Collation of housing and household characteristics statistics from ABS collections
Home ownership increased to 42.3% of households in 2021, up from 39.6% in 2016.
Four in five people (81.4%) lived in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) dwellings in 2021, up from 78.9% in 2016.
The median weekly rent was $300 in 2021, while the median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,721.
Historical experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the lasting impacts of colonisation have had a significant impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing conditions and homelessness[¹].
The first release of this publication in May 2022 was externally peer-reviewed. The ABS greatly values the knowledge, expertise and contributions of these reviewers and thanks them for their time and input.
Housing information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is available in several ABS collections. See the Information Sources table below for further information.
The information presented in this publication was sourced from the Census of Population and Housing (Census), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS). When reading this publication keep in mind that data from the Census cannot be compared to data from the NATSIHS and NATSISS due to different collection methods.
This release incorporates results from the 2021 Census, with previous Census data available in the data downloads. The 2021 Census product release guide outlines when second and third release results, including Remoteness, Homelessness and Socio-economic index for areas (SEIFA), will be released.
Table 1 summarises key information about the use, available geographic disaggregation, frequency of collection and comparability of ABS sources that collect data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing.
| Census of Population and Housing (Census) | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) | Census Estimates of Homelessness | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applicable population - housing questions | All persons | All persons | All persons | All persons |
Best For | Analysis at small disaggregations such as low-level geography or age groups on key topics. | Analysis at national, state/territory and remoteness geographies. Cross-classifying socioeconomic, cultural, health and wellbeing information. | Analysis at national, state/territory and remoteness geographies. Cross-classifying socioeconomic, cultural, health and wellbeing information. | Analysis of homelessness prevalence (person counts and rates) from SA2 level. Cross-classifying Homeless operational groups by various personal characteristics. |
Geography | Available at all levels of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) | Data quality better at higher levels of geography such as State and Territory and Remoteness | Data quality better at higher levels of geography such as State and Territory and Remoteness | Data quality better at Statistical Area level 3 (SA3) and above. |
Frequency | Collected every 5 years. Most recent available data is 2021. | 2004-05, 2012-13[ᵃ], 2018-19. | 1994, 2002, 2008, 2014-15. | Collected every 5 years. Most recent available data is 2016. |
Comparability | Not comparable with other collections. | Housing data is comparable with the NATSISS only. | Housing data is comparable with the NATSIHS only. | Not comparable with other collections, including Census. |
More information – data and analysis | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2014-15 | Census of Population and Housing: Estimating Homelessness |
ᵃ The 2012-13 NATSIHS was collected and published under the broader Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (AATSIHS).
Table 2 provides an overview of the housing topics available in the Census, NATSIHS, NATSISS and Census Estimates of Homelessness
Census of Population and Housing (Census) | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) | Census Estimates of Homelessness | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applicable population – housing questions | All persons | All persons | All persons | All persons |
Dwelling structure | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Household composition | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Family household composition | Y | Y | Y | N |
Number of persons in household | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Tenure type | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Landlord type | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Number of bedrooms | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Canadian National Occupancy Standard/ Housing Suitability | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Equivalised total household income (weekly) | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Rent (weekly) | Y | N | Y | Y |
Mortgage Repayments (monthly) | Y | N | Y(ᵃ) | Y |
Household facilities that are not available or that do not work | N | Y | Y | N |
Types of repairs or maintenance carried out in last 12 months | N | Y | Y | N |
Types of major structural problems | N | Y | Y | N |
Number of major structural problems | N | Y | Y | N |
Whether household living in house of an acceptable standard | N | Y | Y | N |
Types of community facilities available to the household | N | N | Y | N |
Satisfaction with services provided by public housing service provider | N | N | Y | N |
Dwelling Type | Y | N | N | Y |
Type of non-private dwelling | Y | N | N | Y |
Relationship in household | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Count of persons temporarily absent from household | Y | N | N | Y |
Type of homelessness | N | N | N | Y |
(ᵃ) Weekly mortgage repayments, not monthly.
