Closing the Gap Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians

This essay explores the significant and widening gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Australia, primarily focusing on disparities in education, training, and health outcomes. The paper highlights that indigenous Australians face considerable disadvantages, including lower education levels, reduced life expectancy, and higher rates of infant mortality and mental health issues. It emphasizes the importance of closing these gaps for both local indigenous communities and national economic and social progress. The essay examines the implications of these disparities, citing government initiatives such as the 'Close the Gap Campaign,' which aims to improve healthcare access, education, and training opportunities for indigenous Australians. The conclusion underscores the need for continued efforts to address these inequalities and improve the overall well-being of both indigenous and non-indigenous populations in Australia, referencing the positive correlation between health, education, and economic prosperity.

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Closing the Gap between the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians
Name
Institution

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Closing the Gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous Australians
Introduction
Over the past years, the gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities in
Australia has been widening significantly. By and large, studies indicate that indigenous
Australians are significantly disadvantaged as compared to the non-indigenous populace (Koziol,
2016). Currently, the main areas of concern with the highest gaps include education, training and
health (ABS, 2011). Research shows that indigenous Australians have generally low education
levels as well as health outcomes (Gordon & Hunter, 2016). For this reason, the Australian
government has taken a keen interest on the issue and is working towards the narrowing and
closing of the existing gaps between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities in the
country.
Importance of Closing the Gaps in Australia
Narrowing the gap between the two communities would not only be beneficial locally for
indigenous people but will also be vastly beneficial nationally with regard to economic and
social improvements (Gooda & Huggins, 2016). One major importance of narrowing the health
disparity between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities is to ensure health equality
among the people of Australia. It is worth pointing out that poor health among the Aboriginal
people is very evident. A 2008-2012 study indicates that the infant mortality rate among the
indigenous population was almost double that of the non-indigenous communities (Australians
Together, n.d.). Generally, the report suggests that native communities have a lower life
expectancy than the non-indigenous population (ABS, 2011). Further statistics reveal that native

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communities suffer from higher death rates than the non-native ones for all major causes of death
(Australians Together, n.d.). What is more, the study reveals that the indigenous people have
higher chances of suffering from mental health, suicidal cases and self harm (Little, 2016). For
this reason, closing the gap will help reduce the disparity between the two Australian
communities. In turn, it will create a situation of health equality whereby both the non-
indigenous and native Australians have a high life expectancy rates, low infant mortality rates as
well as long term health and well being. It would result in a healthy Australian population with
generally high life expectancy levels and wellbeing.
In the same way, it is important for the government to close the education and training
gap between the two groups in the country in order to achieve social and economic progress at
the national level. According to the western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey,
education is a vital means through which individuals can achieve their full potential (Krishnan,
2015). Notably, possessing a good education can significantly influence an individual’s job
prospects. In addition, it acts as a booster and elevator in support of a person’s cultural and
economic life. Furthermore, educational attainment and participation in education is a life
changing factor that positively influences the social well being for all Australians. Unfortunately,
statistics indicate that the indigenous population is characterized by lower levels of education as
compared to the non-indigenous Australians. As a result, there is a large disparity between non-
indigenous and indigenous education and training in the country. In effect, the level of
unemployment among the indigenous population is significantly higher compared to the non-
native populace. As at 2012, the level of unemployment among the indigenous people was
approximately five times higher than that of other Australians. Mainly, this can be attributed to

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their low levels of education and training, making it difficult to secure decent employment
opportunities within the country. In this regard, it is vital for the Australian government to close
the education and training gap between the two group communities to ensure uniformity and
equality in employment.
Evidence and Implications of Closing the Gap
It is worth pointing out that equality in health, education and training opportunities is a
path towards an overall improvement in the social and economic welfare of the Australian
economy. According to economic theory, there is a significant correlation between the health
status, education and training of the population, and the economic prosperity of any economy
(Australian Government, 2011). Likewise, educational attainment is viewed as being collated
with a number of indicators of social wellbeing (Australian Government, 2011). For this reason,
raising the health status and education level of the non-indigenous Australians will significantly
boost the performance of the Australian economy.
To achieve this goal, the government, through the ‘Close the Gap Campaign’ has set up
various measures to ensure the improvement of health outcomes among the indigenous
Australian people. Mainly, it has set measures to improve the access to, and delivery of, effective
primary healthcare to these communities (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2017). Today,
it is working towards enhancing community primary healthcare services (Australian
Government, 2008). It has increased its funding to these aboriginal communities in order to
increase the number of health facilities within their reach. Furthermore, the government has
ensured an increase in the level of health training and awareness to improve the health outcomes
of individuals in indigenous communities.

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As noted earlier, education is significantly correlated to the improvement of a
community’s wellness. Theories also suggest that human capital advancement through education
is fundamental to economic development. Therefore, the government has focused on improving
the access and delivery of education and training to the indigenous population in the country.
Currently, it is working towards a responsive schooling that stresses on student literacy and
numeracy achievements. It has also invested in transition mechanisms from schooling and into
work through post school education and training. In turn, this is expected to improve the social
and economic standards of the indigenous Australian, thereby significantly narrowing the gap
between them and the non-aboriginal population.
Conclusion
All in all, all things considered, the indigenous Australian population is significantly
disadvantaged as compared to the non-indigenous people. Mainly, the aboriginal communities
suffer from poor health outcomes, low education and training. With respect to health outcomes,
they face challenges such as low life expectancy, high infant mortality and significantly high
death rates. On the other hand, with regard to education, they are characterized by low education
which acts as a disadvantage in finding employment opportunities. In turn, this has rendered
them both socially and economically inferior to the non-indigenous communities in the country.
For this reason, the government has initiated mechanism that works towards the closing of the
gap between the aboriginal populace and non-indigenous communities in the country. Mainly,
one attributes the government’s move to economic theory which suggests that there is a positive
relationship between a healthy and educated population and the social and economic status of a

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nation. In turn, the success of these measures will have the implication of improving the overall
well-being of the people of Australia in both indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
References

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