,513 female arrivals for the western region during this reporting period, 665 were humanitarian entrants. Of the top ten country of birth for female residents who have settled in the west, females born in Thailand, Vietnam and Ethiopia most commonly migrated to Australia through the family migration stream. While women born in India, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia most commonly arrive through the skilled migration stream. Notably, for female settlers in the western region who were born in Burma, the most common migration stream to Australia was through the humanitarian migration stream.

The City of Wyndham reported 2,008 female arrivals, which was the highest number during this time. The City of Brimbank reported the highest number of female residents through the humanitarian stream at 230. This was closely followed by the City of Wyndham, which reported 211 female arrivals through the humanitarian migration stream. The City of Brimbank reported the highest number of female arrivals through the family migration stream (1,061), while the City of Melbourne reported the highest number of female arrivals through the skilled migration stream (1, 483).

TABLE: Female arrivals across the western region by migration stream by number Western Moonee Hobsons Wyndham Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Brimbank Region Valley Bay Female Female Female Female Female Female Female Female Migration No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Stream Family 3,901 938 426 238 500 468 270 1,061 Humanitarian 665 211 26 19 13 115 51 230 Other 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 Skilled 3,938 857 355 170 1,483 299 284 490 Unknown 6 0 1 0 1 1 3 0 Total 8,513 2,008 809 427 1,997 883 608 1,781 % of western region female 100% 23.6% 9.5% 5.0% 23.5% 10.4% 7.1% 20.9% arrivals Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Settlement report for period October 2010 – October 2012

30 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Overseas born status for females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Female Female Female Birth status No. % No. % No. % Born in Australia 49,581 61.2% 37,198 67.2% 36,778 66.9% Born overseas 27,247 33.6% 15,392 27.8% 15,391 28.0% Not stated 4,165 5.1% 2,788 5.0% 2,827 5.1% Total 80,993 100.0% 55,378 100.0% 54,996 100.0%

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Female Female Female Birth status No. % No. % No. % Born in Australia 18,797 53.3% 26,925 63.7% 42,635 46.7% Born overseas 13,940 39.6% 13,052 30.9% 42,554 46.6% Not stated 2,506 7.1% 2,267 5.4% 6,203 6.8% Total 35,243 100.0% 42,244 100.0% 91,392 100.0%

Melbourne Western Region Victoria Female Female Female Birth status No. % No. % No. % Born in Australia 18,864 40.3% 23,0778 56.7% 1,868,813 68.7% Born overseas 23,120 49.3% 150,696 37.0% 717,437 26.4% Not stated 4,866 10.4% 25,622 6.3% 135,173 5.0% Total 46,850 100.0% 407,096 100.0% 2,721,423 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

CHART: Overseas born status for females across the western region

31 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Migration streams for the top 10 (mainly non-English speaking) country of birth of female settlers for the western region Total no. Migration stream of female Family Humanitarian Skilled Other settlers Top 10 No. No. No. No. No. Country of Birth India 1,528 703 4 818 0 China 1,356 521 2 833 0 Vietnam 746 667 2 77 0 Philippines 439 181 2 256 0 Malaysia 416 92 31 292 1 Burma 251 18 230 3 0 Ethiopia 220 159 55 6 0 Sri Lanka 217 79 19 119 0 Indonesia 209 80 0 129 0 Thailand 201 118 51 30 2 Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Settlement report for period October 2010 – October 2012

CHART:

Female arrivals across the western region by percentage

% of Western region female arrivals

25.00% 23.60% 23.50%

20.90%

20.00%

15.00%

10.40% 9.50% 10.00% 7.10% 5.00% 5.00%

0.00% Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank

32 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

CHART:

33 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

In the humanitarian migration stream for the period In light of this, it is helpful to look at the top languages of October 2010 to October 2012, there were 562 spoken for female settlers to Australia who have female settlers in the western region. Of these female come via the humanitarian stream. Here, the most settlers, the most commonly reported countries of commonly reported languages spoken for female birth were Burma (230), Iran (85) and Ethiopia (55). humanitarian settlers were Arabic (70), Karen (68) and Chin (64). TABLE: Top 10 country of birth for female settlers in the western region by humanitarian migration TABLE: Top 10 main languages spoken for female stream settlers in the western region by humanitarian Humanitarian stream migration stream, by number Female Western Region Country of birth No. Females Burma 230 Main language spoken No. Iran 85 Arabic 70 Ethiopia 55 Karen 68 Thailand 51 Chin 64 Iraq 44 Karen S’gaw 44 Malaysia 31 Amharic 44 Sri Lanka 19 Zophei 39 Egypt 19 Persian 35 Eritrea 16 Burmese/Myanmar 27 Tibet 12 Oromo 24 Total 562 Chin Haka 22 Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Settlement report for period October 2010 – October 2012 Settlement report for period October 2010 – October 2012

While these numbers might appear small in comparison to the broader population in the western region, from a health equity perspective these communities are some of the most disadvantaged in the region. Settlers from refugee or asylum seeker background tend to experience social and economic disadvantage and significant inequality in health status (Foundation House 2012a). As such, program and service planning that supports the social and economic participation of refugee background communities is important in helping to redress health inequities in the western region.

It is also important to note that data on country of birth is not always a reliable indication of the cultural background or ethnicity of people who have migrated to Australia under the humanitarian program. Cross- border movement between countries and time spent in refugee camps can mean that children may be born in one country and have parents who were born in another. In these instances, it is likely that the children would share the cultural or linguistic characteristics of their parents’ country of birth, rather than their own.

34 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 3. Indigenous status Indigenous status for female and male residents across the western region 0.4 per cent of female residents and 0.5 per cent of male residents in the western region identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Indigenous people in Australia experience substantially poorer health outcomes than those of the non-Indigenous population. In general, Indigenous people have a lower life expectancy, higher rates of disability, a lower quality of life and experience higher rates of racism and discrimination. The poorer health status experienced by Indigenous communities in Australia is largely the result of inequities and unequal access to the resources, opportunities and systems necessary to support optimal health and wellbeing (Vichealth 2011). In regards to women’s health and wellbeing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience poorer health across all measures of health in Australia, compared to non-Indigenous women (Burns, Maling & Thomson, 2010)

According to the 2011 Census data, only 0.4 per cent of the female population in the western region identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Similarly, only 0.5 per cent of the male population in the western region reported identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status. The highest proportions of female residents who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander reside in the City of Melton, accounting for only 0.7 per cent of the Melton female population. For male residents, the municipalities of Wyndham and Melton reported the highest proportion of those who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (both at 0.7 per cent respectively).

For females in the western region who identified as Aboriginal, 42.6 per cent were aged 19 years or under, and 42.5 per cent of females in the western region who identified as Torres Strait Islander and 36 per cent of females who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander were aged 19 years or less. In stark contrast, only 4.4 per cent of the female population in the western region who identify as Aboriginal are aged 60+ years. Additionally, only 20 per cent of females in the western region who identified as Torres Strait Islander were aged 60+ years.

TABLE: Indigenous and non-Indigenous status for females and males across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female ATSI status No. % No. % No. % No. % Non-Indigenous 75988 94.3 76743 94.8 49219 94.5 52639 95.0 Aboriginal 540 0.7 524 0.6 137 0.3 138 0.2 Torres Strait Islander 30 0.0 29 0.0 13 0.0 22 0.0 Both Aboriginal & 9 0.0 11 0.0 6 0.0 3 0.0 Torres Strait Islander Not stated 4013 5.0 3687 4.6 2686 5.2 2582 4.7 Total 80580 100.0 80994 100.0 52061 100.0 55384 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

35 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melton Melbourne Male Female Male Female ATSI status No. % No. % No. % No. % Non-Indigenous 51281 94.5 52137 94.8 41039 87.7 42060 89.8 Aboriginal 373 0.7 362 0.7 149 0.3 85 0.2 Torres Strait Islander 19 0.0 17 0.0 6 0.0 5 0.0 Both Aboriginal & 8 0.0 8 0.0 3 0.0 10 0.0 Torres Strait Islander Not stated 2583 4.8 2469 4.5 5577 11.9 4690 10.0 Total 54264 100.0 54993 100.0 46774 100.0 46850 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female ATSI status No. % No. % No. % No. % Non-Indigenous 33184 91.2 32808 93.1 39126 94.0 39995 94.7 Aboriginal 153 0.4 142 0.4 189 0.5 170 0.4 Torres Strait Islander 8 0.0 11 0.0 21 0.1 8 0.0 Both Aboriginal & Torres 6 0.0 5 0.0 3 0.0 3 0.0 Strait Islander Not stated 3042 8.4 2276 6.5 2279 5.5 2068 4.9 Total 36393 100.0 35242 100.0 41618 100.0 42244 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Brimbank Western Region Male Female Male Female ATSI status No. % No. % No. % No. % Non-Indigenous 84949 93.0 85437 93.5 374786 93.0 381819 93.8 Aboriginal 282 0.3 291 0.3 1823 0.5 1712 0.4 Torres Strait Islander 46 0.1 46 0.1 143 0.0 138 0.0 Both Aboriginal & Torres 21 0.0 18 0.0 56 0.0 58 0.0 Strait Islander Not stated 6045 6.6 5600 6.1 26225 6.5 23372 5.7 Total 91343 100.0 91392 100.0 403033 100.0 407099 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

36 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Indigenous status by age break-down for females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Both Both Torres Strait Aboriginal & Torres Strait Aboriginal & Aboriginal Aboriginal Islander Torres Strait Islander Torres Strait Islander Islander Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 30 10.3% 3 6.1% 0 0.0% 11 6.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 5-9 years 33 11.3% 3 6.1% 4 21.1% 12 6.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 10-14 years 28 9.6% 4 8.2% 0 0.0% 21 11.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 15-19 years 33 11.3% 6 12.2% 0 0.0% 15 8.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 20-24 years 32 11.0% 6 12.2% 0 0.0% 19 10.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 25-29 years 26 8.9% 4 8.2% 0 0.0% 15 8.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 30-34 years 11 3.8% 0 0.0% 8 42.1% 13 7.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 35-39 years 13 4.5% 3 6.1% 7 36.8% 15 8.5% 4 100.0% 0 0.0% 40-44 years 29 10.0% 3 6.1% 0 0.0% 8 4.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 45-49 years 16 5.5% 5 10.2% 0 0.0% 17 9.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 50-54 years 9 3.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 10 5.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 55-59 years 18 6.2% 6 12.2% 0 0.0% 6 3.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 60-64 years 8 2.7% 3 6.1% 0 0.0% 6 3.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 65-69 years 5 1.7% 3 6.1% 0 0.0% 5 2.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 70-74 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75-79 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 80-84 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 3 1.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 85-89 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 90-94 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 95-99 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 100+ years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Total 291 100.0% 49 100.0% 19 100.0% 176 100.0% 4 100.0% 0 0.0%

Maribyrnong Torres Strait Both Aboriginal & Aboriginal Islander Torres Strait Islander Age in years No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 16 11.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 5-9 years 12 8.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 10-14 years 12 8.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 15-19 years 19 13.2% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 20-24 years 14 9.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 25-29 years 10 6.9% 6 50.0% 0 0.0% 30-34 years 11 7.6% 0 0.0% 3 50.0% 35-39 years 11 7.6% 3 25.0% 0 0.0% 40-44 years 8 5.6% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 45-49 years 9 6.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 50-54 years 9 6.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 55-59 years 10 6.9% 0 0.0% 3 50.0% 60-64 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 65-69 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 70-74 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75-79 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 80-84 years 3 2.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 85-89 years 0 0.0% 3 25.0% 0 0.0% 90-94 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 95-99 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 100+ years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Total 144 100.0% 12 100.0% 6 100.0%

37 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melbourne Melton Both Both Torres Strait Aboriginal & Torres Strait Aboriginal & Aboriginal Aboriginal Islander Torres Strait Islander Torres Strait Islander Islander Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 7 8.9% 0 0.0% 4 33.3% 44 12.2% 5 21.7% 0 0.0% 5-9 years 4 5.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 42 11.7% 0 0.0% 6 66.7% 10-14 years 0 0.0% 6 100.0% 0 0.0% 40 11.1% 4 17.4% 0 0.0% 15-19 years 11 13.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 35 9.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 20-24 years 18 22.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 41 11.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 25-29 years 15 19.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 23 6.4% 0 0.0% 3 33.3% 30-34 years 11 13.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 30 8.3% 6 26.1% 0 0.0% 35-39 years 3 3.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 22 6.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 40-44 years 3 3.8% 0 0.0% 8 66.7% 33 9.2% 5 21.7% 0 0.0% 45-49 years 7 8.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 17 4.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 50-54 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 15 4.2% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 55-59 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 9 2.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 60-64 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 5 1.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 65-69 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 70-74 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75-79 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 4 1.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 80-84 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 3 13.0% 0 0.0% 85-89 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 90-94 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 95-99 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 100+ years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Total 79 100.0% 6 100.0% 12 100.0% 360 100.0% 23 100.0% 9 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Moonee Valley Torres Strait Both Aboriginal & Torres Aboriginal Islander Strait Islander Age in years No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 17 12.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 5-9 years 9 6.5% 5 23.8% 0 0.0% 10-14 years 6 4.3% 5 23.8% 0 0.0% 15-19 years 11 8.0% 4 19.0% 0 0.0% 20-24 years 15 10.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 25-29 years 15 10.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 30-34 years 11 8.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 35-39 years 9 6.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 40-44 years 11 8.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 45-49 years 9 6.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 50-54 years 8 5.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 55-59 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 60-64 years 5 3.6% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 65-69 years 0 0.0% 7 33.3% 0 0.0% 70-74 years 12 8.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75-79 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 80-84 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 85-89 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 90-94 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 95-99 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 100+ years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Total 138 100.0% 21 100.0% 0 0.0%

38 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Wyndham Torres Strait Both Aboriginal & Torres Aboriginal Islander Strait Islander Age in years No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 66 12.5% 3 9.7% 4 100.0% 5-9 years 67 12.7% 5 16.1% 0 0.0% 10-14 years 73 13.9% 3 9.7% 0 0.0% 15-19 years 57 10.8% 6 19.4% 0 0.0% 20-24 years 39 7.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 25-29 years 39 7.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 30-34 years 38 7.2% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 35-39 years 26 4.9% 4 12.9% 0 0.0% 40-44 years 30 5.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 45-49 years 21 4.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 50-54 years 32 6.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 55-59 years 18 3.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 60-64 years 9 1.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 65-69 years 7 1.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 70-74 years 4 0.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75-79 years 0 0.0% 7 22.6% 0 0.0% 80-84 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 85-89 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 90-94 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 95-99 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 100+ years 0 0.0% 3 9.7% 0 0.0% Total 526 100.0% 31 100.0% 4 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Western Region Torres Strait Both Aboriginal & Torres Aboriginal Islander Strait Islander Age in years No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 191 11.1% 11 7.5% 8 16.0% 5-9 years 179 10.4% 13 8.9% 10 20.0% 10-14 years 180 10.5% 22 15.1% 0 0.0% 15-19 years 181 10.6% 16 11.0% 0 0.0% 20-24 years 178 10.4% 6 4.1% 0 0.0% 25-29 years 143 8.3% 10 6.8% 3 6.0% 30-34 years 125 7.3% 6 4.1% 11 22.0% 35-39 years 99 5.8% 14 9.6% 7 14.0% 40-44 years 122 7.1% 8 5.5% 8 16.0% 45-49 years 96 5.6% 5 3.4% 0 0.0% 50-54 years 83 4.8% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 55-59 years 61 3.6% 6 4.1% 3 6.0% 60-64 years 33 1.9% 3 2.1% 0 0.0% 65-69 years 17 1.0% 10 6.8% 0 0.0% 70-74 years 16 0.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75-79 years 4 0.2% 7 4.8% 0 0.0% 80-84 years 6 0.4% 3 2.1% 0 0.0% 85-89 years 0 0.0% 3 2.1% 0 0.0% 90-94 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 95-99 years 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 100+ years 0 0.0% 3 2.1% 0 0.0% Total 1714 100.0% 146 100.0% 50 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

39 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 4. English language and literacy Proficiency in spoken English for female and male residents across the western region Male residents who speak a language other than English (LOTE) report greater proficiency in spoken English than female residents, for the western region. To speak in public can sometimes be very hard, “especially because my English is not good. Female Our Community Our Rights program participant, 2012” Among the many challenges, low English language proficiency can mean that accessing health, education and employment services is difficult – particularly given the predominantly monolingual context of mainstream services in Victoria (Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, 2011). Communication barriers experienced by people with low English language proficiency can limit their access to health care, resulting in fewer visits to health practitioners, less participation in preventative screening and lower attendance at antenatal classes (Foundation House 2012b).

