A new report from National Seniors Australia has shone a spotlight on the growing divide between older Australians living in the city and those in rural, regional and remote communities.
It has also revealed significant challenges faced by those ageing outside metropolitan areas.
Drawing on data from the National Seniors Social Survey collected between 2023 and 2025, the research found older people in rural and remote locations are far more likely to struggle to access or afford healthcare than their city counterparts.
The findings point to a consistent trend across multiple measures, with disadvantage increasing the further people live from major centres.
The report also found seniors in non-metropolitan areas are less likely to have private health insurance and are falling behind on key vaccinations, including Covid 19, shingles and influenza. Beyond healthcare, many are also facing practical barriers to daily life, including difficulties getting around their communities and challenges navigating an increasingly digital world.
These findings reinforce earlier work by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which has long highlighted poorer health outcomes and shorter life expectancy for Australians living outside major cities.
The research was commissioned by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, with a focus on better understanding the needs of older Australians in diverse and often underrepresented groups – including those
living in rural and remote areas.
In response, National Seniors Australia has announced a new research project focused specifically on ageing in regional, rural and remote Australia, aimed at ensuring those communities are better supported and not left behind as the population continues to age.
