Socio-Economic Indexes
SEIFA – disadvantage
About this topic
SEIFA (Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas) ranks Australian areas by relative advantage and disadvantage using Census data. The ABS constructs each index from a weighted combination of variables including household income, educational attainment, employment status, occupation skill level, and housing conditions.
Scores are relative, not absolute - they show how an area compares to all other areas in Australia, not whether residents are "poor" or "wealthy" in dollar terms. A score of 1000 represents the national average. Areas scoring below 1000 have relatively greater disadvantage; areas above have relatively less.
IRSD measures disadvantage only - it identifies areas where residents have fewer economic and social resources, but cannot distinguish between advantaged and average areas. IRSAD captures both ends of the spectrum, incorporating indicators of advantage such as high income and tertiary qualifications alongside disadvantage indicators.
SEIFA scores are widely used in grant applications, needs assessments, and service planning to identify areas requiring targeted investment or support.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Cairns (R)'s Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score was 981.1, placing it in the 52nd percentile nationally. Within Cairns (R), scores ranged from Manoora (Qld) to Goldsborough (Qld).
View
981.1
Cairns (R) IRSD score
52nd percentile nationally
1072.2
Highest local score
Goldsborough (Qld)
817
Lowest local score
Manoora (Qld)
Chart view
SEIFA – disadvantage across Queensland LGAs
Compare the selected index across Queensland LGAs with the current municipality highlighted.
Weipa (T)
1058.1
Brisbane (C)
1045.2
Noosa (S)
1029.5
Redland (C)
1023.9
Sunshine Coast (R)
1021.7
Gold Coast (C)
1018.6
McKinlay (S)
1014
Isaac (R)
1012
Richmond (S)
1009.2
Livingstone (S)
1004.8
Longreach (R)
1002.7
Barcaldine (R)
1002.1
Mackay (R)
999.3
Quilpie (S)
997.9
Central Highlands (R) (Qld)
995.7
Maranoa (R)
995.2
Winton (S)
993.3
Moreton Bay (R)
991.8
Banana (S)
991.6
Townsville (C)
989.6
Bulloo (S)
989.6
Barcoo (S)
987.9
Scenic Rim (R)
985.8
Etheridge (S)
982.4
Cairns (R)
981.1
Toowoomba (R)
979.4
Douglas (S)
978.9
Mount Isa (C)
971.9
Flinders (S) (Qld)
970.1
Whitsunday (R)
969.4
Burdekin (S)
965.8
Cloncurry (S)
965.1
Goondiwindi (R)
965
Blackall-Tambo (R)
961.1
Ipswich (C)
957.9
Tablelands (R)
955.3
Gladstone (R)
954.1
Hinchinbrook (S)
953.7
Diamantina (S)
951.8
Rockhampton (R)
948.8
Murweh (S)
948.4
Lockyer Valley (R)
948
Western Downs (R)
946
Logan (C)
944
Somerset (R)
943.9
Balonne (S)
943.5
Burke (S)
941.3
Southern Downs (R)
938.9
Mareeba (S)
937.4
Charters Towers (R)
933.3
Gympie (R)
930.5
Cassowary Coast (R)
929.4
Bundaberg (R)
924.5
Fraser Coast (R)
914.8
Cook (S)
913
South Burnett (R)
907
Torres (S)
904.3
North Burnett (R)
902.5
Boulia (S)
877.5
Croydon (S)
875.5
Paroo (S)
865.7
Carpentaria (S)
850.8
Northern Peninsula Area (R)
702.1
Torres Strait Island (R)
649.5
Hope Vale (S)
630.8
Napranum (S)
623.2
Lockhart River (S)
621.6
Mornington (S)
609
Palm Island (S)
566.9
Mapoon (S)
566.8
Pormpuraaw (S)
547.2
Doomadgee (S)
533.8
Kowanyama (S)
528.1
Yarrabah (S)
512.5
Wujal Wujal (S)
510.3
Aurukun (S)
501.5
Cherbourg (S)
498.1
Woorabinda (S)
492.5
Data table
SEIFA – disadvantage across Queensland LGAs table
Download the underlying SEIFA scores and percentiles shown in the current view.
