Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: urban, rural or remote?

Many people assume that the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples live in remote areas. In fact, the majority live in urban and regional areas- and Sydney had the highest Indigenous population!

2006 Census: Indigenous Population 

Percentage by state and location

 State/Territory

 Major cities %

 Inner Regional %

 Outer Regional %

 Remote %

 Very Remote %

 NSW

 42

 33

 19

 4

 1

 VIC

 48

 36

 16

  -  -

 QLD

 26

 20

 32

 8

 14

 SA

 48

 10

 23

 5

 14

 WA

 34

 9

 15

 15

 26

 TAS

  -

 52

 44

 2

 1

 NT

 -

 -

 19

 18

 63

 ACT

 100

 -

 -

 -

 -

 Australia

 31

 22

 23

 8

 16

 

Health issues for remote Aboriginal communities

Remote Aboriginal communities typically experience higher levels of ill health. Difficulties in addressing their health needs include:

  • Distance from major cities
  • Small and widely dispersed populations
  • Poor infrastructure in housing and sanitation
  • Lake of local services and treatment facilities
  • Difficulty in securing service providers
  • Communication issues based on cultural difference and English proficiency
  • Access and cost to fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Issues with alcohol and substance abuse
  • Child and maternal health issues
  • Lack of transport to services
  • Low levels of private health cover

Further information on access to health services

 Activities