Results have been summarised into the following five categories: progress — the main measure for an indicator shows outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians improving over time no significant change — where the main measure for an indicator shows no meaningful change in outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians regress — where the main measure for an indicator shows a decline in outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians data gap — where no suitable trend data are available (this does not include indicators where improvements to data collections have created a break in series, which are labelled ‘unclear’) unclear — where it is not clear whether an observed change in the main measure is positive or negative, or where improvements to data collections have created a break in series. Results should be considered in the light of the contextual material in the relevant section of the report. There are 52 indicators in this report. However, one indicator (5.4 Case studies in governance) is not designed to include quantitative measures.
Based on the most recent national Census, as at 30 June 2011, an estimated 670 000 people identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians. This was 3 per cent of the estimated total Australian population of 22 340 000 people. In 2011, an estimated 606 000 people (90 per cent of the ‘Indigenous’ population) were of Aboriginal origin only, 38 100 people (6 per cent) were of Torres Strait Islander origin only and 25 600 people (4 per cent) were of both origins. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are concentrated in certain areasa,b a The estimated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population by Indigenous regions at 30 June 2011. b The legend is not continuous as there are no regions with numbers in between these five categories. At 30 June 2011, large proportions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population lived in NSW (31 per cent), Queensland (28 per cent), WA (13 per cent) and the NT (10 per cent). The largest proportions of nonIndigenous people lived in NSW (32 per cent), Victoria (25 per cent) and Queensland (20 per cent). Proportion of population by State and Territory, 30 June 2011 Indigenous Non-Indigenous Sources: ABS 2013, Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, June 2011, Cat. no. 3238.0.55.001; ABS 2014, Estimates and projections, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 2001 to 2026, Cat. no. 3238.0.
Family violence has a significant impact on the short- and long-term health and welfare of individuals, families and communities. _ In 2008, around 23 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults reported being a victim of physical or threatened violence — similar to the rate in 2002. After adjusting for differences in population age structures, this was 2.2 (in 2002) and 1.8 (in 2008) times the rate for nonIndigenous adults, reflecting an increase in the non-Indigenous rate over this period. Things that work The Springs Domestic and Family Violence Outreach Service (NT) provides targeted support to women experiencing domestic and family violence. In 2012-13, almost 400 women were assisted, with around 80 per cent identified as Aboriginal. A 2012-13 evaluation found that all of the 19 women interviewed reported their safety had improved. Almost half of the women who had previously used the crisis accommodation services had not used crisis accommodation since receiving outreach services (box 4.11.3). 4.12 Imprisonment and juvenile detention Imprisonment has a heavy social and economic impact. High rates of imprisonment remove adults from their roles caring for the next generation, and can lead to the ‘normalisation’ of incarceration among community members.  In 2013, after adjusting for differences in population age structures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults were imprisoned at 13 times the rate for nonIndigenous adults. From 2000 to 2013, the imprisonment rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults increased 57 per cent, while the non-Indigenous rate remained fairly constant, resulting in a widening of the gap. The average detention rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in 201213 was 365 per 100 000 10–17 year olds, around 24 times the rate for non-Indigenous youth. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detention rates increased sharply between 2000-01 and 200708, then fluctuated with no clear trend to 2012-13. Age standardised adult imprisonment rate as at 30 June, 2000 to 2013 Source: Figure 4.12.2 in the main report.
The misuse of legal drugs and substances and use of illegal drugs can have major negative effects on individuals, families and communities. The use of illicit drugs contributes to illness and disease, accidents and injury, violence and crime, family and social disruption, and workplace problems. _ According to selfreported substance use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in 2012-13: around half (47 per cent) of adults in non-remote reported having never used illicit substances, similar to the proportions in 200405 and 2008. 23 per cent reported use of illicit substances in the previous 12 months, a decrease from 28 per cent in 2004-05, but not statistically significantly different to 26 per cent in 2002. Things that work OPAL fuel (a low aromatic fuel) was introduced in the NT and WA to reduce petrol sniffing. It has contributed to reductions in associated antisocial behaviour, offending and contact with the criminal justice system. An evaluation in 2008 found that the prevalence of sniffing had declined in 17 out of 20 sample communities (and the number of communities with no petrol sniffing increased from two to nine) (box 11.2.3). 11.3 Juvenile diversions Diversions, such as police cautioning and conferencing, prevent young people from entering or continuing in the formal criminal justice system. Diversions are swift and economically efficient processes, and can reduce stigmatisation and contact with other offenders. Data gap Across jurisdictions, diversion rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10–17 years are around onehalf to twothirds those for nonIndigenous young people, and have remained relatively unchanged over recent years. Nationally comparable data are not currently available.