Our Region’s Diversity

According to the ABS ​(2018)​, in 2015, almost one in five people (18.3%) had a disability in Australia, with 17% of Victorians living with disability. It was also reported 5.7% of all Australians had a profound or severe disability ​ (ABS, 2018)​. Within the SMR, the percentage of people living with a severe or profound disability varies across its municipalities. As can be seen in Figure 5, in 2016, 5% of the population living in the SMR had a severe or profound disability​ (Greater Dandenong, 2021)​.  

While this is slightly below the state average of 5.5%, several LGAs exceeded the state average. For example, in Greater Dandenong, 6.8% of people had a disability and 5.8% of people had a disability in Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. In contrast, Port Phillip and Stonnington had 3.6%, respectively, of people living with a disability. Across most LGAs, females with a disability exceed the number of males with a disability. For example, in Greater Dandenong, 7.8% of people with a disability are females while 5.9% are males​ (Greater Dandenong, 2021)​.

In terms of actual numbers, the latest 2018 released data reports 1,098,200 people living with a disability, whereas 304,940 people were living with a severe or profound disability across Victoria in 2016.

The number for Greater Dandenong was around 11,000 people while Casey had over 18,000 people with a disability. These numbers contrast markedly with other LGAs in the SMR. Port Phillip had a total of 3,721 people with a disability and Stonnington had 4,014 people ​(ABS, 2021; Greater Dandenong, 2021; ABS, 2018)​ 

People with a disability or a long-term health condition have been found to be more likely to experience physical violence than people without a disability or long-term health condition ​(ABS, 2018)​.

Key findings from the 2016 Personal Safety Survey include ​(ABS, 2018)​: 

• “Of people with disability or a long-term health condition, the highest rates of violence were among people with psychological disability (14.8% or 132,500 people), and intellectual disability (14.3% or 67,900 people) with around one in seven people reporting violence.  
• Of people with physical disability, one in twenty (5.0% or 196,300 people) reported having experienced violence during the same time period. 

• Women with disability or a long-term health condition were more likely to have experienced violence in the preceding 12 months than women without disability or a long-term health condition (5.9% or 172,800) women with disability or long-term health condition and 4.3% or 274,400 of women without disability or a long-term health condition. 
• Men with disability or a long-term health condition were equally likely to experience violence in the last 12 months as men without disability or a long-term health condition (5.6% or 158,100 compared to 6.2% or 383,200). 
• Experiences of violence for people with disability or a long-term health condition were more common in the younger age groups.” 

Research into the causal factors and experiences of violence against people with a disability is lacking. Women with Disabilities Victoria ​(2017)​ have stated that violence against women with a disability, in particular, is not well understood and often ignored or under-reported. A review of the literature on violence against women with disabilities revealed that there is a need for “more robust data collection and consideration of risks for women with disabilities and different sectors of service provision. In Australia and Victoria there are limited sources of correlated data that provide accurate information about the prevalence of violence against girls and women with disability” ​(Women with Disabilities Victoria, 2017, p. 12)​. 

In addition to being home to those living with a disability, the SMR is also home to those caring for someone with a disability.

Carers are defined as “Provided unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition, or due to old age”​ (ABS, 2018)​. Across the SMR, significant numbers of individuals are carers ​(Greater Dandenong, 2021)​. For example, in Mornington Peninsula and Bayside the 15% of residents defined themselves as unpaid carers.  

In actual numbers, the SMR has a total population of 160,837 carers. The number for Greater Dandenong was around 13,000 people while Casey had over 30,000 people with a disability. These numbers contrast markedly with other LGAs in the SMR. Port Phillip had a total of 10,120 people with a disability and Stonnington had 10,840 people ​(ABS, 2021; Greater Dandenong, 2021; ABS, 2018)​ 

Interestingly, and perhaps not surprisingly, carers are predominantly female across all LGAs. As can be seen in Figure 6, data from the Census ​(ABS, 2020)​ shows that of the total number of carers in each LGA, a greater proportion of women than men undertake this work. Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula have the highest proportions of female carers (both 62.4%) and Greater Dandenong has the most male carers (42.9%).

