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Aboriginal Gaps are closing

The Indigenous Portrait of Australia compares data from three Censuses to identify key well-being indicators, and the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous rates.

The Australian Indigenous Portrait shows that the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have narrowed for some key well-being indicators.

  • The home-ownership gap: only 36% of Indigenous households owned or were buying their own home in 2011, compared with 68% of non-Indigenous households. But the gap, 32% was 3% less than in 2006, and 7% lower than 2001.
  • The personal income gap: the median income of Indigenous adults was $362 a week in 2011, compared with $582 for non-Indigenous adults. But the gap, 38%, had closed by 3% from 2006.
  • The household income gap: the median income of Indigenous households was $362 a week in 2011, compared with $582 for non-Indigenous Australians. But the gap, 38%, had closed by 3% from 2006.
  • The teenage education gap: only 52% of Indigenous teenagers (15-19) were attending education in 2011, compared with 75% of non-Indigenous teenagers. But the gap, 23%, was 4% less than in 2006.
  • The schooling gap: only 85% of Indigenous teenagers (15-19) were attending education in 2011, compared with 93% of non-Indigenous teenagers. But the gap, 8%, was 2% less than in 2006.
  • The pre-school gap had almost gone: 18% of Indigenous infants (under 5 years) were attending education in 2011, compared with 20% of non-Indigenous teenagers. The gap, 2%, was half that in 2006.

The Australian Indigenous population grew 21% between 2006 and 2011.

  • Almost three-quarters of this growth came from births; the rest from more Indigenous people being counted in the 2011 Census.
  • There were noticeable increases in the number of baby-boomers and Gen X adults being counted as Indigenous, and of their children in Gen Z.
  • The Census asks whether people have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origins, not how they identify in everyday life. The increase in the Census count suggests that more people have discovered or acknowledged their Indigenous heritage.
  • see Portrait

2011 Census product development is underway

With the first batch of Census 2011 data being released on June 20th, we are busy updating our various products to turn these numbers into knowledge. See ABS release schedule.

Our Indigenous Portrait is being substantially upgraded to compare three Censuses, and identify key indicators and gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous rates. sample

It will be produced in two editions, consistent with the two-stage release of the Census Indigenous Profile. The first will cover most demographic topics, the second will have more on labour force and qualifications. The first edition is scheduled for July 2012, the second for November 2012.

Our Community Portrait is being refined from the 2006 Community Portrait. It will also be produced in two editions, consistent with the two-stage release of the Census Basic Community Profile. The first edition is scheduled for September 2012, the second for November 2012.

Our Economic Portrait will be upgraded from the Economic Portrait 2006, and continue to include not only Census data from 2006 and 2011, but also the CentreLink, Tax Office and employment data. The workforce data this Portrait needs will not be available until late 2012. The Economic Portrait should be available soon after data is released.

Public Practice sponsors ABS Census Conference

The ABS held a conference in March 2011 about the coming Census, with a variety of speakers on the value and use of Census data. Many ABS staff were in attendance to help and listen to their data users. The Public Practice was one of a number of exhibitors demonstrating their wares to the Census literati. more ...

New Projector peers into bedrooms

The latest version of our Community Projector now calculates the number of bedrooms that a local population will need into the future. This may seem strange, but it allows us to project the number and occupancy of dwellings of different sizes and types (eg two-bedroom units), so that Local Governments can fairly apportion development costs. more ...

2010 National Economic Development Conference Silver Sponsors

We were proud to be sponsors of Economic Development Australia's 2010 National Economic Development Conference. more ...

Portrait Painter software now on offer

We have developed a new product option for each of our Portraits: The Portrait Painter. This is the software which allows you to produce your own portraits. Designed for Government departments or organisations who deal with a number of communities, Portrait Painters give you the flexibility to run off Portraits on any area in Australia and compare them with any area in Australia - you can produce as many Portraits as you want.

2009 National Economic Development Conference Silver Sponsors

We are proud to be silver sponsors of Economic Development Australia's 2009 National Economic Development Conference.

Products available for delivery

All these products are available now for immediate delivery using 2006 Census data. Upgraded versions with 2011 Census data will be available as data is released during 2012.

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