This metadata item is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) standard for Indigenous status. For detailed advice on its use and application please refer to the ABS website as indicated in the Reference documents.

The classification for Indigenous status has a hierarchical structure comprising two levels. There are four categories at the detailed level of the classification which are grouped into two categories at the broad level. There is one supplementary category for 'Not stated/inadequately described' responses. The classification is as follows:

Indigenous Australians:

• Aboriginal but not Torres Strait Islander origin.
• Torres Strait Islander but not Aboriginal origin.
• Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.

Non-Indigenous Australians:

• Neither Aboriginal nor Torres Strait Islander origin.

Not stated/inadequately described:

This category is not to be available as a valid answer to the questions but is intended for use:

• Primarily when importing data from other data collections that do not contain mappable data.
• Where the answer cannot be determined without clarification from the respondent (for example, 'No' and 'Yes, Aboriginal' are both selected).
• Where an answer was declined.
• Where the question was not able to be asked because the client was unable to communicate or a person who knows the client was not available.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014. Indigenous Status Standard Version 1.5, Canberra. Viewed 29 September 2015, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/
a866861f12e106e0ca256a38002791fa/
5609d66dcc94996eca257d6a000fb3fc!OpenDocument

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010. National best practice guidelines for collecting Indigenous status in health data sets. Cat. no. IHW 29. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 29 September 2015, http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442468342.