Overview

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Indigenous people of Australia. They are not one group, but comprise hundreds of groups that have their own distinct set of languages, histories and cultural traditions. 

AIHW reports and other products include information about Indigenous Australians, where data quality permits. Thus, information and statistics about Indigenous Australians can be found in most AIHW products.

AIHW products that focus specifically on Indigenous Australians are captured on this page.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework

Find information about health status and outcomes, determinants of health, and health system performance for Indigenous Australians

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Latest findings

1 in 5 Indigenous Australians aged 50+ in 2018–19 had been removed from their families 196 Indigenous-specific primary health care organisations employed about 7,400 FTE staff in 2019–20 There were an estimated 27,200 Stolen Generations survivors aged 50 and over in 2018–19 Indigenous-specific primary health care organisations cared for 469,000 clients in 2019–20 At June 2020, 33% of Indigenous regular clients aged 15 and over had never smoked There were an estimated 33,600 Stolen Generations survivors in 2018–19 Stolen Generations aged 50+ were 1.8 times as likely as other Indigenous Australians of this age not to own a home At June 2019, 86% of Indigenous babies in the previous year had a normal birthweight There was an average of 11.6 contacts per client at Indigenous-specific primary health care organisations in 2019–20 Clients had 5.4 million contacts with Indigenous-specific primary health care organisations in 2019–20 At June 2019, 40% of Indigenous regular clients with type 2 diabetes had blood pressure in the recommended range At June 2020, 42% of Indigenous regular clients aged 50 and over were immunised against influenza

Latest reports

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Highlights

3.3% of the total Australian population were Indigenous Australians (798,400 people) in 2016
85% of Indigenous youth aged 15–17 had never smoked in 2018–19
3.7 millionepisodes of care were provided by Indigenous-specific primary health care organisations in 2018–19
24% of Indigenous Australians reported having a mental health or behavioural condition in 2018–19
66% of Indigenous Australians aged 20–24 had attained Year 12 or equivalent (Certificate II or above) in 2018–19
30%of Indigenous Australians had an Indigenous health check in 2017–18
42% increase in cataract surgery rate for Indigenous Australians between 2008–10 and 2016–18
17% decline in avoidable mortality rates for Indigenous Australians between 2006 and 2018