When considering timeseries changes, it is important to note that there have been significant increases in the number of people identifying as having Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin over time. Increases in the population are influenced by demographic factors such as births, deaths and migration, and by non-demographic factors including changes in whether or not a person identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander for each collection, the identification of children or others who have had their form completed by parents or someone else on their behalf, and the impact of communications and collection procedures. Changes in Indigenous status over time can affect the interpretation of data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is important to remember that Indigenous status is collected through self-identification and any change in how a person chooses to identify will affect the count of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in ABS collections.
The Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS) is no longer conducted by the ABS. It was collected in 1999, 2001 and 2006 and produced reliable national statistics on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing and infrastructure in discrete communities. The aim of CHINS was to provide information to assist government agencies in policy and program development and target funding to discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities most in need.
Information collected included:
ABS surveys, Census of Population and Housing and administrative information are major data sources for a number of government reports that measure outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These include the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework.
An overview of ABS collections used in Closing the Gap and other National Government Reporting is available in Closing the Gap and Other National Government Reporting. Where possible this publication presents information using the same methodology used by these reports.
There is one housing related target as part of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap that is measured using ABS data sources:
Target 9: ‘By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent.’
Data for this target is available in the 'Closing the Gap target - Appropriately sized housing - Persons' data download.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households are defined as a dwelling where at least one person who usually lives in the dwelling identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
According to the 2021 Census, there were 352,041 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households, representing 3.8% of all households in Australia. This is up from 2.1% in 2001.
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Dwelling Characteristics' from 'Data downloads'
ABS data sources classify dwellings as ‘non-private’ or ‘private’ dwellings.
Non-private dwellings are establishments which provide a communal type of accommodation e.g. hotels and boarding houses. If a non-private dwelling is unoccupied on Census night it is not counted.
Private dwellings are most often separate houses, townhouses, apartments or flats, but can also be caravans, cabins, tents or boats.
The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons counted on Census night in 2021 were staying in private dwellings (95.9%), and the remainder (4.1% or 33,391) were counted in non-private dwellings.
Of those counted in non-private dwellings on Census night in 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 2.3 in 'Dwelling Characteristics' from 'Data downloads'
The Dwelling structure variable provides a standard classification of the different types of private dwelling structures, such as houses, flats and townhouses. Data on dwelling structure are used to monitor changes in housing characteristics, to help formulate housing policies and to review existing housing stock.
In the 2021 and 2016 Censuses most of the information on dwelling structure was sourced from the ABS Address Register. Prior to 2016, information on dwelling structure was collected by Census Field Officers. The change in collection methods may have an impact when comparing dwelling structure information over time. For more information see Dwelling structure in the Census Dictionary.
There were 352,041 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander private dwellings (households) that were counted in the 2021 Census. Of these:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 3.9 in 'Dwelling Characteristics' from 'Data downloads'
The Number of bedrooms variable provides a count of the number of bedrooms in each occupied private dwelling, including caravans in caravan parks. A bedroom is defined as a room within the dwelling that is defined as a bedroom on the dwelling plan, even if it has been converted to another room such as a study. This includes rooms that have been created as a result of alterations and additions to the dwellings (such as built-in verandas, extensions and sunrooms, etc.) which the occupants consider to be bedrooms. A studio apartment or bedsitter is considered to have no bedrooms, as there is no separate room in which to sleep.
Information about the number of bedrooms in a dwelling is used to provide an indication of:
In 2021, three bedrooms was the most common dwelling size (42.2% of households), followed by four bedrooms (27.2%).
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 5.3 in 'Dwelling characteristics' from 'Data downloads'
Information has been collected on household facilities, maintenance and major structural problems in the ABS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander surveys since the 2008 NATSISS to better understand the condition of housing in which people live.
