Social housing experiences of First Nations households
Secure housing is fundamental to health and wellbeing (AIHW 2019a). Housing circumstances such as affordability, tenure, and aspects of living space and location are key predictors of mental and physical health (Akintola-Idowu, 2025; Foster et al, 2011)).
While inadequate housing creates many concerns that are common across priority populations, the history of colonisation and the strong connection First Nations people have to Country increases the importance of housing conditions as a determinant of health (Bailie & Wayte, 2006).
National Agreement on Closing the Gap Outcome 9
The importance of housing is reflected in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Outcome 9 (a and b): ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their priorities and needs, with a specific outcome and targets to direct policy attention and monitor progress.’
Outcome 9 aims to ensure that by 2031, 88% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are living in appropriately sized, non-overcrowded housing, and that every household has access to essential services. Indicators of housing quality, safety, and access to necessary facilities monitor progress towards this outcome. For the most recent information, refer to the Closing the Gap Information Repository.
The NSHS helps track this progress by providing data on the experiences of First Nations Australians living in social housing. By highlighting both achievements and ongoing gaps, the NSHS informs where government efforts should focus to address relevant Closing the Gap Outcomes.
A household is considered to be First Nations if at least one member identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. As of June 2024, First Nations households accounted for 84,365 out of a total of 426,238 households living in Australia’s social housing programs, making up approximately 20% of all social housing households across the country (AIHW 2025).
The 2025 NSHS found that 61% of First Nations households reported satisfaction with housing services. Many households reported feeling more settled, better able to manage life events and more financially secure as some of the benefits of living in social housing.
These benefits help families stay close to Country, maintain cultural practices and plan for the future.
Tenants also noted challenges in 2025 such as limited storage, privacy and safety concerns, and lower satisfaction with day-to-day maintenance services. Addressing these issues may improve tenants’ experiences in social housing.
First Nations households by social housing program
While First Nations people can access all four main social housing programs, two programs specifically target First Nations households:
- State-owned and managed Indigenous housing (SOMIH) provides housing for people on low incomes or with special needs
- Indigenous community housing (ICH) is owned or managed by First Nations organisations to deliver housing services to First Nations people.
Of the 84,365 First Nations households living in social housing in June 2024:
- 40,652 (48%) lived in public housing
- 11,464 (14%) lived in community housing
- 14,670 (17%) lived in SOMIH
- 17,579 (21%) lived in Indigenous Community Housing (ICH) -AIHW 2025.
In NSHS 2025, respondents were asked whether they or any household member identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Of the 2,507 survey respondents who reported living in a First Nations household,
- 900 (36%) lived in public housing
- 395 (16%) lived in community housing
- 1212 (48%) lived in SOMIH
- ICH was not in scope for NSHS 2025
Figure First Nations households 1: Number of First Nations households by Social housing program, 2024
Bar chart shows First Nations households by social housing program in 2024. Public housing has the highest number of households, followed by Indigenous community housing, SOMIH and community housing.
| Social housing program | Number of households |
|---|---|
| Public housing | 40,652 |
| Community housing | 11,464 |
| SOMIH | 14,670 |
| Indigenous community housing | 17,579 |
Source:
AIHW National Housing Assistance Data Repository.
Overall satisfaction for First Nations households
Many First Nations households reported feeling satisfied with the overall services provided by their housing organisation in 2025. For all social housing programs, 61% of First Nations households were satisfied or very satisfied with overall services. Program results for First Nations households included:
- Public housing: 61% satisfied
- Community housing: 66% satisfied
- SOMIH: 57% satisfied.
The results presented in this chapter do not include results for Indigenous Community Housing (ICH), as it was not in scope for the NSHS in 2025. Please see the technical notes for further details.
Satisfaction over time for First Nations households
First Nations households recorded a satisfaction rate for all housing programs in 2025 that was similar to 2014, dropping only slightly from 62% to 61%, despite larger fluctuations between 2016 and 2025. Public Housing and SOMIH displayed a similar pattern, with both programs remaining stable by one percentage point since 2014. Satisfaction with Community Housing dropped from 72% in 2014 to 66% in 2025.
