Saibai Island vs Iama (Yam) Island

Saibai Island and Iama (Yam) Island are two distinct communities in the Torres Strait. Saibai Island has a much younger First Nations population, with a typical age of 20, and a First Nations unemployment rate of 40.0%, which is far higher than in Iama (Yam) Island where it is only 4.1%. While Saibai Island provides better access to health services for 66.0% of homes, Iama (Yam) Island is more connected for its residents, with a higher number of street intersections per square kilometre and 100% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a park.

Both areas are effectively car-dependent and share similar levels of First Nations household income, which is about $900. Neither island has any homes within a 15-minute walk of schools, groceries, or public transport. Iama (Yam) Island has a higher share of people who speak a First Nations language at 98.3%, and its residents are generally better off in terms of Year 12 completion compared to those on Saibai Island.