National Legal Needs & Strategic Planning Project: Queensland (FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL) February 2012 February 2012 February 2012 February 2012 This report has been prepared for National Association of Community Legal Centres Inc. by The Old Post Office 231 Princes Hwy, Bulli NSW 2516 Ph: 02 4283 7300 Fax: 02 4283 7399 [email protected]www.judithstubbs.com.au
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National Legal Needs & Strategic
Planning Project:
Queensland
((((FINALFINALFINALFINAL))))
February 2012February 2012February 2012February 2012
This report has been prepared for
National Association of Community Legal Centres Inc. by
The Old Post Office 231 Princes Hwy, Bulli NSW 2516
All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of Judith Stubbs & Associates.
Intellectual Property Rights
All Rights Reserved. All methods, processes, commercial proposals and other contents described in this document are the confidential intellectual property of Judith Stubbs & Associates and may not be used or disclosed to any party without the written permission of Judith Stubbs & Associates.
It is important to point out prior to the presentation of results that Queensland includes a wide
variety of LGAs in terms of geographic and population size. In 2008, the Queensland
government amalgamated many Councils into much larger Regional Council areas. For
example, the Moreton Bay Regional Council is the amalgamation of three local government
areas while the Western Downs Regional Council based at Dalby is the amalgamation of six
different local government areas.
The change from 2006 to 2010 LGA boundaries means that there is a smaller number of LGAs,
some of which have very large populations (such as Moreton Bay at around 370,000 people). In
contrast, there remain many Council areas in rural and remote parts of the state (often Aboriginal
Shires) that have very small populations and geographic areas (such as Hope Vale at around 750
people). As a result, it is likely that many of large regional councils have areas of disadvantage or
legal need within them that may be masked by being a part of a much larger population – while
at the same time many of the small and remote LGAs stand out for their comparatively high
levels of disadvantage and legal need. Particularly, there is a level of detail lost at the Brisbane SD
level that is apparent when compared with the findings from other capital cities in some of the
other state reports. This is an unfortunately shortcoming for those readers interested in better
understanding the likely pockets of legal need and disadvantage in the wider Brisbane area.
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 9
2.3 Lone Parent
The concentration of ‘Lone Parent Households’ is one of the most important indicators of
experiencing legal need of any type as well as multiple legal problems in the UK studies.2
This group is more likely to experience a very high rate of legal problems associated with
Money/Debt, Welfare Payments, Housing (Tenancy, Homelessness), Family (all types) and
Domestic Violence compared with the population as a whole.
2.3.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 2: Lone Parent, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.3.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland and Brisbane SD averages for lone parent households are only slightly higher than
the national average. However, there are many LGAs in the state with much higher rates – 10 of
which fall into the top 20% of LGAs in the country for this indicator. 16 of the top 20 LGAs in
the state for proportion of households that are lone parent are some of the most disadvantaged in
the state and nation. Communities like Cherbourg, Palm Island, Napranum, Aurukun,
Woorabinda and Yarrabah have rates of lone parent household two to four times the national
average.
2 The NSW study did not analyse data by family type probably due to issues related to statistical significance related to number of respondents in different categories.
