PARTICIPATION

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In 2009, an estimated 196,500 Indigenous people were in the labour force (i.e. either employed or unemployed). This represents a labour force participation rate for all Indigenous people aged 15 years and over of 56%.

Of the Indigenous people in the labour force, more lived in Regional areas (88,500 people) than in Major Cities (69,700) or Remote areas (38,400). Both Major Cities and Regional Areas had the highest participation rate at 61% and 55% respectively in 2009.

Males accounted for 55% of the Indigenous labour force in 2009. The labour force participation rate for Indigenous males (63%) was considerably higher than for Indigenous females (49%). In Remote areas, Indigenous male participation has decreased since 2006 while female participation has generally increased. By 2009, the labour force participation rates for Indigenous males in Remote areas was no longer considerably higher than females (50% and 48% respectively).

The participation rate for Indigenous people aged 15-64 years in 2009 (58%) was slightly higher than the rate for all Indigenous people aged 15 years and over (56%). Indigenous persons aged 65 years and over accounted for 5% of the total Indigenous population aged 15 years and over in 2009 (For more information, see Comparisons with non-Indigenous Estimates).

NOT IN THE LABOUR FORCE

Between 2005 and 2009, the Indigenous population not in the labour force has generally increased from 135,900 to 157,400. In 2009, more Indigenous people not in the labour force lived in Regional areas (72,500) than in Major cities (45,000) and Remote areas (39,800). Females accounted for 59% of the total Indigenous population not in the labour force.


For more detailed estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander labour force participation, refer to Tables 1 to 5 (available in Downloads).

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