Subject guides: Aboriginal Studies: Statistics

2021 Census Data Summary

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Census
In the 2021 Census 812,728 people identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin, representing 3.2 per cent of the total population.

There were 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages used at home in 2021 by 76,978 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The most widely reported language groups used were Arnhem Land and Daly River Region Languages (14.5 per cent) and Torres Strait Island Languages (12.0 per cent).
Census 2021 - Education - lesson guides
Access lesson guides and worksheets, activity print-outs and sample copies of the 2021 Census paper forms.

What is the Census?

ABS Census
Held every 5 years, the ABS Census is a compulsory survey that counts close to 10 million households and almost 26 million people.

Census questions range from marriage status, family size and occupation, to languages spoken, country of birth and ancestry.

Census data is based on geography and is used to inform government policies and planning.

The most recent Census was conducted in August 2021. Data fom the 2021 Census will be released in a staged approach from June 2022.
Which Census product is best for you?

Search the Census Quick Stats for a summary; or Community Profiles for more detailed excel tables for your chosen geographic area. When selecting a geography choose the Indigenous Location/Region/Area to focus on Indigenous statistics for that area. More advanced users may want to register for Table Builder or use the Data Packs.

ABS Census - Quickstats

ABS QuickStats for Census data
Allows you to find (within some of the geographies) summary data and community profiles for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities within a particular geography area.
About Quickstats
Quickstats overview

Tutorial video on ABS Quickstats

ABS Census - Community Profiles

Search Census for Community Profiles
Provide detailed excel tables of Census data for your chosen geographic area that you can download from the ABS website.

To search for a community profile, type in the place name
Alternatively Search by Geography and select Indigenous Structures
You can also search by typing in a street address or search on the map

About Community Profiles
Community Profiles provide more detailed statistics for an area. They present multiple data tables covering demographic, household and dwelling characteristics for the area. They can be viewed by downloading an excel spreadsheet after clicking on the Community Profile search result. Select the General Community Profile or the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples Profile (if available for that area).
How to use Community Profiles - Video Tutorial
Please note From time to time additional functions are added to Community Profiles, so there may be some differences between what you see in the tutorial and what you see when you use Community Profiles.
Instant Street View
View the address you look up on ABS using Instant Streetview.

TableBuilder

TableBuilder is an online statistical research tool that allow you to create your own tables, charts, graphs and maps from Australian Census Data.

TableBuilder allows you to:

create your own tables using a range of census topics including- age & population, birthplace & ethnicity, children, carers, culture & language, disability, education & qualifications, family relationships, housing, income, Indigenous population, internet & computer use, migration, transport, religion, occupation and unpaid work.
cross-tabulate across a number of broad topic areas, & between classifications listed within each topic area.
create tables and maps, graph census variables for ABS geographic areas. Data is available for areas as small as a Collection District (approximately 225 households) or as large as an entire state, section of a state or all of Australia.
Tables can be exported in either CSV or Excel format. Maps and Graphs can be exported in either PDF or PNG format

TableBuilder - Register for full access
Registration form
TableBuilder Basic and Pro - Login Page
Login from this page to TableBuilder Basic and Pro, registration required.
Getting started with TableBuilder
Teach yourself how to TableBuilder to create tables, graphs and maps using Census statistics.

Social Survey

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2014-15
This survey is conducted every 6 years.
Video Snapshot of results of the NATSISS 2014-15

The 2014–15 NATSISS collected information on a range of demographic, social, environmental and economic characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including:
personal and household characteristics; geography (eg state/territory and remoteness area);cultural attachment (eg language and participation in cultural activities); family and community experiences (eg social networks, contact and support); health (eg disability or long-term conditions, risk factors, child and maternal health); housing (eg tenure type and available facilities); education; labour force characteristics; income and financial stress; use of technology; transport; crime and justice.

Health

Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) Indigenous Australians
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
From Edith Cowan University, The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet provides resources to inform practice and policy.
Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2020
A comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Lowitja Institute
The Lowitja Institute is Australia’s national institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.