# LGA_NAME Lone ParentSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 12.0%Queensland Average 12.3%Brisbane SD Average 12.6%
1 Cherbourg (S) 44.8% 505.90 1 12 Palm Island (S) 39.9% 479.60 1 13 Napranum (S) 39.1% 510.93 1 14 Aurukun (S) 37.3% 537.75 1 15 Woorabinda (S) 37.2% 564.49 1 26 Yarrabah (S) 36.2% 485.15 1 17 Wujal Wujal (S) 31.8% 531.53 1 18 Kowanyama (S) 31.2% 512.99 1 19 Northern Peninsula Area (R) 30.3% 589.71 1 2
10 Doomadgee (S) 29.4% no data no data no data11 Torres Strait Island (R) 27.9% 575.78 1 212 Mornington (S) 27.0% 510.34 1 113 Pormpuraaw (S) 25.6% 601.41 1 214 Lockhart River (S) 25.5% 572.13 1 215 Hope Vale (S) 24.2% 554.47 1 216 Mapoon (S) 21.8% 655.47 1 217 Torres (S) 19.3% 801.27 1 318 Logan (C) 15.5% 979.98 6 819 Ipswich (C) 15.5% 971.20 5 720 Croydon (S) 14.4% 821.37 1 3
10 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 1: Lone Parent - Queensland
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 11
Map 2: Lone Parent – Brisbane SD
12 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
2.4 Victim of Crime
Being a ‘Victim of Crime’ is a strong predictor of legal problems generally, including multiple
problems. Victims of crime are also more likely to experience specific problems related to
Neighbours, Money/Debt, Housing (Tenancy), Unfair Police Treatment, Family Law
(Relationship Breakdown, Children Problems) and Domestic Violence.
2.4.1 Queensland & Brisbane: State Context
Table 3: Crime Rate per 1,000 Population, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010; Queensland Police Service 2010 and JSA 2011
Crime data for Queensland has been provided by the Queensland Police Service. There are many
rural and remote LGAs with crime rates two to even eight times higher than the state average.
Many of these communities are highly disadvantaged. Compared to the other states, the capital
city of Brisbane does not feature in the top 20 LGAs for the state. The larger centres of Mt Isa
and Cairns report crime rates 57% and 42% higher than the state average respectively.
# LGA_NAME CrimeSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Queensland Average 59.35
1 Woorabinda (S) 438.82 564.49 1 22 Palm Island (S) 258.31 479.60 1 13 Cherbourg (S) 242.93 505.90 1 14 Aurukun (S) 212.70 537.75 1 15 Kowanyama (S) 178.08 512.99 1 16 Lockhart River (S) 170.29 572.13 1 27 Yarrabah (S) 164.63 485.15 1 18 Pormpuraaw (S) 161.94 601.41 1 29 Burke (S) 156.94 918.66 2 4
10 Mornington (S) 155.20 510.34 1 111 Carpentaria (S) 151.62 845.99 1 312 Diamantina (S) 139.43 891.05 1 313 Paroo (S) 118.84 875.78 1 314 Torres (S) 96.53 801.27 1 315 Mount Isa (C) 93.17 975.01 5 716 Northern Peninsula Area (R) 92.17 589.71 1 217 Cairns (R) 84.24 999.40 7 918 Cook (S) 82.88 907.06 2 319 Croydon (S) 79.05 821.37 1 320 Napranum (S) 78.67 510.93 1 1
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 13
Map 3: Victim of Crime - Queensland
14 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 4: Victim of Crime – Brisbane SD
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 15
2.5 Cohabiting with Children
The concentration of those living in de facto relationships with children is an important indicator
of legal need from the UK studies for reporting any or multiple legal problems.3 The studies
indicate that those co-habiting with children may experience higher than average rates of legal
problems associated with Neighbours, Employment, Welfare Payments, Tenancy and Family
Law (all types).
2.5.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 4: Cohabiting with Children, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.5.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland and Brisbane SD have slightly higher rates of cohabiting with children than
Australia. 58 out of the 74 LGAs in Queensland have a rate higher than the Australian average
for this indicator. Many disadvantaged and remote Indigenous communities such as Palm
Island, Aurukun and Lockhart River have rates of cohabiting with children five to six times the
national average. Based on ABS Census statistics for Australia, non-Indigenous people are much
more likely to report being in a registered marriage than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
3 ‘Family type’ was not reported against in the NSW study, probably due to issues related to statistical significance related to number of respondents in different categories.
