Kiwirrkurra vs Walungurru (Kintore)

Kiwirrkurra and Walungurru (Kintore) are remote First Nations communities separated by about 173 km across the WA and NT border. There are stark differences in education and income; Kiwirrkurra has a far higher rate of First Nations Year 12 completion at 35.7%, compared to just 3.3% in Walungurru (Kintore). Walungurru (Kintore) is larger, with 381 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and has a well higher typical First Nations household income of $1,271 against $974 in Kiwirrkurra.

Daily life in both places is shaped by a deep connection to culture, as almost everyone in both areas speaks a First Nations language. This shared cultural strength is reflected in their finances, where the typical personal income for First Nations people is nearly identical at around $220 to $235. While Kiwirrkurra has a slightly older population, both areas sit far above the national figure for language use.