Physiotherapy Labour Force Survey

Transcription

Physiotherapy Labour Force Survey
Physiotherapy Labour Force
Victoria 2006
A report by Service and Workforce Planning
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Human
Services
Melbourne, Victoria
© Copyright State of Victoria 2007
This publication is copyright, no part may be reproduced by any
process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright
Act 1968.
This document may also be downloaded from the Department of
Human Services web site at:
www.dhs.vic.gov.au or
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/workforce
Authorised by the State Government of Victoria, 50 Lonsdale
Street, Melbourne.
Table of Contents
1
Introduction...........................................................................................................4
1.1 Labour force surveys .........................................................................................4
2 Methodology ..........................................................................................................4
3 Labour Force Survey 2006 .......................................................................................5
3.1 Gender of physiotherapists .................................................................................5
3.2 Age profile of physiotherapists ............................................................................5
3.3 Country of birth ................................................................................................7
3.4 Hours worked ...................................................................................................7
3.5 Location of employment .....................................................................................8
3.6 Length of practice .............................................................................................9
3.7 Qualifications.................................................................................................. 10
3.8 Work status.................................................................................................... 10
3.9 Work intentions .............................................................................................. 11
3.10
Field specialty .............................................................................................. 13
3.11
Professional role........................................................................................... 13
3.12
Practice setting ............................................................................................ 14
3.13
Working arrangements .................................................................................. 15
APPENDIX A – SURVEY INSTRUMENT ............................................................................ 16
APPENDIX B - Registration Board Data .......................................................................... 20
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
1
-4-
Introduction
Physiotherapy is a therapeutic health profession concerned with enhancing mobility and
quality of life by using clinical reasoning to deliver the most suitable treatment for an injury
or condition. Physiotherapists help people gain as much movement and physical
independence as possible so they can resume their normal job or lifestyle. Physiotherapists
assess, diagnose and treat people with movement problems. They also deliver patient
education and help people avoid injuries and maintain a fit, healthy body1.
In Victoria, suitably qualified physiotherapists are registered by the Physiotherapists
Registration Board of Victoria. Physiotherapy degree courses are offered at three universities in
Victoria – La Trobe University, The University of Melbourne and Monash University.
1.1 Labour force surveys
Labour Force Surveys are conducted by Service and Workforce Planning Branch within the
Department of Human Services (DHS) for a number of health professions. A Victorian
Physiotherapy Labour Force Survey was first conducted in 1998 and again in 2003. Each
survey aimed to explore the composition of the physiotherapy labour force within Victoria, and
provide an understanding about the changing composition and work practices of the
profession.
“Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2003-04” was published by DHS in 2006 and presented
the results of the 1998 and 2003 surveys.
A more recent survey of physiotherapists was conducted during the 2006 registration period.
2
Methodology
A paper-based survey was designed by Service and Workforce Planning Branch and distributed
by the Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria along with their registration renewals. As
physiotherapists are able to register online, an electronic survey was included with the online
registration forms. A copy of the survey instrument is shown in Appendix A.
The Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria collected the hard copy and electronic
survey returns and forwarded them to Service and Workforce Planning Branch in April 2007.
87% of survey responses were electronic, and 13% hard copy.
1
Australian Physiotherapy Association
http://apa.advsol.com.au/physio_and_health/improve/what.cfm
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
3
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Labour Force Survey 2006
At the time the surveys were sent out (late October 2006), the Physiotherapists Registration
Board of Victoria indicated there were 4,453 physiotherapists registered. Of the surveys
distributed by the Board, 3,784 responses were received, a response rate of 85%.
The following data is based on survey responses. Gender and residential postcode data for the
total population of registered physiotherapists is shown in Appendix B.
3.1 Gender of physiotherapists
Physiotherapy is a female-dominated profession. 71% of respondents were female. There has
been little change from past surveys (1998 – 72% female; 2003 – 72% female).
