Employment

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Census data is collected for three regions in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. The census data only differentiates between non-Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal employment for the Torres Strait. The figures for Bamaga and Seisia in the Northern Peninsula Area include both the non-Indigenous and the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal work force.

Table 3-2 Employment Statistics Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, 2011

Category Torres Strait Northern Peninsula Area Total
no. % no. % no. %
Worked Full Time 1,039 45.7 676 64.4 1,715 51.6
Worked Part Time 837 36.8 258 24.6 1,095 32.9
Away From Work 226 9.9 48 4.6 274 8.2
Unemployed 173 7.6 68 6.5 241 7.2
Total Labour Force 2,275 1,050 3,325

The Northern Peninsula Area encompasses the townships of Bamaga and Seisia and the Aboriginal Communities of New Mapoon, Umagico and Injinoo.

Unemployment in the region is 1.6 per cent higher than the Australian figure of 5.6 per cent; however, the number of people in in full-time employment is 8.1 per cent less than the Australian figure of 59.7 per cent.

A synthesis of ABS data from the 2011 Census and Queensland Health information shows that death rates continue to be higher in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area than in mainland Australia