# LGA_NAMECohabiting
with ChildrenSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 5.1%Queensland Average 5.8%Brisbane SD Average 5.9%
1 Palm Island (S) 33.0% 479.60 1 12 Aurukun (S) 32.8% 537.75 1 13 Lockhart River (S) 31.2% 572.13 1 24 Wujal Wujal (S) 29.1% 531.53 1 15 Pormpuraaw (S) 28.9% 601.41 1 26 Mornington (S) 27.4% 510.34 1 17 Kowanyama (S) 27.3% 512.99 1 18 Doomadgee (S) 26.0% no data no data no data9 Hope Vale (S) 25.1% 554.47 1 2
10 Napranum (S) 24.9% 510.93 1 111 Woorabinda (S) 22.9% 564.49 1 212 Yarrabah (S) 22.2% 485.15 1 113 Northern Peninsula Area (R) 22.1% 589.71 1 214 Cherbourg (S) 20.7% 505.90 1 115 Torres Strait Island (R) 20.0% 575.78 1 216 Mapoon (S) 18.6% 655.47 1 217 Torres (S) 17.0% 801.27 1 318 Croydon (S) 16.0% 821.37 1 319 Weipa (T) 14.3% 1048.88 9 1020 Boulia (S) 12.0% 871.43 1 3
16 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
people (38% compared to 13%). However, the rate of reporting being in a De Facto relationship
is only slightly higher for Indigenous people compared to non-Indigenous people (8.6% compared
to 6.5%). It would appear that this type of living arrangement is very common amongst families
in rural/remote communities in Queensland.
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 17
Map 5: Cohabiting with Children - Queensland
18 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 6: Cohabiting with Children – Brisbane SD
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 19
2.6 Disability / Chronic Ill Health
‘Disability’ is strongly aligned with areas that have a high level of overall disadvantage, when
measured as concentration of Centrelink Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients. The types
of legal problems most associated with this indicator are Money/Debt, Employment,
Discrimination/Human Rights and General Crime.
2.6.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 5: Rate DSP Recipients per 1,000 Adults, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010; Centrelink 2010 and JSA 2011
2.6.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland has approximately the same rate of DSP recipients per 1,000 population while
Brisbane SD has a slightly lower rate. However, 36 of the 74 LGAs in Queensland have rates of
DSP recipients above the national average. In addition, 15 out of the top 20 LGAs in
Queensland for this indicator are in the top 20% of all LGAs in Australia.
There are many small, remote Indigenous communities such as Wujal Wujal, Hope Vale and
Cherbourg with very high rates of DSP recipients – two to three times the national average.
There are also many regional areas such as Fraser Coast, Gympie and South Burnett (main town
Kingaroy) that have rates of DSP recipients at nearly twice the national average.
# LGA_NAME DSPSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 50.10Queensland Average 50.40Brisbane SD Average 46.60
1 Wujal Wujal (S) 120.64 531.53 1 12 Hope Vale (S) 107.64 554.47 1 23 Cherbourg (S) 104.59 505.90 1 14 Fraser Coast (R) 100.83 942.41 3 45 Gympie (R) 98.55 943.02 3 46 South Burnett (R) 95.78 940.32 3 47 Cook (S) 94.22 907.06 2 38 Woorabinda (S) 92.18 564.49 1 29 Somerset (R) 91.40 954.80 4 5
10 Bundaberg (R) 89.44 944.41 3 511 Ipswich (C) 85.18 971.20 5 712 Lockyer Valley (R) 83.33 961.55 4 613 Southern Downs (R) 78.30 949.53 3 514 Palm Island (S) 76.70 479.60 1 115 Yarrabah (S) 76.47 485.15 1 116 Aurukun (S) 74.66 537.75 1 117 Lockhart River (S) 74.52 572.13 1 218 Western Downs (R) 69.99 967.30 5 719 Logan (C) 69.88 979.98 6 820 North Burnett (R) 69.55 930.64 2 4
20 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 7: Disability / Chronic Ill Health - Queensland
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 21
Map 8: Disability / Chronic Ill Health – Brisbane SD
22 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
2.7 Indigenous
Being from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background is identified in the literature as a
particularly important indicator for legal problems related to Money/Debt, Employment,
Discrimination/Human Rights, Unfair Police Treatment, Domestic Violence and Housing.
