The multiple factors behind Indigenous disadvantage, and the complex interrelationships between
them, point to the difficulties faced in assessing the extent to which their generally greater needs
for welfare services are being met. Simple comparisons that show higher usage rates by Indigenous
people of income support payments or other welfare services compared with non-Indigenous
people may not indicate that differences in actual needs have been fully met. A holistic view is
required because sometimes the keys to tackling Indigenous disadvantage in a specific sector may
lie more in improved access to and provision of other interrelated services.
This article focuses on the use by Indigenous Australians of income support and other welfare
services. It is not meant to be a general overview of Indigenous disadvantage and strengths across a
range of available measures of welfare, nor a detailed account of the gaps between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians that occur in many of these measures.
This article, however, starts with a brief review of selected socioeconomic outcomes for Indigenous
Australians to provide an informed context for understanding their greater reliance on and use of
welfare services. A brief overview of the Indigenous population is also provided. The main sections
discuss Indigenous people’s reliance on and use of the following welfare services:
• social security related payments
• child protection services
• employment assistance services
• housing and homelessness services
• disability support services
• aged care services