Table 1. Gender of physiotherapists, 2006 (Source: Physiotherapy labour force survey, 2006)
Gender
Number
Percentage
Males
1068
28.2%
Females
2682
70.9%
34
0.9%
3784
100%
Not specified
Total
3.2 Age profile of physiotherapists
The majority of physiotherapists fall into the 25-29 year age group (20.2% of total
respondents). The age profile is very similar for males and females, both peaking in the 25-29
year age group, and declining up to the 40-44 year age group. The number of males and
females increases slightly in the 45-49 year age group and then declines steadily.
Figure 1. Age profile of physiotherapists by 5-year age groups, 2006.
Number of
physiotherapists
600
Male
500
Female
400
300
200
100
0
< 25
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44 45-49
Age group
50-54
55-59
60-64
65+
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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The average age of female physiotherapists is 38.7 years; for males the average age is 37.2
years. The 2003 labour force survey indicated the average age for female physiotherapists was
39.9 years, and for males, 37.4 years.
Table 2. Number of physiotherapists by 5-year age group and gender, 2006.
Number
Male
Female
No gender
specified
Percentage of
total
< 25
277
69
207
1
7.3%
25-29
763
228
532
3
20.2%
30-34
679
223
454
2
17.9%
35-39
502
151
350
1
13.3%
40-44
422
119
303
0
11.2%
45-49
452
128
323
1
11.9%
50-54
274
81
193
0
7.2%
55-59
185
37
147
1
4.9%
60-64
119
14
105
0
3.1%
65+
70
12
58
0
1.8%
No response
41
6
10
25
1.1%
3784
1068
2682
34
100.0%
Age group
Total
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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3.3 Country of birth
The majority of physiotherapists registered in Victoria were born in Australia. Of those who
specified country of birth, 25% were born overseas, with 7.9% from Asia, 6.7% from
UK/Ireland, 2.6% from other European countries and 2.5% from New Zealand.
Figure 2. Country of birth of physiotherapists, 2006.
Australia
Asia
UK/Ireland
Other Europe
New Zealand
Other
Not specified
3.4 Hours worked
Females work less hours, on average, than males. The difference is particularly pronounced for
35-39 year olds, with males working 41 hours per week, on average, and females working 20
hours per week. The highest average weekly hours are worked by 50-54 year old males. For
females, the highest average weekly hours are worked by physiotherapists less than 25 years
old.
Average paid weekly hours
Figure 3. Average weekly hours by gender, 2006.
50
Male
Female
40
30
20
10
0
< 25
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
Age group
50-54
55-59
60-64
65+
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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The average weekly hours worked by females in 2006 was 29.7 hours. This has decreased
from 2003, where the labour force survey indicated females worked an average of 30.8 hours
per week. Male physiotherapists worked an average 40.9 hours per week in 2006, compared
with 41.5 hours per week in 2003.
3.5 Location of employment
3,197 respondents provided details of work location by postcode. The survey allowed details to
be entered for the “main” job/location, second job/location and a third job/location. 142
respondents were working in three locations, and 570 in two locations.
The postcodes/localities have been converted to local government areas and results are shown
for the main job/location only.
Most physiotherapists work in the City of Melbourne and surrounding local government areas
(LGAs). Greater Geelong has the most physiotherapists of the rural LGAs, with 134
respondents listing Greater Geelong as the location of their main employment.
Figure 4. Map of main work location of physiotherapists, by local government area, 2006.
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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Table 3. Top 10 metropolitan and rural local government areas, by number of physiotherapists
(main job location), 2006.
Metropolitan Local
Government Area
Number of
physiotherapists
Rural Local Government
Area
Number of
physiotherapists
Melbourne (C)
275
Greater Geelong (C)
134
Boroondara (C)
154
Ballarat (C)
62
Glen Eira (C)
148
Greater Bendigo (C)
59
Banyule (C)
146
Wodonga (RC)
36
Stonnington (C)
139
Greater Shepparton (C)
31
Monash (C)
130
Wangaratta (RC)
31
Whitehorse (C)
124
Latrobe (C)
29
Yarra (C)
120
East Gippsland (S)
18
Frankston (C)
95
Baw Baw (S)
17
Kingston (C)
91
Mildura (RC)
16
Of the physiotherapists that provided the location of their main employment, 80% work in
metropolitan areas, and 20% in rural areas of Victoria.