2.7.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 6: Indigenous, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.7.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland is home to 28% of Australia’s Indigenous residents. Many LGAs in the state are
small, remote Aboriginal communities – particularly in the far north and far west of the state.
Many of these areas are the most disadvantaged parts of the state and nation. Note that in the top
20 LGAs in Queensland, all fall within national decile 1 for disadvantage.
# LGA_NAME IndigenousSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 1.9%Queensland Average 2.7%Brisbane SD Average 1.4%
1 Cherbourg (S) 98.0% 505.90 1 12 Yarrabah (S) 97.1% 485.15 1 13 Palm Island (S) 94.8% 479.60 1 14 Wujal Wujal (S) 93.4% 531.53 1 15 Hope Vale (S) 92.5% 554.47 1 26 Woorabinda (S) 92.0% 564.49 1 27 Kowanyama (S) 91.7% 512.99 1 18 Aurukun (S) 91.7% 537.75 1 19 Napranum (S) 91.1% 510.93 1 1
10 Doomadgee (S) 90.9% no data no data no data11 Torres Strait Island (R) 89.7% 575.78 1 212 Pormpuraaw (S) 89.4% 601.41 1 213 Northern Peninsula Area (R) 88.2% 589.71 1 214 Lockhart River (S) 86.6% 572.13 1 215 Mapoon (S) 86.4% 655.47 1 216 Mornington (S) 78.6% 510.34 1 117 Torres (S) 68.0% 801.27 1 318 Carpentaria (S) 35.7% 845.99 1 319 Diamantina (S) 28.7% 891.05 1 320 Croydon (S) 28.0% 821.37 1 3
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 23
Map 9: Indigenous - Queensland
24 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 10: Indigenous – Brisbane SD
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 25
2.8 On Benefits
Being in receipt of some form of Centrelink payment is another key indicator of legal need. The
literature indicates that people on pensions and benefits are far more likely than the general
population to experience legal problems related to Welfare Payments, Housing (Tenancy or
Homelessness), all types of Family Law and Domestic Violence.
2.8.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 7: Rate On Benefits Recipients per 1,000 Adults, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010; Centrelink 2010 and JSA 2011
2.8.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Both the Queensland and Brisbane SD rates for on benefits recipients are lower than the national
average. However, there are many LGAs in the state with rates well above the national and more
local benchmarks. 16 of the top 20 LGAs in the state fall within the top 20% of all LGAs in
Australia for this indicator. Whilst there are many small and highly disadvantaged LGAs that
feature high in this list, such as Woorabinda, Cherbourg and Hope Vale, there are also many
larger LGAs with much lower levels of disadvantage such Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Gympie and
Ipswich that report quite high rates of on benefits recipients.
# LGA_NAME On BenefitsSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 315.10Queensland Average 312.90Brisbane SD Average 280.90
1 Woorabinda (S) 685.18 564.49 1 22 Cherbourg (S) 594.06 505.90 1 13 Fraser Coast (R) 561.34 942.41 3 44 Bundaberg (R) 504.24 944.41 3 55 Gympie (R) 498.15 943.02 3 46 Yarrabah (S) 484.96 485.15 1 17 South Burnett (R) 468.33 940.32 3 48 Wujal Wujal (S) 465.85 531.53 1 19 Hope Vale (S) 461.68 554.47 1 2
10 Cook (S) 457.80 907.06 2 311 Aurukun (S) 448.48 537.75 1 112 Doomadgee (S) 445.70 no data no data no data13 Southern Downs (R) 442.13 949.53 3 514 Palm Island (S) 440.17 479.60 1 115 Lockyer Valley (R) 419.57 961.55 4 616 Somerset (R) 417.57 954.80 4 517 Ipswich (C) 415.12 971.20 5 718 Tablelands (R) 412.63 950.48 3 519 Carpentaria (S) 400.00 845.99 1 320 Kowanyama (S) 397.68 512.99 1 1
26 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 11: On Benefits - Queensland
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 27
Map 12: On Benefits – Brisbane SD
28 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
2.9 Social Renters
Being a social housing tenant, defined as living in some form of subsidised accommodation (state
or territory government, community, church, co-operative or Aboriginal housing) is also an
indicator of legal need. Social housing tenants are far more likely than the general population to
experience legal problems related to Neighbours, Welfare Payments, Housing (Tenancy or
Homelessness), Family Law (Relationship Breakdown or Children Problems) and Domestic
Violence.
