The state of play in Australia
The number of people identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in 2008 was 520,350 representing approximately 2.5% of the total Australian population (ABS, 2009, Cat. No. 4714.0).
According to the ABS, in 2009, an estimated 196,500 Indigenous people were in the labour force. This represents a labour force participation rate for all Indigenous people aged 15 years and over of 56%. This compares with 66% for the non-Indigenous population.
In 2009, the unemployment rate for the Indigenous population was 18%, with an estimated 35,400 unemployed Indigenous people aged 15 years and over. This rate is almost three times higher than the 5.4% unemployment rate for the non-Indigenous population.
What does this mean for organisations?
Employing Indigenous Australians makes good business sense - they represent a young, enthusiastic and growing talent pool as well as market for your organisation’s products or services.