Across the western region, male residents who speak a language other than English (LOTE) reported greater English language proficiency than their female counterparts. Of the male residents who speak a LOTE, 71.2 per cent reported speaking English very well or well (compared to 69.3 per cent of female residents). Notably, 17.8 per cent of women in the western region who speak a LOTE reported speaking English not well or not at all (compared to 13.2 per cent of men). It is also important to note that considerable numbers were reported as ‘not stated’, which could be due to English literacy difficulties. It is therefore possible that the low English proficiency reported in the region may be an underestimate.

40 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Proficiency in spoken English for males and females who speak a LOTE across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Proficiency in speaking English No. % No. % No. % No. % Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Very well 25,643 45.6 24,871 43.4 6,765 47.4 6,708 46.3 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Well 15,154 26.9 13,746 24.0 3,483 24.4 3,302 22.8 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not well 7,931 14.1 10,447 18.2 1,531 10.7 2,062 14.2 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not at all 1,710 3.0 2,816 4.9 335 2.3 479 3.3 Not stated 5,821 10.3 5,374 9.4 2,150 15.1 1,928 13.3 Total 56,259 100.0 57,254 100.0 14,264 100.0 14,479 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Proficiency in speaking English No. % No. % No. % No. % Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Very well 7,618 41.0 6,783 38.8 9,080 40.1 9,228 39.2 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Well 4,793 25.8 4,249 24.3 5,818 25.7 7,086 30.1 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not well 2,375 12.8 3,187 18.2 1,551 6.9 1,999 8.5 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not at all 606 3.3 940 5.4 378 1.7 584 2.5 Not stated 3,185 17.1 2,313 13.2 5,799 25.7 4,662 19.8 Total 18,577 100.0 17,472 100.0 22,626 100.0 23,559 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Proficiency in speaking English No. % No. % No. % No. % Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Very well 10,172 55.0 10,504 55.6 8,943 50.6 9,223 48.0 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Well 3,515 19.0 3,604 19.1 3,924 22.2 4,201 21.8 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not well 1,311 7.1 1,634 8.7 1,812 10.3 2,661 13.8 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not at all 356 1.9 499 2.6 351 2.0 648 3.4 Not stated 3,124 16.9 2,640 14.0 2,634 14.9 2,501 13.0 Total 18,478 100.0 18,881 100.0 17,664 100.0 19,234 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female Proficiency in speaking English No. % No. % No. % No. % Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Very well 14,848 51.6 14,571 50.9 83,069 47.0 81,888 45.6 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Well 6,077 21.1 6,396 22.3 42,764 24.2 42,584 23.7 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not well 2,287 7.9 2,888 10.1 18,798 10.6 24,878 13.9 Speaks LOTE & speaks English: Not at all 797 2.8 1,015 3.5 4,533 2.6 6,981 3.9 Not stated 4,769 16.6 3,761 13.1 27,482 15.6 23,179 12.9 Total 28,778 100.0 28,631 100.0 176,646 100.0 179,510 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

41 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

CHART:

42 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

43 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

44 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

45 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Languages other than English (LOTE) spoken at home for female residents across the western region Vietnamese is the most commonly reported LOTE spoken by women in the western region

In the western region, Vietnamese is the most commonly reported language other than English spoken by female residents (5.6 per cent). Commonly reported languages other than English spoken by women across the western region are Italian (spoken by 3.3 per cent of females), Mandarin (2.7 per cent) and Greek (2.2 per cent). TABLE: Top 15 languages other than English (LOTE) spoken at home for females across the western region Western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Female Female Female Female % of all % of all % of all % of all LOTE No. females in No. females No. No. females in females in LGA region in LGA LGA Vietnamese 22668 5.6% 803 1.0% 1207 2.2% 1034 1.9% Italian 13235 3.3% 1666 2.1% 4617 8.3% 1037 1.9% Mandarin 11102 2.7% 1707 2.1% 788 1.4% 405 0.7% Greek 8891 2.2% 668 0.8% 1906 3.4% 801 1.5% Cantonese 8676 2.1% 810 1.0% 984 1.8% 383 0.7% Arabic 7342 1.8% 1244 1.5% 788 1.4% 852 1.5% Maltese 6103 1.5% 614 0.8% 389 0.7% 1175 2.1% Macedonian 5596 1.4% 655 0.8% 237 0.4% 1020 1.9% Spanish 4955 1.2% 846 1.0% 536 1.0% 882 1.6% Croatian 4227 1.0% 345 0.4% 507 0.9% 607 1.1% Hindi 4158 1.0% 1537 1.9% 298 0.5% 515 0.9% Tagalog 3973 1.0% 1000 1.2% 133 0.2% 736 1.3% Punjabi 3549 0.9% 862 1.1% 152 0.3% 423 0.8% Filipino 3422 0.8% 953 1.2% 120 0.2% 651 1.2% Turkish 2737 0.7% 171 0.2% 271 0.5% 536 1.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Female Female Female Female % of all % of all % of all % of all LOTE No. females No. females in No. females in No. females in in LGA LGA LGA LGA Vietnamese 689 1.5% 4469 12.7% 854 2.0% 13612 14.9% Italian 577 1.2% 886 2.5% 1463 3.5% 2989 3.3% Mandarin 5624 12.0% 1011 2.9% 465 1.1% 1102 1.2% Greek 270 0.6% 1010 2.9% 1287 3.0% 2949 3.2% Cantonese 2504 5.3% 1330 3.8% 461 1.1% 2204 2.4% Arabic 575 1.2% 302 0.9% 1475 3.5% 2106 2.3% Maltese 45 0.1% 90 0.3% 714 1.7% 3076 3.4% Macedonian 51 0.1% 418 1.2% 594 1.4% 2621 2.9% Spanish 455 1.0% 411 1.2% 265 0.6% 1560 1.7% Croatian 75 0.2% 277 0.8% 408 1.0% 2008 2.2% Hindi 440 0.9% 263 0.7% 269 0.6% 836 0.9% Tagalog 108 0.2% 204 0.6% 278 0.7% 1514 1.7% Punjabi 48 0.1% 185 0.5% 320 0.8% 1559 1.7% Filipino 107 0.2% 181 0.5% 215 0.5% 1195 1.3% Turkish 114 0.2% 197 0.6% 64 0.2% 1384 1.5% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

46 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Proportion of women who speak English ‘not well’ or ‘not at all’ for the 15 main LOTE groups for women across the western region 39 per cent of female residents in the western region who reported speaking Vietnamese, speak English not well or not at all.

For the top 15 LOTE groups of female residents in the western region, we can look at the proportion within each LOTE group that report speaking English ‘not well’ or ‘not at all’. Notably, 39 per cent of female residents who speak Vietnamese reported that they did not speak English well or at all. Additionally, 29.4 per cent of women in the western region who reported a LOTE of Cantonese speak English not well or at all.

In Brimbank, 41.8 per cent of females who speak Vietnamese reported they speak English not well or not at all. In Hobsons Bay, 43.2 per cent of female residents who reported speaking a LOTE of Mandarin speak English not well or not at all. For women in Maribyrnong who reported speaking a LOTE of Cantonese, 37.8 per cent reported speaking English not well or not at all. Additionally, over a quarter of female residents in Wyndham who reported a LOTE of Mandarin, reported speaking English not well or not at all (26.1 per cent).

The high number of overseas-born female residents in the western region presents significant planning implications for councils, including the need for culturally appropriate and accessible services and health promotion programs that are tailored for the specific needs of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Particularly, the proportion of women in the western region who reported that they did not speak English well or not at all highlights that additional council resources are required to ensure women’s access to services and entitlements, employment and educational opportunities, social support and opportunities for participation.

TABLE: Proportion of females who speak English ‘Not well’ or ‘Not at all’, for the 15 main LOTE groups for females in the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne Female Female Female Female No. % No. % No. % No. % Vietnamese 5691 41.8% 313 36.7% 1660 37.1% 189 27.4% Italian 528 17.7% 613 41.9% 207 23.4% 83 14.4% Maltese 398 12.9% 79 11.1% 16 17.8% 7 15.6% Mandarin 376 34.1% 201 43.2% 238 23.5% 687 12.2% Greek 663 22.5% 310 24.1% 274 27.1% 28 10.4% Cantonese 835 37.9% 159 34.5% 503 37.8% 428 17.1% Arabic 385 18.3% 263 17.8% 53 17.5% 137 23.8% Macedonian 628 24.0% 138 23.2% 152 36.4% 4 7.8% Spanish 270 17.3% 49 18.5% 83 20.2% 64 14.1% Croatian 414 20.6% 73 17.9% 75 27.1% 5 6.7% Tagalog 59 3.9% 11 4.0% 5 2.5% 0 0.0% Hindi 72 8.6% 11 4.1% 26 9.9% 25 5.7% Punjabi 184 11.8% 14 4.4% 15 8.1% 0 0.0% Filipino 47 3.9% 9 4.2% 9 5.0% 4 3.7% Turkish 328 23.7% 7 10.9% 59 29.9% 30 26.3% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing* Please note: Percentages are the proportion of females within each language group who reported speaking English ‘Not well or not at all’.

47 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Proportion of females who speak English ‘Not well’ or ‘Not at all’, for the 15 main LOTE groups for females in the western region Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Western Region Female Female Female Female No. % No. % No. % No. % Vietnamese 346 33.5% 391 32.4% 240 29.9% 8830 39.0% Italian 71 6.8% 993 21.5% 268 16.1% 2450 18.5% Maltese 70 6.0% 36 9.3% 40 6.5% 646 10.6% Mandarin 110 27.2% 150 19.0% 445 26.1% 2136 19.2% Greek 76 9.5% 347 18.2% 91 13.6% 1789 20.1% Cantonese 101 26.4% 364 37.0% 164 20.2% 2554 29.4% Arabic 124 14.6% 137 17.4% 204 16.4% 1303 17.7% Macedonian 134 13.1% 41 17.3% 82 12.5% 1179 21.1% Spanish 115 13.0% 96 17.9% 111 13.1% 788 15.9% Croatian 55 9.1% 79 15.6% 38 11.0% 739 17.5% Tagalog 23 3.1% 8 6.0% 32 3.2% 138 3.5% Hindi 29 5.6% 13 4.4% 93 6.1% 269 6.5% Punjabi 52 12.3% 14 9.2% 78 9.0% 357 10.1% Filipino 14 2.2% 6 5.0% 33 3.5% 122 3.6% Turkish 67 12.5% 52 19.2% 26 15.2% 569 20.8% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing* Please note: Percentages are the proportion of females within each language group who reported speaking English ‘Not well or not at all’.

48 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

49 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

50 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

51 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

52 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 5. Income Individual weekly income for women and men living in the western region For the western region, 12.3 per cent of women and 8.4 per cent of men reported they had nil or negative individual weekly income.

I am worried about having money for rent and bills. “ Chin woman, Financial Literacy Program 2011 ” Income is known to have a profound effect on health and wellbeing, as diseases are more common and life expectancy is shortened the further down the social gradient an individual is located in all societies. Greater levels of personal income place individuals further up the ‘social gradient’; it is here at the upper levels of the social gradient that other social outcomes are also more common, such as higher levels of education, literacy and employment. People who are further up the social gradient ladder generally have better access to health services, nutrition, and access to social and economic resources (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003; SACOSS, 2008).

For women and their children, experiencing lower incomes holds significant implications for access to resources that support health, safety and wellbeing. Lower incomes impact on women’s economic and social participation, their access to affordable and adequate housing, and their ability to leave a violence relationship.

Research highlights that there is a persistent gender wage gap in Australia which has profound implications for women’s access to income and financial security. The gender wage gap is estimated in Australia to be 18 per cent, with key causes identified as unsupportive working arrangements, feminised industries that are undervalued and underpaid, and an over-representation of women in casual and non-career part-time employment (Department of Commerce, 2012; National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling, 2009).

Across the western region, women report a lower individual weekly income than their male counterparts. In particular, 21.3 per cent of female residents and 14.7 per cent of male residents reported having an individual weekly income of less than $300. A concerning 12.3 per cent of females and 8.4 per cent of males reported that they had nil or negative individual weekly income. At the other end of the spectrum, 16.2 per cent of male residents in the western region reported an individual income of $1,500 a week or more (compared to only 6.7 per cent of female residents). Given the proportions of women who report low individual weekly incomes in the west, it is imperative that we develop and implement strategies that strengthen women’s access to education, employment and higher income opportunities within their respective municipalities.

53 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Individual weekly income for males and females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Weekly Income No. % No. % No. % No. % $2,000 or more 4,352 7.1 983 1.6 5,404 12.6 1,792 3.9 $1,500-$1,999 5,858 9.6 2,007 3.2 4,036 9.4 2,699 5.8 $1,250-$1,499 5,191 8.5 2,636 4.2 3,008 7.0 2,605 5.6 $1,000-$1,249 7,261 11.9 4,628 7.4 3,892 9.1 3,662 7.9 $800-$999 7,030 11.5 5,474 8.8 3,556 8.3 3,586 7.7 $600-$799 6,450 10.6 7,349 11.8 3,716 8.7 4,378 9.4 $400-$599 4,549 7.5 7,858 12.6 3,562 8.3 5,367 11.6 $300-$399 3,064 5.0 5,763 9.2 2,983 7.0 5,322 11.5 $200-$299 4,098 6.7 6,401 10.3 3,915 9.2 5,232 11.3 $1-$199 3,047 5.0 6,687 10.7 2,417 5.7 4,186 9.0 Nil income 4,265 7.0 7,781 12.5 2,707 6.3 3,959 8.5 Negative income 364 0.6 471 0.8 208 0.5 220 0.5 Not stated 5,356 8.8 4,331 6.9 3,360 7.9 3,418 7.4 Total 60,885 100.0 62,369 100.0 42,764 100.0 46,426 100.0

Melton Melbourne Male Female Male Female Weekly Income No. % No. % No. % No. % $2,000 or more 2,091 5.2 469 1.1 6,110 14.1 2,953 6.8 $1,500-$1,999 3,428 8.5 1,147 2.7 3,977 9.2 2,968 6.8 $1,250-$1,499 3,478 8.6 1,564 3.7 3,036 7.0 2,853 6.5 $1,000-$1,249 4,964 12.3 2,941 7.0 3,582 8.3 3,744 8.6 $800-$999 4,818 11.9 3,538 8.5 2,890 6.7 3,202 7.3 $600-$799 4,632 11.4 5,083 12.2 2,984 6.9 3,307 7.6 $400-$599 3,129 7.7 5,582 13.4 2,696 6.2 3,409 7.8 $300-$399 2,212 5.5 4,319 10.3 1,923 4.4 2,678 6.1 $200-$299 2,998 7.4 4,583 11.0 2,469 5.7 3,047 7.0 $1-$199 2,060 5.1 4,465 10.7 2,212 5.1 3,001 6.9 Nil income 2,775 6.9 4,564 10.9 5,130 11.8 7,205 16.5 Negative income 236 0.6 268 0.6 404 0.9 424 1.0 Not stated 3,686 9.1 3,229 7.7 5,957 13.7 4,820 11.1 Total 40,507 100.0 41,752 100.0 43,370 100.0 43,611 100.0

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Weekly Income No. % No. % No. % No. % $2,000 or more 2,411 7.9 1,059 3.6 3,412 10.1 1,196 3.4 $1,500-$1,999 2,446 8.1 1,627 5.5 3,011 8.9 1,637 4.7 $1,250-$1,499 1,966 6.5 1,544 5.2 2,361 7.0 1,667 4.8 $1,000-$1,249 2,588 8.5 2,125 7.2 3,093 9.1 2,403 6.9 $800-$999 2,567 8.5 2,187 7.4 3,020 8.9 2,596 7.5 $600-$799 2,974 9.8 2,725 9.3 3,177 9.4 3,401 9.8 $400-$599 2,663 8.8 3,089 10.5 2,848 8.4 4,135 11.9 $300-$399 2,237 7.4 3,202 10.9 2,517 7.4 4,192 12.0 $200-$299 3,002 9.9 3,538 12.0 3,224 9.5 4,232 12.2 $1-$199 1,717 5.7 2,539 8.6 1,949 5.8 3,152 9.0 Nil income 2,098 6.9 3,008 10.2 2,203 6.5 3,319 9.5 Negative income 196 0.6 195 0.7 185 0.5 229 0.7 Not stated 3,463 11.4 2,603 8.8 2,829 8.4 2,671 7.7 Total 30,328 100.0 29,441 100.0 33,829 100.0 34,830 100.0

54 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Brimbank Western Region Male Female Male Female Weekly Income No. % No. % No. % No. % $2,000 or more 2,400 3.3 635 0.9 26,180 8.0 9,087 2.7 $1,500-$1,999 3,813 5.2 1,318 1.8 26,569 8.2 13,403 4.0 $1,250-$1,499 3,996 5.4 1,940 2.6 23,036 7.1 14,809 4.5 $1,000-$1,249 6,524 8.9 3,786 5.1 31,904 9.8 23,289 7.0 $800-$999 7,478 10.2 4,957 6.7 31,359 9.6 25,540 7.7 $600-$799 8,667 11.8 7,724 10.4 32,600 10.0 33,967 10.2 $400-$599 6,982 9.5 8,968 12.1 26,429 8.1 38,408 11.5 $300-$399 5,655 7.7 8,979 12.1 20,591 6.3 34,455 10.4 $200-$299 9,409 12.8 11,765 15.8 29,115 9.0 38,798 11.7 $1-$199 5,027 6.8 7,926 10.7 18,429 5.7 31,956 9.6 Nil income 5,797 7.9 8,786 11.8 24,975 7.7 38,622 11.6 Negative income 567 0.8 647 0.9 2,160 0.7 2,454 0.7 Not stated 7,261 9.9 6,923 9.3 31,912 9.8 27,995 8.4 Total 73,576 100.0 74,354 100.0 325,259 100.0 332,783 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

CHART:

Individual weekly income for males and females across the western region

14.00%

12.00%

10.00%

8.00%

6.00% Western Region Male Western Region Female 4.00%

2.00%

0.00%

55 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Household weekly income across the western region Twenty-seven per cent of one parent families in the western region reported a weekly household income of less than $600.

