the main difference in the pattern of usage between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
children and children with no special needs is the much greater proportion of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in 'other formal care' (34 per cent
compared with 7 per cent). This difference reflects the development of specific services,
such as Multifunctional Aboriginal Children's Services, to cater for the needs of
Aboriginal families and communities, which have been included in the 'other formal
care' category of service types.
Data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander users of child care services outside the
Commonwealth's CSP program are incomplete. Some States and Territories collect
aggregate data, particularly for specially targeted services. Data on the use of informal
care by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are unreliable. Appropriate questions to
identify Aboriginal and Islander status in ABS population surveys are being developed.
The incorporation of these questions into general population surveys and targeted
surveys will improve this situation. In the collection of data on informal child care, the
differences between traditional and non-traditional community structures and family
support networks will need to be identified.