Culture is seen as central to the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians (SCRGSP 2018). Based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, in 2014–15, among Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over:
- 74% (328,600 people) recognised an area as homelands or traditional country—this was 89% in remote areas compared with 70% in non-remote areas
- 62% (276,300) identified with a clan, tribal or language group—79% in remote areas compared with 58% in non-remote areas.
- 63% (277,700) had been involved in selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations in the last 12 months—82% in remote areas compared with 57% in non-remote areas (ABS 2016b).
Indigenous languages play an important role in maintaining and passing on cultural knowledge and practices and contributing to a stronger sense of identity and belonging (SCRGSP 2018). On Census night in 2016, about 150 Australian Indigenous languages were spoken in Australian homes (ABS 2017).
In 2014–15, among Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over:
- 18% (81,100 people) spoke an Australian Indigenous language and another 20% spoke some words of an Indigenous language (88,500 people)
- the proportion who spoke an Indigenous language was higher in remote than in non-remote areas—55% compared with 8% respectively (excluding those who only spoke some words)
- 11% (46,700 people) spoke an Australian Indigenous language as their main language at home (ABS 2016b).
Additional information on Indigenous Australians and their wellbeing is reported in Australia’s welfare snapshots, including an overview of these topics:
See Indigenous Australians for more information.
Population estimates of the Indigenous population based on the 2016 Census are available from the ABS: Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, June 2016.
References
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2016a. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 2—Indigenous Structure, July 2016. ABS cat. no. 1270.0.55.002. Canberra: ABS. Viewed 26 October 2018.
ABS 2016b. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2014–15. ABS cat. no. 4714.0. Canberra: ABS. Viewed 22 October 2018.
ABS 2017. Census of Population and Housing: reflecting Australia—stories from the Census, 2016. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population, 2016. ABS cat. no. 2071.0. Canberra: ABS.Viewed 17 April 2019.
ABS 2018a. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 5—Remoteness Structure, July 2016. ABS cat. no. 1270.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. Viewed 26 October 2018,
ABS 2018b. Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, June 2016. ABS cat. no. 3238.0.55.001. Canberra: ABS. Viewed 22 October 2018.
ABS 2019. Estimates and projections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2006 to 2031;. ABS cat. no. 3238.0. Canberra: ABS. [Series B projections]. Viewed 24 July 2019.
SCRGSP (Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision) 2018. Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage 2016. Key indicators 2016. Canberra: Productivity Commission.