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1387.3 - Queensland in Review, 2003  
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The 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) provides some Queensland figures regarding this aspect of well-being.

Income

Definition: Equivalised gross household income is an indicator of the economic resources available to a standardised household. For a lone person household, it is equal to income received. The income of other households are adjusted according to the number, age and relationship of household members.

Definition: Low income households are those with an equivalised gross household income between $214 - $338 per week. These are the boundaries of the second and third income decile of the Australian population (using results of the 2002 General Social Survey), containing 20% of all Australians.


INCOME AND FINANCIAL STRESS, Indigenous persons aged 15 years or over, Queensland, 2002

Lives in a low income household
Does not have access to short-term funds(a)
Total
%
%
Persons
Indigenous persons aged 15 years or over
36.2
53.4
76,000
Remote areas
37.1
69.0
19,200
Non-remote areas
35.9
48.1
56,900
Aboriginal persons(b)
34.3
50.9
66,400
Torres Strait Islander persons(b)
45.4
64.0
16,600
Employed
25.1
40.1
34,700
CDEP
47.5
*74.1
9,000
Non-CDEP
18.0
28.2
25,800
Unemployed
*47.0
68.1
12,000
Not in labour force
44.6
63.2
29,300
Has a non-school qualification
30.1
36.0
19,900
Does not have a non-school qualification(c)
38.9
61.5
50,200
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
(a) Unable to raise $2,000 within a week for something important.
(b) Includes persons identified as being of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.
(c) Includes persons still attending secondary school.
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, Queensland, 2002, cat. no. 4714.3.55.001 and data available on request.


In 2002, 36% of Indigenous people aged 15 or over lived in low income households. Almost half (47%) of unemployed Indigenous people were in low income households, similar to the proportion (48%) of those with CDEP employment. By contrast, only 18% of Indigenous people employed outside of CDEP were in low income households.

The mean equivalised gross household income of Indigenous people aged 15 years or over was $388 per week in 2002, up from $350 in 1994. Incomes were similar in remote and non-remote areas.

Comparison of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations (for ages 18 years or over, Queensland, 2002)
  • The mean equivalised gross household income of Indigenous adults was $392 per week, two-thirds of the mean equivalised gross household income of non-Indigenous people ($587).
  • Thirty seven percent (37%) of Indigenous adults lived in low income households, and 22% of non-Indigenous adults lived in low income households.
Source: General Social Survey, 2002 and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2002. (See table 4 in the data cube 4714.3.55.001 - charges apply).

Source of income

Government pensions and allowances were the main source of income for half of all Indigenous people aged 15 years or over. This varied from 53% of those in non-remote areas, to 38% in remote areas. In remote areas, participation in the CDEP scheme provided wages for a further 28%.

Comparison of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations (for ages 18 years or over, Queensland, 2002)
  • Government pensions and allowances were the main source of income for 52% of Indigenous and 30% of non-Indigenous adults.

Source: General Social Survey, 2002 and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2002. (See table 4 in the data cube 4714.3.55.001 - charges apply).

Financial stress

In 2002, just over half (53%) of all Indigenous people aged 15 years or over were living in households in which the household spokesperson reported that they could not raise $2,000 within a week in a time of crisis. A higher proportion of people in remote areas were in this situation (69% compared with 48% in non-remote areas).

Comparison of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations (for ages 18 years or over, Queensland, 2002)
  • Compared to non-Indigenous adults, Indigenous adults were almost four times as likely to live in a household without access to short-term funds (54% compared to 15%).

Source: General Social Survey, 2002 and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2002. (See table 4 in the data cube 4714.3.55.001 - charges apply).


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