Greater Dandenong vs Whitehorse

Greater Dandenong and Whitehorse are two nearby Victorian areas with differing levels of accessibility and outcomes for First Nations people. In Whitehorse, 56.9% of First Nations residents completed Year 12, which is far higher than the 37.8% in Greater Dandenong. First Nations household income is also well higher in Whitehorse at $1,645 compared to $1,257 in Greater Dandenong. While both are very walkable, Whitehorse has more homes within a short walk of schools, health services, and groceries.

These two areas are similar in the share of First Nations people who speak a traditional language, which is around 8.5% to 9.0% in both. However, some gaps between them are widening. For example, the gap in First Nations Year 12 completion has grown to 19 percentage points. This contrast exists alongside a higher unemployment rate for First Nations people in Greater Dandenong, which is 15.2% compared to 11.7% in Whitehorse.