Kempsey – LGA
Health Needs Assessment 2025 – 2028
Kempsey local government area (LGA)
An overview of the Kempsey Local Government Area (LGA) health needs is provided. The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) process utilised a comprehensive, mixed-methods approach to collect and analyse data on the health and service needs of the North Coast region.
Key Information
- Kempsey LGA – Factsheet
- Key messages – Demographics and Social Determinants
- Key messages – Primary Healthcare in the region
- Explore more LGAs in the North Coast, NSW – View menu
Health Needs Kempsey LGA
Located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Kempsey Local Government Area (LGA) sits on the Traditional Lands of the Dunghutti Nation. Kempsey LGA is part of the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Kempsey – Nambucca SA3. The region’s diverse landscape includes coastal areas, rural farmlands, and hinterland regions, offering a mix of natural beauty and country living.
The town of Kempsey serves as the main administrative and commercial centre of the LGA. The Macleay River, a prominent feature of the area, provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. With a high proportion of Aboriginal peoples and a substantial prevalence of chronic disease, it’s important to recognise the diversity within the community and ensure that health services are culturally safe and tailored to meet local needs.
Download Kempsey HNA Factsheet
Footnote: throughout this document ‘survey’ refers to the 2024 Better Health Community survey undertaken as part of the Health Needs Assessment 2025-28 consultation process
Key messages
DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
- Population 30,688, 6% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 3% by 2031 (5% increase North Coast).
- Population density: 9 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
- 13% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
- Median age 48 (47 North Coast, 39 NSW) lowest across the North Coast LGAs
- 25% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 18% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).
- 2 in 7 children were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
- 1 in 2 survey participants found it difficult to access a GP for a child in their care
Opportunity: Work in partnership to improve education, support, community and peer-based services for children and families.
Fully immunised children rates:
- 94% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
- 91% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
- 97% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia).
- 62% of people aged 65 or over have at least one long-term health condition.
- 2% live with dementia. Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
- 54% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges included a lack of services and difficulty in organising them.
Did you know: Care finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people who have no one else who can support them to learn about, Care Finders.
Healthy North Coast works in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service provides services to the Aboriginal communities across the LGA and to neighbouring communities.
- 28% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Kempsey – Nambucca SA3. (Highest in the North Coast).
Connection to country and culture is key for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples social and emotional wellbeing. Programs that Aboriginal peoples identified to help keep Aboriginal communities healthy and strong:
- Exercise and fitness
- Employment programs
- Health screening services
- Parenting programs
- Women’s health
- Quit smoking / vaping
Opportunity: Collaborate with Aboriginal communities across Kempsey to co-design culturally appropriate services that address specific health needs
- 95 per 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW). Highest in North Coast.
- Median total weekly personal income $550 ($652 North Coast, NSW $813).
- 12 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000). Increased 30% from 2021 Highest in North Coast.
- Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score of 903. The lowest in the North Coast.
- Affordable housing is limited in the Kempsey LGA. Of 51 rental properties:
- None were affordable for singles or couples on Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, or Age Pension.
- 20 were affordable for a couple with 2 children on minimum wage and Family Tax Benefits A and B.
- 1 was affordable for a single person on minimum wage or a couple on Age Pension.
- 5 in 1000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1000 in Australia).
- 8 in 1000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1000 in Australia). Highest in North Coast.
- 29% single or lone households (25% NSW, 26% Australia) and 3% group homes (4% NSW and Australia).
Opportunity: Enhance support by integrating services for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Key messages
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA
Risks
- Current smoking
- Kempsey LGA – 18%
- NSW – 12%
- Alcohol consumption (estimated number of persons aged 15 years and over who consumed 5 or more standard alcoholic drinks on any day in the last 12 months at least monthly).
- Kempsey LGA – 24%
- NSW – 18%
- Physical activity (aged 15 years and over, who did not meet 2014 physical activity guidelines).
- Kempsey LGA – 82%
- NSW – 77%
- Inadequate fruit intake
- Kempsey LGA – 61%
- NSW – 55%
- Overweight (not obese)
- Kempsey LGA – 34%
- NSW – 34%
- Obese
- Kempsey LGA – 39%
- NSW – 31%
When you were asked….
What kind of programs would you like more of, to keep you and your community healthy and strong?
- Health screening services
- Exercise and fitness
- Women’s health
- Support with daily living / personal care
Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?
- Ageing population
- Lack of access to health care
- Mental health issues
- Drug and alcohol use
- 1 in 4 people have 2 or more chronic conditions.
- The most common chronic conditions are osteoarthritis and anxiety. Kempsey LGA ranks second in the North Coast region for chronic kidney disease, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and type II diabetes.
Opportunity: Strengthen and enhance preventative health programs to reduce the prevalence and impact of chronic conditions.
Cancer screening participation:
- 38% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
- 54% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
- 43% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).
The most diagnosed cancers:
- Urogenital cancer
- Skin cancer
- Breast cancer
The cancer with the highest death rate is upper gastrointestinal cancer (50 per 100,000).
Shared experiences with mental health:
- 1 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
- 5 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
- 6 in 10 found it difficult to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
- The top challenges to access mental health services:
- cost
- lack of services.
- In Kempsey- Nambucca SA3, the rate of suicide deaths (19 per 100,000) (11 per 100,000 population NSW).
- Nearly 2 in 10 people in the Mid North Coast experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.
Opportunities: Explore and implement innovative approaches to strengthen prevention, treatment and mental health support programs suited to a rural area. This should include increased education and support for community members and healthcare providers, and access to digital based services.
Did you know: Medicare Mental Health Centres can help you access the local mental health services and supports that are right for you. No referral needed, access by phoning 1800 595 212 or visit the website.
- 15 general practices
- 38 general practitioners
- For every full time GP there are 833 patients
- 7 pharmacies
- 12 dentists.
- The Kempsey District Hospital is an 81-bed level three facility with a level four 24-hour Emergency Department and various specialist services, including general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, mental health, drug and alcohol, renal dialysis, and rehabilitation.
- Kempsey Community Health and South West Rocks Community Health provide a range of community, allied and educational health services and programs.
- After-hours GP service attendance rate for Kempsey – Nambucca SA3 is 4% (Australia 17%). Access to after-hours GP services remains a challenge and may contribute to higher ED admissions.
- 56% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW).
Barriers to accessing primary care include:
- long wait times
- difficulty getting an appointment
- cost
- lack of services.
Opportunity: Enhance digital health services and education to improve inclusive access to care, particularly in rural areas. Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.
Did you know: North Coast Health Connect is a free and confidential 24-hour service where you can receive medical advice from a registered nurse and be connected to a face-to-face or virtual bulk-billed GP appointment if needed. Phone: 1800 198 888
HNC commissions a range of community-based services to address local health needs. These include:
- Aboriginal health
- Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Mental Health
- Youth specific
- Integrated Team Care
View more information about the services available in Kempsey LGA.
About the North Coast Health Needs Assessment Map
The North Coast Local Government Area (LGA) Health Needs Assessment map identifies our 12 LGAs. The map can be used to navigate to specific LGA findings within our region.
The health needs assessment helps the Primary Health Network (PHN):
• Understand the health status and needs of local communities
• Identify existing services and where gaps may exist
Engage with community members and service providers
• The 2024 assessment informs decisions for the 2025–2028 planning cycle, guiding how HNC and partners commission services that respond to local needs.
To explore data findings, LGA factsheets, and key messages for a specific LGA, you can either click on the region in the hotspot map or scroll down to select your preferred LGA from the list.
Explore more: North Coast LGA Factsheets and information
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