| Area | Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Weipa (T) | 1058.1 | 92 |
| Brisbane (C) | 1045.2 | 89 |
| Noosa (S) | 1029.5 | 83 |
| Redland (C) | 1023.9 | 80 |
| Sunshine Coast (R) | 1021.7 | 78 |
| Gold Coast (C) | 1018.6 | 77 |
| McKinlay (S) | 1014 | 75 |
| Isaac (R) | 1012 | 74 |
| Richmond (S) | 1009.2 | 73 |
| Livingstone (S) | 1004.8 | 70 |
| Longreach (R) | 1002.7 | 69 |
| Barcaldine (R) | 1002.1 | 68 |
| Mackay (R) | 999.3 | 67 |
| Quilpie (S) | 997.9 | 66 |
| Central Highlands (R) (Qld) | 995.7 | 64 |
| Maranoa (R) | 995.2 | 64 |
| Winton (S) | 993.3 | 62 |
| Moreton Bay (R) | 991.8 | 61 |
| Banana (S) | 991.6 | 61 |
| Townsville (C) | 989.6 | 59 |
| Bulloo (S) | 989.6 | 59 |
| Barcoo (S) | 987.9 | 57 |
| Scenic Rim (R) | 985.8 | 55 |
| Etheridge (S) | 982.4 | 53 |
| Cairns (R) | 981.1 | 52 |
| Toowoomba (R) | 979.4 | 51 |
| Douglas (S) | 978.9 | 51 |
| Mount Isa (C) | 971.9 | 45 |
| Flinders (S) (Qld) | 970.1 | 44 |
| Whitsunday (R) | 969.4 | 44 |
| Burdekin (S) | 965.8 | 42 |
| Cloncurry (S) | 965.1 | 41 |
| Goondiwindi (R) | 965 | 40 |
| Blackall-Tambo (R) | 961.1 | 38 |
| Ipswich (C) | 957.9 | 35 |
| Tablelands (R) | 955.3 | 34 |
| Gladstone (R) | 954.1 | 33 |
| Hinchinbrook (S) | 953.7 | 33 |
| Diamantina (S) | 951.8 | 31 |
| Rockhampton (R) | 948.8 | 30 |
| Murweh (S) | 948.4 | 29 |
| Lockyer Valley (R) | 948 | 29 |
| Western Downs (R) | 946 | 28 |
| Logan (C) | 944 | 27 |
| Somerset (R) | 943.9 | 27 |
| Balonne (S) | 943.5 | 26 |
| Burke (S) | 941.3 | 25 |
| Southern Downs (R) | 938.9 | 23 |
| Mareeba (S) | 937.4 | 23 |
| Charters Towers (R) | 933.3 | 22 |
| Gympie (R) | 930.5 | 21 |
| Cassowary Coast (R) | 929.4 | 21 |
| Bundaberg (R) | 924.5 | 19 |
| Fraser Coast (R) | 914.8 | 17 |
| Cook (S) | 913 | 16 |
| South Burnett (R) | 907 | 14 |
| Torres (S) | 904.3 | 13 |
| North Burnett (R) | 902.5 | 13 |
| Boulia (S) | 877.5 | 10 |
| Croydon (S) | 875.5 | 10 |
| Paroo (S) | 865.7 | 9 |
| Carpentaria (S) | 850.8 | 8 |
| Northern Peninsula Area (R) | 702.1 | 6 |
| Torres Strait Island (R) | 649.5 | 6 |
| Hope Vale (S) | 630.8 | 5 |
| Napranum (S) | 623.2 | 5 |
| Lockhart River (S) | 621.6 | 5 |
| Mornington (S) | 609 | 5 |
| Palm Island (S) | 566.9 | 4 |
| Mapoon (S) | 566.8 | 4 |
| Pormpuraaw (S) | 547.2 | 4 |
| Doomadgee (S) | 533.8 | 3 |
| Kowanyama (S) | 528.1 | 3 |
| Yarrabah (S) | 512.5 | 2 |
| Wujal Wujal (S) | 510.3 | 2 |
| Aurukun (S) | 501.5 | 2 |
| Cherbourg (S) | 498.1 | 2 |
| Woorabinda (S) | 492.5 | 1 |
Chart view
Variation within Cairns (R)
See the spread of scores across smaller areas within the municipality.