This is further emphasised by the total proportion of unpaid carers separated by women and men, for example, in Mornington Peninsula and Bayside the 14% of residents defined themselves as unpaid carers (see figure 12). 

In 2016, the total Indigenous population was approximately 9,958 within the SMR, accounting for approximately 15% of Victoria’s total Aboriginal population.

While this number is not as substantial as found in other parts of Victoria, this still represents a large proportion of those living in the SMR. As can be seen in Figure 7, the LGAs of Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Cardinia, and Mornington Peninsula had the highest numbers of Indigenous Australians. Casey had 2,395, Frankston had 1,800, and Mornington Peninsula had 1,724 Indigenous Australians (see Table 1) ​(Greater Dandenong, 2021)​. 

In the latest 2021 release ABS data​ (ABS, 2022)​, Victoria had 66,000 people identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represented 1.0% of Victoria’s population. This was up from 0.8% in 2016, and 0.7% in 2011. 

Of the 66,000 people who identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin: 

• 94.2% identified as Aboriginal. 
• 3.2% identified as Torres Strait Islander 
• 2.6% identified as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. 

Young people within the SMR represent a large proportion of the population. As can be seen in Figure 8, both Cardinia and Casey, in particular, have substantial populations in the 0–14-year bracket ​(Greater Dandenong, 2021)​. These two LGAs also encompass large numbers within the 15–24-year bracket. Although not as substantial as that of the 0–14-year bracket, these statistics highlight the significant presence of young people. As two of the fastest growing regions in Victoria, the growth corridors of Cardinia and Casey have attracted large numbers of young families as evidenced in the data. 

Accurately measuring the number of people who are LGBTIQA+ in Australia is a significant gap in research ​(Carman, et al., 2020)​. Population-level data is important because it informs our “understanding of health and wellbeing needs of LGBTIQ people, and the development of policy and programs for LGBTIQ communities” ​(Carman, et al., 2020, p. 2)​. The Australian Human Rights Commission ​(2014)​ have therefore estimated that “up to 11 in 100 Australians may have a diverse sexual orientation, sex or gender identity.” 

Defining sexual and gender identity is complex and the use of correct and respectful terminology is important. The ABS attempted to acknowledge the diversity of the Australian population by including a third option to the question about being male or female in the 2016 Census. However, the addition of ‘other’ as a response option highlighted that collection of this data is far more complex and requires a more nuanced and considered approach for collecting data on gender identity. In fairness, the ABS acknowledged that there were limitations in their approach to collecting data about sex and gender​ (ABS, 2018)​. Furthermore, there inherent difficulties to collecting data on gender and sexuality in the Census which go beyond question phrasing. That is, only one person in the household completes the Census and they may not correctly report each household member’s gender and sexual identity. Encouragingly, the ABS have reported that they are “committed to implementing the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender and will continue to work with the community on approaches for future collections including the 2021 Census”​ (ABS, 2018)​. 

The 2021 Census counted 78,425 same-sex couples living together in Australia, which was a 67% increase since the 2016 Census ​(ABS, 2022)​. According to the ABS, the increase “in the reported number of same-sex couples may in part reflect greater willingness by people to identify themselves as being in a same-sex relationship and an improvement over the last 20 years in the rights of same-sex couples ​(ABS, 2022)​.  

The median age for people in same-sex couples living together was 40 years old in 2021, remaining consistent across the last three Census cycles. This median age was younger than the median age of all couples living together (49 years old) ​(ABS, 2022)​. 

When comparing males and females in same-sex couples, females had a slightly younger age profile than males. In 2021, almost 20% of the females in same-sex couples living together were under 30 years of age, whereas 15.5% of males in same-sex couples were in this age cohort. Conversely, 23.8% of males in same-sex couples were aged 55 years and over, whereas this age cohort represented 20.0% of females in same-sex couples ​(ABS, 2022)​. 