There is a great deal of diversity within household and family types across the western region of Melbourne. In terms of family types, for example, around two-thirds or more of all families across the LGAs do not fit the ‘traditional’ model of the nuclear family of couples with dependent children.

The income of households in the western region has important implications for the economic and social participation of residents, and their capacity to support their health and wellbeing. Residents on lower incomes can face significant barriers in accessing services and programs and in obtaining important resources such as culturally appropriate, accessible and affordable food, housing, transport, education, and social activities.

In the western region, 27.1 per cent of one parent families reported that their weekly household income was less than $600. Additionally, 8.8 per cent of those in the western region who identified their family composition as being ‘other family’, reported having nil or negative weekly household income. While 12.9 per cent of couple families with no children in the western region reported a household weekly income of $400 - $599, 14.8 per cent of couple families with children reported having a household weekly income of less than $1,000.

TABLE: Household weekly income across the western region

Maribyrnong One parent Couple family Couple family family Other family with children no children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % Partial income stated 244 8.2 21 3.7 703 9.3 400 6.1 All incomes not stated 77 2.6 11 1.9 129 1.7 118 1.8 Negative income 9 0.3 5 0.9 23 0.3 9 0.1 Nil income 43 1.4 20 3.5 49 0.7 97 1.5 $1-$199 80 2.7 18 3.2 82 1.1 148 2.3 $200-$299 139 4.7 5 0.9 49 0.7 30 0.5 $300-$399 220 7.4 15 2.6 69 0.9 58 0.9 $400-$599 406 13.6 48 8.4 280 3.7 802 12.3 $600-$799 414 13.9 71 12.5 432 5.7 473 7.2 $800-$999 288 9.7 64 11.2 427 5.7 419 6.4 $1,000-$1,249 311 10.4 70 12.3 586 7.8 371 5.7 $1,250-$1,499 206 6.9 50 8.8 578 7.7 391 6.0 $1,500-$1,999 263 8.8 62 10.9 1,035 13.7 696 10.6 $2,000-$2,499 113 3.8 70 12.3 908 12.1 851 13.0 $2,500-$2,999 104 3.5 14 2.5 883 11.7 519 7.9 $3,000-$3,499 32 1.1 12 2.1 616 8.2 545 8.3 $3,500-$3,999 18 0.6 3 0.5 271 3.6 225 3.4 $4,000-$4,999 10 0.3 7 1.2 247 3.3 226 3.5 $5,000 or more 7 0.2 4 0.7 161 2.1 160 2.4 Total 2,984 100.0 570 100.0 7,528 100.0 6,538 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

56 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melbourne One parent Couple family Couple family no Other family family with children children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % Partial income stated 178 9.3 25 1.3 501 12.3 804 7.7 All incomes not stated 62 3.2 15 0.8 48 1.2 85 0.8 Negative income 18 0.9 17 0.9 9 0.2 43 0.4 Nil income 99 5.2 386 20.8 51 1.2 261 2.5 $1-$199 81 4.2 109 5.9 48 1.2 140 1.3 $200-$299 106 5.5 43 2.3 20 0.5 50 0.5 $300-$399 141 7.4 44 2.4 29 0.7 80 0.8 $400-$599 215 11.2 113 6.1 119 2.9 369 3.6 $600-$799 185 9.6 174 9.4 152 3.7 360 3.5 $800-$999 129 6.7 158 8.5 141 3.5 504 4.9 $1,000-$1,249 148 7.7 142 7.6 175 4.3 494 4.8 $1,250-$1,499 117 6.1 136 7.3 209 5.1 668 6.4 $1,500-$1,999 139 7.2 177 9.5 463 11.3 1,147 11.0 $2,000-$2,499 68 3.5 152 8.2 314 7.7 1,419 13.7 $2,500-$2,999 165 8.6 77 4.1 600 14.7 1,108 10.7 $3,000-$3,499 33 1.7 46 2.5 415 10.2 1,106 10.6 $3,500-$3,999 13 0.7 20 1.1 243 6.0 604 5.8 $4,000-$4,999 15 0.8 11 0.6 239 5.9 506 4.9 $5,000 or more 6 0.3 15 0.8 306 7.5 638 6.1 Total 1,918 100.0 1,860 100.0 4,082 100.0 10,386 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Melton One parent Couple family Couple family Other family family with children no children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % Partial income stated 386 7.8 15 3.9 1,648 10.4 427 5.2 All incomes not stated 158 3.2 15 3.9 250 1.6 206 2.5 Negative income 19 0.4 0 0.0 26 0.2 20 0.2 Nil income 56 1.1 3 0.8 74 0.5 132 1.6 $1-$199 88 1.8 6 1.6 77 0.5 125 1.5 $200-$299 193 3.9 3 0.8 52 0.3 18 0.2 $300-$399 334 6.8 9 2.3 69 0.4 72 0.9 $400-$599 792 16.1 26 6.8 348 2.2 950 11.6 $600-$799 735 14.9 50 13.0 684 4.3 732 8.9 $800-$999 552 11.2 41 10.7 934 5.9 700 8.5 $1,000-$1,249 496 10.1 44 11.5 1,503 9.4 626 7.6 $1,250-$1,499 359 7.3 29 7.6 1,611 10.1 713 8.7 $1,500-$1,999 411 8.4 56 14.6 2,934 18.4 1,193 14.5 $2,000-$2,499 184 3.7 46 12.0 2,372 14.9 1,220 14.9 $2,500-$2,999 87 1.8 23 6.0 1,623 10.2 520 6.3 $3,000-$3,499 37 0.8 10 2.6 926 5.8 319 3.9 $3,500-$3,999 15 0.3 4 1.0 388 2.4 132 1.6 $4,000-$4,999 15 0.3 4 1.0 254 1.6 52 0.6 $5,000 or more 3 0.1 0 0.0 137 0.9 45 0.5 Total 4920 100.0 384 100.0 15,910 100.0 8,202 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

57 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Moonee Valley One parent Couple family Couple family no family Other family with children children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % Partial income stated 442 10.6 39 5.3 1,526 11.5 572 5.6 All incomes not stated 142 3.4 16 2.2 184 1.4 245 2.4 Negative income 15 0.4 0 0.0 13 0.1 24 0.2 Nil income 46 1.1 16 2.2 39 0.3 123 1.2 $1-$199 91 2.2 17 2.3 64 0.5 222 2.2 $200-$299 147 3.5 4 0.5 34 0.3 48 0.5 $300-$399 234 5.6 19 2.6 50 0.4 92 0.9 $400-$599 425 10.2 55 7.5 224 1.7 1,482 14.6 $600-$799 454 10.9 92 12.6 407 3.1 950 9.3 $800-$999 399 9.5 80 10.9 500 3.8 912 9.0 $1,000-$1,249 439 10.5 78 10.6 743 5.6 548 5.4 $1,250-$1,499 319 7.6 68 9.3 780 5.9 618 6.1 $1,500-$1,999 440 10.5 81 11.1 1,624 12.2 1,006 9.9 $2,000-$2,499 231 5.5 92 12.6 1,621 12.2 1,172 11.5 $2,500-$2,999 238 5.7 34 4.6 1,887 14.2 750 7.4 $3,000-$3,499 77 1.8 23 3.1 1,526 11.5 633 6.2 $3,500-$3,999 27 0.6 6 0.8 776 5.8 326 3.2 $4,000-$4,999 11 0.3 6 0.8 732 5.5 245 2.4 $5,000 or more 6 0.1 7 1.0 579 4.4 207 2.0 Total 4,183 100.0 733 100.0 13,309 100.0 10,175 100.0

Hobsons Bay One parent Couple family Couple family family Other family with children no children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % All incomes not stated 105 2.8 19 4.1 168 1.6 198 2.5 Partial income stated 351 9.4 25 5.3 1,213 11.7 520 6.6 Negative income 16 0.4 0 0.0 11 0.1 25 0.3 Nil income 44 1.2 8 1.7 38 0.4 74 0.9 $1-$199 69 1.9 8 1.7 65 0.6 198 2.5 $200-$299 126 3.4 6 1.3 26 0.3 40 0.5 $300-$399 209 5.6 12 2.6 50 0.5 66 0.8 $400-$599 452 12.1 33 7.0 236 2.3 1,162 14.7 $600-$799 539 14.5 50 10.7 428 4.1 746 9.4 $800-$999 367 9.9 52 11.1 533 5.1 687 8.7 $1,000-$1,249 407 10.9 55 11.7 708 6.8 448 5.7 $1,250-$1,499 301 8.1 36 7.7 769 7.4 478 6.0 $1,500-$1,999 334 9.0 70 14.9 1,474 14.2 804 10.2 $2,000-$2,499 164 4.4 49 10.4 1,268 12.2 874 11.1 $2,500-$2,999 158 4.2 24 5.1 1,284 12.4 537 6.8 $3,000-$3,499 41 1.1 13 2.8 972 9.4 501 6.3 $3,500-$3,999 21 0.6 9 1.9 451 4.3 209 2.6 $4,000-$4,999 12 0.3 0 0.0 379 3.6 181 2.3 $5,000 or more 9 0.2 0 0.0 317 3.1 155 2.0 Total 3,725 100.0 469 100.0 10,390 100.0 7,903 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

58 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Brimbank One parent Couple family Couple family no family Other family with children children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % All incomes not stated 403 4.2 57 5.2 581 2.4 516 3.7 Partial income stated 832 8.7 48 4.3 2,823 11.7 717 5.1 Negative income 49 0.5 7 0.6 51 0.2 56 0.4 Nil income 176 1.8 30 2.7 144 0.6 284 2.0 $1-$199 258 2.7 22 2.0 224 0.9 439 3.1 $200-$299 557 5.8 20 1.8 170 0.7 115 0.8 $300-$399 694 7.2 32 2.9 249 1.0 196 1.4 $400-$599 1,281 13.4 85 7.7 907 3.8 3,078 22.0 $600-$799 1,275 13.3 145 13.1 1,601 6.7 1,570 11.2 $800-$999 951 9.9 122 11.0 1,704 7.1 1,394 10.0 $1,000-$1,249 1,005 10.5 141 12.7 2,350 9.8 953 6.8 $1,250-$1,499 625 6.5 98 8.9 2,197 9.1 933 6.7 $1,500-$1,999 778 8.1 130 11.8 3,858 16.0 1,354 9.7 $2,000-$2,499 371 3.9 95 8.6 2,951 12.3 1,197 8.6 $2,500-$2,999 203 2.1 36 3.3 1,831 7.6 559 4.0 $3,000-$3,499 70 0.7 17 1.5 1,155 4.8 364 2.6 $3,500-$3,999 30 0.3 9 0.8 562 2.3 124 0.9 $4,000-$4,999 14 0.1 7 0.6 479 2.0 61 0.4 $5,000 or more 9 0.1 5 0.5 223 0.9 63 0.5 Total 9,581 100.0 1,106 100.0 24,060 100.0 13,973 100.0

Wyndham One parent Couple family Couple family family Other family with children no children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % Partial income stated 577 8.2 31 4.7 2,304 10.1 738 5.6 All incomes not stated 194 2.8 17 2.6 359 1.6 272 2.1 Negative income 24 0.3 4 0.6 31 0.1 31 0.2 Nil income 94 1.3 10 1.5 116 0.5 212 1.6 $1-$199 134 1.9 16 2.4 170 0.7 204 1.6 $200-$299 273 3.9 8 1.2 81 0.4 36 0.3 $300-$399 469 6.7 11 1.7 121 0.5 92 0.7 $400-$599 1,102 15.7 37 5.6 529 2.3 1,259 9.6 $600-$799 1,064 15.1 58 8.8 969 4.2 998 7.6 $800-$999 723 10.3 64 9.8 1,272 5.6 1,081 8.2 $1,000-$1,249 753 10.7 76 11.6 1,971 8.6 986 7.5 $1,250-$1,499 505 7.2 65 9.9 2,159 9.4 1,044 7.9 $1,500-$1,999 624 8.9 104 15.9 4,113 18.0 1,936 14.7 $2,000-$2,499 254 3.6 93 14.2 3,210 14.0 1,984 15.1 $2,500-$2,999 152 2.2 40 6.1 2,577 11.3 1,038 7.9 $3,000-$3,499 49 0.7 19 2.9 1,451 6.3 665 5.1 $3,500-$3,999 27 0.4 0 0.0 643 2.8 263 2.0 $4,000-$4,999 10 0.1 0 0.0 506 2.2 175 1.3 $5,000 or more 3 0.0 3 0.5 298 1.3 121 0.9 Total 7,031 100.0 656 100.0 22,880 100.0 13,135 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

59 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Western region One parent Couple family Couple family no family Other family with children children Weekly income No. % No. % No. % No. % Partial income stated 3,010 8.8 204 3.5 10,718 10.9 4,178 5.9 All incomes not stated 1,141 3.3 150 2.6 1,719 1.8 1,640 2.3 Negative income 150 0.4 33 0.6 164 0.2 208 0.3 Nil income 558 1.6 473 8.2 511 0.5 1,183 1.7 $1-$199 801 2.3 196 3.4 730 0.7 1,476 2.1 $200-$299 1,541 4.5 89 1.5 432 0.4 337 0.5 $300-$399 2,301 6.7 142 2.5 637 0.6 656 0.9 $400-$599 4,673 13.6 397 6.9 2,643 2.7 9,102 12.9 $600-$799 4,666 13.6 640 11.1 4,673 4.8 5,829 8.3 $800-$999 3,409 9.9 581 10.1 5,511 5.6 5,697 8.1 $1,000-$1,249 3,559 10.4 606 10.5 8,036 8.2 4,426 6.3 $1,250-$1,499 2,432 7.1 482 8.3 8,303 8.5 4,845 6.9 $1,500-$1,999 2,989 8.7 680 11.8 15,501 15.8 8,136 11.6 $2,000-$2,499 1,385 4.0 597 10.3 12,644 12.9 8,717 12.4 $2,500-$2,999 1,107 3.2 248 4.3 10,685 10.9 5,031 7.2 $3,000-$3,499 339 1.0 140 2.4 7,061 7.2 4,133 5.9 $3,500-$3,999 151 0.4 51 0.9 3,334 3.4 1,883 2.7 $4,000-$4,999 87 0.3 35 0.6 2,836 2.9 1,446 2.1 $5,000 or more 43 0.1 34 0.6 2,021 2.1 1,389 2.0 Total 34,342 100.0 5,778 100.0 98,159 100.0 70,312 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

60 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 6. Education Highest year of schooling completed for female and male residents across the western region For the western region overall, over half of the male and female population reported their highest year of schooling to be year twelve or equivalent

Educational level represents an important determinant of health and wellbeing within populations. In particular, low levels of schooling hold significant implications for employment opportunities, financial security and social connectedness.

For the western region, over half of the female and male residents reported year twelve or equivalent as their highest year of school attainment (53.1 per cent and 55 per cent respectively). Additionally, 12.9 per cent of females and 11.5 per cent of males in the western region reported their highest year of schooling to be year nine or below. Notably, female residents in the western region were more likely than male residents to report they did not go to school at all (1.9 per cent compared to 1.3 per cent). The City of Brimbank was the municipality with the highest proportion of female (3.5 per cent) and male (2.3 per cent) residents who reported they did not go to school at all.

