FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE

The framework, as shown above, is based on the interaction of individuals with their social, cultural and economic environments.

At the 'individual level' (represented in yellow on the diagram), topics focus on the characteristics of a person. This relates to a wide range of areas which include: roles and responsibilities, health status, beliefs and history, educational participation and participation in governance arrangements.

The 'social, cultural, physical and economic environment' (represented in blue on the diagram) represents the immediate networks and environments of individuals. The framework attempts to identify the transactions between individuals and their environments, by grouping similar elements together into nine broad domains, which together contribute to the notion of wellbeing. While many of the variables traditionally collected about the Indigenous population are included, so too are a range of concepts and ideas that are outside the traditional statistical areas included in ABS (and other agency) statistical collections. This includes concepts and issues such as identity, customs and spirituality.

As elements within each of the domains may interact with those in other domains, the domains should not be considered as mutually exclusive of each other. The nine domains are:

• Culture, heritage and leisure
• Family, kinship and community
• Health
• Education, learning and skills
• Customary, voluntary and paid work
• Income and economic resources
• Housing, infrastructure and services
• Law and justice
• Citizenship and governance

Identity, Social Capital and Wellbeing

Central to the concept of wellbeing is a sense of identity. Identity is defined by the individual’s roles, responsibilities and experiences. Rather than being a component of a specific domain, it is an underlying feature of many of the elements and transactions identified throughout the whole framework.

Similarly, a person’s links to the broader community through their social and formal networks (otherwise known as social capital) will also impact on their wellbeing, and likewise is integral to all domains in the framework.

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