The most recent available data on this topic is from the 2018-19 NATSIHS. 2022-23 NATSIHS results will be available in 2024.
The types of basic household facilities that are considered important for a healthy living environment include those that:
The household spokesperson was asked whether any of the listed household facilities were not available or were not working. Not working includes instances where the item works but there is no power or fuel supply available for it to be useable. More than one response was allowed. The response categories were:
The household spokesperson was also asked about any major structural problems that existed. The household spokesperson may have a lack of knowledge of housing construction and standards which could impact reporting of the following structural problems. In non-remote areas, people were asked whether the dwelling has any of the listed major structural problems, while in remote areas people were asked if the house had any of the listed problems that need to be fixed. More than one response was allowed. The response categories were:
The ‘acceptable standard of housing’ variable was introduced in the 2008 NATSISS and is calculated based on the household facilities available in the household and the number of major structural problems. A dwelling was deemed to be of an acceptable standard where it had fewer than three major structural problems and had:
A dwelling was deemed to be not of an acceptable standard where any of the above facilities were unavailable or there were more than two structural problems.
Housing and infrastructure in remote areas is more expensive and logistically more difficult to maintain[²]. With one in nine (11.4% in 2016) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households located in remote areas, compared with just 1.4% of Other households, they are more likely to be impacted by major structural problems and inadequate facilities.
Between the 2012-13 and the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the proportion of dwellings that were of an acceptable standard:
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2012-13 and 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Data available in table 1.2 in 'Standard of housing' from 'Data downloads'
There was no significant change nationally between 2012-13 and 2018-19 in the proportion of dwellings with working facilities (84.3% and 86.7% respectively).
In 2018-19, dwellings in non-remote areas were more likely to have working facilities than those in remote areas. The biggest difference between non-remote and remote areas were for working facilities for preparing food (difference of 13.7 percentage points) and for washing clothes or bedding (difference of 11 percentage points).
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Data available in table 2.2 in 'Standard of housing' from 'Data downloads'
In 2018-19, two-thirds (67.1%) of dwellings had no major structural problems, while almost one in ten dwellings had three or more problems (9%). There was no significant change for either of these indicators since the 2012-13 NATSIHS.
The most common type of major structural problem reported for all dwellings (including those with no major structural problems) was major cracks in walls and floors (12.4%), followed by walls or windows that were not straight (10.0%).
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Data available in table 3.1 in 'Standard of housing' from 'Data downloads'
In 2018-19, survey participants reported:
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Data available in table 3.2 in 'Standard of housing' from 'Data downloads'
The Tenure type variable describes whether a household rents or owns their dwelling or whether the household occupies it under another arrangement.
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Tenure and landlord type' from 'Data downloads'
Across the states and territories:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Tenure and landlord type' from 'Data downloads'
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 2.1 in 'Tenure and landlord type' from 'Data downloads'
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 3.1 in 'Tenure and landlord type' from 'Data downloads'
The Landlord type variable provides information on the type of landlord for rented dwellings. It applies to all households who are renting their dwelling (including caravans, etc. in caravan parks). Landlord Type allows data to be produced for studies of the socio-economic characteristics of tenants of public authority housing as well as tenants in privately owned accommodation.
Just over one in four dwellings (27.6%) were rented from Real Estate Agents in 2021, up from 25.3% in 2016. This was the most common landlord type, followed by State or Territory Housing Authority at 14.4%, down from 19.3% in 2016.
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Tenure and landlord type' from 'Data downloads'
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Tenure and landlord type' from 'Data downloads'
When considering the following information, note that the ABS’s housing suitability variable is based on the Canadian National Occupancy Standard (CNOS) and the definitions below may not adequately reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives of overcrowding. CNOS does not take into consideration Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural norms such as 'demand sharing', which can lead households to be seen as 'crowded'[³]. Maintaining a large, open household is a core obligation for many Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, driven by a culture of sharing and connection to family. Household size can vary due to visiting family seeking temporary or semi-permanent accommodation for reasons such as accessing health or other services in the area or attending cultural events[⁴]. This measure may also be affected by under-reporting, with the number of actual occupants in a household not accurately reported for fear of negative consequences by the household’s rental agency for housing more people than allowed by their tenancy agreement[⁵].
