Use of services

The 28.2 million non-admitted patient service events provided for the NNAP(el)D contain information on the patient’s age, sex, Indigenous status, and the remoteness area and socioeconomic status of their usual residence.

Age and sex of patient

In 2017–18, there were 15.6 million non-admitted patient service events for females, compared with 12.5 million for males (Figure 1 below). Women accounted for 70% of service events for people aged 15–44 (the age range that includes most services for Obstetrics and Midwifery and maternity).

Boys accounted for 55% of service events for children aged 0–14.

People aged 65 and over (who make up 15% of the population) accounted for 33% of service events in 2017–18.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

In 2017–18, 5.3% of service events (1.5 million) were for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Table 4 below).

For 5% of service events reported at the episode-level, the Indigenous status of the patient was not reported. See Appendix A for more information on the quality of the data reported for Indigenous status.

Remoteness

In 2017–18, about 64% of service events were provided to people who lived in Major cities, 19% in Inner regional areas, 9% in Outer regional areas and 4% in Remote and Very remote areas combined (Table 5 below). The area of usual residence was not known for about 4% of service events.

A relatively higher proportion of non-admitted patient service events occurred in Remote and Very remote areas, compared with the populations in each remoteness area.

Socioeconomic status

In 2017–18, about 24% of service events were provided to people who lived in areas classified as being in the lowest (most disadvantaged) socioeconomic status (SES) group compared with 15% in the highest (least disadvantaged) SES group (Table 6 below).

Data visualisation of figure 1

See Figure 2.1 for caveat information related to these data. Available to download in the Data section.

Data visualisation of table 4

See Table 2.3 for caveat information related to these data. Available to download in the Data section.

Data visualisation of table 5

See Table S2.5 for caveat information related to these data. Available to download in the Data section.

Data visualisation of table 6

See Table S2.6 for caveat information related to these data. Available to download in the Data section.

Where to go for more information

Additional information on the age, sex, Indigenous status and remoteness of area of usual residence of the patient is in tables S2.3 to S2.6 and Figure 2.1, available for download in the Data section of this report.

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