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Facts About Remote Australia

Remote regions of Australia are based on the physical road distance to the nearest town or service centre in each of five population size classes.

Both of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) categories of remote and very remote are considered its territory. The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses this classification system for the collection and dissemination of geographically classified statistics.

Importance of remote Australia

  • 60% of the nation’s mining platforms operate in remote Australia, delivering a significant contribution to national wealth. Mining:
    • contributes to 8.4% of Australia’s GDP and 55% of Australia’s export GDP (ABS 2012)
    • directly employs 239,100 people across Australia (ABS Labour Force Survey 2011).
  • There are 40,000 small-to-medium enterprises(SMEs): 1½ times more per capita than the national average.
  • The agriculture industry in remote Australia is 2.2% of Australia’s GDP.

However:

  • Remote Australia is distant from centres of economic and political decision-making.
  • In general, those who live in remote Australia have lower incomes, employment rates and education levels than the rest of Australia.
  • These trends are exacerbated amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. For example:
    • 35% of the adult population had an education level below Year 10 (2008)
    • Only 3% had attained a Bachelor degree or above (2008)
    • 46% of the population aged 15 years and over were classified as employed (2010).

Some facts about remote Australia

  • The geographical area is 86% of the country.
  • It is home to 3% of Australia’s population.
  • There are many diverse settlements, including pastoral, farming, mining, tourism and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the world’s oldest living culture, are 48% of the total population in very remote areas, and ~15% of the population living in remote areas.
  • 25% of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia live in remote or very remote areas compared to 2% for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • There is a very high level of mobility.
  • It contributes $90 billion (45% export earnings).
  • There are 40,000 SMEs: 1½ times more per capita than the national average.