Figure 2 shows the satisfaction trends for First Nations households over time. Overall, satisfaction has stayed fairly steady over time, despite some larger changes between waves.
Figure First Nations households 2: Tenant satisfaction with overall services by program, 2014–2025
Stacked bar chart shows First Nations tenant satisfaction with overall services from 2014 to 2025, most tenants are satisfied or very satisfied across all programs.
| Year | Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Satisfied | Very satisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 8.2# | 12.8# | 16.9# | 39.2# | 22.8# |
| 2016 | 10.0# | 8.9 | 16.6 | 42.2 | 22.3# |
| 2018 | 6.5 | 8.5 | 14.7 | 42.6 | 27.8# |
| 2021 | 8.8 | 9.7# | 13.6 | 40.1 | 27.8# |
| 2023 | 10.6# | 9.5 | 15.2 | 41.8 | 22.9# |
| 2025 | 9.3# | 13.4# | 15.9 | 36.7 | 24.7# |
| Year | Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Satisfied | Very satisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 8.0# | 12.0# | 17.8# | 36.9# | 25.3 |
| 2016 | 11.7# | 7.3 | 19.1 | 39.8 | 22.1# |
| 2018 | *6.0 | 7.8 | 17.1# | 40.4 | 28.6 |
| 2021 | *9.8 | 8.3 | 12.7 | 41.1 | 28.1 |
| 2023 | 10.7 | 8.9 | 15.2 | 45.4 | 19.8# |
| 2025 | 8.6 | 13.1 | 17 | 36.1 | 25.2 |
| Year | Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Satisfied | Very satisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10.7# | *6.9 | 10.2 | 38.3 | 33.8 |
| 2016 | *5.7 | 9.7 | 12 | 38.9 | 33.6 |
| 2018 | *6.9 | *3.3# | *8.8 | 41.8 | 39.3 |
| 2021 | *7.9 | 11.4 | 13.4 | 39.9 | 27.3# |
| 2023 | 9.9# | 9.9 | 17.7 | 33.1# | 29.4 |
| 2025 | *7.5 | 14.5# | 12.4 | 37.5 | 28.1 |
| Year | Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Satisfied | Very satisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7.8 | 16.7 | 17.5 | 44.8 | 13.2 |
| 2016 | 7.2 | 13 | 12 | 50.5 | 17.2 |
| 2018 | 7.7 | 14.8 | 11.4 | 50.6 | 15.6 |
| 2021 | 6.5 | 12.5# | 17 | 36.7 | 27.2 |
| 2023 | 11.6# | 10.9 | 10.5 | 41.7 | 25.3 |
| 2025 | 14.3# | 12.9 | 16.1 | 38.1 | 18.6 |
Indigenous households are those in which at least one tenant identifies as Indigenous (as indicated by the survey respondent).
'#' indicates finding is statistically significantly different, at the 95% confidence level, from the finding for the other categories within the housing program.
Source:
AIHW National Social Housing Survey 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2025. Supplementary Table S1.14.
Benefits of living in social housing
In 2025, across all programs, 93% of First Nations households reported that living in social housing made them feel more settled, while 85% felt better equipped to handle life’s challenges.
Socially, staying in the same area matters for culture and community (Liebenberg et al, 2019); 79% of First Nations households reported feeling part of the community, while 85% identified being able to continue living in the same area as a benefit.
Affordable rent is a key factor in promoting financial stability for social housing tenants. In 2025, 89% of households across all programs indicated that access to social housing allowed them to manage their rent and overall finances more effectively.
Reliable access to public transport provided a considerable benefit, enabling families to reach employment, education, and health services more easily. 85% of First Nations households highlighted improved access to public transport as a key advantage in 2025.
‘Knowing that I have the security of a permanent home.’
‘Peace of mind knowing you can afford the rent.’
‘All friends and family are nearby.’
‘Mentally stable, healthy and happy’.
