Remoteness graphs: Introduction

The Remoteness graphs show variations, for each indicator, by Remoteness Area (RA), based on the ABS Remoteness structure. The RA categories are defined in terms of ‘remoteness' - the physical distance of a location from the nearest Urban Centre (indicative of access to goods and services) based on population size.

The Remoteness classification thereby provides a summary measure of the characteristics of the population, for each of the variables mapped, categorised by accessibility to the largest populated centres.

The length of the bar for each RA indicates the rate or per cent for the population usually resident in that category. The ratio of the rate in the Very Remote areas to that in the Major Cities is shown on the bottom of the graph: it is labelled the ‘Remoteness ratio'.

The five ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Remoteness classes are as follows:

Major Cities
Inner Regional
Outer Regional
Remote
Very Remote

with the following exceptions:

In Victoria, there are no Very Remote areas - the Remoteness ratio is the difference between the per cent/rate in the Remote to the Major Cities areas (not specified in the graph label).
In Tasmania, there are no Major Cities areas - the Remoteness ratio is the difference between the per cent/rate in the Very Remote to the Inner Regional areas (not specified in the graph label).
In Northern Territory, there are no Major Cities or Inner Regional areas - the Remoteness ratio is the difference between the per cent/rate in the Very Remote to the Outer Regional areas (not specified in the graph label).