Person—Indigenous community acceptance, code N{.N}

Identifying and definitional attributes

• Housing assistance, Retired 10/02/2006

Value domain attributes

Representational attributes

Collection and usage attributes

This definition of the Indigenous status is based upon a decision made by the High Court of Australia in Commonwealth v. Tasmania (1983) 46 ALR 625.

There are three components to this definition:

1. Descent.
2. Self-classification.
3. Community acceptance.

There has been some controversy over the issue of whether South Sea Islanders need to be included in the definition of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The Australian Bureau of Statistics clearly states that South Sea Islanders are not Indigenous and should therefore be coded accordingly. Subsequently, South Sea Islanders are to be coded under category 2. Not accepted as Indigenous.

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

This metadata item is generally only collected where there is a requirement to legally identify persons as being Indigenous or not (such as where it is an eligibility requirement for services).

The process and documentation required for proof of community acceptance will depend on the requirements of the requesting agency.

Source and reference attributes

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

National Indigenous Housing Data Management Group

Relational attributes