‘Can go out bush on Country and culture, prospecting, painting…’
Figure Satisfaction for First Nations households 1: Benefits of living in social housing, 2025
Bar chart shows benefits of social housing for First Nations households in 2025. Feeling more settled is most common, with generally higher benefits in community housing and SOMIH than public housing.
| Benefit | Satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Feel more settled | 93.3# |
| Enjoy better health | 79.4 |
| Feel more able to cope with life events | 85.1# |
| Feel part of the local community | 79.4 |
| Able to continue living in this area | 85.0# |
| Able to manage rent/money better | 89.3# |
| Feel more able to improve job situation | 74 |
| Feel more able to start or continue education/training | 77.9 |
| Have better access to services | 85.5 |
| Have better access to public transport | 84.7# |
| Benefit | Satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Feel more settled | 93.2 |
| Enjoy better health | 78.7 |
| Feel more able to cope with life events | 85.7# |
| Feel part of the local community | 78.4 |
| Able to continue living in this area | 83.9# |
| Able to manage rent/money better | 90.3# |
| Feel more able to improve job situation | 69.3 |
| Feel more able to start or continue education/training | 74.6 |
| Have better access to services | 85.1 |
| Have better access to public transport | 85.5# |
| Benefit | Satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Feel more settled | 94.7 |
| Enjoy better health | 75.6 |
| Feel more able to cope with life events | 77.8# |
| Feel part of the local community | 75.4 |
| Able to continue living in this area | 83.9# |
| Able to manage rent/money better | 84.0# |
| Feel more able to improve job situation | 75 |
| Feel more able to start or continue education/training | 76.3 |
| Have better access to services | 84.3 |
| Have better access to public transport | 80.2 |
| Benefit | Satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Feel more settled | 92.0# |
| Enjoy better health | 85.6 |
| Feel more able to cope with life events | 91.2 |
| Feel part of the local community | 86.7 |
| Able to continue living in this area | 89.7 |
| Able to manage rent/money better | 92 |
| Feel more able to improve job situation | 86.3 |
| Feel more able to start or continue education/training | 88.6 |
| Have better access to services | 87.8 |
| Have better access to public transport | 86.7 |
Indigenous households are those in which at least one tenant identifies as Indigenous (as indicated by the survey respondent).
'#' indicates finding is statistically significantly different, at the 95% confidence level, from the finding for the other categories within the housing program.
Source:
AIHW National Social Housing Survey 2025. Supplementary Table S2.5.
Amenities meeting household needs
Homes work best when they suit how tenants live. Features such as sufficient storage, good quality fencing and enhanced privacy make homes more comfortable and better suited to tenant needs (Chiwuzie et al, 2020).
In 2025, many First Nations households expressed satisfaction with their household amenities. (Table S3.2).
- Most tenants reported they could easily access and move around their homes, with 90% rating ease of entry highly.
- 89% of First Nations tenants expressed satisfaction with access to outdoor space.
- Water efficiency met the needs of 86% of First Nations households in 2025
- 58% of tenants were satisfied with their indoor storage.
- 51% of tenants were content with outdoor storage options.
- Fencing or enclosure of outdoor spaces received positive feedback from 71% of tenants.
- 77% reported satisfaction with privacy.
- Overall safety and security were rated positively by 69% of respondents.
Survey trends from 2014 to 2025 indicate most First Nations households maintained steady satisfaction with amenities. The proportion of First Nations households satisfied with the number of bedrooms rose from 79% in 2014 to 81% in 2025. Thermal comfort improved from 57% in 2014 to 68% in 2021, before declining to 64% in 2025. Satisfaction with safety and security of home decreased from 78% in 2014 to 69% in 2025, and energy efficiency remained relatively stable, at 71% in 2014 and 68% in 2025. Notably, outdoor storage satisfaction declined from 53% in 2021 to 51% in 2025, representing one of the lowest-rated amenities over the period (Table S3.2).
Staying connected to services and culture
Proximity to services and cultural places supports daily life and social participation (Levasseur et al 2015):
- 91% of First Nations households reported good access to medical services.
- 90% reported strong public transport access.
- 87% felt they had good access to places of cultural or religious significance.
- Connection with family and friends remains essential for care and support, 83% reported that their needs were met in this regard in 2025 (Figure Satisfaction for First Nations households.2, Table S4.2).