2.9.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 8: Social Renters, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.9.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
While the state and capital city averages for social renters are below the national average, there
are many LGAs in Queensland where a large proportion of dwellings are rented by public or
community housing landlords. In many of the small Aboriginal Shires such as Cherbourg and
Hope Vale nearly all of the dwellings are social rentals. 40 of the 74 LGAs in Queensland have
rates of social renters above the national average, while 28 LGAs fall within the top 20% of all
LGAs in Australia for this indicator.
# LGA_NAME Social RentSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 5.2%Queensland Average 4.3%Brisbane SD Average 4.5%
1 Cherbourg (S) 95.4% 505.90 1 12 Hope Vale (S) 94.2% 554.47 1 23 Napranum (S) 93.2% 510.93 1 14 Northern Peninsula Area (R) 88.8% 589.71 1 25 Pormpuraaw (S) 88.7% 601.41 1 26 Palm Island (S) 87.5% 479.60 1 17 Mornington (S) 84.9% 510.34 1 18 Yarrabah (S) 83.6% 485.15 1 19 Woorabinda (S) 82.6% 564.49 1 210 Doomadgee (S) 81.1% no data no data no data11 Torres Strait Island (R) 79.0% 575.78 1 212 Lockhart River (S) 77.8% 572.13 1 213 Kowanyama (S) 76.3% 512.99 1 114 Wujal Wujal (S) 74.0% 531.53 1 115 Mapoon (S) 72.6% 655.47 1 216 Aurukun (S) 69.5% 537.75 1 117 Torres (S) 38.4% 801.27 1 318 Diamantina (S) 32.6% 891.05 1 319 Boulia (S) 23.3% 871.43 1 320 Croydon (S) 22.9% 821.37 1 3
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 29
Map 13: Social Renters - Queensland
30 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 14: Social Renters – Brisbane SD
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 31
2.10 Private Renters
Private renters are likely to have significantly greater legal problems associated with
Money/Debt, Welfare Payments, Housing (Tenancy or Homelessness) and Immigration
compared to the general population. Historically, renting privately has been associated with
younger workers and people in their first stage of household formation. It is increasingly
becoming a longer-term housing option as younger people and those on low to moderate incomes
are priced out of the home purchase market.
2.10.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 9: Private Renters, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.10.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland and Brisbane SD have higher rates of private renters than the Australian average. 12
of the top 20 LGAs in the state have a higher rate of private renters than the national average,
many of which are some of the least disadvantaged LGAs in the state (although not necessarily
the nation if you refer to the Australian decile column of the table). Many of these LGAs are
along the coast, with the map looking almost a mirror opposite to the social renters state map.
The regional council of Cairns has a rate of private renters around 40% higher than the national
average.
# LGA_NAME Private RentSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 21.8%Queensland Average 24.8%Brisbane SD Average 25.6%
Age is not as important an indicator for general legal problems as most of the other indicators
discussed above. Overall, people in their middle years are far more likely to experience legal
problems than those aged 65+ years, and are also more likely to have an overall legal need than
younger people. Those aged 35-44 years are the age group most likely to report legal problems of
any type, and are also far more likely than the general population to report problems with all
types of Family Law (Divorce, Relationship Breakdown and Problems with Children).