TABLE: Highest year of schooling completed for males and females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Highest year of schooling No. % No. % No. % No. % Year 12 or equivalent 35,052 47.6 34,964 47.0 16,649 49.2 17,749 51.0 Year 11 or equivalent 8,007 10.9 7,088 9.5 4,192 12.4 3,823 11.0 Year 10 or equivalent 9,743 13.2 8,819 11.9 4,979 14.7 4,322 12.4 Year 9 or equivalent 4,207 5.7 4,192 5.6 2,095 6.2 2,156 6.2 Year 8 or below 7,119 9.7 9,074 12.2 2,527 7.5 3,194 9.2 Did not go to school 1,716 2.3 2,586 3.5 429 1.3 604 1.7 Not stated 7,731 10.5 7,632 10.3 2,958 8.7 2,983 8.6 Total 73,575 100.0 74,355 100.0 33,829 100.0 34,831 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Highest year of schooling No. % No. % No. % No. % Year 12 or equivalent 17,909 59.1 17,741 60.3 31,952 73.7 33,172 76.1 Year 11 or equivalent 2,440 8.0 2,029 6.9 2,214 5.1 2,007 4.6 Year 10 or equivalent 2,772 9.1 2,268 7.7 1,791 4.1 1,720 3.9 Year 9 or equivalent 1,184 3.9 1,254 4.3 630 1.5 583 1.3 Year 8 or below 1,862 6.1 2,535 8.6 618 1.4 837 1.9 Did not go to school 487 1.6 778 2.6 206 0.5 395 0.9 Not stated 3,673 12.1 2,838 9.6 5,959 13.7 4,896 11.2 Total 30,327 100.0 29,443 100.0 43,370 100.0 43,610 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

61 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Highest year of schooling No. % No. % No. % No. % Year 12 or equivalent 17,563 43.4 20,687 49.5 24,033 56.2 26,140 56.3 Year 11 or equivalent 5,999 14.8 5,295 12.7 4,814 11.3 4,641 10.0 Year 10 or equivalent 7,446 18.4 6,512 15.6 4,848 11.3 4,713 10.2 Year 9 or equivalent 3,120 7.7 2,732 6.5 2,013 4.7 2,173 4.7 Year 8 or below 2,170 5.4 2,537 6.1 3,016 7.1 4,211 9.1 Did not go to school 369 0.9 447 1.1 539 1.3 875 1.9 Not stated 3,840 9.5 3,541 8.5 3,501 8.2 3,674 7.9 Total 40,507 100.0 41,751 100.0 42,764 100.0 46,427 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female Highest year of schooling No. % No. % No. % No. % Year 12 or equivalent 35,052 48.4 32,600 52.3 172,612 53.1 183,053 55.0 Year 11 or equivalent 8,007 13.5 7,906 12.7 35,884 11.0 32,789 9.9 Year 10 or equivalent 9,743 16.9 9,145 14.7 41,896 12.9 37,499 11.3 Year 9 or equivalent 4,207 6.6 3,814 6.1 17,252 5.3 16,904 5.1 Year 8 or below 7,119 4.9 3,625 5.8 20,296 6.2 26,013 7.8 Did not go to school 1,716 0.7 653 1.0 4,172 1.3 6,338 1.9 Not stated 7,731 9.0 4,625 7.4 33,145 10.2 30,189 9.1 Total 73,575 100.0 62,368 100.0 325,257 100.0 332,785 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

62 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Post-secondary school qualification level The highest proportion of male and female residents with a bachelor degree level qualification was reported in the City of Melbourne

In the western region in 2011, women were more likely than men to have a bachelor degree level of education (31.8 per cent compared to 24.8 per cent). Men are slightly more likely than women to have a post graduate degree level qualification, and men were considerably more likely to have a certificate level qualification (31.4 per cent of males compared to 18.7 per cent of females).

In comparison to other municipalities, women and men were most likely to report having a Bachelor degree level qualification in the City of Melbourne (40.3 per cent and 43.4 per cent respectively). Men are most likely to report having a Certificate level qualification in Melton (46.1 per cent) compared to 29.2 per cent of women.

TABLE: Post-secondary school qualification level for males and females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Non-school qualification level No. % No. % No. % No. % Postgraduate degree level 2,990 8.4 2,327 7.3 2,234 8.5 2,061 8.0 Graduate diploma and graduate certificate 774 2.2 1,115 3.5 927 3.5 1,674 6.5 Bachelor degree level 6,874 19.2 8,805 27.5 7,592 28.8 9,128 35.6 Advanced diploma and diploma level 4,743 13.3 5,657 17.7 3,391 12.9 4,075 15.9 Certificate level 13,696 38.3 7,998 25.0 8,011 30.4 3,838 15.0 Level of education inadequately described 672 1.9 665 2.1 355 1.3 455 1.8 Level of education not stated 5,975 16.7 5,441 17.0 3,859 14.6 4,392 17.1 Total 35,724 100.0 32,008 100.0 26,369 100.0 25,623 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Melton Melbourne Male Female Male Female Non-school qualification level No. % No. % No. % No. % Postgraduate degree level 865 3.9 773 3.8 4,641 15.1 4,585 15.2 Graduate diploma and graduate certificate 368 1.7 606 2.9 1,015 3.3 1,524 5.0 Bachelor degree level 3,456 15.6 5,032 24.5 12,421 40.3 13,112 43.4 Advanced diploma and diploma level 2,554 11.6 3,549 17.2 3,042 9.9 3,317 11.0 Certificate level 10,187 46.1 6,011 29.2 3,043 9.9 2,101 6.9 Level of education inadequately described 402 1.8 455 2.2 362 1.2 404 1.3 Level of education not stated 4,261 19.3 4,153 20.2 6,308 20.5 5,191 17.2 Total 22,093 100.0 20,579 100.0 30,832 100.0 30,234 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

63 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Non-school qualification level No. % No. % No. % No. % Postgraduate Degree Level 1,876 10.0 1,638 9.6 1,451 7.3 1,393 7.7 Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate 598 3.2 1,083 6.3 528 2.7 1,055 5.9 Bachelor Degree Level 5,520 29.4 6,131 35.8 4,553 22.9 5,503 30.6 Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level 2,503 13.3 2,491 14.5 2,579 13.0 2,996 16.6 Certificate Level 4,199 22.4 2,451 14.3 7,213 36.3 3,233 18.0 Level of education inadequately described 261 1.4 256 1.5 316 1.6 331 1.8 Level of education not stated 3,809 20.3 3,098 18.1 3,238 16.3 3,498 19.4 Total 18,766 100.0 17,148 100.0 19,878 100.0 18,009 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Brimbank Western Region Male Female Male Female Non-school qualification level No. % No. % No. % No. % Postgraduate Degree Level 1,573 4.3 1,358 4.2 15,630 8.2 14,135 8.0 Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate 544 1.5 820 2.5 4,754 2.5 7,877 4.5 Bachelor Degree Level 6,831 18.7 8,352 25.7 47,247 24.8 56,063 31.8 Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level 4,882 13.4 5,384 16.5 23,694 12.5 27,469 15.6 Certificate Level 13,393 36.7 7,223 22.2 59,742 31.4 32,855 18.7 Level of education inadequately described 699 1.9 679 2.1 3,067 1.6 3,245 1.8 Level of education not stated 8,586 23.5 8,723 26.8 36,036 18.9 34,496 19.6 Total 36,508 100.0 32,539 100.0 190,170 100.0 176,140 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

64 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 7. Paid work, unpaid work and unemployment Labour force status For the western region, men are more likely than women to be in full-time employment, while women are more likely to be employed on a part-time basis

Historically, the traditional gendered division of labour meant that the workforce participation rate for men has been far higher than the rate for women, with women being primarily responsible for domestic labour within the home. Despite the shifts over recent decades that have seen a dramatic increase in the proportion of women in the paid workforce, much of this has been associated with part-time employment (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). It is noted that women are over-represented in non-career part time jobs. Such employment is often paid at lower overall wages and provides fewer opportunities for training, development and career progression (Department of Commerce, 2012). Additionally, women regularly spend less time in the workforce because of childbearing and caring responsibilities, resulting in substantially less superannuation for retirement. This is turn, severely limits women’s access to resources and financial security in older age.

For the western region, men are more likely than women to be in full time employment (48.6 per cent compared to 27.8 per cent). The highest proportion of women in full-time employment was reported in Melbourne (33.8 per cent), while the highest proportion of men in full-time employment was reported in the City of Wyndham (56.1 per cent).

Conversely, women were more likely to be in part-time employment, with 20.8 per cent of women report working part-time (compared to 11.4 per cent of men). Notably for the western region, a quarter of men (25 per cent) and over a quarter of women (37.6 per cent) reported that they were not in the labour force at all. Additionally, while men were more likely to be unemployed and looking for full-time work, women were more likely to report being unemployed and looking for part-time work.

TABLE: Labour force status for males and females across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Labour force status No. % No. % No. % No. % Employed, worked full- time 34,168 56.1 18,230 29.2 20,991 49.1 13,059 28.1 Employed, worked part- time 6,248 10.3 13,985 22.4 5,137 12.0 10,879 23.4 Employed, away from work 2,335 3.8 2,288 3.7 1,396 3.3 1,678 3.6 Unemployed, looking for full-time work 1,855 3.0 1,410 2.3 998 2.3 499 1.1 Unemployed, looking for part-time work 597 1.0 1,317 2.1 473 1.1 666 1.4 Not in the labour force 12,441 20.4 22,067 35.4 11,278 26.4 17,201 37.0 Not stated 3,241 5.3 3,071 4.9 2,490 5.8 2,446 5.3 Total 60,885 100.0 62,368 100.0 42,763 100.0 46,428 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

65 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melton Melbourne Male Female Male Female Labour force status No. % No. % No. % No. % Employed, worked full-time 22,403 55.3 11,615 27.8 19,030 43.9 14,750 33.8 Employed, worked part-time 3,964 9.8 9,602 23.0 5,235 12.1 7,370 16.9 Employed, away from work 1,654 4.1 1,699 4.1 1,114 2.6 1,272 2.9 Unemployed, looking for full-time work 1,218 3.0 802 1.9 1,030 2.4 806 1.8 Unemployed, looking for part-time work 405 1.0 848 2.0 10,76 2.5 1,410 3.2 Not in the labour force 8,874 21.9 15,247 36.5 10,679 24.6 13,691 31.4 Not stated 1,988 4.9 1,939 4.6 5,207 12.0 4,310 9.9 Total 40,506 100.0 41,752 100.0 43,371 100.0 43,609 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Labour force status No. % No. % No. % No. % Employed, worked full-time 13,813 45.5 8,821 30.0 16,341 48.3 9,263 26.6 Employed, worked part-time 4,042 13.3 5,930 20.1 3,829 11.3 7,588 21.8 Employed, away from work 983 3.2 1,088 3.7 1,241 3.7 1,184 3.4 Unemployed, looking for full-time work 907 3.0 602 2.0 985 2.9 516 1.5 Unemployed, looking for part-time work 485 1.6 612 2.1 329 1.0 524 1.5 Not in the labour force 7,313 24.1 10,318 35.0 9,041 26.7 13,758 39.5 Not stated 2,784 9.2 2,072 7.0 2,063 6.1 1,998 5.7 Total 30,327 100.0 29,443 100.0 33,829 100.0 34,831 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Brimbank Western Region Male Female Male Female Labour force status No. % No. % No. % No. % Employed, worked full-time 31,366 42.6 16,781 22.6 158,112 48.6 92,519 27.8 Employed, worked part-time 8,731 11.9 14,017 18.9 37,186 11.4 69,371 20.8 Employed, away from work 2,961 4.0 2,519 3.4 11,684 3.6 11,728 3.5 Unemployed, looking for full-time work 2,592 3.5 1,663 2.2 9,585 2.9 6,298 1.9 Unemployed, looking for part-time work 1,038 1.4 1,609 2.2 4,403 1.4 6,986 2.1 Not in the labour force 21,547 29.3 32,732 44.0 81,173 25.0 125,014 37.6 Not stated 5,341 7.3 5,033 6.8 23,114 7.1 20,869 6.3 Total 73,576 100.0 74,354 100.0 325,257 100.0 332,785 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

66 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Industry of employment In the western region, 16.6 per cent of employed women work in health care and social assistance

Occupations and industries in Australia continue to be segregated along gender lines, with certain industries of employment and jobs tending to be dominated by men, and employment in other industries and jobs being undertaken predominantly by women. It is noted that the industries and occupations that are dominated by women have traditionally been undervalued. Female dominated industries including areas such as education, social services and childcare, continue to be undervalued in the labour market. As such, we see traditionally male dominated occupations being paid more than female dominated industries (Department of Commerce, 2012). The gender wage gap in Australia is now estimated at 18 per cent, and recent research suggests that a significant proportion of the gender gap is associated with being in female dominated occupations (Department of Commerce, 2012). Additionally, while women’s participation in education and paid-employment continues to increase, women are still under- represented in senior leadership positions across the public and private domains, as well as in parliament (ABS 2012b).

The most common industries of employment reported by women across the western region were health care and social assistance (16.6 per cent), retail (12.4 per cent) and education and training (10.7 per cent). For men, the most common industries of employment were manufacturing (14.7 per cent), construction (11.8 per cent) and transport, postal and warehousing (10.4 per cent). In the western region, women were far more likely than men to report working in health care and social assistance (16.6 per cent compare to 3.8 per cent respectively), while men were far more likely than women to work in construction (11.8 per cent compared to 2 per cent respectively).

67 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Industry of employment for males and females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Industry No. % No. % No. % No. % Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 143 0.3 89 0.3 55 0.3 28 0.2 Mining 69 0.2 30 0.1 68 0.3 29 0.2 Manufacturing 8,758 20.3 3,209 9.6 3,295 15.4 1,175 6.5 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 465 1.1 207 0.6 259 1.2 109 0.6 Construction 5,312 12.3 620 1.9 2,633 12.3 410 2.3 Wholesale Trade 2,284 5.3 1,196 3.6 1,178 5.5 630 3.5 Retail Trade 3,702 8.6 4,735 14.2 1,652 7.7 1,931 10.7 Accommodation and Food Services 2,412 5.6 2,625 7.9 1,145 5.3 1,127 6.2 Transport, Postal and Warehousing 5,477 12.7 1,530 4.6 2,273 10.6 674 3.7 Information Media and Telecommunications 747 1.7 479 1.4 562 2.6 395 2.2 Financial and Insurance Services 1,357 3.2 1,891 5.7 889 4.2 1,054 5.8 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 420 1.0 417 1.3 310 1.4 286 1.6 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 1,987 4.6 1,717 5.2 1,746 8.2 1,506 8.3 Administrative and Support Services 1,525 3.5 1,558 4.7 695 3.2 732 4.1 Public Administration and Safety 1,771 4.1 1,664 5.0 1,245 5.8 1,276 7.1 Education and Training 1,162 2.7 2,927 8.8 900 4.2 2,193 12.2 Health Care and Social Assistance 1,322 3.1 5,626 16.9 677 3.2 3,046 16.9 Arts and Recreation Services 612 1.4 557 1.7 422 2.0 418 2.3 Other Services 1,713 4.0 1,137 3.4 748 3.5 601 3.3 Inadequately described 833 1.9 444 1.3 346 1.6 236 1.3 Not stated 987 2.3 667 2.0 310 1.4 180 1.0 Total 43,058 100.0 33,325 100.0 21,408 100.0 18,036 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Industry No. % No. % No. % No. % Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 42 0.2 31 0.2 89 0.4 47 0.2 Mining 45 0.2 34 0.2 146 0.6 65 0.3 Manufacturing 2,313 12.3 969 6.1 1,336 5.3 736 3.1 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 231 1.2 122 0.8 271 1.1 197 0.8 Construction 1,559 8.3 223 1.4 1,123 4.4 317 1.4 Wholesale Trade 973 5.2 543 3.4 980 3.9 715 3.1 Retail Trade 1,589 8.4 1,639 10.3 1,598 6.3 2,129 9.1 Accommodation and Food Services 1,431 7.6 1,151 7.3 2,680 10.6 2,544 10.9 Transport, Postal and Warehousing 1,528 8.1 481 3.0 873 3.4 397 1.7 Information Media and Telecommunications 650 3.5 445 2.8 1,046 4.1 712 3.0 Financial and Insurance Services 982 5.2 957 6.0 2,198 8.7 1,769 7.6 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 247 1.3 222 1.4 442 1.7 397 1.7 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 1,740 9.2 1,393 8.8 5,382 21.2 3,768 16.1 Administrative and Support Services 813 4.3 709 4.5 868 3.4 814 3.5 Public Administration and Safety 1,080 5.7 1,178 7.4 1,169 4.6 1,272 5.4 Education and Training 1,051 5.6 1,784 11.3 1,701 6.7 2,401 10.3 Health Care and Social Assistance 923 4.9 2,570 16.2 1,541 6.1 3,356 14.3 Arts and Recreation Services 534 2.8 469 3.0 834 3.3 701 3.0 Other Services 527 2.8 560 3.5 523 2.1 634 2.7 Inadequately described 279 1.5 176 1.1 371 1.5 256 1.1 Not stated 295 1.6 186 1.2 208 0.8 170 0.7 Total 18,832 100.0 15,842 100.0 25,379 100.0 23,397 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

