Remoteness Area · Area profile
Remote Australia
219,866 km²
A far higher proportion of people identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Remote Australia than in the rest of the country. This vast region has a population of 26,219 people, though this number has shrunk by 11% since 2011. The community is generally older than the national average and is marked by a high rate of home ownership and a strong reliance on cars. It is a place where traditional ties and remote living create a distinct way of life, separate from Australia's urban centres.
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About 16.5% of residents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%. The area is noticeably older than the rest of Australia, with a typical age of 41 and a higher proportion of seniors.
Very few people here were born overseas, at just 6.5% compared to 27.7% nationally. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the dominant language, and the 4.0% who use another language at home is far below the national figure. Very few residents speak little or no English.
Religious affiliation is more common here than elsewhere, as the 26.0% who report no religion is far below the national average.
Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 10.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree and 34.4% completing Year 12, both far below national levels.
Typical household income is $1,353 a week, which is well below the national figure. While incomes have risen since 2011, the proportion of high-earners remains lower than in most areas.
Health profiles are similar to the national average, with 27.1% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are slightly less common here than elsewhere in Australia.
Volunteering is a strong feature of the area, with 19.0% of people volunteering, which is well above the national rate.
The First Nations community is generally older than the national average, with a typical age of 27. However, Year 12 completion is far below the national figure at 26.4%.
Living arrangements are distinct, with 31.0% of people living alone, which is well above the national figure. One-parent families are also slightly more common here.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, and 41.0% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure. Rents are also far below the national average, typically costing $180 a week.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as only 1.1% of people commute by public transport. Very few homes lack a motor vehicle.
People are less likely to move house here, with only 27.3% moving in the last five years. Interestingly, there is a high number of recent arrivals from overseas.
Full-time employment is well above the national average at 67.4%, and the unemployment rate is lower than most areas. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary industries.
The region is mostly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 3.4. Many homes are within walking distance of a park, but street connectivity is nonexistent.