Region (SA4) · Area profile
Queensland - Outback
1,183,175 km²
A far higher proportion of people identify as First Nations in Queensland - Outback than in the rest of the state. This vast region is notably younger than the national average, with a typical resident aged 34 and many children under 15. While the total population has shrunk slightly since 2011, the area remains a distinct community where a third of the population is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. It is a place of striking contrasts, combining low typical incomes with a high rate of full-time employment.
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The area is much younger than the state and national average, with 22.1% of people being children under 15. A very high 33.5% of residents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, a figure that has risen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the number of people born overseas is far below the national figure at 9.3%. This proportion has barely changed over the last decade.
Language diversity is higher than in most similar areas, with 17.9% of people using a language other than English at home. This is well above the state average.
The community is more religious than the national average, with 32.4% reporting no religion, which is well below the Australian figure of 38.9%.
Education levels are far below the national average, with only 10.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also much lower than usual at 41.4%.
Typical weekly family incomes are a little below the national figure at $1,868. However, 11.4% of people earn $2,000 or more a week, which is higher than in most similar areas.
Residents report much better health than most areas, with only 20.7% having a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are also well below the national figure.
Volunteering is more common here than in the rest of the state, with 16.5% of people helping out. Conversely, far fewer people provide unpaid care or do heavy housework compared to most areas.
First Nations people make up a huge part of the community, and 39.8% speak a First Nations language, far above the national figure. This group faces significant challenges, with unemployment at 16.3% and typical personal incomes much lower than the average.
Homes here are larger and more crowded than usual, with 2.6 people per home. One-parent families are also well above the national average at 20.3%.
Renting is far more common here than in the rest of Australia, at 45.7%. While most people live in separate houses, typical weekly rent is among the lowest in the country at $160.
The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with no public transport routes or stops. A high 12.7% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the state average.
Residents are less likely to have moved in the last five years compared to the rest of the country. However, there are more recent arrivals from overseas than in most similar areas.
Full-time employment is far above the national average at 69.2%. The workforce is heavily concentrated in mining and agriculture, which together make up over a quarter of all jobs.
The population has grown by only 1.2% since 2021, which is well below the Queensland average of 8.7%.
The climate is very hot, with average maximum and minimum temperatures that are among the highest in the region.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. No homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.