68 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Industry No. % No. % No. % No. % Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 96 0.3 72 0.3 62 0.2 27 0.1 Mining 82 0.3 21 0.1 86 0.3 36 0.1 Manufacturing 4,917 17.5 1,532 6.7 2,887 10.5 1,193 4.7 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 361 1.3 162 0.7 327 1.2 155 0.6 Construction 4,755 17.0 625 2.7 3,436 12.5 531 2.1 Wholesale Trade 1,578 5.6 814 3.6 1,385 5.0 812 3.2 Retail Trade 2,349 8.4 3,354 14.6 2,306 8.4 2,998 11.7 Accommodation and Food Services 1,101 3.9 1,632 7.1 1,568 5.7 1,505 5.9 Transport, Postal and Warehousing 3,863 13.8 1,294 5.6 2,209 8.0 981 3.8 Information Media and Telecommunications 475 1.7 329 1.4 727 2.6 491 1.9 Financial and Insurance Services 826 2.9 1,253 5.5 1,572 5.7 1,475 5.8 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 302 1.1 345 1.5 423 1.5 452 1.8 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 1,237 4.4 1,169 5.1 2,945 10.7 2,399 9.4 Administrative and Support Services 885 3.2 928 4.1 842 3.1 938 3.7 Public Administration and Safety 1,305 4.7 1,389 6.1 1,676 6.1 1,769 6.9 Education and Training 789 2.8 2,295 10.0 1,492 5.4 3,673 14.3 Health Care and Social Assistance 746 2.7 3,996 17.4 1,339 4.9 4,284 16.7 Arts and Recreation Services 376 1.3 390 1.7 728 2.6 579 2.3 Other Services 1,190 4.2 746 3.3 851 3.1 795 3.1 Inadequately described 420 1.5 239 1.0 368 1.3 248 1.0 Not stated 372 1.3 327 1.4 296 1.1 270 1.1 Total 28,025 100.0 22912 100.0 27,525 100.0 25,611 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female Industry No. % No. % No. % No. % Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 354 0.8 128 0.4 841 0.4 422 0.2 Mining 114 0.3 26 0.1 610 0.3 241 0.1 Manufacturing 6,883 16.1 2,208 6.4 30,389 14.7 11,022 6.3 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 560 1.3 237 0.7 2,474 1.2 1,189 0.7 Construction 5,614 13.1 826 2.4 24,432 11.8 3,552 2.0 Wholesale Trade 2,572 6.0 1,414 4.1 10,950 5.3 6,124 3.5 Retail Trade 3,522 8.2 4,678 13.6 16,718 8.1 21,464 12.4 Accommodation and Food Services 1,862 4.4 2,337 6.8 12,199 5.9 12,921 7.4 Transport, Postal and Warehousing 5,214 12.2 1,743 5.1 21,437 10.4 7,100 4.1 Information Media and Telecommunications 1,016 2.4 579 1.7 5,223 2.5 3,430 2.0 Financial and Insurance Services 1,754 4.1 2,116 6.1 9,578 4.6 10,515 6.1 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 526 1.2 571 1.7 2,670 1.3 2,690 1.5 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 2,801 6.6 2,142 6.2 17,838 8.6 14,094 8.1 Administrative and Support Services 1,525 3.6 1,512 4.4 7,153 3.5 7,191 4.1 Public Administration and Safety 2,594 6.1 2,216 6.4 10,840 5.2 10,764 6.2 Education and Training 1,265 3.0 3,240 9.4 8,360 4.0 18,513 10.7 Health Care and Social Assistance 1,251 2.9 5,940 17.2 7,799 3.8 28,818 16.6 Arts and Recreation Services 714 1.7 717 2.1 4,220 2.0 3,831 2.2 Other Services 1,479 3.5 1,132 3.3 7,031 3.4 5,605 3.2 Inadequately described 627 1.5 379 1.1 3,244 1.6 1,978 1.1 Not stated 506 1.2 361 1.0 2,974 1.4 2,161 1.2 Total 42,753 100.0 34,502 100.0 206,980 100.0 173,625 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

69 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Work-life balance For female residents in the western region, women living in Wyndham reported the least satisfaction with work-life balance.

Having sufficient work-life balance is important in supporting overall health and wellbeing. Recent Australian research conducted by the University of South Australia’s Centre for Work and Life reported that women’s work-life outcomes were worse than men’s when differences in work hours were taken into account. In particular, full-time employed women’s dissatisfaction with their work-life balance has risen over recent years (from 15.9 per cent in 2008 to 27.5 per cent in 2012), while men’s has remained consistent (Skinner, Hutchinson & Pocock, 2012). These higher rates of dissatisfaction with work-life balance suggest the ‘double-shift’ experienced by women and their continuing responsibility for domestic and caring labour in addition to their paid employment, that impact on women’s health and wellbeing (Skinner, Hutchinson & Pocock, 2012).

Work-life balance was measured through the Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) survey, in which employed respondents were asked whether they agreed that ‘their work and family life often interfere with each other’. Responses are provided here that indicate the percentage of respondents who disagreed with the statement. When interpreting the data below it is important to recognise that the responses are highly subjective and that what respondents consider to be ‘interference’ can greatly differ among persons.

For the western region, employed women were more likely than employed men to disagree that work and family life often interfered with each other in the municipalities of Moonee Valley (67.1 per cent compared to 50.9 per cent), Melton (53.3 per cent compared to 44.3 per cent respetively), Melbourne (65.2 compared to 44.4 per cent), Maribyrnong (48.3 per cent compared to 45.1 per cent), and Brimbank (60.8 per cent compared to 60.1 per cent). In comparison, males in employment were more likely than females in employment to feel they had an adequate work- life balance in the City of Wyndham (51.5 per cent compared to 47.2 per cent) and Hobsons Bay (65.2 per cent compared to 58 per cent).

TABLE: Perceptions of work-life balance reported for males and females across the western region Moonee Wyndham Valley Melton Melbourne Disagree that work and family life often interfere with each other % % % % Male 51.5 50.9 44.3 44.4 Females 47.2 67.1 53.3 65.2 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

Hobsons North West Maribyrnong Bay Brimbank Metro Disagree that work and family life often interfere with each other % % % % Male 45.1 65.2 60.1 51.4 Females 48.3 58 60.8 55 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

70 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

CHART:

71 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Unpaid domestic work by women and men living in the Western region For the western region, 27.3 per cent of women report undertaking a minimum of 15 hours a week of domestic unpaid work

We know about cooking and cleaning. Go home, cook, “ clean, washing, go outside take clothes inside, do this, bathroom towels. Female African women’s” group participant, WHW 2012 Traditional gendered divisions of labour present men’s work as situated predominantly in the public domain, and women’s work as situated within the private domestic sphere. While in contemporary Australian society women now have greater workforce participation, research suggests that this has not led to a reorganisation of the division of domestic household labour and caring responsibilities. Many women are now faced with the situation of adding paid work hours onto their existing domestic unpaid work – essentiality doing a double or second ‘shift’ of work (Chesters, Baxter & Western, 2008).

Across the western region, women were more likely than men to report undertaking five or more hours of unpaid domestic work (52 per cent of women compared to 30.2 per cent of men). In particular, women were far more likely than men to report undertaking 30 hours or more of unpaid domestic work (13.6 per cent compared to 2.7 per cent respectively). Men were more likely than women to report undertaking less than 5 hours of unpaid domestic labour (29 per cent of males) or no domestic work at all (30.3 per cent of males).

TABLE: Unpaid domestic work by males and females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female No. of hours previous wk No. % No. % No. % No. % Nil hours 27,526 37.4 19,419 26.1 9,624 28.4 6,493 18.6 Less than 5 hrs 18,463 25.1 11,484 15.4 9,718 28.7 5,767 16.6 5 to 14 hrs 13,705 18.6 15,758 21.2 8,263 24.4 8,991 25.8 15 to 29 hrs 3,550 4.8 9,581 12.9 2,091 6.2 5,428 15.6 30 hrs or more 2,187 3.0 10,408 14.0 1,086 3.2 5,203 14.9 Not stated 8,144 11.1 7,705 10.4 3,047 9.0 2,949 8.5 Total 73,575 100.0 74,355 100.0 33,829 100.0 34,831 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female No. of hours previous wk No. % No. % No. % No. % Nil hours 8,671 28.6 6,155 20.9 11,780 27.2 9,435 21.6 Less than 5 hrs 8,626 28.4 5,726 19.4 14,762 34.0 12,766 29.3 5 to 14 hrs 6,908 22.8 7,591 25.8 8,791 20.3 11,075 25.4 15 to 29 hrs 1,639 5.4 3,835 13.0 1,405 3.2 3,320 7.6 30 hrs or more 747 2.5 3,307 11.2 570 1.3 2,148 4.9 Not stated 3,735 12.3 2,828 9.6 6,062 14.0 4,866 11.2 Total 30,326 100.0 29,442 100.0 43,370 100.0 43,610 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

72 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female No. of hours previous wk No. % No. % No. % No. % Nil 12,351 30.5% 8,126 19.5% 11,463 26.8% 8,133 17.5% Less than 5 11,404 28.2% 6,126 14.7% 13,469 31.5% 8,655 18.6% 5 to 14 hrs 9,394 23.2% 10,563 25.3% 10,341 24.2% 12,204 26.3% 15 to 29 hrs 2,292 5.7% 6,362 15.2% 2,619 6.1% 7,092 15.3% 30 hrs or more 1,186 2.9% 7,262 17.4% 1,234 2.9% 6,567 14.1% Not stated 3,881 9.6% 3,312 7.9% 3,638 8.5% 3,776 8.1% Total 40,508 100.0% 41,751 100.0% 42,764 100.0% 46,427 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female No. of hours previous wk No. % No. % No. % No. % Nil 17,233 28.3% 11,616 18.6% 98,648 30.3% 69,377 20.8% Less than 5 17,772 29.2% 9,732 15.6% 94,214 29.0% 60,256 18.1% 5 to 14 hrs 14,930 24.5% 16,030 25.7% 72,332 22.2% 82,212 24.7% 15 to 29 hrs 3,578 5.9% 9,902 15.9% 17,174 5.3% 45,520 13.7% 30 hrs or more 1,728 2.8% 10,438 16.7% 8,738 2.7% 45,333 13.6% Not stated 5,644 9.3% 4,651 7.5% 34,151 10.5% 30,087 9.0% Total 60,885 100.0% 62,369 100.0% 325,257 100.0% 332,785 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

CHART:

73 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability Across the western region, women are more likely than men to report providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability

Across all the municipalities in the western region, women were more likely than men to report that they provide unpaid assistance to a person with a disability. For the western region overall, 12.2 per cent of females and 8 per cent of males provided unpaid assistance to a person with a disability. In comparison to the 2006 census data, there has been an increase in unpaid assistance to a person with a disability reported by both women and men across all of the seven western region municipalities.

Women were most likely to report that they provided unpaid assistance in Moonee Valley (14.2 per cent) and Hobsons Bay (13.7 per cent). These two LGAs also reported the highest proportion of women providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability in the 2006 western region census data. Similarly for men, unpaid assistance to a person with a disability was also most commonly reported in Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay (at 9.7 per cent and 9.1 per cent respectively).

TABLE: Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability by males and females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Unpaid assistance No. % No. % No. % No. % No unpaid assistance provided 59,203 80.5 56,833 76.4 27,647 81.7 27,061 77.7 Provided unpaid assistance 6,380 8.7 9,769 13.1 3,095 9.1 4,775 13.7 Not stated 7,994 10.9 7,752 10.4 3,086 9.1 2,993 8.6 Total 73,577 100.0 74,354 100.0 33,828 100.0 34,829 100.0

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Unpaid assistance No. % No. % No. % No. % No unpaid assistance provided 24,368 80.4 23,225 78.9 35,185 81.1 35,697 81.9 Provided unpaid assistance 2,255 7.4 3,339 11.3 2,081 4.8 2,972 6.8 Not stated 3,704 12.2 2,878 9.8 6,103 14.1 4,942 11.3 Total 30,327 100.0 29,442 100.0 43,369 100.0 43,611 100.0

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Unpaid assistance No. % No. % No. % No. % No unpaid assistance provided 33464 82.6 32909 78.8 35027 81.9 36023 77.6 Provided unpaid assistance 3298 8.1 5486 13.1 4127 9.7 6596 14.2 Not stated 3745 9.2 3358 8.0 3610 8.4 3807 8.2 Total 40507 100.0 41753 100.0 42764 100.0 46426 100.0

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female Unpaid assistance No. % No. % No. % No. % No unpaid assistance provided 50580 83.1 50164 80.4 265474 81.6 261912 78.7 Provided unpaid assistance 4760 7.8 7535 12.1 25996 8.0 40472 12.2 Not stated 5545 9.1 4671 7.5 33787 10.4 30401 9.1 Total 60885 100.0 62370 100.0 325257 100.0 332785 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

74 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Unpaid childcare undertaken across the western region In the western region, a higher proportion of women than men report having undertaken unpaid child care

In the 2011 census, individuals were asked to record whether they had spent any time caring for a child/ children (under 15 years) without pay, in the two weeks prior to Census night. In looking at the results for the western region, a higher proportion of women than men reported having undertaken unpaid child care responsibilities. For the western region overall, 24.4 per cent of women report undertaking unpaid child care compared to 17.4 per cent of men.

A higher proportion of women than men reported undertaking unpaid childcare in all seven of the municipalities across the western region. These gendered differences were most pronounced in the municipalities of Wyndham (29.1 per cent of women compared to 21.1 per cent of men), Brimbank (23.9 per cent of women compared to 15.8 per cent of men), and Melton (29.5 per cent of women compared to 21.3 per cent of men). Notably, women in Melton reported undertaking the most unpaid child care.

TABLE: Unpaid childcare by males and females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Unpaid childcare No. % No. % No. % No. % Did not provide childcare 51,941 56.9 45,843 50.2 23,333 56.1 21,573 51.1 Provided childcare 14,428 15.8 21,831 23.9 7,712 18.5 10,608 25.1 Not stated 7,209 7.9 6,682 7.3 2,786 6.7 2,649 6.3 Not applicable 17,765 19.4 17,037 18.6 7,787 18.7 7,415 17.6 Total 91,343 100.0 91,393 100.0 41,618 100.0 42,245 100.0

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Unpaid childcare No. % No. % No. % No. % Did not provide childcare 20,858 57.3 18,753 53.2 33,345 71.3 33,084 70.6 Provided childcare 5,965 16.4 8,087 22.9 4,056 8.7 5,752 12.3 Not stated 3,502 9.6 2,600 7.4 5,969 12.8 4,776 10.2 Not applicable 6,066 16.7 5,802 16.5 3,404 7.3 3,238 6.9 Total 36,391 100.0 35,242 100.0 46,774 100.0 46,850 100.0

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Unpaid childcare No. % No. % No. % No. % Did not provide childcare 25,430 46.9 22,591 41.1 30,027 57.7 29,896 54.0 Provided childcare 11,562 21.3 16,210 29.5 9,458 18.2 13,155 23.8 Not stated 3,516 6.5 2,952 5.4 3,275 6.3 3,377 6.1 Not applicable 13,757 25.4 13,239 24.1 9,301 17.9 8,954 16.2 Total 54,265 100.0 54,992 100.0 52,061 100.0 55,382 100.0

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female Unpaid childcare No. % No. % No. % No. % Did not provide childcare 38,719 48.0 34,665 42.8 223,653 55.5 206,405 50.7 Provided childcare 17,020 21.1 23,543 29.1 70,201 17.4 99,186 24.4 Not stated 5,146 6.4 4,162 5.1 31,403 7.8 27,198 6.7 Not applicable 19,696 24.4 18,625 23.0 77,776 19.3 74,310 18.3 Total 80,581 100.0 80,995 100.0 403,033 100.0 407,099 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

75 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

CHART:

Unpaid childcare by males and females across the western region

Male Female

35

29.5 30 29.1

25.1 24.4 25 23.9 23.8 22.9

21.3 e 21.1 l p o e 20 18.5 p 18.2 f 17.4 o

e 16.4

g 15.8 a t n

e 15 c r

e 12.3 P

10 8.7

5

0 Brimbank Hobsons Bay Marbyrnong Melbourne Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Western Region

76 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 8. Housing Housing affordability across the western region Almost 40 per cent of households in the north west metropolitan region are spending 30 per cent or more of their gross household income on rent

I had no place to live, no money. “ Private Rental Brokerage Client WHW, 2011” While Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) note there is no singular accepted definition of housing affordability, CIV suggests that it refers to the cost and availability of housing, and hence people’s ability to enter the housing market (CIV, 2012). Access to affordable and secure housing has been identified as an important contributor to health and wellbeing. The cost of housing presents significant implications for people on lower incomes, as it limits the residual income that individuals have available to spend on other important areas for health and wellbeing such as food, transport, education and health services.

