Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage

Description

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has developed Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) as way of assessing socio-economic status across the population. SEIFA enables areas in Australia to be ranked according to four different indexes. One of these is the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSED). IRSED scores provide a method of determining and comparing levels of social and economic disadvantage in given areas at a given point in time. Information is displayed according to IRSED values from lowest (most disadvantaged) to highest (least disadvantaged).

Quality and Applicability

SEIFA uses a set of variables of socio-economic conditions based on information from the last Census in order to calculate IRSED scores across Australia. Indicators include individual income, educational attainment and unemployment rate. This means that IRSED scores provide a more general measure of socio-economic status than any single measures alone.

IRSED scores have a number of applications including establishing the links between the socio-economic status of an area and its health and wellbeing outcomes.

Coverage

IRSED scores are available for local government areas, statistical local areas, postal areas and collector districts.

Collector districts are the smallest spatial units under the Australian Standard Geographical Classification system used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Collector districts enable the collection and dissemination of Census data. Statistical local areas fit into the boundaries of incorporated bodies of local government (i.e. local government areas) when aggregated.

Reference Date

IRSED scores refer to 8 August 2006, the most recent Census.

Release Date

The Australian Bureau of Statistics latest release of SEIFA occurred on 26/03/08 at 11:30 a.m. (Canberra time).

Access

Access IRSED scores through SEIFA Cat. No. 2033.0.55.001.

Cost and Format

IRSED scores are downloadable free of charge in excel spreadsheet format.

More Information

For more information, call 1300 135 070 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Stay informed about all Census products by regularly visiting the Australian Bureau of Statistics and checking product release news/dates. Or subscribe to the free email notification service by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and typing 'add to Census email' in the subject field. Or call the National Information and Referral Service 1300 135 070. This service can also provide assistance in navigating the Census website.

Additional Data Source(s)

IRSED scores based on the 2006 Census are available through profile.id, an online product designed to support local government planning and accessible through council websites. Go to your council website, search for community profiles, and click on 'Index of Disadvantage' to generate the ranking of IRSED scores for local government areas. More on profile.id.

IRSED scores based on the 2001 Census are available through the Victorian Local Governance Association online library of social statistics.