The 2021 Census observed one in three same-sex couples were married (30.0%). This was substantial given the Marriage Act amendments only came into effect four years before the Census ​(ABS, 2022)​.  

In 2021, 17.3% of the 78,425 same-sex couples living together in the 2021 Census were couples with children, an increase from 14.8% in 2016. Female same-sex couples were more likely to have children (27.7%) compared to male same-sex couples (7.0%) ​(ABS, 2022)​. 

Like the total number of same-sex couples counted in the Census, the number of same-sex couples with children increased significantly in 2021. Male same-sex couples with children grew by 1,700 or 161% and female same-sex couple families increased by 4,900 or 84% since 2016. The number of all couples with children also increased in 2021, growing by 214,362 or 7.9% since 2016 ​(ABS, 2022)​. 

Findings from the Victorian Population Health Survey 2017 prepared by the Victorian Agency for Health provided us with some insight into population of LGBTIQA+ in the SMR. The Victorian Population Health Survey 2017 estimated that 5.7% of Victorian adults are LGBTIQ+. Of the total LGBTIQ+ population, the majority identified as being lesbian/gay (1.8%) or bisexual (2.8%). The remaining identified as being transgender, gender diverse, queer, pansexual, asexual, having an intersex variation or other (1.1% combined).   

Port Phillip (10.6%) and Stonnington (7.8%) had the highest proportion of LGBGTQI+ people living in the SMR, this is not so surprising as these have been areas where those identifying as LGBTIQ+ have historically settled in. These two LGA’s also significantly differ from the estimate for Victoria (5.7%).  

In the 2021 Census, of the families in Australia, 43.7% were couple families with children, 38.8% were couple families without children and 15.9% (1,068,268 families) were one parent families: 79.8% of single parents were female and 20.2% were male​ (ABS, 2022)​.

In Victoria, 37.6% of couples have no children, and 46% have children, with 15% of these people being single parents. In the SMR region, the average amount of single parents was similar to the state average, at 15%. Frankston and Greater Dandenong were approximately 5% more than the state average.  

There are a significant number of single–parent households in the SMR. Frankston (12.8%) and Greater Dandenong (11.2%) have the highest proportions of single-parent households with dependent children in the SMR​ (ABS, 2018)​.

As can be seen in Figure 17, they are predominantly female headed with most LGAs having around 81% as female headed households which is in comparison to around 19% being male headed.  

Single-parent families can experience various forms of disadvantage including poverty. This is visible in the rates of poverty amongst single-parent households, rates of poverty amongst children, and reliance on welfare. According to the HILDA report ​(Wilkins, et al., 2019)​: 

• “Poverty rates are somewhat high for people living in single-parent families, typically falling between 16% and 20%. By contrast, non-elderly couples, whether with or without dependent children, have consistently low poverty rates” (p.44). 
• “The poverty rate for children in single-parent families is over twice the poverty rate for children in couple-parent families. Indeed, in 2017, the poverty rate for children in single-parent families was 19.2%, compared with only 5.3% for children living in couple-parent families” (p.44-45). 
• “Single parents have considerably higher rates of welfare reliance than people in other family types” (p. 48). 
• “Rates of personal contact with the income support system are somewhat higher for women than men in all age groups, but particularly among those aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 44. This is likely to be at least partly due to women being a high proportion of single parents” (p. 52).  

In 2021, 30.0% of people in Victoria were born overseas, compared with 27.7% in Australia. The SMR is an ethnically diverse region. The Southern Metropolitan Region comprises a wide range of culturally diverse populations. Figure 18 shows that Greater Dandenong (63%), Glen Eira (49%) and Casey (46%) have the greatest proportions of overseas born communities ​(Greater Dandenong, 2021)​.  

Within Greater Dandenong, the top countries of birth include Vietnam (9.3%), India (7.5%), Cambodia (5.5%) and Sri Lanka (4%). The top countries of birth in Glen Eira are varied and include China (4.5%), India (4.4%), the UK (2.7%) and South Africa (2.4%). Within Casey, the top countries of birth are the UK (5%), New Zealand (1%), Netherlands (1%) and Myanmar (0.8%). 

