Elderly Australians Living Alone: The Numbers, The Risks, and What Families Can Do
More than 1.2 million Australians aged 65 and over live by themselves. For many, it's a choice they value. For others, it comes with hidden risks that families only discover after a crisis.
Last updated: February 2026 | Sources: ABS, AIHW, Monash University
Who Is Living Alone?
The picture of elderly Australians living alone is more nuanced than most people realise. While the overall figure of 1.2 million is widely cited, the demographics tell a deeper story.
The Gender Gap Is Striking
Women make up roughly two-thirds of elderly sole-person households. By age 75, 40% of Australian women live alone compared to 20% of men. This is driven primarily by widowhood — women on average outlive their partners by 4–6 years — and by higher rates of separation in later life.
For families, this means your mother or grandmother is statistically more likely to be living alone than your father or grandfather, and for longer.
Regional vs Metropolitan
Regional and rural Australians are disproportionately affected. In Tasmania, 28.1% of over-65s live alone — the highest rate nationally. South Australia follows at 27.2%. These are also areas where family members are more likely to have moved to capital cities for work, creating physical distance between generations.
State-by-State Breakdown
| State | Estimated Seniors Living Alone | % of Over-65 Population |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 385,000 | 24.8% |
| VIC | 310,000 | 25.1% |
| QLD | 245,000 | 24.5% |
| WA | 115,000 | 23.9% |
| SA | 105,000 | 27.2% |
| TAS | 38,000 | 28.1% |
Sources: ABS Census 2021, AIHW Older Australians Report 2024. ACT and NT excluded due to small sample sizes.
The Hidden Health Risks
Living alone isn't inherently dangerous. Many seniors thrive independently. But research identifies specific risks that increase with age and isolation.
Undetected Falls
One in three Australians over 65 experience a fall each year. When living alone, a fall at night might not be discovered for hours or days. Hip fractures in particular carry a 20–30% mortality rate within 12 months, largely due to delayed discovery.
Accelerated Cognitive Decline
A 2024 Monash University study found that socially isolated seniors experienced cognitive decline at nearly twice the rate of those with regular social contact. Daily conversation — even brief — provides critical mental stimulation. Read more about loneliness and health effects.
Medication Non-Compliance
Without someone to remind them, seniors living alone are significantly more likely to miss doses, double-dose, or take medications at wrong times. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee estimates medication errors cost the Australian health system $1.2 billion annually.
Nutritional Decline
People who eat alone tend to eat less, less often, and less nutritiously. A Deakin University study found that 30% of Australians over 75 living alone were at risk of malnutrition — a condition linked to increased hospital admissions and delayed recovery.
What Can Families Do?
There's no single solution. The best approach combines multiple layers of support, tailored to your loved one's situation.
Daily Check-In Calls
A daily phone call — whether from family, a volunteer service like Red Cross Telecross, or an AI companion like Kindly Call — is the single most effective way to ensure someone is safe and well each day.
Compare check-in services →Personal Alarm Systems
Pendant alarms from providers like MePACS or VitalCALL can summon help after a fall. However, studies show only 20% of seniors wear them consistently.
What if they refuse to wear one? →Government Funded Support
The new Support at Home program (launched November 2025) provides funding for in-home services including technology and monitoring. The AT-HM scheme covers assistive technology up to $15,000+.
Guide to aged care funding →Community & Social Programs
Local councils, community health centres, and organisations like the Neighbourhood House network offer social groups, meals programs, and visitor schemes. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to find what's available in your area.
A Trend That's Growing
Australia's population is aging rapidly. By 2036, the number of Australians over 65 is projected to increase by 70%. The proportion living alone is expected to rise alongside, driven by increasing divorce rates in older demographics, smaller family sizes, and geographic dispersal of families.
This isn't a problem that's going away. Understanding the landscape now helps families plan ahead, rather than scrambling during a crisis.
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