3.6 Length of practice
1100 respondents have worked in physiotherapy for more than 20 years.
Table 4. Number of years working as a physiotherapist (in Australia and overseas), 2006.
Years of work
Number of respondents
< 5 years
707
5-9 years
794
10-14 years
606
15-19 years
456
> 20 years
Not specified
Total
1100
121
3784
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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3.7 Qualifications
Physiotherapists registered from 1980 onwards are more likely to have degree qualifications.
Earlier registrants are more likely to have diploma-level qualifications. Courses currently
accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council are at Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral level2.
However, in the past, approved courses would have included Diploma level qualifications.
Figure 5. Type of qualification by year first registered in Victoria, 2006.
100%
80%
Not specified
Post-grad
60%
Bachelor
40%
Diploma
20%
0%
pre-1960
1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2006
Year first registered in Victoria
3.8 Work status
Of the total number of physiotherapists that responded to the survey, 2,913 or 77% are
working mainly in Victoria. 276 respondents are working in physiotherapy overseas, and 83 in
other states/territories within Australia. 225 or 5.9% of respondents are not currently working
as physiotherapists.
2
Australian Physiotherapy Council
http://www.physiocouncil.com.au/file_folder/Accreditationstatus
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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Table 5. Work status of registered physiotherapists, 2006.
Work status
Working only in Victoria
Working mainly in Victoria but also in other
States/Territories
Number
2913
117
Working mainly in other States/Territories but also in
Victoria
51
Working only in other States/Territories
32
On leave for 3 months or longer
108
Working as a physiotherapist overseas
276
Not in paid work
129
Working but in an occupation or industry unrelated to
physiotherapy
96
Not specified
62
Total
3784
There were 501 respondents not working as a physiotherapist in Australia. 11% stated they
were absent from the workforce due to family responsibilities. 14% of those not working are
travelling of taking a career break. 10% are intending to change careers.
3.9 Work intentions
The majority of respondents under 45 years of age expect to be practising physiotherapy for
more than 20 years. However, a number of young physiotherapists have indicated an intention
to practise for less than 5 years, citing reasons such as family responsibilities, career change,
pursuit of alternative course of study and inability to practise due to illness/injury, as likely
reasons for leaving physiotherapy.
152 respondents under the age of 35 years, have indicated they will leave physiotherapy
within 5 years.
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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Table 6. Years expecting to work as a physiotherapist, by age, 2006.
Respondents by age
Years
expecting to
work
Total
Respondents
< 25
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
Age not
specified
> 65
<5
323
28
124
25
20
87
38
1
5-9
442
35
147
45
108
97
8
2
10-14
608
33
177
115
226
51
2
4
15-19
399
13
68
144
164
8
1
1
1282
143
619
410
97
4
1
8
730
25
307
185
111
57
20
25
3784
277
1442
924
726
304
70
41
> 20
Not specified
Total
Work intentions shown by length of service as a physiotherapist, indicates that the majority of
practitioners in the groups with less than 20 years of practice, intend to keep practising for at
least another 20 years.
Note the minorities, however, such as 79 physiotherapists who have been practising for less
than 5 years, and do not intend to practise past another 5 years. 47% of these respondents
cited a change in career or pursuit of alternative study as the reason for not remaining in the
physiotherapy workforce. 18% cited travel/relocation, and another 18% cited family
responsibilities as likely reasons for permanent departure from the physiotherapy workforce.
Table 7. Years expecting to work as a physiotherapist, by number of years already practising,
2006.