For more information on this measure see Housing suitability in the Census Dictionary.
The Housing suitability variable compares the number of bedrooms in the dwelling with the number of bedrooms required based on household demographics. This means that the variable can be used to provide a measure of overcrowding in households.
For the purposes of this analysis:
There is no single standard measure for housing suitability. However, the CNOS is widely used in Australia and internationally and the housing suitability variable is based on this standard.
Housing Suitability is a housing utilisation measure based upon a comparison of the number of bedrooms in a dwelling together with a series of household demographics such as the number of usual residents, their relationship to one another, and their age and sex.
The measure assesses the bedroom requirements of a household by specifying that:
In contrast to the rest of the publication, the information below on the Closing the gap target is based on a count of persons, not households. This person level data is included in the Data Download: ‘Closing the Gap Target – Appropriately sized housing – Persons’.
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Closing the Gap target - Adequately sized housing - Persons' from 'Data downloads'
Analysis presented in the below commentary is based on counts of households.
In 2021:
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Housing suitability and Overcrowding - Households' from 'Data downloads'
In 2021, most households (90.5%) were not overcrowded (did not need one or more bedrooms). This has gradually improved over the last five Census from 84.3% in 2001.
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Housing suitability and Overcrowding - Households' from 'Data downloads'
In 2021, dwellings that were owned were more likely than dwellings that were rented to not be overcrowded (94.2% compared with 87.5%). Rented dwellings that were not overcrowded increased over the last twenty years, from 80.5% in 2001.
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in tables 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7 and 3.9 in 'Housing suitability and Overcrowding - Households' from 'Data downloads'
Overcrowding can have a significant impact on the quality of life for people living in these conditions due to additional stress on shared amenities such as bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities, and a lack of privacy.
In the 2018-19 NATSIHS, most overcrowded dwellings (79.5%) in non-remote areas were of an acceptable standard, similar to dwellings in non-remote areas that were appropriately sized (82.8%).
In remote areas, overcrowded dwellings were less likely than dwellings that were appropriately sized to be considered acceptable standard housing. Around half of overcrowded dwellings (52.5%) in remote areas were of an acceptable standard, compared with 68.2% of appropriately sized dwellings.
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Data available in table 4.2 in 'Housing suitability and Overcrowding - Households' from 'Data downloads'
The 2018-19 NATSIHS showed that overcrowded dwellings in remote areas were more likely than those in non-remote areas to have:
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
Data available in tables 5.3 and 6.3 in 'Housing suitability and Overcrowding - Households' from 'Data downloads'
Since the 2001 Census, the ABS publishes estimates of the prevalence of homelessness, and the characteristics and living arrangements of those likely to be homeless on Census night. Estimates are also provided for people whose living arrangements are close to the statistical boundary of homelessness, but who are not classified as homeless. The available data includes an estimate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons experiencing homelessness.
The ABS definition of homelessness has been developed for application to the general population in Australia. While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over-represented in the measures of homelessness developed with this definition, there are likely to be additional aspects to homelessness from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives that the definition does not currently adequately capture, including high rates of residential mobility or living remotely in the bush on Country[⁶]. It is also important to recognise that whilst participation rates in the Census by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have increased due to more targeted strategies, some do not easily engage with government data collections based on historical fear and mistrust of government[⁷]. For more information about the Census Estimates of Homelessness, see 4736.0 - Information Paper: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Perspectives on Homelessness, 2014 and Census of Population and Housing: Estimating Homelessness, 2016.
Rates of homelessness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are linked to several complex factors, including the lasting impacts of colonisation.