Figure Satisfaction for First Nations households 4: Access to facilities and services, 2025
Bar chart shows access to facilities and services for First Nations households in 2025. Access is high across programs, with higher access in SOMIH and lower access in community housing.
| Facility or service | Satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Shops and banking | 91.9 |
| Medical services | 90.6# |
| Hospitals | 92 |
| Family and friends | 82.5# |
| Public transport | 90.2# |
| Child care facilities | 92.2 |
| Schools | 95.1 |
| TAFE, university or other training | 88.3 |
| Employment/place of work | 87.7 |
| Community and support services | 87.3 |
| Parks and recreational facilities or sporting facilities | 92.5 |
| Places of cultural or religious significance | 87.0# |
| Facility or service | Satisfaction |
|---|---|
| Shops and banking | 92.6 |
| Medical services | 90.1 |
| Hospitals | 91.5 |
| Family and friends | 80.5# |
| Public transport | 92 |
| Child care facilities | 92 |
| Schools | 94.4 |
| TAFE, university or other training | 88.9 |
| Employment/place of work | 85.8 |
| Community and support services | 85 |
| Parks and recreational facilities or sporting facilities | 93.1 |
| Places of cultural or religious significance | 87.2 |
| Facility or service | Per cent |
|---|---|
| Shops and banking | 88.2# |
| Medical services | 88.8 |
| Hospitals | 91.2 |
| Family and friends | 81.0# |
| Public transport | 89.2 |
| Child care facilities | 88.2 |
| Schools | 94.3 |
| TAFE, university or other training | 83.4 |
| Employment/place of work | 86.7 |
| Community and support services | 88.3 |
| Parks and recreational facilities or sporting facilities | 92.4 |
| Places of cultural or religious significance | 83.7 |
| Facility or service | Per cent |
|---|---|
| Shops and banking | 93.9# |
| Medical services | 94.8 |
| Hospitals | 94.8 |
| Family and friends | 91.6# |
| Public transport | 84.8# |
| Child care facilities | 97.5# |
| Schools | 98.2 |
| TAFE, university or other training | 92.3# |
| Employment/place of work | 95.0# |
| Community and support services | 94.1 |
| Parks and recreational facilities or sporting facilities | 90.8 |
| Places of cultural or religious significance | 89.7 |
Indigenous households are those in which at least one tenant identifies as Indigenous (as indicated by the survey respondent).
'#' indicates finding is statistically significantly different, at the 95% confidence level, from the finding for the other categories within the housing program.
Source:
AIHW National Social Housing Survey 2025. Supplementary Table S4.2.
Satisfaction with maintenance services
Maintenance services protect health and safety and help tenants feel secure. In 2025, 69% of First Nations households living in social housing expressed satisfaction with emergency maintenance, only 56% reported satisfaction with day-to-day maintenance (Figure Satisfaction for First Nations households.3, Table S5.7).
Figure Satisfaction for First Nations Households 5: Satisfaction with maintenance services, 2025
Bar chart shows satisfaction with maintenance services for First Nations households in 2025. Emergency maintenance has higher satisfaction than day‑to‑day maintenance, with lower satisfaction in SOMIH.
| Maintenance service type | Very satisfied | Satisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Very dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day to day maintenance | 20.0# | 36.1 | 16.1 | 16.3# | 11.4# |
| Emergency maintenance | 27.3# | 41.6 | 14 | 9.3 | 7.8# |
| Maintenance service type | Very satisfied | Satisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Very dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day to day maintenance | 21.5 | 35.6 | 17.5 | 14.7 | 10.7 |
| Emergency maintenance | 28.5 | 43.4 | 14.5 | 6.8 | 6.7 |
| Maintenance service type | Very satisfied | Satisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Very dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day to day maintenance | 19.0# | 41 | 12.3 | 19.3# | *8.3 |
| Emergency maintenance | 28.5 | 37.8 | 13.8 | 12.8 | *7.0 |
| Maintenance service type | Very satisfied | Satisfied | Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Very dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day to day maintenance | 15.9 | 31.5 | 16.1 | 18.5# | 18.0# |
| Emergency maintenance | 21 | 39.6 | 12.5 | 14.2# | 12.8# |
Indigenous households are those in which at least one tenant identifies as Indigenous (as indicated by the survey respondent).
