Adolescents and youth

Social and economic determinants

Social and economic circumstances are important determinants of health and wellbeing of a young person. This section outlines some of the main social and economic factors for Indigenous Australians aged 15–24.

Education

In 2016, among Indigenous Australians aged 20–24:

• 63% had attained Year 12 or equivalent qualification (Certificate III or above)
• Females (64%) were more likely to have Year 12 or equivalent qualification (Certificate III or above) than males (62%)
• Year 12 or equivalent qualification (Certificate III or above) was highest for those living in Major cities (72%) and lowest for those living in Very remote areas (41%) (Figure AY 17a)
• Year 12 or equivalent qualification (Certificate III or above) increased from 39% in 2001 to 63% in 2016 (Figure AY 17b).

In 2018–19, among Indigenous Australians aged 15–24:

• 24% (37,857) were attending secondary school.
• 11% (16,274) were attending TAFE, technical college, business college or industry skills centre.
• 7% (11,083) were studying at a university or other higher education institution (Figure AY 18).

Employment

In 2016, among Indigenous Australians aged 15–24:

• 51% (60,645) were in the labour force (Figure AY 19a).
• 37% (44,159) were employed, with those living in Major cities more likely to be employed (44% or 21,152) than those living in Very remote areas (19% or 2,446) (Figure AY 19b).
• The unemployment rate was 27% (16,484). The unemployment rate was higher in Very remote areas (43% or 1,833) and lowest in Major cities (24% or 6,537) (Figure AY 19c).

Engaged in education, employment or training

In 2016, among Indigenous Australians aged 15–24:

• 57% were engaged (full time or part time) in work, study or a combination of work and study.
• Engagement was highest in the Australian Capital Territory (74%) and lowest in the Northern Territory (40%) (Figure AY 20).

Household income

In 2016, among Indigenous Australians aged 15–24:

• 40% (35,840) lived in households with total equivalised household income of $499 or less. 4% (3,890) lived in households with a total weekly equivalised income of $1,750 or over.
• Those living in households in non-remote areas (5% or 3,489) were more likely to have a total weekly equivalised income of $1,750 or more, than those living in households in remote areas (3% or 400) (Figure AY 21).

Housing

In 2016, among Indigenous Australians aged 15–24:

• 33% (34,411) lived in a home that was owner occupied (owned outright or with a mortgage).
• 30% (30,557) lived in social housing (homes rented through a state or territory housing authority or community housing).
• 37% (38,089) lived in other homes being rented (Figure AY 22a).

On Census night in 2016, 4% (5,014) of Indigenous Australians aged 15–24 were homeless. Of this group:

• 75% (3,733) lived in severely crowded homes (requiring 4 or more additional bedrooms).
• 13% (670) lived in supported accommodation for the homeless (Figure AY 22c).

Financial stress and food security

In 2018–19, among Indigenous Australians aged 15–24:

• 53% (75,500) lived in a household that, in an emergency, could not raise $2,000 in a week.
• 41% (62,900) lived in a household that had days without money for basic living expenses in the last 2 weeks.
• 27% (42,000) lived in households that ran out of food in the last 12 months and could not afford to buy more (Figure AY 23).