05/04/2013 Note: 2002 and 2008 NATSISS alcohol data by risk level have been revised. For more information, see the Information Paper (Catalogue No. 4714.0.55.005).
NOTES
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
This publication presents summary results from the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS). The survey was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from August 2008 to April 2009, collecting information from approximately 13,300 Indigenous Australians living in private dwellings in remote and non-remote areas, including discrete communities.
The 2008 NATSISS provides information on a range of demographic, social, environmental and economic indicators, including: personal and household characteristics; geography; language and cultural activities; social networks and support; health and disability; education; employment; financial stress; income; transport; personal safety; and housing. Information from the 2008 NATSISS contributes to existing data on Indigenous people and the formulation of government policies and legislation.
Topics summarised in this release include language and culture, social networks and support, health, education, work, housing and financial stress. More detailed results for these and other topics from the survey, including additional data cubes, will be released on the ABS website in 2010.
Indigenous persons
Throughout this release, the term 'Indigenous' refers to all persons identified as being of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. Information presented on Aboriginal persons also includes data on persons identified as having both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. Similarly, information on Torres Strait Islanders also includes persons identified as having both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
Explanatory materials, including a data item list, are provided with this release to aid interpretation of the survey data. More detailed information on the survey content and methodology and a copy of the survey questionnaire will be available in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey: Users' Guide, 2008 (cat. no. 4720.0), due for release on the ABS website in early 2010.
Undercoverage
There was a relatively large level of undercoverage in the 2008 NATSISS when compared to other ABS surveys. As undercoverage can result in variances across population characteristics, as well as across data items, caution should be exercised when interpreting the survey results. See non-sampling error in the Explanatory Notes.
Comparison with previous Indigenous Social Surveys
The ABS previously conducted the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) in 2002. Due to differences in how the data were collected and the inclusion of new items, limited data from 2002 are presented in this release.
A National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey (NATSIS) was also conducted in 1994. Extensive information on the differences between the 2002 and 1994 surveys is provided in the Explanatory Notes of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2002 (cat. no. 4714.0).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The 2008 NATSISS was dependent on the high level of cooperation received from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. Without their continued cooperation, the wide range of Indigenous statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics (NCATSIS) on 1800 633 216 or email ncatsis@abs.gov.au.
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