'#' indicates finding is statistically significantly different, at the 95% confidence level, from the finding for the other categories within the housing program.
Source:
AIHW National Social Housing Survey 2025. Supplementary Table S5.7.
The voices of First Nations households
In 2025, many First Nations tenants spoke about the importance of having a safe, stable home and how this helps them care for children, maintain cultural connections and plan for the future.
Some households highlighted their need for homes that better suit their health and mobility needs, and called for quicker repairs to keep properties safe and comfortable. Others shared how living closer to family and community would make a big difference, helping them feel supported and connected to culture.
Tenants also spoke about wanting more support for mental health and wellbeing, especially after experiencing grief or trauma. They viewed practical help, such as affordable transport, childcare, and cost-of-living assistance, as ways to reduce stress and create space for positive change.
‘Permanent place to live that I won't be asked to leave without reason. Housing security is a big benefit,’
‘I definitely feel so much more settled living here and so grateful. This house is a home to us.’
‘The main benefit from being granted housing is it is such a relief to have a roof over my head and a nice place to call home especially after being homeless and having very little choice over my accommodation and living on Centrelink benefits means I really would struggle to afford private rentals.’
‘I have been able to supply my children and grandkids with a stable living environment and also manage my bills and finances better.’
‘The benefits of living in my house is that it's close to the hospital and I have other family members living on the next street over.’
Neighbour connections and support
Neighbours often provide practical help and social contact for households in social housing. 2025 NSHS data from SOMIH tenants (Figure Satisfaction for First Nations households.4, Table S6.2) shows that:
- Almost 40% of households would turn to a neighbour for help with a household or garden job they could not do themselves.
- About 30% of SOMIH tenants reported that they would ask for assistance with shopping or chores if they were sick or unable to leave home
- 30% would of SOMIH tenants seek emotional support if feeling down or depressed.
- Advice on family problems was slightly more common, with 33% of households saying they would turn to a neighbour for guidance.
- Nearly 44% of SOMIH households said they would enjoy a social occasion with a neighbour
- More than half (51%) of SOMIH households would borrow a tool or low-value item when needed.
- Practical tasks such as checking the mailbox while away are trusted by many, with 48% of households saying they would rely on a neighbour for this.
‘My neighbour does the front lawn for me.’
‘Just for a yarn’.
‘My neighbours have never been friendly. They intimidated and scared myself and children. Left me in fight or flight mode for the past 2 years.’
‘They have helped me in an emergency at home and I can’t thank them enough. I’d be lost without them, they are lovely people.’
Figure Satisfaction for First Nations Households.4: Turn to neighbour (%), 2025
This horizontal bar chart shows that for all housing programs across Australia, First Nations tenants were more likely to turn to a neighbour for a social occasion or to check mail whilst away, and less likely to turn to them for help if unwell or wanting to talk about being down. Source: Table S6.2.
Gaps remain between First Nations and non-Indigenous tenants
Despite overall satisfaction for First Nations tenants remaining fairly steady over time, non-Indigenous tenants continue to report higher rates of satisfaction with their social housing overall. In 2025, non-Indigenous households reported 70% satisfaction compared with 61% for First Nations households for all housing programs. For public housing, 68% of non-Indigenous households were satisfied compared with 61% for First Nations households, and 74% of non-Indigenous households living in community housing were satisfied, compared with 66% for community housing (Table S1.8).
These gaps were also noticeable across lower-level geographies. For major cities, First Nations tenants reported 57% overall satisfaction compared with 69% for non-Indigenous tenants; 63% compared with 72% for Inner Regional areas, 70% compared with 76% for Outer Regional, and 71% compared with 78% in Remote and very Remote areas (Table S1.14).
These differences illustrate that more efforts are required to understand and address the lower satisfaction among First Nations households living in major cities and Inner Regional areas as well as the lower rate of satisfaction among First Nations households compared with non-Indigenous households across all geographic areas.
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