The most recent available data on this topic is from 2021. See Estimating Homelessness: Census for more information.
In 2016, it was estimated that 23,437 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were likely to be homeless on Census Night. Most of these people were living in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings (16,399). The smallest was persons in other temporary lodgings (43).
Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.
Source: 2016 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Homelessness' from 'Data downloads'
The 2014-15 NATSISS collected information on past experiences of homelessness. This information is not comparable with prevalence estimates of homelessness derived from the Census of Population and Housing. It refers to whether a person has ever previously been without a 'permanent place to live' for the following reasons:
For further information, see the 2014-15 NATSISS Glossary.
The 2014-15 NATSISS showed just over one-quarter (29.1%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over had experienced homelessness in their lifetime. Experience of homelessness was most common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 35-44 years (40.9%), 25-34 years (38.5%) and 45-54 years (34.4%).
Cells in this table containing data have been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Source: 2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
Data available in table 2.1 in 'Homelessness' from 'Data downloads'
The following commentary on household income uses the variable ‘Equivalised total household income (weekly)’. This item uses total household income adjusted by the application of an equivalence scale to help compare income levels between households of different size and composition. The 'modified OECD' equivalence scale is used. For more information see Equivalised total household income (weekly) in the 2021 Census Dictionary.
In 2021, the median equivalised total household weekly income for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households was:
Source: 2016 and 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Household income' from 'Data downloads'
The Rent (weekly) variable records the individual dollar amounts of rent paid by households on a weekly basis for the dwelling in which they were counted on Census night. The Census is the only source of rent data for small areas and for small populations. This data is important for housing policy and planning, and for studying the housing conditions of small populations.
In 2021:
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 2.1 in 'Housing costs' from 'Data downloads'
Median weekly rent payments in 2021 were highest for households that were privately rented:
In comparison, median weekly rent payments were around half as much when rented through the government or a community group:
The Mortgage repayments (monthly) variable records the mortgage repayments being paid by a household. This data is used for analysis of home ownership and for providing benchmark data for evaluating housing needs, housing finance and housing demand.
In 2021:
Source: 2021 Census of Population and Housing
Data available in table 1.1 in 'Housing costs' from 'Data downloads'
[¹] Keys Young 1998. Homelessness in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Context and its possible implications for the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP). Prepared for the Department of Family and Community Services, 30 November 1998, (final report). NSW: Sydney. Available at Homelessness in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context and its possible implications for the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program | The Homeless Hub.
[²] Fien, J. and Charlesworth, E. 2012, ‘Why Isn’t It Solved?: Factors Affecting Improvements in Housing Outcomes in Remote Indigenous Communities in Australia’, Habitat International, vol. 36, pp. 20–25. Available at ‘Why isn’t it solved?’: Factors affecting improvements in housing outcomes in remote Indigenous communities in Australia (researchgate.net).
[³] Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute 2017. Understanding ‘demand sharing’ of Indigenous households. Available at Understanding 'demand sharing' of Indigenous households | AHURI.
[⁴] Memmott P, Birdsall-Jones C & Greenop K. 2012. Australian Indigenous house crowding. AHURI final report No. 194. Melbourne: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Available at Australian Indigenous house crowding (ahuri.edu.au).
[⁵] Memmott, P., Greenop, K., Clarke, A., Go-Sam, C., Birsall-Janes, C., Harvey-Janes, W., Corunna, V. & Western, M. 2012. Survey Analysis for Indigenous Policy in Australia. 12. NATSISS crowding data: What does it assume and how can we challenge the orthodoxy? Available at Survey Analysis for Indigenous Policy in Australia - ANU.
[⁶] Memmott, P. Long, S. and Thomson, L. 2006. Indigenous Mobility in Rural and Remote Australia. Available at Indigenous mobility in rural and remote Australia | AHURI.
