Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership

Income and employment

Individual income

In 2006, the median individual income of Loddon Shire residents was $324. This figure was lower than that of Regional Victoria ($399) and Victoria ($456). The median individual income of City of Greater Bendigo residents was $403. This figure was slightly higher than that of Regional Victoria and was lower than the Victorian median. Towns within the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region varied, with Heathcote and Inglewood recording the lowest income and Bendigo recording the highest income.

Household income

In 2006, the median household income in Loddon Shire was $597, compared to $820 across Regional Victoria and $1022 for the Victorian average. The median household income in City of Greater Bendigo was $833. Towns within the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region varied substantially.

Age pensioners and carers

The Age Pension is an income support payment for people who have reached retirement age. Men must be aged 65 or over and women must be 63 ½ or over. In September 2009, both Loddon and Greater Bendigo had a higher proportion of population that was receiving the Age Pension when compared to the Victorian average. Loddon had a particularly high proportion. Between March and September 2009, the proportion of population receiving the age pension did not change in City of Greater Bendigo while it increased in Loddon Shire.

The Carer Payment is an income support payment for people who are unable to support themselves through participation in the workforce because they are caring for someone with a disability, severe medical condition or who is frail aged. In September 2009, compared to the Victorian average, Greater Bendigo and Loddon had a high proportion of population aged 15 years or over receiving the Carer Payment. Between March and September 2009, the proportion of population aged 15 years and over receiving the benefit decreased in Greater Bendigo and increased in Loddon Shire.

Occupation

Occupations held by the labour force residing in the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region are largely similar to those for Regional Victoria, with a higher proportion of professionals and clerical and administration workers and a lower proportion of managers. Compared to the whole of Victoria, the PCP region has a lower proportion of professionals and a higher proportion of labourers. When comparing Local Government areas, Loddon Shire has a significantly higher proportion of managers and has a lower proportion of most other occupations, other than labouring. City of Greater Bendigo shares the same occupation proportions as the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region, and this is based on the range of employment opportunities offered in the large regional centre of Bendigo.

Industry of employment

In 2006, the labour force residing in the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region worked in similar industries as the labour force across Regional Victoria. A lower proportion of labour force working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector was the major difference. Compared to the Victorian labour force, the PCP region had a lower proportion working in the professional, scientific and technical and the wholesale trade industry sectors, while it had a higher proportion working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing, the retail trade and the health care/social assistance sectors. As expected, Loddon Shire had a high proportion of labour force working in the agricultural sector and, generally, a lower proportion of labour force working across the other sectors.

NewStart recipients

Newstart is an income support payment for people who are looking for work. It allows them to participate in activities designed to increase their chances of finding work. A person must be aged 21 to 64 to qualify. In September 2009, compared to Victoria, Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire had a higher proportion of females who were receiving a Newstart allowance and this figure had increased from March 2009, particularly in Loddon Shire.

In September 2009, Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire had a significantly higher proportion (almost double) of male population aged 21 to 64 years that were receiving the Newstart benefit than the Victorian average. This proportion had increased from March 2009, particularly in Loddon Shire.

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