Well over a quarter of residents in the north west metropolitan region spent 30 per cent or more of their gross household income on rent (39.7 per cent) or mortgage costs (33 per cent). In the western region, residents most commonly reported spending 30 per cent or more of their gross household income on household costs in the municipalities of Melbourne (37.8 per cent), Melton (26.3 per cent), Wyndham (24.9 per cent) and Maribyrnong (24.3 per cent). In the municipality of Brimbank, 43.2 per cent of residents reported spending 30 per cent or more of their gross household income on rent, while 40 per cent of Melton residents and 50.3 per cent of Melbourne residents reported that they spent 30 per cent or more of their gross household income on rent. Municipalities with residents who most commonly reported spending 30 per cent or more of gross household income on mortgage costs were Melbourne (38.2 per cent), Brimbank (36.7 per cent) and Melton (34.2 per cent).

77 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Percentage of gross household incomes being spent on housing costs

Moonee Wyndham Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Valley Housing affordability % % % % % Households (per cent) spending 30% or more of 24.9 17.6 26.3 37.8 24.3 gross household income on housing costs Households (per cent) spending 30% or more of 36.2 33.8 40 50.3 37 gross household income on rent Households (per cent) spending 30% or more of 32.2 28.7 34.2 38.2 31.3 gross household income on mortgage costs

North West Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Metro Housing affordability % % % % Households (per cent) spending 30% or more of 24.3 18.1 22.2 23.1 gross household income on housing costs Households (per cent) spending 30% or more of 37 34.7 43.2 39.7 gross household income on rent Households (per cent) spending 30% or more of 31.3 28.4 36.7 33 gross household income on mortgage costs Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

CHART:

78 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Family household composition across the western region Couples with children account for 47 per cent of all family compositions across the western region

Couples with children comprised 47 per cent of the family household compositions across the western region during 2011. Melton reported the highest proportion of couple families with children, at 54.1 per cent closely followed by the City of Wyndham, where couple families with children comprised 52.4 per cent of family compositions.

Couple families with no children account for 33.7 per cent of the family household compositions for the western region. Most commonly, couple family households with no children were reported in Melbourne (56.9 per cent), Maribyrnong (37.1 per cent) and Moonee Valley (35.8 per cent).

Sole parent families accounted for 16.5 per cent of the family household compositions for the western region. In particular, sole parent families account for 19.7 per cent of all family household compositions in the City of Brimbank. Notably, four of the seven municipalities in the western region reported a higher proportion of sole parent families than that for the western region overall (at 16.5 per cent).

TABLE: Family household composition across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne Family composition No. % No. % No. % No. % Couple family with no children 13,973 28.7% 7,904 35.2% 6,538 37.1% 10,386 56.9% Couple family with children 24,061 49.4% 10,389 46.2% 7,530 42.7% 4,082 22.4% One parent family 9,580 19.7% 3,725 16.6% 2,982 16.9% 1,918 10.5% Other family 1,108 2.3% 470 2.1% 570 3.2% 1,860 10.2% Total 48,722 100.0% 22,488 100.0% 17,620 100.0% 18,246 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Western Region Family composition No. % No. % No. % No. % Couple family with no children 8,202 27.9% 10,175 35.8% 13,133 30.1% 70,311 33.7% Couple family with children 15,910 54.1% 13,309 46.9% 22,879 52.4% 98,160 47.1% One parent family 4,919 16.7% 4,184 14.7% 7,033 16.1% 34,341 16.5% Other family 384 1.3% 733 2.6% 654 1.5% 5,779 2.8% Total 29,415 100.0% 28,401 100.0% 43,699 100.0% 208,591 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

79 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Lone person households across the western region Across the western region, residents aged 80 years and above in lone person households are composed of a higher number of women than men

When looking at lone person households across the western region a gendered pattern is evident. Women in lone person households generally have a higher age profile compared to men. For all the municipalities across the western region, there were a higher proportion of women aged 80 years and above in lone person households, than there were men aged 80 years and above in the same geographic region.

Notably, women aged 80 years and above comprise 19.8 per cent of the female lone person households in Hobsons Bay, with 19.9 per cent of Moonee Valley’s female lone person households also composed of women aged 80 years or over. These gendered patterns are reflective of the longer life expectancies for women than men in Australia. Importantly, the higher proportion of female lone persons than male lone persons aged 80 years and above has important implications for social planners and other support services that must work to ensure the health and wellbeing needs of older women are met throughout the west.

TABLE: Lone person households across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Years of age No. % No. % No. % No. % 20-29 615 11.9 392 7.4 324 8.9 235 5.5 30-39 1,007 19.5 525 9.9 625 17.3 469 11.0 40-49 1,028 19.9 493 9.3 730 20.2 525 12.3 50-59 930 18.0 756 14.3 738 20.4 634 14.9 60-69 776 15.0 1,100 20.8 514 14.2 744 17.5 70-79 481 9.3 1,082 20.5 354 9.8 803 18.9 80-89 290 5.6 841 15.9 285 7.9 719 16.9 90-99 40 0.8 95 1.8 49 1.4 119 2.8 100+ 3 0.1 0 0.0 3 0.1 4 0.1 Total 5,170 100.0 5,284 100.0 3,622 100.0 4,252 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Years of age No. % No. % No. % No. % 20-29 477 13.7 382 10.4 2,608 36.2 2,719 37.4 30-39 717 20.6 655 17.8 1,740 24.2 1,588 21.9 40-49 666 19.1 541 14.7 1,045 14.5 781 10.8 50-59 615 17.6 555 15.1 796 11.0 729 10.0 60-69 474 13.6 496 13.5 601 8.3 708 9.7 70-79 290 8.3 450 12.2 275 3.8 409 5.6 80-89 211 6.1 500 13.6 125 1.7 280 3.9 90-99 37 1.1 102 2.8 14 0.2 46 0.6 100+ 0 0.0 3 0.1 0 0.0 4 0.1 Total 3,487 100.0 3,684 100.0 7,204 100.0 7,264 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

80 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Male Female Male Female Male Female Years of age No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 20-29 459 15.5 292 10.8 500 11.6 520 8.3 710 15.9 475 11.0 30-39 742 25.1 360 13.3 780 18.2 784 12.5 1,041 23.3 651 15.1 40-49 584 19.8 313 11.5 816 19.0 720 11.5 1,054 23.6 563 13.1 50-59 527 17.8 520 19.2 738 17.2 827 13.2 745 16.7 697 16.2 60-69 369 12.5 531 19.6 621 14.5 950 15.2 511 11.4 804 18.7 70-79 184 6.2 411 15.2 431 10.0 1,207 19.3 256 5.7 603 14.0 80-89 85 2.9 247 9.1 342 8.0 1,063 17.0 130 2.9 467 10.8 90-99 3 0.1 36 1.3 66 1.5 184 2.9 17 0.4 49 1.1 100+ 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 Total 2,953 100.0 2,710 100.0 4,294 100.0 6,258 100.0 4,464 100.0 4,309 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

81 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Tenure characteristics of housing across the western region For the western region overall, 32.8 per cent of private dwellings are rented

Information about the tenure characteristics of private dwellings can provide an insight into the housing and associated stressors experienced by residents. For example, a high concentration of private renters can indicate areas where people might be vulnerable to rental pressures, particularly in areas undergoing gentrification and rental pricing increases. Additionally, a high concentration of home owners can suggest an area of mature families and ‘empty nester’ households in which parents remain but where their children have grown up and left home for employment or education opportunities. These areas may indicate an ageing population and slower population growth.

Residents who owned their own homes outright were most likely to reside in Moonee Valley (38.9 per cent) and Brimbank (38 per cent). Interestingly, over half of the households in Wyndham (51.5 per cent) and Melton (56.3 per cent) were reported as being home owners with a mortgage. Nearly a quarter of the households in Maribyrnong are rented through a real estate agent (24.8 per cent), while just under half (45.3 per cent) of Melbourne households are rented through a real estate agent.

TABLE: Tenure types of private dwellings across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne Dwelling type No. % No. % No. % No. % Owned outright 21,506 38.0 11,384 37.3 6,571 25.3 6,566 15.9 Owned with a mortgage 21,052 37.2 10,196 33.4 8,572 33.0 7,798 18.9 Rented: Real estate agent 7,723 13.6 5,664 18.6 6,447 24.8 18,696 45.3 Rented: State or territory housing authority 1,271 2.2 880 2.9 1,535 5.9 2,316 5.6 Rented: Person not in same household 3,465 6.1 1,688 5.5 1,983 7.6 4,105 10.0 Rented: Housing co-operative, community or church group 182 0.3 118 0.4 220 0.8 610 1.5 Rented: Other landlord type 741 1.3 280 0.9 312 1.2 587 1.4 Rented: Landlord type not stated 347 0.6 163 0.5 154 0.6 337 0.8 Other tenure type 360 0.6 141 0.5 160 0.6 234 0.6 Total 56,647 100.0 30,514 100.0 25,954 100.0 41,249 100.0

Western Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Region Dwelling type No. % No. % No. % No. % Owned outright 7,673 22.4 15,428 38.9 11,490 22.1 80,618 28.8 Owned with a mortgage 19,289 56.3 11,857 29.9 26,755 51.5 105,519 37.6 Rented: Real estate agent 4,727 13.8 7,530 19.0 9,815 18.9 60,602 21.6 Rented: State or territory housing authority 359 1.0 2,001 5.0 629 1.2 8,991 3.2 Rented: Person not in same household 1,474 4.3 2,118 5.3 2,320 4.5 17,153 6.1 Rented: Housing co-operative, community or church group 103 0.3 162 0.4 132 0.3 1,527 0.5 Rented: Other landlord type 228 0.7 133 0.3 366 0.7 2,647 0.9 Rented: Landlord type not stated 122 0.4 205 0.5 174 0.3 1,502 0.5 Other tenure type 283 0.8 220 0.6 320 0.6 1,718 0.6 Total 34,258 100.0 39,654 100.0 52,001 100.0 280,277 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

82 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Lone parent status across the western region In the western region female lone parents account for 83.8 per cent of all lone parents

Single parent status can have implications for the health and wellbeing of single parents and their children. It well established that many lone parents receiving welfare assistance have lower levels of education, limited workforce experience, face barriers with employment, experience financial stresses and food insecurity. Single parent status is particularly significant for Australian women. In 2006, 87 per cent of sole parent families in Australia were headed by women (ABS 2008).

The 2011 Census data reveals that there is a strong gendered pattern for sole parent status across the western region. Female lone parents constitute 83.8 per cent of all lone parents in the region, with a substantially higher proportion of female lone parents than male lone parents in each of the seven LGAs. The highest proportion of female lone parents was reported in Melton (84.5 per cent), followed closely by Brimbank (84.3 per cent) and Maribyrnong (84.1 per cent). The highest proportion of male lone parents was reported in Hobsons Bay (17.7 per cent), followed closely by Moonee Valley (17.4 per cent).

In comparison to the 2006 Census data there has been a notable increase in lone female parents in Wyndham. In 2006 there were 4,123 lone female parents in Wyndham compared to 5,907 in 2011, which accounts for an increase of 1,784 female lone parents in Wyndham. Melton has also seen a notable increase in female lone parents with 2,921 reported in 2006 compared to 4,156 in 2011: this represents an increase of 1,235 female sole parents residing in Melton.

Looking at the age break down of female and male sole parents for the western region, male lone parents were most commonly aged between 45 and 54 years (32.8 per cent), while female lone parents were most commonly aged between 35 and 44 years (29.2 per cent). For the western region, women were twice as likely than men to be a sole parent aged between 15 and 24 years (3.4 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively).

83 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Sex distribution of lone parent status across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne No. % No. % No. % No. % Male lone parent 1,508 15.7 657 17.7 475 15.9 321 16.7 Female lone parent 8,069 84.3 3,065 82.3 2,511 84.1 1,596 83.3 Total 9,577 100.0 3,722 100.0 2,986 100.0 1,917 100.0

Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Western Region No. % No. % No. % No. % Male lone parent 762 15.5 729 17.4 1,128 16.0 5,580 16.2 Female lone parent 4,156 84.5 3,455 82.6 5,907 84.0 28,759 83.8 Total 4,918 100.0 4,184 100.0 7,035 100.0 34,339 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

TABLE: Male lone parent status by age, across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Male Male Male Male Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % 15-24 16 1.4 10 1.4 9 1.2 7 2.2 25-34 110 9.7 32 4.4 65 8.5 11 3.4 35-44 290 25.6 95 13.0 196 25.7 49 15.1 45-54 391 34.6 254 34.9 258 33.9 123 38.0 55-64 192 17.0 173 23.8 150 19.7 80 24.7 65-74 71 6.3 54 7.4 46 6.0 32 9.9 75-84 47 4.2 71 9.8 27 3.5 14 4.3 85-94 14 1.2 39 5.4 11 1.4 8 2.5 95+ 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 Total 1,131 100.0 728 100.0 762 100.0 324 100.0

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Western Region Male Male Male Male Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % 15-24 10 2.1 7 1.1 29 1.9 88 1.6 25-34 21 4.4 27 4.1 105 7.0 371 6.6 35-44 89 18.7 118 17.9 282 18.7 1,119 20.0 45-54 155 32.6 194 29.5 454 30.1 1,829 32.8 55-64 112 23.6 158 24.0 355 23.6 1,220 21.8 65-74 39 8.2 54 8.2 159 10.6 455 8.1 75-84 33 6.9 70 10.6 94 6.2 356 6.4 85-94 16 3.4 26 4.0 28 1.9 142 2.5 95+ 0 0.0 4 0.6 0 0.0 4 0.1 Total 475 100.0 658 100.0 1,506 100.0 5,584 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

84 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Female lone parent status by age across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Female Female Female Female Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % 15-24 311 5.3 53 1.5 205 4.9 44 2.8 25-34 1,165 19.7 325 9.4 904 21.8 150 9.4 35-44 1,899 32.1 831 24.1 1,397 33.6 411 25.7 45-54 1,564 26.5 990 28.7 968 23.3 566 35.4 55-64 568 9.6 533 15.4 441 10.6 283 17.7 65-74 185 3.1 275 8.0 122 2.9 65 4.1 75-84 145 2.5 300 8.7 73 1.8 52 3.3 85-94 70 1.2 137 4.0 44 1.1 29 1.8 95+ 0 0.0 11 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 Total 5,907 100.0 3,455 100.0 4,154 100.0 1,600 100.0

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Western Region Female Female Female Female Age in years No. % No. % No. % No. % 15-24 60 2.4 79 2.6 228 2.8 980 3.4 25-34 281 11.2 313 10.2 1,248 15.5 4,386 15.2 35-44 718 28.6 775 25.3 2,356 29.2 8,387 29.2 45-54 684 27.2 886 28.9 2,076 25.7 7,734 26.9 55-64 338 13.5 440 14.4 1,090 13.5 3,693 12.8 65-74 160 6.4 227 7.4 493 6.1 1,527 5.3 75-84 186 7.4 246 8.0 408 5.1 1,410 4.9 85-94 76 3.0 94 3.1 158 2.0 608 2.1 95+ 8 0.3 5 0.2 12 0.1 36 0.1 Total 2,511 100.0 3,065 100.0 8,069 100.0 28,761 100.0 Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

CHART:

85 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 9. Disability Need for assistance with core activity In the west, women are more likely than men to report a need for assistance with core activities

No one stands up for people like us. “ They just forget about us. Female Sunrise program participant,” 2012 Some of us it’s in our heads, or a different part of our body. “ It’s more of a mental disability and chronic pain. That’s a stigma I still feel happens. Female Sunrise program participant, 2012 ” People with a disability often experience significant disadvantage and have poorer health outcomes than does the overall Australian population. Research suggests that people with a disability are more likely to live in poverty, have lower workforce and education participation rates, and experience housing insecurity, social exclusion, marginalisation, discrimination and violence (Vichealth 2012).