[⁷] NATSIHA, 2020. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Authority Parliamentary Enquiry into Homelessness in Australia Submission. Available at Inquiry into homelessness in Australia – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au) Submission 162.
Information used in this publication is available by time series and geography in the Data Downloads section. Please see tables below by topic for information about how to locate this information in the downloads.
Further housing information is available from ABS collections as listed in the 'Information sources and comparability' section. Customised data requests are also available on request. Please see Contact the ABS.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Table number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households | State/Territory | Census 2001-2021 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2001-2016 | Table 1.2 | |
| Type of Non-Private Dwelling | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 2.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 2.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 2.3 | |
| Dwelling structure | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 3.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 3.2 | |
| Local Government Area | Census 2016 | Table 3.5 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2016 | Table 3.6 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2016 | Table 3.7 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2016 | Table 3.8 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 3.9 | |
| Local Government Area | Census 2021 | Table 3.11 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2021 | Table 3.12 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2021 | Table 3.13 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2021 | Table 3.14 | |
| Dwelling structure (expanded) | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 3.3 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 3.4 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 3.10 | |
| Number of bedrooms | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 4.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 4.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 4.3 | |
| Dwelling structure by number of bedrooms | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 5.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 5.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 5.3 |
See 'Dwelling characteristics' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Tables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether dwelling of an acceptable standard | State/Territory | NATSISS 2008 and 2014-15, NATSIHS 2012-13 and 2018-19 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Table 1.2 | ||
| Types of household facilities available and Whether has facilities that are not available or do not work. | State/Territory | NATSIHS 2012-3 | Table 2.1 |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2012-3 | Table 2.2 | |
| State/Territory | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.3 | |
| Remoteness | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.4 | |
| State/Territory | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 2.5 | |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 2.6 | |
| Types and number of major structural problems | State/Territory | NATSIHS 2012-3 | Table 3.1 |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2012-3 | Table 3.2 | |
| State/Territory | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 3.3 | |
| Remoteness | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 3.4 | |
| State/Territory | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 3.5 | |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 3.6 |
See 'Standard of housing' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Tables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenure and Landlord type | State/Territory | Census 2001-2021 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2001-2021 | Table 1.2 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.3 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2011 | Table 1.4 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.5 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2011 | Table 1.6 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.7 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2016 | Table 1.8 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.9 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2016 | Table 1.10 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.11 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2021 | Table 1.12 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.13 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2021 | Table 1.14 | |
| Tenure and Landlord type by Family Composition (Households) | State/Territory | Census 2011 | Table 2.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 | Table 2.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 2.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 2.4 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 2.5 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2021 | Table 2.6 | |
| Tenure and Landlord type by Family Composition (Families) | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 3.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 3.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 3.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2021 | Table 3.4 |
See 'Tenure and landlord type' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Table |
| Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) dwellings | State/Territory | Census 2001 to 2021 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2001 to 2016 | Table 1.2 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.3 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2011 | Table 1.4 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.5 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2011 | Table 1.6 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.7 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2016 | Table 1.8 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.9 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2016 | Table 1.10 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.11 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2021 | Table 1.12 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.13 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2021 | Table 1.14 | |
| State/Territory | NATSIHS 2012-13 and 2018-19, and NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.1 | |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2012-13 and 2018-19, and NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.2 |
See 'Closing the Gap target - Appropriately sized housing - Persons' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Table |