Respondents by length of practice
Years
expecting to
work
Total
Respondents
<5
years
5-9
years
10-14
years
15-20
years
> 20
years
Not
specified
<5
323
79
60
28
13
125
18
5-9
442
81
84
37
29
202
9
10-14
608
74
107
84
62
270
11
15-19
399
26
42
68
88
167
8
1282
346
314
272
178
147
25
730
101
187
117
86
179
60
3784
707
794
606
456
1090
131
> 20
Not specified
Total
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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3.10 Field specialty
Most respondents work in musculoskeletal physiotherapy in their main job, followed by mixed
practice and aged care/rehabilitation. The field with the smallest number of practitioners (main
job) is research.
The highest average number of hours is worked in mixed practice, followed by musculoskeletal
and paediatric physiotherapy.
30.00
Number in field
Average hours
1000
25.00
0.00
Research
Occupational
Health
Other
0
Teaching/education
5.00
Sports/fitness
200
Paediatric
10.00
Neurological
400
Musculoskeletal
15.00
Mixed practice
600
Management
20.00
Cardiorespiratory
800
3.11 Professional role
The majority of physiotherapists work as practitioners/clinicians/consultants.
Table 8. Professional roles of physiotherapists in main, second and third jobs, 2006.
Number (main
job)
Number (second
job)
Number (third
job)
Practitioner/clinician/consultant
2620
701
157
Advisor/manager/administrator
187
29
9
Educator/teacher
74
25
14
Researcher
46
18
4
Other
25
9
1
Total
2952
782
185
Professional role
Average hours worked
1200
Aged
care/rehabilitation
Number of physiotherapi sts
Figure 6. Number of physiotherapists by physiotherapy field specialty (main job), and average
weekly hours, 2006.
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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3.12 Practice setting
Physiotherapy practice/consultancy is the main employment setting for physiotherapists, with
34% reporting this as the setting for their main job. Acute hospitals employ 642
physiotherapists in their main job. 109 physiotherapists work in acute hospitals as a second
job and 29 as a third job.
Table 9. Practice setting for physiotherapists in main, second and third job, 2006.
Number (main
job)
Number (second
job)
Number (third
job)
1005
356
62
Acute hospital
642
109
29
Rehabilitation hospital
427
34
5
Community health centre
222
42
9
Residential aged care
105
87
29
Rehabilitation service provider
77
16
6
Sports clinic/fitness centre
63
40
8
Domiciliary care service
60
12
3
Disability service
59
16
0
Government
56
12
5
Tertiary education institution
54
25
11
Industry/business
28
18
11
Defence
14
1
0
135
41
7
2947
809
185
Practice Setting
Physiotherapy
practice/consultancy
Other
Total respondents
Physiotherapy Labour Force – Victoria 2006
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3.13 Working arrangements
The majority of respondents are salaried public sector employees. 20% have their own practice
or partnership, and 15% are salaried private sector employees.
Figure 7. Working arrangements of physiotherapists (main job), 2006.
4%
2%
Salaried public sector
1%
5%
Own practice/partnership
Salaried private sector
10%
43%
Contract/tenured
Salaried non-government/nonprofit
15%
Sessional
Locum
20%
Other
APPENDIX A – SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Registration Number (Optional)
2006 PHYSIOTHERAPISTS LABOUR FORCE
DATA COLLECTION
The Department of Human Services Victoria (DHS) undertakes regular workforce data collections to support state-level
workforce planning. Data collected by DHS may also be shared with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
to assist monitoring of national workforce trends.
The survey is conducted by DHS in cooperation with the Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria, and is supported
by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. You are strongly encouraged to complete the survey, to help improve the
accuracy and reliability of physiotherapy workforce statistics.
Even if you are not currently working as a
physiotherapist in Victoria, questions 1-13 of the survey are still applicable.
Questions or comments about the survey can be directed to the Service & Workforce Planning Branch of DHS on (03) 9096
6111, or to workforce.planning@dhs.vic.gov.au
Please return your paper questionnaire in the postage-paid envelope provided by 23 February 2007.
