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WHAT THE NATSISS TELLS US

A .pdf version of all State and Territory summary results are available under the Downloads tab. If you would like key results from the NATSISS for your State/Territory, please email ncatsis@abs.gov.au.

What does the 2014-15 NATSISS tell us? (National results)

New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory


WHAT DOES THE 2014-15 NATSISS TELL US?

Population

• In 2014, the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 686,800 (up from 520,350 in 2008). This represents 3% of the total Australian population.
• Almost half of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was under the age of 20.
• 35% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in major cities, 44% in regional areas and 21% in remote areas.

• 11% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke an Australian Indigenous language as their main language at home. 20% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can speak some words of an Australian Indigenous language.
• 62% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• Almost two thirds (63%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were regularly involved in cultural events.
• 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people watched Indigenous TV while 28% tuned in to Indigenous radio.
• 34% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years or over felt they had been treated unfairly at least once in the previous 12 months because they were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are current daily smokers has declined from 45% in 2008 to 39% in 2014.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) has declined from 38% in 2008 to 30% in 2014.
• 65% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.
• One-quarter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had provided unpaid care for a person with disability, long-term health conditions or old age in the last 4 weeks.

• 96% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 4-14 usually attended school.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people completing year 12 or equivalent was 26% in 2014,up from 20% in 2008.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a non-school qualification increased from 32% in 2008 to 47% in 2014.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (38%) were more likely to be in full time employment than females (18%).
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females (23%) were more likely to be in part-time employment than males (14%).

• 1 in 8 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical violence in the last 12 months (13%),and of those 61% had experienced physical violence on more than one occasion.
• Of the 13% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who reported experiencing physical violence in the last 12 months, 1 in 2 reported that their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were living in a dwelling that was overcrowded (requiring at least one or more extra bedrooms) was 18% in 2014, down from 25% in 2008.
• 29% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had experienced homelessness during their lifetime.

• In 2014, the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 215,149 (up from 154,308 in 2008).
• Almost half (46%) of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was under the age of 20.
• 44% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in major cities, 51% in regional areas and 5% in remote areas.

• 4% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke an Australian Indigenous language.
• 55% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• More than half (62%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were regularly involved in cultural events.
• A majority (93%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they were able to get support in times of crisis from outside the household.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are current daily smokers has declined from 46% in 2008 to 38% in 2014.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) was 29% which is lower than the National rate (30%).
• Just over two-thirds (68%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.
• Almost one-quarter (24%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had provided unpaid care for a person with disability, long-term health conditions or old age in the last 4 weeks.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were living in a dwelling that was overcrowded (requiring at least one or more extra bedrooms) was 12% in 2014, down from 15% in 2008.

• 49% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were employed. Of those who were employed, 60% were in full-time employment.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (43%) were more likely to be in full-time employment than females (19%).
  

• Nearly one-quarter (21%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical or threatened physical violence in the last 12 months.
• One in eight (12%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported experiencing physical violence in the last 12 months. Of these people, almost half (45%) reported that their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.

VICTORIA - WHAT DOES THE 2014-15 NATSISS TELL US?

Population

• In 2014-15, the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 49,900 (up from 34,400 in 2008). Half (50%) live in the Greater Melbourne area, 35% and 15% in inner and outer regional areas, respectively.
• Just under half (46%) the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population were under the age of 20.

• 4% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke an Australian Indigenous language.
• 57% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• Of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 3 years and over, more than half (57%) participated in cultural activities. More than 9 out of 10 (93%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they were able to get support in times of crisis from outside the household.
• 37% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they had been unfairly treated at least once in the previous 12 months because they were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were current daily smokers decreased from 46% in 2008 to 38% in 2014-15.
• 39% of people living in the Greater Melbourne area and 30% in regional areas had never smoked.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) was 27%, marginally lower than the national rate (30%).
• 3 out of 4 (75%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.
• Almost 1 in 10 (9%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a profound or severe disability.

• Along with the ACT, Victoria had the highest proportion (37%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had experienced homelessness.

• Around half (51%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were employed. Of those who were employed, 57% were in full-time employment.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (39%) were around twice as likely to be in full-time employment as females (19%).

• Around 1 in 5 (21%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical or threatened physical violence in the last 12 months.
• 13% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported experiencing physical violence in the last 12 months. Of these, nearly half (47%) reported their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.