| Housing suitability (overcrowding) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander households | State/Territory | Census 2001 to 2021 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2001 to 2016 | Table 1.2 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.3 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2011 | Table 1.4 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.5 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2011 | Table 1.6 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.7 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2016 | Table 1.8 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.9 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2016 | Table 1.10 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.11 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2021 | Table 1.12 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.13 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2021 | Table 1.14 | |
| State/Territory | NATSIHS 2012-13 and 2018-19, and NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.1 | |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2012-13 and 2018-19, and NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.2 | |
| Tenure type by Housing suitability (overcrowding) | State/Territory | Census 2001 | Table 3.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2001 | Table 3.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2006 | Table 3.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2006 | Table 3.4 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2011 | Table 3.5 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 | Table 3.6 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 3.7 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 3.8 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 3.9 | |
| Whether dwelling of an acceptable standard by Canadian National Occupancy Standard (overcrowding) | Remoteness | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 4.1 |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 4.2 | |
| Whether any major structural problems by Canadian National Occupancy Standard (overcrowding) | Remoteness | NATSIHS 2012-13 | Table 5.1 |
| Remoteness | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 5.2 | |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 5.3 | |
| Household facilities that are not available or that do not work by Canadian National Occupancy Standard (overcrowding) | Remoteness | NATSIHS 2012-13 | Table 6.1 |
| Remoteness | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 6.2 | |
| Remoteness | NATSIHS 2018-19 | Table 6.3 |
See 'Housing suitability and Overcrowding - Households' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Table |
| Homeless Operational Groups and Other Marginal Housing | Indigenous status | Census 2016 | Table 1.1 |
| Whether ever experienced homelessness | Age groups | NATSISS 2014-15 | Table 2.1 |
See 'Homelessness' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Table |
| Median equivalised total household weekly income | State/Territory | Census 2001 to 2021 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2001 to 2021 | Table 1.2 | |
| Tenure type by Median equivalised total household weekly income | State/Territory | Census 2011 | Table 2.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 | Table 2.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 2.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 2.4 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 2.5 | |
| Housing suitability (overcrowding) by Median equivalised total household weekly income | State/Territory | Census 2011 | Table 3.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 | Table 3.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 3.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 3.4 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 3.5 |
See 'Household income' download for data on this topic.
| Topic | Disaggregation | Collection | Table |
| Median mortgage repayments (monthly) | State/Territory | Census 2011-2021 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 and 2016 | Table 1.2 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.3 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2011 | Table 1.4 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2011 | Table 1.5 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2011 | Table 1.6 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.7 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2016 | Table 1.8 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2016 | Table 1.9 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2016 | Table 1.10 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.11 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2021 | Table 1.12 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2021 | Table 1.13 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2021 | Table 1.14 | |
| Median rent payments (weekly) | State/Territory | Census 2011-2021 | Table 2.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 and 2016 | Table 2.2 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2011 | Table 2.3 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2011 | Table 2.4 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2011 | Table 2.5 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2011 | Table 2.6 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2016 | Table 2.7 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2016 | Table 2.8 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2016 | Table 2.9 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2016 | Table 2.10 | |
| Local Government Areas | Census 2021 | Table 2.11 | |
| Indigenous Regions | Census 2021 | Table 2.12 | |
| Indigenous Areas | Census 2021 | Table 2.13 | |
| Indigenous Locations | Census 2021 | Table 2.14 | |
| Median rent payments (weekly) by Landlord type | State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 3.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 3.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2021 | Table 3.3 |
See 'Housing costs' download for data on this topic.
| Index of relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage (IRSAD)(a) by tenure type | State/Territory | Census 2011 | Table 1.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 | Table 1.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 1.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 1.4 | |
| Index of relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage (IRSAD)(a) by housing suitability (overcrowding) | State/Territory | Census 2011 | Table 2.1 |
| Remoteness | Census 2011 | Table 2.2 | |
| State/Territory | Census 2016 | Table 2.3 | |
| Remoteness | Census 2016 | Table 2.4 |
See 'Socio-economic index of dwelling location' download for data on this topic.
This release previously used catalogue number 4744.0
16/05/2023 – Corrections to 2001-2016 data for Tenure and Landlord type variables for the categories “Rented: Person not in same household” and “Rented: Community housing provider”. This results in changes to:
Data downloads - Data cube “Tenure and landlord type” - 2021 Census remoteness data added to table 1.2, table 2.6 and table 3.4.
Homelessness section – link added to Estimating Homelessness: Census