Indigenous communities have experienced higher levels of unemployment than the total Australian population. There are many reasons for this. Another factor is the geographic distribution of jobs. This scheme provides government-funded jobs for Indigenous people who would otherwise receive an unemployment allowance. Work and location Labour force refers to people aged 15 and over who were either employed or unemployed.
Unemployment rate is the number unemployed expressed as a percentage of the labour force.
Long-term unemployment is the number of people unemployed for 52 weeks or more expressed as a percentage of those who are unemployed. Unemployed Indigenous people forgo their Department of Social Security entitlements and instead work for a local Indigenous community organisation in return for wages. Because CDEP is funded indirectly by the government and makes a significant contribution to Indigenous employment, it is treated separately. Capital city comprises all state and territory capital city statistical divisions. Other urban comprises all centres with a total population of 1,000 and over, except capital cities.