Is headspace making a difference to young people’s lives?

Appendix B
Table B5 Females 18–25 years by distance to nearest headspace centre (Rounds 1-8), by age group
Females 12-17 years Females 18-25 years Females 12-25 years
Distance Number % Number % Number %
Less than 10 kilometres 502,492 61.8 798,977 70.3 1,301,469 66.8
10 - 30 kilometres 188,018 23.1 219,940 19.3 407,958 20.9
30 kilometres or more 122,004 15.0 117,761 10.4 239,765 12.3
Total 812,514 100.0 1,136,678 100.0 1,949,192 100.0
Table B6 shows the number of young people aged 12-25 in each state who live within 10 km,
10-30 km and more than 30 km from a headspace centre following the implementation of Round
8 centres. The table indicates that approximately two thirds of young people in Australia will live in
close proximity to a centre. However there are significant differences between states. For example,
following Round 8, more than 70% of young people in New South Wales and Victoria will live within
10 km of a centre and all young people in ACT will live within 30 km of a centre. In contrast, less than
half of the young people in Tasmania and the Northern Territory will live within 10 km of a headspace
centre, and more than 30% will live more than 30 km from a headspace centre. These disparities
reflect differences in the geographic size, population distribution and number of centres in each state
and territory.
Table B7 reports the distance of clients from a headspace centre, disaggregated by ABS remoteness
classifications. As displayed in this table, there are substantial differences in geographic proximity
of the population to a centre by remoteness. For example, following Round 8, more than two thirds
of young people living in major cities will live within 10 km of a centre but only 1% of young people
in remote areas will live within 30 km of a headspace centre. While this finding is not surprising,
it demonstrates the variability of equity in access to headspace centres for young people across
Australia.
Table B6 Females 18–25 years by distance to nearest headspace centre (Rounds 1-8), by age group
Less than 10 10 - 30 kilometres 30 kilometres or
Total
kilometres
more
New South Wales Number 892,781 196,467 157,329 1,246,577
Per cent 71.6 15.8 12.6 100
Victoria Number 733,776 165,223 94,360 993,359
Per cent 73.9 16.6 9.5 100
Queensland Number 479,919 233,359 106,939 820,217
Per cent 58.5 28.5 13 100
South Australia Number 178,924 68,711 41,127 288,762
Per cent 62 23.8 14.2 100
Western Australia Number 261,082 109,839 57,288 428,209
Per cent 61 25.7 13.4 100
Tasmania Number 38,729 21,288 27,324 87,341
Per cent 44.3 24.4 31.3 100
Northern Territory Number 13,381 16,060 15,000 44,441
Per cent 30.1 36.1 33.8 100
Australian Capital Territory Number 45,429 28,023 10 73,462
Per cent 61.8 38.1 0 100
Australia Number 2,644,021 838,970 499,377 3,982,368
Per cent 66.4 21.1 12.5 100
Social Policy Research Centre 2015
headspace Evaluation Final Report
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