The proportion of patients who completed their wait who had cataract surgery within 90 days and within 365 days: Measure 3.6.2
On this page:
- Introduction
- Latest data and time trend
- By remoteness
- By jurisdiction
To make it easier to interpret, the figure shows the proportion who waited more than 365 days for cataract surgery.
The waiting times measures provide an indicator of access to cataract surgery for those on waiting lists managed by public hospitals (Figure 41 and Figure 42)
Latest data and time trend
For the first time since 2012–13, in 2021–23 the proportion of First Nations people who waited more than 365 days for cataract surgery was slightly less than for the proportion of non-Indigenous Australians who waited more than 365 days (10.8% and 12.2%, respectively).
The proportion of First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians who waited more than 365 days increased between 2012–13 and 2022–23 (from 6.6% to 11% and from 3.2% to 12%, respectively) (Figure 41).
Figure 41: Waiting times for elective cataract surgery (days), 2012–13 to 2022–23
Notes
- Hospitalisations with a care type of Newborn (without qualified days) and records for Hospital boarders and Posthumous organ procurement have been excluded.
- Based on first indicator procedure waiting time for cataract extraction. Includes Australian Classification of Health Interventions (ACHI) codes 42698-00 to 42698-05, 42702-00 to 42702-11, 42716-00, 42719-00, 42719-02, 42722-00, 42731-00, 42731-01, 42734-00, 42788-00.
- Data presented are for patients who complete their wait and are admitted for surgery as either an elective or emergency admission.
- Includes public hospitals only.
Source: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.
Explore more aspects of the data in the following section. See also Figure 42.
By remoteness
In 2021–23, the proportion of First Nations people treated within 90 days for elective cataract surgery was highest in Major cities (46%) and highest for non‑Indigenous Australians in Remote areas (49%). Proportions were lowest for First Nations people and no-Indigenous Australians in Inner regional areas (30% and 35% respectively) (Figure 41– remoteness).
By jurisdiction
In 2021–23, the proportion of First Nations people treated within 90 days for elective cataract surgery was highest in Queensland (54% ) and for non-Indigenous Australians was highest in Victoria (57%) (Figure 42 – jurisdiction).
Victoria, Queensland and South Australia treated 94% or more of First Nations people within 365 days (Figure 42 – jurisdiction).
Figure 42: Waiting times for elective cataract surgery (days): interactive data
The following extended descriptions are provided to assist people using screen readers. To download the data tables, visit Data.
Year Indigenous status Per cent treated within a year
2012–13 First Nations 6.6
2013–14 First Nations 5.7
2014–15 First Nations 3.5
2015–16 First Nations 4.8
2016–17 First Nations 3.5
2017–18 First Nations 2.2
2018–19 First Nations 2.6
2019–20 First Nations 5.2
2020–21 First Nations 16.0
2021–22 First Nations 12.0
2022–23 First Nations 10.8
2012–13 Non-Indigenous 3.2
2013–14 Non-Indigenous 2.8
2014–15 Non-Indigenous 2.0
2015–16 Non-Indigenous 2.7
2016–17 Non-Indigenous 1.8
2017–18 Non-Indigenous 2.1
2018–19 Non-Indigenous 2.4
2019–20 Non-Indigenous 4.7
2020–21 Non-Indigenous 14.6
2021–22 Non-Indigenous 9.9
2022–23 Non-Indigenous 12.2
Jurisdiction Indigenous status Per cent treated within a year Per cent within 90 days
ACT First Nations Not published Not published
ACT Non-Indigenous 85.7 46.2
NSW First Nations 85.2 21.4
NSW Non-Indigenous 79.0 20.7
Qld First Nations 94.9 54.1
Qld Non-Indigenous 96.5 54.0
SA First Nations 94.1 46.0
SA Non-Indigenous 94.3 49.9
Tas First Nations 91.3 51.8
Tas Non-Indigenous 92.9 45.6
Vic First Nations 94.2 51.1
Vic Non-Indigenous 94.2 56.6
WA First Nations 91.8 38.3
WA Non-Indigenous 91.2 45.5
Remoteness Indigenous status Per cent treated within a year Per cent within 90 days
Inner regional First Nations 87.5 30.1
Inner regional Non-Indigenous 86.5 35.2
Major cities First Nations 90.8 45.7
Major cities Non-Indigenous 89.4 44.8
Outer regional First Nations 88.4 30.9
Outer regional Non-Indigenous 89.6 36.3
Remote First Nations 87.8 32.9
Remote Non-Indigenous 93.6 49.0
Very remote First Nations 88.0 34.1
Very remote Non-Indigenous 95.8 37.6