The 2011 Census data shows that for the western region women were slightly more likely than men to report a need for assistance with core activities (4.8 per cent compared to 4 per cent). The municipalities in which women most commonly reported having a need for assistance with a core activity are Brimbank (6.2 per cent), Hobsons Bay (5.8 per cent) and Moonee Valley (5.7 per cent). The municipalities in which men most commonly reported having a need for assistance was Brimbank (5.3 per cent), Hobsons Bay (4.6 per cent) and Moonee Valley (4.4 per cent).

It should also be noted that ‘need for assistance with a ‘core activity’ could be interpreted by individuals as having ‘unmet’ needs for assistance with core activities. As such, it is possible that some individuals who in fact require assistance with a core activity might not have reported doing so here. Therefore, when interpreting the data provided it is important to consider that it could be an underestimation of unidentified and unmet needs of people living with a disability in the western region.

86 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Need for assistance with core activity for males and females across the western region Brimbank Hobsons Bay Male Female Male Female Assistance with core activities No. % No. % No. % No. % Has need for assistance 4,881 5.3% 5,702 6.2% 1,929 4.6% 2,458 5.8% Does not have need for assistance 79,948 87.5% 79,643 87.1% 37,227 89.5% 37,534 88.8% Not stated 6,514 7.1% 6,046 6.6% 2,461 5.9% 2,253 5.3% Total 91,343 100.0% 91,391 100.0% 41,617 100.0% 42,245 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Maribyrnong Melbourne Male Female Male Female Assistance with core activities No. % No. % No. % No. % Has need for assistance 1,437 3.9% 1,883 5.3% 735 1.6% 1,101 2.4% Does not have need for assistance 31,535 86.7% 30,842 87.5% 39,915 85.3% 40,876 87.2% Not stated 3,420 9.4% 2,518 7.1% 6,124 13.1% 4,873 10.4% Total 36,392 100.0% 35,243 100.0% 46,774 100.0% 46,850 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Melton Moonee Valley Male Female Male Female Assistance with core activities No. % No. % No. % No. % Has need for assistance 2,175 4.0% 2,316 4.2% 2,275 4.4% 3,136 5.7% Does not have need for assistance 48,638 89.6% 49,602 90.2% 46,858 90.0% 49,401 89.2% Not stated 3,452 6.4% 3,075 5.6% 2,929 5.6% 2,845 5.1% Total 54,265 100.0% 54,993 100.0% 52,062 100.0% 55,382 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

Wyndham Western Region Male Female Male Female Assistance with core activities No. % No. % No. % No. % Has need for assistance 2,596 3.2% 2,841 3.5% 16,028 4.0% 19,437 4.8% Does not have need for assistance 72,799 90.3% 73,909 91.3% 356,920 88.6% 361,807 88.9% Not stated 5,186 6.4% 4,244 5.2% 30,086 7.5% 25,854 6.4% Total 80,581 100.0% 80,994 100.0% 403,034 100.0% 407,098 100.0% Source: ABS 2011 Census of Population and Housing*

87 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 10. Social connectedness and social participation Participation in citizen engagement activities for males and females across the western region Less than half of the women for the north west metropolitan region report having participated in citizen engagement activities over the last 12 months

Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) state that citizen engagement involves a range of activities that include public consultations, involvement in decision making processes and participation in civic governance processes.

In the CIV survey, respondents were asked if they had done any of the following types of activities in the last 12 months: . Attended a town meeting, public hearing or public affairs discussion group . Met with, called or sent a letter to any local politician . Joined a protest or demonstration . Signed a petition

The findings for 2011 show that in the North West Metropolitan Region, women are slightly more likely than men to report having participated in citizen engagement activities over the past 12 months. However, when comparing the responses of women and men across the seven different regional municipalities in the west, a greater proportion of men than women report having participated in citizen engagement activities for all LGAs except in the City of Melbourne.

Less than half of the female residents reported participation in citizen engagement activities in the municipalities of Melton (44 per cent), Brimbank (32.9 per cent) and Wyndham (49.2 per cent). For men, less than half reported participating in citizen engagement activities in Melton (45.1 per cent) and Brimbank (38.3 per cent).

TABLE: Citizen engagement over the last 12 months Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Citizen engagement % % % % Males who participated in citizen engagement activities 50.3 54.9 45.1 57.7 Females who participated in citizen engagement activities 49.2 53.9 44 59.5

North West Metro Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Region Citizen engagement % % % % Males who participated in citizen engagement activities 55.8 53.1 38.3 46.8 Females who participated in citizen engagement activities 50.4 52.8 32.9 48.3 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

88 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

CHART:

Citizen Engagement over the last 12 months

Males who participated in citizen engagement activities Females who participated in citizen engagement activities

70

59.5 60 57.7 54.9 55.8 53.9 53.1 52.8 50.3 50.4 49.2 48.3 50 46.8 45.1 44

40 38.3 32.9

30

20 Percentage of male and female population Percentage 10

0 Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank North West Metro Region

89 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health Satisfaction with feeling part of the community In the North West Metropolitan Region, women were slightly more likely than men to report satisfaction with feeling part of the community

Women were more likely than men to report satisfaction with feeling part of the community in the municipalities of Wyndham, Moonee Valley, Melbourne, Maribyrnong and Brimbank. Conversely, men were more likely than women to report satisfaction with feeling part of the community in Melton and Hobsons Bay.

For women, the highest reported satisfaction with feeling part of the community was 74.94 per cent, which was reported in Moonee Valley. For men, the highest reported satisfaction with feeling part of the community was 73.54 per cent, reported in Melton.

TABLE: Satisfaction with feeling part of the community Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Satisfaction with feeling part of the community % % % % Male 66.52 72.47 73.54 68.23 Females 70.8 74.94 67.7 69.87

Hobsons North West Maribyrnong Brimbank Bay Metro Satisfaction with feeling part of the community % % % % Male 67.76 70.21 63.89 69.69 Females 73.34 69.67 66.37 71.06 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

CHART:

Satisfaction with feeling part of the community

Males Females

76 74.94

74 73.54 73.34 72.47 72 70.8 71.06 70.21 69.87 69.67 69.69 70 68.23 67.7 67.76 68 66.52 66.37 66

63.89 64

62 Percentage of male and female population Percentage

60

58 Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank North West Metro

90 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 11. Safety Perceptions of safety for women and men across the western region In the western region, women are less likely than men to report feeling ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ in their local area

Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) notes that perceptions of neighbourhoods as safe places serve to improve the social participation, community connectedness, and health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors. CIV measured male and female perceptions of safety by asking respondents to rate how safe they felt across four domains. These include perceptions of safety when home alone during the day, when home alone at night, when walking alone during the day in their local area, and when walking alone at night in their local area. Findings from the CIV 2011 survey highlight that the perceptions of safety for males and females across the western region of Melbourne are notably gendered. For all four measures for the western region, women were considerably less likely than men to report feeling safe in their local area.

Perceptions of safety when home alone during the day Across all municipalities, men were more likely than women to report feeling safe or very safe when home alone during the day. The highest perception of safety was reported for males residing in Melbourne (100 per cent). The lowest perception of safety at home was reported for women residing in Brimbank (93.1 per cent). Notably, women in four of the seven municipalities in the western region reported a lower perception of safety when home alone during the day than did women in the north west metropolitan region overall (96.7 per cent).

Perceptions of safety when home alone at night Across the western region, women were less likely than men to report feeling safe or very safe when home alone at night. The lowest perception of safety reported by women was in Brimbank (81.5 per cent), with the lowest perception of safety for men being reported in Maribyrnong (at 94.2 per cent), indicating a 12.7 per cent difference. For women, the municipalities in which women reported the lowest perceptions of safety were Brimbank (81.5 per cent), Hobsons Bay (86.7 per cent) and Maribyrnong (89.1 per cent). Notably, these percentages were lower than what was reported by women for the north west metropolitan region overall (89.2 per cent).

Perceptions of safety when walking alone in local area during the day In the west, women were less likely than men to report feeling safe or very safe when walking alone in their local area during the day. The gender difference was most pronounced in the City of Brimbank, where 94.4 per cent of men reported feeling safe compared to 84.7 per cent of women.

Perceptions of safety when walking alone in local area at night Women were considerably less likely than men to report feeling safe or very safe when walking alone in their local area at night. The LGA of Brimbank had the lowest perceptions of safety for both women (22.7 per cent) and men (63.9 per cent), which is a 41.2 per cent difference. Notably, less than half of all the women residing in Brimbank (22.7 per cent), Maribyrnong (46.8 per cent), Melton (43.7 per cent) and Wyndham (34.8 per cent) reported feeling safe when walking alone in their local area at night. These percentages were also lower than what was reported by women for the North West metropolitan region overall.

91 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

These findings demonstrate that women and men experience safety and the use of public spaces, community facilities and infrastructure, differently. The way in which community spaces, services and infrastructure are designed presents significant implications for women’s community participation and experiences of safety. Poorly maintained infrastructure (such as poor lighting, low levels of natural surveillance, cracked footpaths and graffiti) can greatly influence how women both perceive and experience safety in their local area (Gender Equity in Local Government Partnership 2012). Indeed, women also experience transport infrastructure differently; women are less likely to have access to a car and are more likely to walk and use public transport (Gender Equity in Local Government Partnership 2012). It is imperative that councils design and maintain community infrastructure and public spaces that are inclusive, safe, and responsive to the needs of women. This includes taking into account the differing needs of women – particularly those with dependent children, women with a disability and older women.

When considering community safety it is also important to note that women are most at risk of violence in the home. Evidence suggests that most violence against women is perpetrated by men known to them, including their partners or relatives (Vichealth 2007). It is therefore imperative that we undertake strategic work to support community safety as well as working specifically to redress violence against women.

TABLE: Perceptions of safety when home alone during the day Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 98.9 99.7 98.3 100 home alone during the day Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 97.6 96 97.4 99.5 home alone during the day

North West Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Metro Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 99.5 99.1 97.3 98.9 home alone during the day Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 96.3 96.5 93.1 96.7 home alone during the day Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

TABLE: Perceptions of safety when home alone at night Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 99 99.7 95.5 100 home alone at night Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when 90.5 96 90.9 94 at home alone at night

North West Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Metro Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 94.2 98.7 94.8 97.3 home alone at night Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when at 89.1 86.7 81.5 89.2 home alone at night Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

92 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Perceptions of safety when walking alone in local area during the day Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 98 98.4 98 100 alone in local area during the day Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 94.6 96 93.8 98.2 alone in local area during the day

North West Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Metro Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 96.8 98.4 94.4 97.8 alone in local area during the day Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 94.1 92.9 84.7 92.7 alone in local area during the day Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

TABLE: Perceptions of safety when walking alone in local area at night Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 69.1 84.4 69.6 85.3 alone in local area at night Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 34.8 69.1 43.7 69.8 alone in local area at night

North West Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Metro Perceptions of safety % % % % Males who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 77.7 84 63.9 79.3 alone in local area at night Females who feel ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking 46.8 55.7 22.7 48.8 alone in local area at night Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

93 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

CHART: Perceptions of safety for men and women across the western region

Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank North West Metro

120

100

80

60

40 Percentage of men and women Percentage

20

0 Males Females Males Females Males Females Males Females Feel 'safe' or 'very safe' when at Feel 'safe' or 'very safe' when at Feel 'safe' or 'very safe' walking Feel 'safe' or 'very safe' walking home alone during the day home alone at night alone in local area during the day alone in local area at night

94 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health 12. Transport Transport limitations experienced by women and men across the western region For the western region overall, women were more likely than men to report experiencing transport limitations

I remember I had one child in the pram and two children “ either side of me. I was trying to get on the bus and the bus driver did not assist. Our Community, Our Rights” program participant, 2012 It is largely recognised that transport is an important social determinant of health that has considerable implications for people’s access to health services and programs, education and employment opportunities, social participation and realisation of active lifestyles (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003). In particular, research suggests that gender norms presents significant implications for how women and men use and experience public transport. When considering women’s transport use, it has been found that women are less likely to have access to a car, more likely to walk and use public transport, and often use public transport while carrying shopping and being accompanied by children (Gender Equity in Local Government Partnership, 2012).

For the western region, women were more likely than men to report experiencing transport limitations (25 per cent compared to 23.6 per cent). This was consistent with the results for the Victorian state level (25 per cent of women compared to 22.3 per cent of men). Transport limitations were most commonly reported by women who resided in the municipalities of Hobsons Bay (34.3 per cent), Maribyrnong (32.2 per cent) and Melton (30.5 per cent). Only females residing in the City of Melbourne (15.5 per cent) and the City of Moonee Valley (15.3 per cent) reported experiencing lower transport limitations than what was reported for females for the North West Metropolitan Region overall (25 per cent).

When the recent CIV results are compared to those undertaken in 2007 the number of women who have experienced transport limitations has increased in the municipalities of Wyndham (0.4 per cent increase), Melton (9.8 per cent increase), Maribyrnong (7.5 per cent increase), Hobsons Bay (10.9 per cent increase) and Brimbank (3.6 per cent increase). The biggest increase for women who experienced transport limitations is noted for Hobsons Bay (23.4 per cent in 2007 to 34.3 per cent in 2011).

95 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

TABLE: Percentage of males and females who had experienced transport limitations in last 12 months Moonee Wyndham Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Valley Experienced transport limitations % % % % % Males 22.9 21.9 23.4 24.1 24.1 Females 26.4 15.3 30.5 15.5 32.2 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, 2012

North West Metro Hobsons Bay Brimbank Victoria Region Experienced transport limitations % % % % Males 26.4 26.5 23.6 22.3 Females 34.3 27.6 25 25

CHART:

Percentage of males and females who had experienced transport limitations in last 12 months

Males Females

40

34.3 35 32.2 30.5 30 27.6 26.4 26.4 26.5 25 25 24.1 24.1 25 22.9 23.4 23.6 21.9 22.3

20 15.3 15.5 15

Percentage of adult population Percentage 10

5

0 Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank North West Victoria Metro Region

96 Women’s Health West Sex disaggregated data on the social determinants of health

KEY HEALTH PRIORITIES

97 Women’s Health West key health priorities Key health priorities for women in the western region Prevention of violence against women Reported family violence incidents for the north west metropolitan region Reported family violence incidents have consistently increased in the north west metropolitan region of Victoria from 2007-2012.

We hear about domestic violence but nobody ever talks “ about it…it is very hard to talk about in our community. Equatorial South Sudanese woman ” For Victorian women aged 15-44 years, violence against women is the leading cause of illness, death and disability and is a greater contributor to the burden of disease than physical inactivity, unhealthy body weight, drug and alcohol-related harm and tobacco use (Vichealth 2004). When considering the data below, it is important to note that this data pertains only to family violence incidents that were reported to police. As family violence is largely under-reported, it is most likely that the statistics below are an under-estimation of the prevalence and incidence of family violence that exists in the western region.

The number of reported family violence incidents rates for the north west metropolitan region of Victoria has increased consistently over the period from 2007 – 2012. While these increases are likely to have been shaped by improvements to reporting systems and work undertaken to increase awareness and help-seeking for experiences of family violence, these increases also demonstrate that family violence remains a serious and growing concern in the western region.

In the north west metropolitan region during 2011-2012, there were 15, 534 reported family violence incidents. This accounts for 30.8 per cent of the reported family violence incidents for Victoria during this time. During the period 2011-2012, the highest rates of family violence for the western region were reported in the municipalities of Melton (1,166.1 per 100,000), Brimbank (972.3 per 100,000) and Wyndham (925.1 per 100,000). Notably, these municipalities also reported rates of reported family violence that were higher than the rate for Victoria overall, at 910.3 per 100,000.

98 Women’s Health West key health priorities

TABLE: Reported family violence incidents and rates for the western region, 2007 - 2012 Melbourne Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Rate per Rate per Rate per No. of No. of No. of Time period 100,000 100,000 100,000 Offences Offences Offences population population population 2007 - 2008 408 473.6 512 599 262 383.5 2008 - 2009 492 544.9 502 584.4 349 495.1 2009 - 2010 679 719.7 509 585.5 307 424.6 2010 - 2011 673 690.8 550 630.8 403 545.2 2011 - 2012 841 835.9 619 708.7 577 766.3

Wyndham Melton Brimbank Rate per Rate per Rate per No. of No. of No. of Time period 100,000 100,000 100,000 Offences Offences Offences population population population 2007 - 2008 669 536.6 558 645.2 1419 798 2008 - 2009 745 557.4 639 690.6 1333 736.3 2009 - 2010 9 85 687.3 718 720.9 1411 759.6 2010 - 2011 1326 856.9 881 828.5 1693 898.2 2011 - 2012 1536 925.1 1308 1,166.1 1858 972.3

North West Metro Moonee Valley Region Victoria Rate per Rate per Rate per No. of No. of No. of Time period 100,000 100,000 100,000 Offences Offences Offences population population population 2007 - 2008 585 534.4 9467 604.2 31660 608.3 2008 - 2009 649 594.9 10395 645.7 33891 640.3 2009 - 2010 615 556.3 11430 688.7 35687 661.5 2010 - 2011 650 582.9 12978 762.3 40839 746.8 2011 - 2012 732 652 15534 891.4 50382 910.3 Source: Victoria Police, 2012, Corporate Statistics, Victoria Police, Australia

99 Women’s Health West key health priorities Sexual and reproductive health Pap screening participation rates for women in the western region The pap screening rate for women in the target age group 20-69 years of age in the western region is a concerning 53.1 per cent, which is lower than the Victorian state average of 60.8 per cent

Pap screening is an important preventative health measure for women that can detect changes to the cervix before cervical cancer develops. The early stages of cervical cancer often presents no symptoms, therefore participating in regular pap screening is an important and effective prevention measure. The National Cervical Screening Program recommends that all women over 18 years who have had sex, have a pap smear every two years (National Cervical Screening Program, 2011).

