Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

  • There were 798,400 Indigenous people in Australia in 2016. 
  • Three quarters of Indigenous population lived in NSW, Qld and WA combined. 
  • Median age of Indigenous population 20.3 years, Non-Indigenous population 37.8 years.
  • The Indigenous population increased by 19% during 2011-2016. 
Reference period
June 2016

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey

  • 46% of people had at least one chronic condition, up from 40% in 2012–13.
  • 17% of people two years and over had anxiety and 13% had depression.
  • 37% of people 15 years and over smoked daily, down from 41% in 2012–13.
  • 37% of children 2–14 years were overweight/obese, up from 30% in 2012–13.
Reference period
2018-19 financial year

Education Statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

  • 49% of people aged 25-34 had a certificate III level or above qualification in 2018-19, up from 28% in 2008.
  • 3,708 people had a postgraduate degree level qualification in 2016, up from 682 in 2001.
  • 26% of people aged 20+ years in 2014-15 wanted to study in the last 12 months but did not.
Reference period
2018-19 financial year

Future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Surveys - Have Your Say

Discussion paper for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to give feedback on the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health survey

Reference period
2020

Estimates and Projections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Estimates and projections of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population for 2006 to 2031. Includes projections by sex and age groups.

Reference period
2006 - 2031

Life Tables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

  • Life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males – 71.6 years.
  • Life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females – 75.6 years.
  • Increased by 2.5 years and 1.9 years respectively since the period from 2010 to 2012. 
Reference period
2015 - 2017

Census of Population and Housing: Understanding the Increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Counts

This publication examines the increase in the counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the 2016 Census

Reference period
2016

Changing characteristics of the Torres Strait region and its people

Statistics on Torres Strait Islander people living in the Torres Strait region

Reference period
2011 - 2016

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women Celebrated

Data highlighting the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to celebrate the 2018 NAIDOC week theme: "Because of her, we can!"

Reference period
2018

Census of Population and Housing: Characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Provides insights into the contemporary social and economic situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Reference period
2016

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Smoking Trends, Australia

Trends in smoking prevalence, initiation and quitting among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population for the period 1994 to 2014–15

Reference period
1994 to 2014-15

Census of Population and Housing - Counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, including intercensal changes over time

Reference period
2016

Revised 2002 and 2008 NATSISS alcohol data by risk level, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Outlines revisions to alcohol data by risk level from the 2002 and 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Surveys

Reference period
2013

Articles