2.11.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 10: Age 35-44 Years, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.11.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland and Brisbane SD have similar proportions of residents in this age group to Australia.
Diamantina and Barcoo Shires, both in the far southwest channel country of the state, have
relatively large proportion of their populations in this age group. Burke Shire and Weipa also
have a large proportion of 35 to 44 year olds.
# LGA_NAME 35_44 YrsSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 14.8%Queensland Average 14.7%Brisbane SD Average 15.1%
1 Diamantina (S) 21.6% 891.05 1 32 Burke (S) 19.7% 918.66 2 43 Weipa (T) 19.0% 1048.88 9 104 Barcoo (S) 18.7% 964.94 4 65 Quilpie (S) 17.8% 955.24 4 66 Isaac (R) 17.5% 1038.44 9 107 Kowanyama (S) 17.3% 512.99 1 18 Etheridge (S) 17.0% 990.09 6 89 Croydon (S) 17.0% 821.37 1 3
10 Cairns (R) 16.5% 999.40 7 911 Cook (S) 16.4% 907.06 2 312 Wujal Wujal (S) 16.4% 531.53 1 113 Central Highlands (R) 16.3% 1027.58 9 1014 Barcaldine (R) 16.3% 968.81 5 715 Scenic Rim (R) 16.1% 1011.83 8 1016 Balonne (S) 16.1% 963.53 4 617 Gladstone (R) 16.0% 1002.81 8 918 Aurukun (S) 16.0% 537.75 1 119 Murweh (S) 15.8% 958.15 4 620 Mackay (R) 15.7% 1007.90 8 9
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 35
Map 17: Age 35-44 years - Queensland
36 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 18: Age 35-44 years – Brisbane SD
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 37
2.12 Age: 25-34 years
Those aged 25-34 years are the second most likely age group to report legal problems of any type,
and are far more likely than the general population to report legal problems related to
Money/Debt and Traffic Offences.
2.12.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 11: Age 25-34 Years, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.12.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Compared to Australia, Queensland has a similar proportion of resident aged 25 to 34 while
Brisbane SD has a slightly larger proportion. 38 out of the 74 LGAs in Queensland have a rate
higher than the Australian average, while 23 fall within the top 20% of LGAs in Australia for this
indicator. Gulf of Carpentaria communities including Croydon, Burke and Weipa (on the west
coast of the Cape York Peninsula) have the largest proportions of resident in this age group.
# LGA_NAME 25_34 YrsSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 13.5%Queensland Average 13.4%Brisbane SD Average 14.6%
1 Croydon (S) 19.4% 821.37 1 32 Weipa (T) 18.8% 1048.88 9 103 Burke (S) 18.7% 918.66 2 44 Pormpuraaw (S) 18.7% 601.41 1 25 Aurukun (S) 17.6% 537.75 1 16 Isaac (R) 17.6% 1038.44 9 107 Mount Isa (C) 17.4% 975.01 5 78 Doomadgee (S) 17.4% no data no data no data9 Mapoon (S) 17.2% 655.47 1 2
10 Mornington (S) 17.1% 510.34 1 111 Cloncurry (S) 16.9% 927.04 2 412 Central Highlands (R) 16.9% 1027.58 9 1013 McKinlay (S) 16.8% 999.46 7 914 Boulia (S) 16.5% 871.43 1 315 Diamantina (S) 16.5% 891.05 1 316 Hope Vale (S) 16.5% 554.47 1 217 Torres (S) 16.3% 801.27 1 318 Brisbane (C) 16.1% 1047.58 9 1019 Lockhart River (S) 16.1% 572.13 1 220 Wujal Wujal (S) 15.7% 531.53 1 1
38 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 19: Age 25-34 years - Queensland
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 39
Map 20: Age 25-34 years – Brisbane SD
40 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
2.13 Age: 15-24 years
Those aged 15-24 years are less likely than those in middle age groups to experience general legal
need. However, they are well above average for problems associated with Housing (Tenancy,
Homelessness), Unfair Police Treatment, General Crime and Traffic Offences.
