Australia’s population is a growing and ageing population. This growing and ageing population is one of Australia’s health priorities because with a growing and ageing population comes an increase in disease burden and health care demand. 

Australia’s growing and ageing population is a product of increased life expectancy, and decreased birth rates. The increasing survival rates for chronic diseases means that the elderly population have greater prevalence of major diseases, such as: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as suffering greater levels of disability.

As the growing and raging population increase the population living with chronic disease and disability, they also increase the demand for health services, which causes workforce shortages and a greater need for carers and volunteers.