The different ethnic communities living in Greater Dandenong and Glen Eira reflects the relative affluence (or lack of) of overseas born communities.

It also prompts consideration of the different reasons for migrating to Australia. Greater Dandenong, for example, has 1,056 (21.2%) asylum seekers (people fleeing war and persecution) which is the largest population in Victoria; while migrants in Port Phillip are more likely to have relocated to Australia for lifestyle choices and to access higher education ​(Greater Dandenong, 2021)​. 

Within Greater Dandenong, the top countries of birth include Vietnam (9.3%), India (7.5%), Cambodia (5.5%) and Sri Lanka (4%). The top countries of birth in Glen Eira are varied and include China (4.5%), India (4.4%), the UK (2.7%) and South Africa (2.4%). Within Casey, the top countries of birth are the UK (5%), New Zealand (1%), Netherlands (1%) and Myanmar (0.8%). 

The different ethnic communities living in Greater Dandenong and Glen Eira reflects the relative affluence (or lack of) of overseas born communities. It also prompts consideration of the different reasons for migrating to Australia. Greater Dandenong, for example, has 1,056 (21.2%) asylum seekers (people fleeing war and persecution) which is the largest population in Victoria; while migrants in Port Phillip are more likely to have relocated to Australia for lifestyle choices and to access higher education ​(Greater Dandenong, 2021)​. 

The SMR consists of contrasting socio-economic statuses. At one end of the spectrum, for example, Greater Dandenong is one of the most disadvantaged areas in Victoria with a median income of $1453.00 per week for persons over the age of 15 ​(ABS, 2018)​.

In contrast, the median income for Bayside for the same grouping is $2487.00 and is one of the least disadvantaged areas in the country (see Figure 21). This variation between regions is similar for the median monthly mortgage repayments and median weekly rent (see figure 22 and 23).

According to the Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA), Greater Dandenong is ranked as the most disadvantaged municipality within Victoria (see Figure 24; ABS,2021).

Within Australia, Greater Dandenong is ranked in the lowest 10% of municipalities in terms of disadvantage. On the other end of the socio-economic spectrum, four of the 10 municipalities within the SMR are ranked in the top 10% of least disadvantage within Victoria and Australia ​(ABS, 2018)​. 

Homelessness in the SMR 

The latest data reveals that 122,494 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021. Males made up 55.9% of people experiencing homelessness, whereas females made up 44.1%. 23.0% of all people experiencing homelessness were aged from 12 to 24 years.  

Furthermore, in the financial year 2021-2022, Victorian Specialist homelessness services (SHS) assisted 101,675 clients (60.2% female and 39.8% male). There were 61,206 female clients (down 5.5% from 64,749 the previous year) and 40,469 male clients (down 0.7% from 40,761 the previous year). Of the female clients, 21,490 (41.1%) were a lone parent with children. The Victorian rate of homelessness assistance (1 in 64 people) was higher than the national rate (1 in 94 people).  

By sex, the Victorian assistance rate was 91.6 per 10,000 persons for female clients compared with 63.2 per 10,000 persons for male clients (average of Victorian local government areas). Victorians aged under 35 make up the majority of those experiencing homelessness, however older women are a fast-growing cohort. Among Victorian females, the leading reasons for seeking assistance are family and domestic violence 55.7%, financial difficulties 42.6%, housing affordability stress 30%, housing crisis 29.4%, inadequate or inappropriate dwelling conditions 23.5%, relationship/family breakdown 18.2%, lack of family/community support 16.6%, and mental health issues 16.5%. 

Homelessness is a significant issue within the SMR ​(ABS, 2018)​. Figure 26 shows the rates of homelessness among females in 2021. As can be seen, The LGAS of Frankston, Port Phillip and Greater Dandenong have the largest rates of homelessness per 10,000 population for females (see figure 27).  