The estimated pap screening rates for women in the western region show that only 31.8 per cent of eligible women aged between 20 and 24 years had a pap test during the period 2010-2011. This age group reported the lowest pap screening rates for all municipalities across the western region. In particular, Brimbank (31.5 per cent), Maribyrnong (28.7 per cent) and Melbourne (24.3 per cent) municipalities reported pap screening rates for women aged 20-24 years that were lower than the rate for the western region overall. It is also concerning to note that less than half (45.7 per cent) of women aged 25 to 29 years in the west, participated in pap screening during the period 2010-2011. The pap screening rate for older women aged 65 to 69 years for the western region was also less than half (48.7 per cent).

100 Women’s Health West key health priorities

TABLE: Estimated pap screening rate for Victorian women by age group (for 2010 and 2011 period) Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne Age in years Screening rate Screening rate Screening rate Screening rate 20-24 yrs 31.5% 40.4% 28.7% 24.3% 25-29 yrs 45.8% 47.2% 45.1% 43.5% 30-34 yrs 54.9% 56.5% 60.0% 54.9% 35-39 yrs 61.2% 63.7% 64.5% 62.9% 40-44 yrs 64.3% 66.0% 66.6% 62.8% 45-49 yrs 65.1% 67.0% 67.8% 62.0% 50-54 yrs 63.7% 66.6% 65.9% 63.9% 55-59 yrs 60.4% 62.6% 61.2% 63.4% 60-64 yrs 56.5% 58.3% 53.8% 66.3% 65-69 yrs 49.3% 50.0% 46.8% 50.6% Total (20-69 yrs) 54.5% 58.0% 55.0% 45.6% Source: Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, 2012

Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Western Region Age in years Screening rate Screening rate Screening rate Screening rate 20-24 yrs 36.2% 39.0% 35.5% 31.8% 25-29 yrs 47.4% 52.3% 43.1% 45.7% 30-34 yrs 53.7% 62.7% 50.9% 55.5% 35-39 yrs 55.9% 66.2% 54.7% 60.5% 40-44 yrs 56.3% 68.4% 56.0% 62.4% 45-49 yrs 57.4% 69.3% 56.6% 63.2% 50-54 yrs 57.9% 72.4% 54.6% 63.1% 55-59 yrs 54.7% 65.0% 51.3% 59.3% 60-64 yrs 50.3% 63.9% 46.6% 56.2% 65-69 yrs 46.1% 54.9% 40.7% 48.7% Total (20-69 yrs) 51.6% 60.8% 49.3% 53.1% Source: Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, 2012

101 Women’s Health West key health priorities Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) notifications In 2011, the western region accounted for 26 per cent of the syphilis notifications for Victoria

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are infections spread primarily through inter-personal contact. STIs present significant implications for the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, particularly for women. If untreated, STIs can have severe implications for sexual, reproductive and maternal health, with STIs sighted as the main preventable cause of infertility, particularly for women (World Health Organisation, 2011).

There were 19,238 notifications for chlamydia in Victoria during 2011. Of these notifications, 3,107 were from the western region, – accounting for 16.2 per cent of the Victorian chlamydia notifications that year. There were over 500 notifications for chlamydia reported in Melbourne (853), Brimbank (592) and Wyndham (521) municipalities.

During 2011 there were 1,863 gonorrhoea notifications for Victoria. Of these notifications, 440 were from the western region which accounted for 23.6 per cent of the Victorian gonorrhoea notifications for 2011. In particular, there were over 50 notifications of gonorrhoea in Melbourne (147), Brimbank (79), Wyndham (58) and Maribyrnong (55) municipalities.

There were 857 notifications of syphilis for Victoria in 2011. Of these notifications, 223 were from the western region. This accounted for 26 per cent of the syphilis notifications for Victoria that year. Here, there were at least 25 notifications in Melbourne (89), Brimbank (35), Maribyrnong (32) and Wyndham (26) municipalities. In relation to the STIs reported for Melbourne it is important to note that this area contains the Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic. If individuals who present at the clinic did not provide a residential post code, they are likely to be assigned the Melbourne post code. As such, the high number of STI notifications in Melbourne may not necessarily reflect the STI numbers for the resident population in Melbourne.

102 Women’s Health West key health priorities

TABLE: STI notifications to the Victorian Communicable Disease and Surveillance Unit (for 2009 & 2011 period) Wyndham Moonee Valley No. of notifications % increase over No. of notifications % increase over three STI 2009 2011 three years 2009 2011 years Chlamydia 287 521 81.5% 291 337 15.8% Gonorrhoea 34 58 70.6% 29 47 62.1% Syphilis 17 26 52.9% 19 14 26.3% (decrease)

Melton Melbourne No. of notifications % increase over No. of notifications % increase over three STI 2009 2011 three years 2009 2011 years Chlamydia 178 284 59.6% 728 853 17.2% Gonorrhoea 23 23 0% 119 147 23.5% Syphilis 8 8 0% 81 89 9.8%

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay No. of notifications % increase over No. of notifications % increase over three STI 2009 2011 three years 2009 2011 years Chlamydia 171 253 48.0% 203 267 31.5% Gonorrhoea 29 55 89.7% 18 31 72.2% Syphilis 30 32 6.7% 17 19 11.8%

Brimbank Western Region No. of notifications % increase over No. of notifications % increase over three STI 2009 2011 three years 2009 2011 years Chlamydia 451 592 31.3% 2,309 3,107 34.6% Gonorrhoea 58 79 36.2% 310 440 41.9% Syphilis 39 35 10.2% (decrease) 211 223 5.7% Source: Department of Health, Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, 2012

103 Women’s Health West key health priorities Teenage fertility rates The teenage fertility rate in 2008 for the western region (8.9 per 1,000) was lower than the Victorian state level

Teenage pregnancy is often associated with a range of adverse health, social and economic outcomes for adolescents and their children. It is suggested that young teenage mothers are more likely to have no or low level qualifications, be unemployed or in lower-paid employment and to live in poorer housing conditions (UNICEF, 2001). These factors all present long-term negative implications for young women, their children, families and communities. As such, supporting the sexual and reproductive health of young women including their capacity to access viable contraception and make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health free from violence and coercion is essential in supporting their overall health and wellbeing.

The data presented below refers to teenage fertility rates obtained from the Adolescent Community Profiles undertaken by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). Here, teenage fertility rate refers to the number of pregnancies that result in a live birth per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years (DEECD 2012). In 2008, Melton and Maribyrnong municipalities reported the highest teenage fertility rates for the western region, at 14.1 per 1,000 teenage women and 13.2 per 1,000 teenage women respectively. The local government areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Melbourne and Moonee Valley were the only areas in the western region to report a lower teenage fertility rate than that of the Victorian state level (at 10.6 per 1,000 teenage women).

104 Women’s Health West key health priorities

TABLE: Teenage fertility rate for the western region, for females aged 15-19 years Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Rate per 1000 Rate per 1000 Rate per 1000 Live births teenage women Live births teenage women Live births teenage women 2005 59 9.4 32 12.7 19 11.7 2006 59 9.4 34 13.6 19 11.7 2007 53 8.5 25 9.7 25 15.5 2008 54 8.5 26 10 22 13.2

Melbourne Melton Moonee Valley Rate per 1000 Rate per 1000 Rate per 1000 Live births teenage women Live births teenage women Live births teenage women 2005 5 1.4 36 13.6 19 5.9 2006 8 2.3 48 17.1 5 1.5 2007 5 1.3 43 14.5 12 3.8 2008 8 2.1 44 14.1 11 3.4

Wyndham Western metropolitan region Victoria Live Rate per 1000 Rate per 1000 Rate per 1000 Live births Live births births teenage women teenage women teenage women 2005 50 12.6 220 9.3 1,740 10.3 2006 48 11.6 221 9.2 1,893 11.2 2007 67 15.2 230 9.3 1,790 10.4 2008 61 12.9 226 8.9 1,857 10.6 Source: ‘Adolescent Community Profile Series’, DEECD, 2011

105 Women’s Health West key health priorities Proportion of young people who practice safe sex by using a condom In 2009, just over half of the sexually active adolescents in the western region practiced safe sex by using a condom

We didn’t get too much [education at school] about “contraception. Like condoms and the pill and everything. Female year nine participant, Girls Talk Guys Talk program at WHW, 2012 ” Condom use among sexually active young people is important in order to protect against unwanted pregnancies, and to prevent the spread of a range of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Below is data from the Adolescent Community Profiles prepared by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). Here, the indicator measures the number of sexually active adolescents who reported practicing safer sex by using a condom, expressed as a percentage of years 7, 9 and 11 students who reported having had sexual intercourse (DEECD 2011).

The data shows that less than half of sexually active adolescents report using a condom in the municipalities of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Wyndham. The highest proportion of adolescents who report that they used condoms was in the City of Melton (73.3 per cent). For the western region overall, only 53.7 per cent of sexually active adolescents reported using a condom, which is lower than for the state of Victoria.

TABLE: Proportion of sexually active adolescents who practice safe sex with a condom, 2009 Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong* Melbourne Melton % % % % % Proportion who 45.8 38.5 61.7 72.6 73.3 use a condom Source: ‘Adolescent Community Profile Series’, DEECD, 2011

Moonee Valley Wyndham Western metropolitan region Victoria % % % % Proportion who 47.6 41.1 53.7 58 use a condom Source: ‘Adolescent Community Profile Series’, DEECD, 2011

*Please note: The DEECD states that the Maribyrnong measure has a relative standard error of between 25-50% and therefore data should be interpreted with caution.

106 Women’s Health West key health priorities

CHART:

Proportion of sexually active adolescents who practice safe sex with a condom, 2009

80 72.6 73.3

70 61.7 60 58 53.7

47.6 50 45.8 41.1 38.5 40

30

20 Percentage of sexually active adolescents Percentage 10

0 Brimbank Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong* Melbourne Melton Moonee Valley Wyndham Western Victoria Metropolitan region

107 Women’s Health West key health priorities Proportion of young women using contraception to avoid pregnancy The western region reported a lower proportion of young women using contraception to avoid pregnancy than for Victoria

The data presented here is extracted from the Adolescent Community Profiles prepared by the DEECD, which reports on the findings from the Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Survey conducted in 2009. The indicator used refers to the number of sexually active females in years 7, 9 and 11 who report using contraception to avoid pregnancy, as a proportion of all females who reported having had sexual intercourse (DEECD 2012).

Over three quarters of sexually active young women reported using contraception to avoid pregnancy in the municipalities of Hobsons Bay, Melbourne and Melton. However, it is also important to note that six of the seven municipalities in the western region reported a lower percentage of young women using contraception to avoid pregnancy than the Victorian state average (78.9 per cent).

Brimbank* Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne Melton % % % % % Proportion who 53.3 76.6 70.4 95.8 76.6 use contraception

Western metropolitan Moonee Valley* Wyndham Victoria region % % % % Proportion who 66.2 50.0 70.2 78.9 use contraception Source: ‘Adolescent Community Profile Series’, DEECD, 2011

*Please note: The DEECD notes that the Brimbank measure has a relative standard error of between 25-50% and therefore should be interpreted with caution.

108 Women’s Health West key health priorities Mental health and social connectedness Subjective wellbeing of residents across the western region In comparison to the previous 2007 survey there were slight increases in subjective wellbeing reported for six of the seven municipalities in the western region

Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) measured self-reported subjective wellbeing using the Australian Unity Personal Wellbeing Index. This includes the combined average scores of respondents for a variety of domains such as standard of living, health, achievements in life, community connection, personal relationships, safety and future security. The scale of the index is from 0 to 100, with 0 representing ‘completely dissatisfied’ and 100 equating to ‘completely satisfied’.

The 2011 survey results highlight that women report a higher subjective wellbeing than men in the municipalities of Wyndham, Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong and Brimbank. Conversely, men reported a higher level of subjective wellbeing in the municipalities of Melton, Melbourne and Hobsons Bay. The lowest subjective wellbeing reported for men was in Brimbank (72.6), with women also reporting the lowest subjective wellbeing in Brimbank.

When the 2011 survey results are compared to the 2007 survey results, there were slight increases in the subjective wellbeing reported for all municipalities except Brimbank, where there was a slight decrease for both female and male residents. However, it is important to note that most of the subjective wellbeing scores across the western region were either slightly higher or slightly lower than 75. CIV suggest that 75 is an average score, noting that personal wellbeing scales are often at 75 points out of 100.

TABLE: Subjective wellbeing of females and males across the western region (2011 survey)

Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne

Personal wellbeing index score Male 75.6 78.9 77.2 77.2 Females 77 79.4 76.1 77.1 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, published 2012

North West Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank Metro Personal wellbeing index score Male 74.6 76.6 72.6 76.2 Females 75.2 75.7 74.8 76.5 Source: Community Indicators Victoria, published 2012

109 Women’s Health West key health priorities

Personal wellbeing index scores (2011 survey)

Male Females

80 79.4 78.9

78 77 77.2 77.277.1 76.6 76.5 76.1 76.2 75.7 76 75.6 75.2 74.6 74.8

74 72.6

72 Percentage of men and women (%) Percentage 70

68 Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank North West Metro

110 Women’s Health West key health priorities Electronic gaming machine expenditure for the western region Six municipalities in the western region reported a higher net EGM expenditure per adult, than the state level

I ask women what other social outlets they have “ and they have none. Who Wins? Women and gambling in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne, WHW 1997 ”

The main reasons why people gamble in Victoria are to win money, for entertainment, and for social reasons such as social interaction (Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, 2011). However, research shows that individuals with a gambling problem are more likely to gamble due to loneliness or social isolation, to raise extra money, or to relieve stress/anxiety and the impact of trauma. Problem gambling is therefore a significant public health concern that impacts on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. It is also closely related to interpersonal and relationship problems, mental health concerns, family and intimate partner violence, problems with alcohol and other drugs, and legal concerns (Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, 2011).

When the electronic gaming machine (EGM) expenditure over 2011-2012 across the western region is explored, the top three municipalities reporting the highest net expenditure per adult are found to be in the municipalities of Brimbank ($970), Maribyrnong ($912) and Moonee Valley ($842). Of concern is the finding that six of the seven municipalities in the western region have a higher net expenditure per adult than the Victorian state level ($602 per adult). Wyndham was the only municipality not to exceed the Victorian state average, reporting the same expenditure as the overall state level ($602 per adult).

For the 2011-2012 financial year Brimbank reported the highest total net expenditure forthe western region. Not surprisingly, Brimbank is also the LGA with the largest number of EGMs. It is also notable that the municipalities of Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Brimbank and Hobsons Bay all report a higher number of EGMs per 100 adults than does the City of Melbourne, in which Crown Casino is located.

111 Women’s Health West key health priorities

CHART:

Electronic gaming machine net expenditure per adult (18+) for 2011-2012 financial year

$1,200

$1,000 $970 $912 $842

$800 $738 $757 $662 $602 $600

$400

$200 Net expenditure per adult over 2011-12 financial year Net expenditure

$0 Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank

TABLE: Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) expenditure for the 2011-2012 financial year, across the western region Wyndham Moonee Valley Melton Melbourne No. of venues 10 11 7 12 No. of EGMs 654 746 487 779 EGMs per 1,00 adults 6 8.1 6 6 Total net expenditure $88,533,566.15 $77,910,935.20 $56,522,260.26 $70,308,561.85 Net expenditure per adult $602 $842 $662 $738

Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Brimbank No. of venues 10 10 15 No. of EGMs 439 579 948 EGMs per 1,00 adults 7.1 8.3 6.3 Total net expenditure $56,099,418.11 $52,632,388.38 $145,619,091.30 Net expenditure per adult $912 $757 $970 Source: Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, 2012

112 Women’s Health West References

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