• In 2014-15, the estimated total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Queensland was 196,200.
• More than one-third (73,200) were under the age of 15 and 123,000 were 15 years and over.
• Around one in five (21%) of them were Torres Strait Islander in origin (including those who were both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander).
• 30% of Queensland's total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population were living in major cities, 51% in regional areas, 7% in remote areas and 12% in very remote areas.
  

• 11% spoke an Australian Indigenous language as their main language (including 37% of Torres Strait Islander people who spoke a Torres Strait Island language)
• More than half (61%) had attended a cultural event in the last 12 months
• Two-thirds (66%) identified with a clan, tribal or language group. 77% recognised traditional country or homelands
• One-quarter (25%) had provided unpaid care for a person with disability, long-term health conditions or old age in the last 4 weeks

• 35% had completed Year 12, up from 27% in 2008
• Half (51%) had a non-school qualification
• 36% had a Certificate 3 or higher qualification

• 48% were employed (54% of males and 42% of females)
• The unemployment rate^(a) was 25% (23% for males and 26% for females)

• 38% were current daily smokers (43% of males and 33% of females)
• 29% had used illicit substance(s) in the last 12 months, up from 20% in 2008
• One-third (33%) had exceeded the guidelines^(b) for alcohol consumption (single occasion risk)
• 15% had exceeded the guidelines^(b) for alcohol consumption (lifetime risk), down from 21% in 2008
• 64% had a long-term health condition, including 28% with a mental health condition^(c)

• Two-thirds (64%) were aware of neighbourhood problems
• 85% felt safe at home alone after dark (93% of males and 78% of females)
• 54% felt safe walking alone after dark (75% of males and 35% of females)
• 13% had experienced physical violence in the last 12 months (9% of males and 17% of females)
  

• One in six (17%) were living in an overcrowded dwelling, down from 26% in 2008
• 30% had experienced homelessness in their lifetime.

• In 2014-15, the estimated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in South Australia was 38,100.
• Two-thirds (24,900) were under the age of 15 and 13,200 were 15 years or older.
• Half (50%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in major cities, one-third (33%) in regional areas, 4% in remote areas and 13% in very remote areas.

• One-quarter (24%) spoke an Australian Indigenous language and another 30% spoke some words
• 11% spoke an Australian Indigenous language as their main language
• More than half (57%) had attended a cultural event in the last 12 months
• 61% identified with a clan, tribal or language group. Three-quarters (75%) recognised an area as traditional country or homelands
• Half (51%) provided support to a relative living outside their household
• One-quarter (27%) had provided unpaid care for a person with disability, long-term health conditions or old age in the last 4 weeks

• 27% had completed Year 12, up from 19% in 2008
• Half (49%) had a non-school qualification, up from 37% in 2008
• 35% had attained a Certificate III or higher qualification, up from 21% in 2008

• 44% were employed (50% of males and 38% of females)
• The unemployment rate^(a) was 22%

• 68% had a long-term health condition, including 32% with a mental health condition^(b)
• One-third (33%) had experienced high/very high psychological distress in the last 4 weeks
• 35% were current daily smokers, down from 46% in 2008
• 36% had used illicit substance(s) in the last 12 months, up from 27% in 2008
• One in ten (10%) had exceeded the guidelines^(c) for alcohol consumption (lifetime risk), down from 22% in 2008
• 25% had exceeded the guidelines^(c) for alcohol consumption (single occasion risk), down from 38% in 2008

• More than one-third (39%) had experienced racial discrimination
• 71% reported an awareness of neighbourhood problems
• 84% felt safe at home alone after dark (92% of males and 75% of females)
• 50% felt safe walking alone after dark (66% of males and 34% of females)
• One in six (16%) had experienced physical violence in the last 12 months

• One in eight (12%) were living in an overcrowded dwelling, down from 20% in 2008
• 30% had experienced homelessness in their lifetime.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA - WHAT DOES THE 2014-15 NATSISS TELL US?

Population

• In 2014-15, the estimated total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 87,200 (up from 69,200 in 2008). Around one-third (38%) live in the Greater Perth area, 22% in regional areas, and 40% in remote and very remote areas.
• Nearly half (45%) the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population were under the age of 20.
  