CONFIDENTIALITY of your responses is preserved by the Information Privacy Principles, which imposes strict conditions on the form
and circumstances of data release, particularly protecting the release of information that could identify an individual.
NB: Provision of your registration number is optional, and will only be used in longitudinal analysis of workforce change.
Please tick the boxes and write responses, where appropriate, in the spaces provided.
1
Gender
2
Year of birth
3
Place of birth
1
Australia
Asia
4
5
Female
2
Other Europe
4
1
Male
1
New Zealand
21
UK/Ireland
51
Other
61
Please Specify………………………………
Do you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?
311
9
Yes
1
2
What is the postcode of your usual residence?
6
In which year did you first obtain general registration as a physiotherapist
in Victoria?
7
In which Australian States and/or Territories does your name appear on the latest physiotherapist register?
Please specify the States/Territories of registration
by ticking each appropriate box:
8
NSW
11
Vic
21
Qld
31
WA
43
SA
51
Tas
51
NT
71
ACT
83
a Year obtained
Details of your
first
physiotherapy
qualification
b
Title/level of
qualification
c
Place obtained Australia
d
9
No
Place obtained overseas
Diploma
1
Bachelor degree
21
Postgraduate diploma/degree
3
NSW
11
Vic
21
Qld
31
WA
43
SA
51
Tas
51
NT
71
ACT
83
New Zealand
11
UK/Ireland
21
Other Europe
31
Asia
43
Other
51
1
(Please Specify)…………………………
How many years of paid work as a physiotherapist have you had, in both Australia and
overseas, since obtaining your first physiotherapy qualification?
10
Which of the following best describes your work status in the last week?
Paid work as a physiotherapist in Australia (see definition in shaded area)
Only in Victoria
1
Mainly in Victoria but also in other States/Territories
2
Mainly in other States/Territories but also in Victoria
3
Only in other States/Territories
4
On leave for 3 months or longer (e.g. maternity, long service leave)
5
Working as a physiotherapist
includes the practice of physiotherapy,
or work that is principally concerned
with the discipline of physiotherapy
(including research, teaching,
professional advisory, management
and administrative services).
(Please go to Question 13)
Not working as a physiotherapist in Australia
Working as a physiotherapist overseas
6
Not in paid work
7
Working, but in an occupation or industry unrelated to physiotherapy
8
(Please continue to Question 11)
11
Which of the following best describes your current situation?
Absent from the workforce with family responsibilities
Not yet commenced work
1
Retired from the workforce
21
31
Further study - physiotherapy
4
5
Travel/career break
6
Withdrawal from the workforce through illness/injury
12
13
Career change
7
(Please provide reason/s)…………
……………………………………….
Unsuitability of available work
8
(Please provide reason/s)…………
……………………………………….
Studying – other discipline
91
(Please provide details)……………
……………………………………….
Other
10
(Please Specify)……………………
……………………………………….
Likely time frame for commencing or resuming practice
as a physiotherapist
Duration of any overseas experience/practice as a
physiotherapist
Not intending to practice
1
Within 12 months
21
Between 1& 5 years
31
More than 5 years
41
Nil
1
Less than 2 years
21
Between 2 & 5 years
3
More than 5 years
41
If not currently working as a physiotherapist in Victoria - no further questions, thank you!
If currently working as a physiotherapist in Victoria - please continue from Q 14 to the end of the questionnaire.
14
Excluding temporary workforce absences, approximately how many more years do you
expect to work as a physiotherapist in Victoria?
15
At this time, what do you think would be
the most likely reason for your permanent
or long term departure from the
physiotherapy workforce?
Retirement
1
Family responsibilities
21
Career change
3
Pursuit of alternative study
41
Inability to practice due to illness/injury
5
Other reason
61
(Please Specify)
……………………………………………….
