Sense of belonging

Valuing diversity, belonging and culture

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Release date and time
15/09/2025 11:30am AEST

Released 15/09/2025

Metrics

  • Proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who recognise an area as their homelands or traditional country
  • The Social Cohesion Index: Sense of belonging measure

Why this matters

A sense of belonging, a feeling of being part of a larger group or connected to a broader community is an important determinant of wellbeing. The acceptance of diversity, the celebration of culture, and appreciation of custom, can support a sense of belonging.

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap recognises that these unique bonds are fundamental to improved life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Progress

Recognition of homelands or traditional country

In 2022-23, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey found that around 3 in 4 (76%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and over recognised an area as their homelands or traditional country. This was similar to 2018-19 (74%).

People who lived in remote areas (87%) were more likely than those in non-remote areas (74%) to recognise an area as their homelands or traditional country.

Earlier data from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey shows that the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and over who recognised an area as their homelands or traditional country increased between 2002 (72%) and 2014-15 (76%).

  1. Data for 2002, 2008 and 2014-15 is sourced from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS). Data for 2018-19 and 2022-23 is sourced from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS).

The Social Cohesion Index: Sense of belonging measure

In 2024, within the Social Cohesion Index:

  • the Sense of belonging domain measure score was 77, its lowest value since the index began in 2007 (with a benchmark score of 100).
  • the Sense of belonging domain measure score was similar to the score in 2023 (78) but 11 points lower than the score in 2020 (88).
  1. The Sense of belonging measure is one of the five domain measures included in the Scanlon Index of Social Cohesion. The measure reported reflects agreement or identification with the following three data items; 'Sense of belonging in Australia', Pride in the Australian way of life and culture', and 'Important to maintain way of life and culture'.
  2. The Mapping Social Cohesion Survey was not run in 2008 and administered twice in 2020. Only the July 2020 results are shown (the usual month in which surveys are conducted).
  3. In 2018 the Mapping Social Cohesion Survey methodology changed from being administered via telephone only, to telephone and online (using the Life in Australia panel). For further details, please refer to the 2018 Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion Report. 
Data Source
Scanlon Institute Mapping Social Cohesion Report 2024

Disaggregation

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework reports on the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who recognise an area as their homelands or traditional country.

Disaggregation available includes:

  • Age
  • Remoteness
  • Education
  • Labour force status
  • Housing characteristics
  • Financial stress
  • Health status
  • Disability status.

Additional data and insights regarding the sense of belonging in Australia are available via the Scanlon Institute Mapping Social Cohesion Report 2024.

Disaggregation available includes:

  • Age
  • Migrant status.