2033.0.55.001 - Census of Population and Housing: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), Australia, 2011 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/03/2013   
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MEDIA RELEASE
28 March 2013
Embargo: 11:30 am (Canberra Time)
44/2013

New data from the 2011 Census reveals the most advantaged and disadvantaged areas in New South Wales


New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today have provided a new perspective on the wealth of statistical information collected in the 2011 Census of Population and Housing.

The third release of 2011 Census data includes the release of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), which ranks areas in Australia according to relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage.

For the purposes of SEIFA, the ABS broadly defines relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage in terms of people’s access to material and social resources, and their ability to participate in society.

Director, Analytical Services Branch, Dr Phillip Gould, says that SEIFA can be used to compare the relative socio-economic characteristics of areas at a given point in time.

“It’s important to remember, that indexes are assigned to geographic areas, not to individuals.

“For example, it’s possible for a relatively advantaged person to reside in an area which may have a low score on some or all of the indexes. It’s also not uncommon to see a Local Government Area that has pockets of advantage and disadvantage,” Dr Gould added.

SEIFA can be used by government, business and communities for many purposes, such as to determine areas that require additional funding for improved services, to identify potential business opportunities or to research the relationship between health and education outcomes and the socio-economic conditions of an area.

For the first time, anyone can freely download files which allow them to display SEIFA data using Google Earth®, which makes interpretation easier than ever.

Data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing is now available on the ABS website. Our range of new, easy-to-use tools makes searching Census data quick and easy. Visit www.abs.gov.au/census

Key SEIFA data for Australia, New South Wales and the Greater Sydney area are detailed below:

Australia

Peppermint Grove (WA) was recorded as Australia’s most advantaged Local Government Area (LGA), followed by Ku-ring-gai (NSW), Nedlands (WA), Cottesloe (WA) and Cambridge (WA).

Australia’s most disadvantaged LGA is Yarrabah (QLD), followed by Cherbourg (QLD), Belyuen (NT), Aurukun (QLD) and Woorabinda (QLD).

New South Wales

Ku-ring-gai in Sydney’s north shore region was recorded as the most advantaged LGA in New South Wales, followed by Mosman, Lane Cove, Woollahra and The Hills Shire.

The most disadvantaged LGAs in New South Wales were Brewarrina, Central Darling and Walgett from the state’s western region, followed by Kempsey and Fairfield.

Greater Sydney

Sydney’s most advantaged Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) was recorded as St Ives followed by West Pennant Hills. Wahroonga-Warrawee was recorded as the third most advantaged SA2 area followed by Pymble and Lindfield-Roseville.

Sydney’s most disadvantaged SA2 area was recorded as the Ashcroft-Busby-Miller area. Bidwill-Hebersham-Emerton was ranked second followed by Lethbridge Park-Tregear. Cabramatta-Lansvale was recorded as the fourth most disadvantaged SA2 followed by Fairfield in fifth.

Media note:

  • While SA2s can be referred to generally as areas, they should not be referred to as suburbs or LGAs. In urban areas SA2s generally reflect one or more gazetted suburbs. Large suburbs may be split into multiple SA2s.


Further information, media requests and interviews contact Census Media 02 6252 5161