Measuring homelessness and the impact on women

It is difficult to accurately count the number of homeless people. The Census is delivered to all people in Australia and is therefore considered to be “the best source to get a prevalence estimate of the number of homeless Australian people at any one point-in-time”​ (ABS, 2018)​. However, the Census is not able to capture everyone who might be defined as homeless, particularly, for example, women who “move between family members, stay with friends, sleep in cars or vans – anything that will keep them off the streets” ​(The National Older Women’s Housing and Homelessness Working Group, 2018, p. 7)​. Therefore, on Census night when displaced people are being enumerated, women will often be counted as a guest staying at a friend’s or family member’s house rather than disclosing their homeless status.  

The challenges faced in counting all those that may be defined as homeless means that a large proportion of people will not be enumerated on Census night in the correct form – i.e., as homeless. Yet, a disproportionately higher number of women experience housing instability and homelessness than men, but they are less visible as they are less likely to sleep on the streets. For example, in 2019-2020, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ​(2020)​ reported that 60% of clients who accessed specialised homelessness services were female. Moreover, the two leading contributing factors to homelessness affect women significantly more than men. First, domestic and family violence is predominantly experienced by women and children ​(Ponic, et al., 2011)​ and leads to difficulties with maintaining housing, paying mortgages, bills or rent, or having to live in temporary accommodations with family and/or friends ​(Kushel, et al., 2006)​. Second, older women (meaning, women aged 55 and over) in Australia have a greater risk of housing insecurity and homelessness than their male counterparts and this is tightly bound to their experiences of financial insecurity ​(The National Older Women’s Housing and Homelessness Working Group, 2018)​. Recent data shows that homelessness among older Australian women increased by 31% between 2011 and 2016 ​(Women’s Agenda, 2019)​. Meanwhile, in Victoria, the same time period saw a staggering increase of 40%​ (ABS, 2018)​. 

Family violence, housing insecurity and homelessness

Women who leave their homes due to domestic and family violence often find it difficult to secure suitable accommodation ​(ANROWS, 2019)​. For example, research has found that more than 90% of first requests by victim survivors to Specialist Homelessness Services for long-term accommodation are unable to be met and nearly 60% of women report experiencing housing stress ​(ANROWS, 2019)​. 

ANROWS ​(2019)​ have identified key issues for women experiencing domestic and family violence and its impact on housing. They include:  

• Women forced to leave their homes due to domestic and family violence can have trouble securing long-term accommodation. 
• Women leaving domestic and family violence may experience housing stress, even if they stay in their own homes. 
• Women’s housing insecurity following domestic and family violence is tied to their economic insecurity. 

• Poor housing conditions and overcrowding in Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander communities can exacerbate violence and vulnerability. 
• Many women rely on their personal networks for housing after leaving a violent relationship. 
• Women sometimes return to violent partners due to housing insecurity.  
• More robust evaluations are needed to determine the efficacy of “Safe at Home” programs. 
• Crisis-oriented domestic and family violence funding overlooks women’s longer-term housing needs.  

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ​(2019)​, between 2016-17 and 2017-18, an increase of 10.7% was seen in Victoria in the rate of people seeking support for insecure housing or homelessness because of domestic and family violence.  This is a significantly higher increase than that observed across Australia (3.8%).  In 2019-20 it was identified ​(ABS, 2020)​: 

• 119,200 SHS clients had experienced family and domestic violence, equating to 41% of all clients. 
• Females made up the majority (90%) of adult (aged 18 years and over) SHS clients having experienced family and domestic violence. 
• On average, each client who experienced family and domestic violence received assistance twice from homelessness agencies over the 12-month period (2 support periods per client), with a median of 52 days of support provided. 
• More SHS clients who experienced family and domestic violence were at risk of homelessness (63%) upon presentation to an SHS agency, than were homeless (37%). 
• There was very little difference in the number and proportion of males (17,900 or 49%) and females (18,700 or 51%) aged under 15 experiencing family and domestic violence. 
• 2 in 5 Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander clients (39% or almost 27,900 clients) had experienced family and domestic violence. 
• 3 in 10 (28%) Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander clients who had experienced family and domestic violence were less than 10 years of age.