2.13.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 12: Age 15-24 Years, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.13.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Similar to the other age groups, Queensland is very similar to Australia while Brisbane SD has a
slightly larger proportion of residents in the 15 to 24 year age group – likely due to greater
opportunities for young people to study and work. Many of the LGAs in the top 20 for the state
are small, remote Aboriginal communities with a much younger age profile than many other
parts of the state. The top 2 LGAs, Woorabinda and Bulloo, are quite different. Woorabinda is
an Aboriginal shire inland from Rockhampton of around 850 people (95% Indigenous) with a
very young age profile, while Bulloo is in the far southwest corner of the state with a very small
population of around 350 (9.5% Indigenous) where agriculture is the primary industry of the
area.
# LGA_NAME 15_24 YrsSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 13.6%Queensland Average 13.8%Brisbane SD Average 14.9%
1 Woorabinda (S) 19.6% 564.49 1 22 Bulloo (S) 19.6% 960.97 4 63 Yarrabah (S) 19.0% 485.15 1 14 Hope Vale (S) 18.3% 554.47 1 25 Doomadgee (S) 18.3% no data no data no data6 Northern Peninsula Area (R) 18.3% 589.71 1 27 Palm Island (S) 18.2% 479.60 1 18 Burke (S) 17.7% 918.66 2 49 Napranum (S) 17.5% 510.93 1 1
10 Lockhart River (S) 17.4% 572.13 1 211 Diamantina (S) 16.9% 891.05 1 312 Cherbourg (S) 16.7% 505.90 1 113 Kowanyama (S) 16.6% 512.99 1 114 Torres Strait Island (R) 16.6% 575.78 1 215 Townsville (C) 16.3% 1008.10 8 916 Aurukun (S) 16.2% 537.75 1 117 Wujal Wujal (S) 16.0% 531.53 1 118 Brisbane (C) 15.8% 1047.58 9 1019 Torres (S) 15.6% 801.27 1 320 Cloncurry (S) 15.3% 927.04 2 4
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 41
Map 21: Age 15-24 years - Queensland
42 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 22: Age 15-24 years, Brisbane SD
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 43
2.14 Age: 45-54 years
Those aged 45-54 years are not identified as a group with especially high legal need, except with
regard to Employment Problems such as related to unfair dismissal, employment contracts and
discrimination.
2.14.1 Queensland: State Context
Table 13: Age 45-54 Years, Top 20 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
2.14.2 Queensland & Brisbane: National Context
Queensland and Brisbane SD have very similar proportions of residents aged 45 to 54 as
Australia. 4 LGAs in the state fall within the top 20% of LGAs in Australia for this indicator.
# LGA_NAME 45_54 YrsSEIFA
DisadvantageSEIFA Decile
(AUS)SEIFA Decile
(STE)Australia Average 13.9%Queensland Average 13.8%Brisbane SD Average 13.5%
1 Cook (S) 17.8% 907.06 2 32 Mapoon (S) 17.6% 655.47 1 23 Bulloo (S) 17.4% 960.97 4 64 McKinlay (S) 16.1% 999.46 7 95 Paroo (S) 15.9% 875.78 1 36 Cassowary Coast (R) 15.8% 950.71 3 57 Boulia (S) 15.8% 871.43 1 38 Weipa (T) 15.6% 1048.88 9 109 Somerset (R) 15.6% 954.80 4 5
2.16 SEIFA Index of Disadvantage: national context
The figure below shows the proportion of all LGAs in Australia from each state and territory,
compared with their proportion amongst the most disadvantaged 20% and 40% of LGAs in
Australia. Compared with its proportion of total LGAs in Australia, Queensland LGAs are
overrepresented among the most disadvantaged 20% and 40% of LGAs in Australia.
