Data by Region highlights local data on Closing the Gap

Media Statement
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Released
15/11/2024

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today published local data on Closing the Gap targets through the Data by Region tool.

The November Data by Region update includes Census of Population and Housing data used by the Productivity Commission to track progress on certain Closing the Gap targets.

This update means Closing the Gap data on education, work and housing is easily accessible at a local level for the first time.

Closing the Gap data from the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses is available for these geographical regions:

  • Australia 
  • State and Territory 
  • Statistical Areas Levels 2, 3 and 4 
  • Local Government Areas 
  • Greater Capital City Statistical Areas 
  • Indigenous Regions 
  • Indigenous Areas 
  • Indigenous Locations 
  • Remoteness Areas

The Closing the Gap topics covered in the update include:

  • Target 5: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20-24 years attaining Year 12 or an equivalent qualification to 96 per cent. 
  • Target 6: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent. 
  • Target 7: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 15-24 years who are in employment, education or training to 67 per cent. 
  • Target 8: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-64 years who are employed to 62 per cent. 
  • Target 9A: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent. 

Data by Region is an easy-to-use interactive map which allows users to find data for over 4,500 regions across Australia.

The inclusion of local level Closing the Gap data in the Data by Region tool aligns with Guideline 3 of the Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data, which is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people find and access relevant government-held data. 

The update is in accordance with Priority Reform Four of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which includes increasing access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to locally-relevant data and information to set and monitor the implementation of efforts to close the gap.

Other updates included in this Data by Region release are:

  • Estimated resident population - total persons, population density, age and sex 
  • Early childhood education 
  • Jobs in Australia 
  • Building Approvals, including value of residential and non-residential approvals. 
  • Pension and Income Support Supplements data from the Department of Veterans' Affairs 

The next update to Data by Region is set for May 2025.

For more information about these targets, see the Productivity Commission’s Closing the Gap Information Repository.