Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander surveys

The first national survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 1994.  That survey, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, was part of the Australian Government’s response to recommendation 49 of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The recommendation was that proposals for a special national survey covering a range of social, demographic, health and economic characteristics of the Aboriginal population with full Aboriginal participation at all levels be supported.    

These surveys are specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The surveys cover topics such as health, social and emotional wellbeing, cultural identification and language, education and employment and include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples all over Australia, from major cities to very remote communities.

The information collected in these surveys provides insight into the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is used to inform and support communities, governments, health professionals and researchers plan funding, services and programs to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The information collected is also used to support assessment against Closing the Gap targets.

These surveys are possible thanks to the high level of cooperation from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. Without their continued support of these surveys, the collection of data and the wide range of information available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples published by the ABS would not be possible.

The NATSIHS is a national survey that collects information about the health, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The NATSIHS was first collected in 1995. The last NATSIHS was in 2022–23 and collected information on a range of topics including:

• cultural identification and language
• long-term health conditions
• disability and unpaid care
• use of health services, including cultural safety
• risk factors which may affect health and wellbeing, such as food security, fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol consumption, smoking and vaping, physical activity, Body Mass Index, and unfair treatment
• social and emotional wellbeing
• housing
• education and employment
• personal use of the internet.

The NATSIHS is designed to provide reliable estimates at the national and state/territory levels and by remoteness. In 2022–23, estimates for the Australian Capital Territory were unable to be published separately but are included in national estimates. 

The information collected in the NATSIHS supports communities, governments, health professionals and researchers plan funding, services and programs to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For results from the last NATSIHS, see National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2022–23.

The NATSINPAS is a national survey that collects information about nutrition and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 2 years and over.

 The NATSINPAS was first collected in 2012–13. The last NATSINPAS was in 2023 and collected information on a range of topics including:

• food and drink consumption (what people eat and drink)
• nutrient intakes, such as carbohydrates, protein, and vitamin D
• dietary supplements, such as multivitamins
• barriers to accessing healthy and nutritious foods and drinking tap water
• reasons for choosing food and drinks usually consumed (such as cost or taste)
• physical activity
• sleep
• sedentary behaviour (time spent sitting and lying down)
• selected long-term health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and mental health conditions) and disability
• risk factors which may affect health and wellbeing, such as food security, smoking and Body Mass Index.

Information about physical activity, sleep, and sedentary behaviour was collected using different measures, including what the respondent told us (self-reported data) and a voluntary activity wristband (measured data, from respondents who agreed to wear one).

The NATSINPAS is designed to produce reliable estimates at the national level and by remoteness.

The information collected in the NATSINPAS supports communities, governments, health professionals and researchers plan funding, services and programs to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

For results from the last NATSINPAS, see National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 2023.

The NATSISS was first collected in 2002 as a follow on from the 1994 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey. The NATSISS collects detailed information on the social and cultural experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The last NATSISS was in 2014–15 and collected information on a range of topics including:

• language and culture
• social networks and wellbeing
• health and risk factors which may affect health
• education and employment
• safety, law and justice, including experiences of physical violence
• housing.

The NATSISS is designed to provide reliable estimates at the national and state/territory levels and by remoteness. 

The information collected in the NATSISS supports communities, governments, health professionals and researchers plan funding, services and programs to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For results from the last NATSISS, see National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2014–15. 

The NATSIHMS is a national survey that collects voluntary biomedical samples from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants aged 5 years and over. 

The NATSIHMS was first collected in 2012–13. The last NATSIHMS was conducted in 2022–24 and participants were selected from either the 2022–23 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) or 2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS). A biomarker is a measured biomedical characteristic which may be used to indicate the presence of a health risk factor or health condition. The specific biomarkers included:

• chronic disease markers, including tests for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and liver function
• nutrient biomarkers, including tests for iron, folate, vitamin B12, iodine, vitamin D, sodium and potassium levels.

Information about participants’ health conditions and health risk factors, such as diet, physical activity and smoking, was taken from their responses to the 2022–23 NATSIHS and the 2023 NATSINPAS.

The NATSIHMS is designed to provide reliable estimates at the national level and by remoteness.

The information collected in the NATSIHMS supports communities, governments, health professionals and researchers plan funding to develop or better health programs and services, such as screening programs and chronic disease management, to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For results from the last NATSIHMS, see National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey, 2022–24.

The ABS and its employees are required by law to protect your data. The information you provide will never be used on its own and you will not be identified. Your information will not be used to check for compliance with things like tax or welfare payments. Find out more about Privacy at the ABS.

More information on what is involved for survey participants can be found under the Participating in a Survey section of our website.