Figure 1: Representation of States/Territories among Disadvantaged LGAs in Australia
Source: JSA 2011 based on ABS (2006) Census of Population and Housing: SEIFA Index of
Disadvantage.
The following two maps show Queensland and Brisbane SD in the national context in terms of
SEIFA Index of Disadvantage. The far north and far west of the state are some of the most
disadvantaged areas in the country.
27% 29% 24%
14% 7%
3%
13% 20%
22%
13% 12%
12%
5%10%
12%
25% 18%18%
3% 5%10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
% Total LGAs Most Disadvantaged 40% ofLGAs in Australia
Most Disadvantaged 20% ofLGAs in Australia
NT
WA
Tasmania
SA
Queensland
Victoria
NSW
50 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
Map 27: SEIFA Disadvantage - Queensland
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 51
Map 28: SEIFA Disadvantage – Brisbane SD
52 NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland
3 QLD: Calculated Legal Need &
Disadvantage
Examining each individual socio-demographic indicator of legal need does not provide a complete
picture of the areas or communities experiencing high levels of overall legal need, nor a way of
accounting for the relationship between the various indicators, particularly where there may be
collinearity.4 The key indicators of legal need provide valuable but limited assistance in
understanding where generalist or multi-focus services should be strengthened or additional
resources for community legal assistance services best directed as part of a strategic planning
process.
JSA has developed a model adapted from Pleasance et al (2006) that combines and appropriately
weights key indicators of legal need in order to look at priority communities for community legal
assistance services. When compared with demand-side data, this highlights areas most likely to
be experiencing unexpressed or unmet legal needs.
We have applied this approach to Queensland to determine which LGAs are more likely to have
legal problems and, based on population and probability, how many adults in each LGA are
likely to experience a legal problem and the proportion of adults likely to experience a legal
problem. Results have been further grouped by SEIFA (Index of Relative Socio-Economic
Disadvantage) to maintain a focus on the priority target group for community legal assistance
services. The advantage of this approach is that it makes allowance for multiple indicators that
may in fact be different ways of predicting the same legal problem.
It is important to consider the difference between Probability of Legal Need (or concentration of
legal need in terms of proportion of adults in an area with particular characteristics) and
Calculated Legal Need (or absolute number of adults facing such need). Some areas may have a
high concentration or probability of legal need but a very small population, whilst other areas
may have a high calculated legal need or number of adults likely to experience a legal problem
but a lower overall concentration or probability of legal need. The application of SEIFA
Disadvantage to both probability and calculated legal need is necessary in order for community
legal assistance services to focus scarce resources on areas with high legal need and disadvantage.
The following two tables show the top 50 LGAs in Queensland sorted high to low in terms of
Calculated Legal Need (number of adults likely to experience a legal problem of any type in a
three-year period) and Probability of Legal Need (the proportion of adults likely to experience a
legal problem of any type in a three-year period).
In terms of Calculated Legal Need, those areas of the state with the highest numbers of adults
likely to experience a legal problem are almost directly related to population size with many of
the large regional LGAs (also some of the least disadvantaged in the state) at the top of the list.
4 Where two seemingly independent variables are related to each other, so that considering each separately will overstate the dependent variable, for example there may be 5,000 single parents
and 5,000 divorced people suggesting 10,000 people with a possible need based on these indicators, however many of the single parents and divorced households are likely to be the same so that
there may be only 5,000 people with a possible legal need.
NACLC Legal Needs: Queensland 53
Table 15: Calculated Legal Need, Top 50 LGAs in Queensland
Source: ABS 2006, 2010 and JSA 2011
In terms of probability of legal need, or proportion of adults likely to experience a legal problem,
the table below tells a very different story. Many of the LGAs at the top of this list are some of
the most disadvantaged in the state and nation, often with very small populations and low