• 24% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke an Australian Indigenous language.
• 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• Of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 3 years and over, more than two-thirds (68%) participated in cultural activities. More than 9 out of 10 (92%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they were able to get support in times of crisis from outside the household.
• 37% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they had been unfairly treated at least once in the previous 12 months because they were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were current daily smokers remained the same from 2008 to 2014-15 (41%)
• 37% of people living in the Greater Perth area and 33% and 32% in remote/very remote and regional areas respectively had never smoked.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) was 33%, similar to the national rate (30%)
• 60% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.
• 1 in approx. 15 (6%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a profound or severe disability.

• Around 1 in 3 (31%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had experienced homelessness.

• Close to 4 in 10 (38%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were employed. Of those who were employed, around two-thirds (67%) were in full-time employment.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (33%) were nearly twice as likely to be in full-time employment as females (18%)
  

• Around 1 in 4 (27%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical or threatened physical violence in the last 12 months.
• 18% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported experiencing physical violence in the last 12 months. Of these, more than half (54%) reported their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.
  

• In 2014-15, the estimated total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 25,600 (up from 19,100 in 2008).
• Just under half (46%) the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population were under the age of 20.

• 35% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• 10% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke some Indigenous words.
• Of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 3 years and over, nearly two-thirds (63%) participated in cultural activities. More than 9 out of 10 (93%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they were able to get support in times of crisis from outside the household.
• Around 1 in 5 (19%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they had been unfairly treated at least once in the previous 12 months because they were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were current daily smokers was 37% in 2014-15, compared to 43% in 2008.
• 34% of people had never smoked.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) was the highest of all states and territories at 36%. The national rate was 30%.
• 7 out of 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.
• Around 1 in 8 (12%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a profound or severe disability.

• 3 in 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had experienced homelessness.

• Half of Tasmania’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population were employed. Of those who were employed, half were in full-time employment.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (36%) were more than twice as likely to be in full-time employment as females (15%).

• Around 1 in 6 (18%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical or threatened physical violence in the last 12 months.
• 12% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported experiencing physical violence in the last year. Of these, 1 in 5 reported their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.

• In 2014, the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 68,427 (up from 63,378 in 2008).
• 41% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was under the age of 20.
• A majority (79%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in remote areas.

• Just over two-thirds (68%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke an Australian Indigenous language.
• 81% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• 83% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were regularly involved in cultural events.
• A majority (88%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they were able to get support in times of crisis from outside the household.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are current daily smokers has declined from 49% in 2008 to 45% in 2014.
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) was 26% which is lower than the National rate (30%).
• Just over half (53%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.
• Almost a third (32%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had provided unpaid care for a person with disability, long-term health conditions or old age in the last 4 weeks.

• Over half (52%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in a dwelling that was overcrowded (requiring at least one or more extra bedrooms) in 2014, down from 57% in 2008.

• 36% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were employed. Of those who were employed, 61% were in full-time employment.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (26%) were more likely to be in full-time employment than females (18%).

• One in five (20%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical or threatened physical violence in the last 12 months.
• One in nine (11%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported experiencing physical violence in the last 12 months. Of these people, almost two-thirds (62%) reported that their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.

• In 2014, the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 6,453 (up from 4,377 in 2008).
• Around 2 in 5 (42%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were under the age of 20.

• 7% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spoke an Australian Indigenous language.
• 64% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
• More than two-thirds (68%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were regularly involved in cultural events.
• Almost all (96%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they were able to get support in times of crisis from outside the household.
• 40% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people felt they had been unfairly treated at least once in the previous 12 months because they were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are current daily smokers has increased from 35% in 2008 to 37% in 2014-15. This is opposite to the declining rate of people who are current daily smokers, nationally.
• The ACT had the highest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had never smoked (43%).
• The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky single occasion drinking (four or more standard drinks at a time according to 2009 NHMRC guidelines) was 35% which is higher than the national rate (30%).
• Around two-thirds (65%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported having a long-term health condition.

• Along with Victoria, the ACT had the highest proportion (37%) of all states and territories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people having experienced homelessness.

• 61% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were employed. Of those who were employed, 72% were in full-time employment.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (55%) were almost twice as likely to be in full-time employment as females (31%).

• Nearly one-quarter (22%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced physical or threatened physical violence in the last 12 months.
• One in nine (11%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported experiencing physical violence in the last 12 months. Of these people, more than 2 in 5 (43%) reported their most recent experience of physical violence was by a family member.