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, Central Highlands (R) (Qld)'s Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score was 995.7, placing it in the 64th percentile nationally. Within Central Highlands (R) (Qld), scores ranged from Sapphire Central to Buckland (Qld).
View
995.7
Central Highlands (R) (Qld) IRSD score
64th percentile nationally
1090.6
Highest local score
Buckland (Qld)
794.5
Lowest local score
Sapphire Central
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 Central Highlands (R) (Qld)
See the spread of scores across smaller areas within the municipality.
Buckland (Qld)
1090.6
Percentile 94
Cona Creek
1090.6
Percentile 94
Mantuan Downs
1090.6
Percentile 94
Nandowrie
1090.6
Percentile 94
Wealwandangie
1090.6
Percentile 94
Albinia
1077.3
Percentile 89
Arcturus
1077.3
Percentile 89
Cairdbeign
1077.3
Percentile 89
Orion
1077.3
Percentile 89
Gindie
1065.1
Percentile 82
Minerva
1065.1
Percentile 82
Argyll
1057.7
Percentile 78
Lochington
1057.7
Percentile 78
Arcadia Valley
1054.6
Percentile 76
Carnarvon Park
1054.6
Percentile 76
Consuelo
1054.6
Percentile 76
Coorumbene
1054.6
Percentile 76
Humboldt
1054.6
Percentile 76
Lowesby
1054.6
Percentile 76
Rewan
1054.6
Percentile 76
Togara
1054.6
Percentile 76
Carbine Creek
1049.3
Percentile 72
Chirnside
1049.3
Percentile 72
Fork Lagoons
1049.3
Percentile 72
Gordonstone
1049.3
Percentile 72
Hibernia
1049.3
Percentile 72
Theresa Creek (Qld)
1049.3
Percentile 72
Tieri
1047.7
Percentile 71
Belcong
1037.6
Percentile 65
Bundoora (Qld)
1037.6
Percentile 65
Cheeseborough
1037.6
Percentile 65
Cotherstone
1037.6
Percentile 65
Crinum
1037.6
Percentile 65
Khosh Bulduk
1037.6
Percentile 65
Lilyvale (Central Highlands - Qld)
1037.6
Percentile 65
Lowestoff
1037.6
Percentile 65
Mount Macarthur
1037.6
Percentile 65
Retro
1037.6
Percentile 65
Wyuna (Qld)
1037.6
Percentile 65
Balcomba (part)
1025
Percentile 57
Barnard
1025
Percentile 57
Boolburra
1025
Percentile 57
Coomoo
1025
Percentile 57
Gainsford
1025
Percentile 57
Goowarra
1025
Percentile 57
Mackenzie (Central Highlands - Qld)
1025
Percentile 57
Wallaroo (Qld) (part)
1025
Percentile 57
Bauhinia (part)
1024.8
Percentile 56
Dromedary (Qld)
1024.8
Percentile 56
Goomally
1024.8
Percentile 56
Mimosa (Qld)
1024.8
Percentile 56
Mungabunda
1024.8
Percentile 56
Oombabeer
1024.8
Percentile 56
Rhydding
1024.8
Percentile 56
Wooroona
1024.8
Percentile 56
Jellinbah
1024.5
Percentile 56
Stewarton (Qld)
1024.5
Percentile 56
Comet
1023.4
Percentile 55
Emerald (Qld)
1017.4
Percentile 52
Springsure
980.7
Percentile 32
Blackwater
966.5
Percentile 25
Capella
966.1
Percentile 25
Rolleston
959.8
Percentile 23
Alsace
940.6
Percentile 17
Bingegang
940.6
Percentile 17
Dingo
940.6
Percentile 17
Willows
930.2
Percentile 15
Bluff
925.1
Percentile 13
Anakie Siding
906
Percentile 10
Duaringa (part)
865.7
Percentile 6
Sapphire Central
794.5
Percentile 3
Data table
Variation within Central Highlands (R) (Qld) table
Download the underlying SEIFA scores and percentiles shown in the current view.
| Area | Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Buckland (Qld) | 1090.6 | 94 |
| Cona Creek | 1090.6 | 94 |
| Mantuan Downs | 1090.6 | 94 |
| Nandowrie | 1090.6 | 94 |
| Wealwandangie | 1090.6 | 94 |
| Albinia | 1077.3 | 89 |
| Arcturus | 1077.3 | 89 |
| Cairdbeign | 1077.3 | 89 |
| Orion | 1077.3 | 89 |
| Gindie | 1065.1 | 82 |
| Minerva | 1065.1 | 82 |
| Argyll | 1057.7 | 78 |
| Lochington | 1057.7 | 78 |
| Arcadia Valley | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Carnarvon Park | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Consuelo | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Coorumbene | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Humboldt | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Lowesby | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Rewan | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Togara | 1054.6 | 76 |
| Carbine Creek | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Chirnside | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Fork Lagoons | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Gordonstone | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Hibernia | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Theresa Creek (Qld) | 1049.3 | 72 |
| Tieri | 1047.7 | 71 |
| Belcong | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Bundoora (Qld) | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Cheeseborough | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Cotherstone | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Crinum | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Khosh Bulduk | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Lilyvale (Central Highlands - Qld) | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Lowestoff | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Mount Macarthur | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Retro | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Wyuna (Qld) | 1037.6 | 65 |
| Balcomba (part) | 1025 | 57 |
| Barnard | 1025 | 57 |
| Boolburra | 1025 | 57 |
| Coomoo | 1025 | 57 |
| Gainsford | 1025 | 57 |
| Goowarra | 1025 | 57 |
| Mackenzie (Central Highlands - Qld) | 1025 | 57 |
| Wallaroo (Qld) (part) | 1025 | 57 |
| Bauhinia (part) | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Dromedary (Qld) | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Goomally | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Mimosa (Qld) | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Mungabunda | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Oombabeer | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Rhydding | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Wooroona | 1024.8 | 56 |
| Jellinbah | 1024.5 | 56 |
| Stewarton (Qld) | 1024.5 | 56 |
| Comet | 1023.4 | 55 |
| Emerald (Qld) | 1017.4 | 52 |
| Springsure | 980.7 | 32 |
| Blackwater | 966.5 | 25 |
| Capella | 966.1 | 25 |
| Rolleston | 959.8 | 23 |
| Alsace | 940.6 | 17 |
| Bingegang | 940.6 | 17 |
| Dingo | 940.6 | 17 |
| Willows | 930.2 | 15 |
| Bluff | 925.1 | 13 |
| Anakie Siding | 906 | 10 |
| Duaringa (part) | 865.7 | 6 |
| Sapphire Central | 794.5 | 3 |