First ABS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey to Collect Experiences of Homelessness

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MEDIA RELEASE
19 September 2014
Embargo: 11:30 am (Canberra Time)
135/2014

First ABS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey to Collect Experiences of Homelessness

For the first time, experiences of homelessness will be collected in the 2014–15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The survey will commence in the next few days and is part an established program of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander statistics collected by the ABS.

“NATSISS gathers detailed information on the socio-economic progress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every six years,” said Fiona Shalley from the ABS.

“It covers a wide range of social subject matter including culture and cultural identity, social networks, housing, as well as health related topics such as long term health conditions, disability and self-assessed health.”

This year NATSISS will expand on the information collected in previous social surveys to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ participation in society and will also highlight barriers to that participation. A total of 11,500 randomly selected households will be surveyed, 3,000 of which will be from Australia’s remotest areas.

The first results will be released on the ABS website from March 2016 and will be used by a wide range of Aboriginal organisations, researchers, government, and community organisations. The information will be used to inform government decisions and policy direction, and assist with research into the circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

A video describing NATSISS is available for viewing at https://www.abs.gov.au/videos/434-0414-001/NATSISS14_15_player.html

Further information is available at www.abs.gov.au/natsiss


Media notes:

  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.