Goldsborough (Qld)
1072.2
Percentile 86
Redlynch
1063.9
Percentile 82
Brinsmead
1059.6
Percentile 79
Kamerunga
1056
Percentile 77
Kanimbla (Qld)
1054.8
Percentile 76
Stratford (Qld)
1054.4
Percentile 76
Fitzroy Island
1052.8
Percentile 75
Glen Boughton
1052.8
Percentile 75
Green Hill
1052.8
Percentile 75
Green Island
1052.8
Percentile 75
Packers Camp
1052.8
Percentile 75
Freshwater (Qld)
1051.7
Percentile 74
Mount Peter
1050.3
Percentile 73
Wrights Creek (Qld)
1050.3
Percentile 73
Barron
1049.3
Percentile 72
Bayview Heights
1049
Percentile 72
Bartle Frere
1045.8
Percentile 70
Waugh Pocket
1045.8
Percentile 70
Woopen Creek
1045.8
Percentile 70
Smithfield (Qld)
1041.5
Percentile 67
Kewarra Beach
1040
Percentile 66
Eubenangee (part)
1035.3
Percentile 63
Clifton Beach (Qld)
1034.8
Percentile 63
Trinity Park
1033.2
Percentile 62
Aeroglen
1032.6
Percentile 61
Palm Cove
1028.8
Percentile 59
Trinity Beach
1024.3
Percentile 56
Caravonica
1024.2
Percentile 56
Little Mulgrave
1024.2
Percentile 56
Edge Hill
1019.9
Percentile 54
Whitfield (Qld)
1016.3
Percentile 51
East Trinity
1015.7
Percentile 51
Mount Sheridan (Qld)
1014.8
Percentile 50
Cairns City
1011.3
Percentile 49
Bellenden Ker
1004.3
Percentile 44
East Russell
1004.3
Percentile 44
Mirriwinni
992.5
Percentile 38
Aloomba
991.5
Percentile 37
Gordonvale
986.3
Percentile 34
Bentley Park
978.4
Percentile 30
Machans Beach
977.7
Percentile 30
Holloways Beach
969.6
Percentile 27
Edmonton
967.5
Percentile 26
Deeral
956.7
Percentile 22
Fishery Falls
956.7
Percentile 22
Yorkeys Knob
948.8
Percentile 19
Cairns North
947.6
Percentile 19
Earlville
944
Percentile 18
Bramston Beach
932.1
Percentile 15
Mooroobool
928.9
Percentile 14
White Rock (Cairns - Qld)
919.1
Percentile 12
Portsmith
904.2
Percentile 10
Babinda (Qld)
901.1
Percentile 9
Parramatta Park
894.2
Percentile 8
Woree
872.3
Percentile 6
Bungalow
871.9
Percentile 6
Westcourt
859.6
Percentile 5
Manunda
848.3
Percentile 5
Manoora (Qld)
817
Percentile 3
Data table
Variation within Cairns (R) table
Download the underlying SEIFA scores and percentiles shown in the current view.
| Area | Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsborough (Qld) | 1072.2 | 86 |
| Redlynch | 1063.9 | 82 |
| Brinsmead | 1059.6 | 79 |
| Kamerunga | 1056 | 77 |
| Kanimbla (Qld) | 1054.8 | 76 |
| Stratford (Qld) | 1054.4 | 76 |
| Fitzroy Island | 1052.8 | 75 |
| Glen Boughton | 1052.8 | 75 |
| Green Hill | 1052.8 | 75 |
| Green Island | 1052.8 | 75 |
| Packers Camp | 1052.8 | 75 |
| Freshwater (Qld) | 1051.7 | 74 |
| Mount Peter | 1050.3 | 73 |
| Wrights Creek (Qld) | 1050.3 | 73 |
| Barron | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Bayview Heights | 1049 | 72 |
| Bartle Frere | 1045.8 | 70 |
| Waugh Pocket | 1045.8 | 70 |
| Woopen Creek | 1045.8 | 70 |
| Smithfield (Qld) | 1041.5 | 67 |
| Kewarra Beach | 1040 | 66 |
| Eubenangee (part) | 1035.3 | 63 |
| Clifton Beach (Qld) | 1034.8 | 63 |
| Trinity Park | 1033.2 | 62 |
| Aeroglen | 1032.6 | 61 |
| Palm Cove | 1028.8 | 59 |
| Trinity Beach | 1024.3 | 56 |
| Caravonica | 1024.2 | 56 |
| Little Mulgrave | 1024.2 | 56 |
| Edge Hill | 1019.9 | 54 |
| Whitfield (Qld) | 1016.3 | 51 |
| East Trinity | 1015.7 | 51 |
| Mount Sheridan (Qld) | 1014.8 | 50 |
| Cairns City | 1011.3 | 49 |
| Bellenden Ker | 1004.3 | 44 |
| East Russell | 1004.3 | 44 |
| Mirriwinni | 992.5 | 38 |
| Aloomba | 991.5 | 37 |
| Gordonvale | 986.3 | 34 |
| Bentley Park | 978.4 | 30 |
| Machans Beach | 977.7 | 30 |
| Holloways Beach | 969.6 | 27 |
| Edmonton | 967.5 | 26 |
| Deeral | 956.7 | 22 |
| Fishery Falls | 956.7 | 22 |
| Yorkeys Knob | 948.8 | 19 |
| Cairns North | 947.6 | 19 |
| Earlville | 944 | 18 |
| Bramston Beach | 932.1 | 15 |
| Mooroobool | 928.9 | 14 |
| White Rock (Cairns - Qld) | 919.1 | 12 |
| Portsmith | 904.2 | 10 |
| Babinda (Qld) | 901.1 | 9 |
| Parramatta Park | 894.2 | 8 |
| Woree | 872.3 | 6 |
| Bungalow | 871.9 | 6 |
| Westcourt | 859.6 | 5 |
| Manunda | 848.3 | 5 |
| Manoora (Qld) | 817 | 3 |