16
In Question 16a, please record your total paid weekly hours for the past week in all of the physiotherapy jobs/practice
locations in which you worked in Victoria only. If you were on leave last week, provide details of paid weekly hours
usually worked. (Exclude travel time between work locations, and unpaid voluntary activities.)
For Questions 16b and 16c, record the Victorian postcode (or location) for each physiotherapy job held. Continue down
the column underneath each job heading to record the number of hours worked, according to your field of practice or
specialty.
For Questions 16d to 16f, tick the box that best indicates your professional role, practice setting and work arrangements
in each of your physiotherapy jobs.
a
Total paid weekly hours worked (all Victorian physiotherapy
jobs/locations)
b
Geographic location
Main Job/Location
2nd Job/Location
3rd Job/Location
Postcode
or location (if postcode not known)
c
Field/specialty
………………………….
HOURS
………………………….
HOURS
………………………….
HOURS
Mixed Practice
Neurological
Cardiorespiratory
Occupational Health
Musculoskeletal
Aged care/rehabilitation
Paediatric
Sports/fitness
Teaching/education
Research
Management
Other
(Please specify)
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
TOTAL HOURS PER
JOB/LOCATION
d
Professional role
(Please tick one box only for each job/location)
Practitioner/clinician/consultant
1
1
1
Advisor/manager/administrator
2
2
2
Educator/teacher
3
3
3
Researcher
4
4
4
Other
5
5
5
(Please specify)
………………………….
………………………….
………………………….
Main Job/Location
e
3rd Job/Location
(Please tick one box only for each job/location)
Practice setting
Physiotherapy practice/consultancy
1
1
1
Acute hospital
2
2
2
Rehabilitation hospital
3
3
3
Community health centre
4
4
4
Residential aged care
5
5
5
Disability Service
6
6
6
Domiciliary care service
7
7
7
Government
8
8
8
Defence
9
9
9
Industry/business
10
10
10
Rehabilitation service provider
11
11
11
Sports clinic/fitness centre
12
12
12
Tertiary education institution
13
13
13
Other
14
14
14
(Please specify)
f
2nd Job/Location
………………………….
Working arrangements
………………………….
………………………….
(Please tick one box only for each job/location)
Own practice or partnership
1
1
1
Salaried private sector
2
2
2
Salaried public sector
3
3
3
Salaried non-government/non-profit
4
4
4
Sessional
5
5
5
Contract/tenured
6
6
6
Locum
7
7
7
Other
8
8
8
(Please specify)
………………………….
………………………….
……………………………
Thank you for your assistance in completing the survey!
Return the completed paper questionnaire in the postage-paid envelope provided, or
send to:
Allied Health Survey
Workforce Planning
Reply Paid 4057
MELBOURNE 8060 (no stamp required)
APPENDIX B - Registration Board Data
The Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria collects date of birth, gender and
residential postcode for all registered physiotherapists. Registration data provided at 30th
August 2007 indicated there were 1277 male and 2955 female physiotherapists registered to
practise.
Table B1. Gender of physiotherapists, 2007 (Source: Physiotherapists Registration Board of
Victoria, Register as at 30th August 2007)
Gender
Number
Percentage
Males
1277
30.1%
Females
2955
69.8%
4
0.1%
4236
100%
Not specified
Total
From the residential postcode data, where provided to the Registration Board, 73% of
registrants reside in metropolitan Melbourne, 17.5% in rural Victoria (includes Geelong), and
3% have interstate addresses. Registration data from 2004 showed 73% of physiotherapists
resided in Melbourne/Geelong, 16% in rural Victoria and 11% interstate/overseas.
Table B2. Residential location of physiotherapists, 2007 (Source: Physiotherapists Registration
Board of Victoria, Register as at 30th August 2007)
Residence
Number
Percentage
3109
73.4%
Rural Victoria
740
17.5%
Interstate
121
2.9%
Unknown
266
6.3%
Total
4236
100%
Metropolitan Melbourne