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, Colac-Otway (S)'s Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score was 972.6, placing it in the 46th percentile nationally. Within Colac-Otway (S), scores ranged from Colac to Warncoort.
View
972.6
Colac-Otway (S) IRSD score
46th percentile nationally
1082.3
Highest local score
Warncoort
904.8
Lowest local score
Colac
Chart view
SEIFA – disadvantage across Victoria LGAs
Compare the selected index across Victoria LGAs with the current municipality highlighted.
Nillumbik (S)
1092.9
Bayside (C)
1090.4
Boroondara (C)
1089.6
Surf Coast (S)
1086.2
Stonnington (C)
1084.5
Queenscliffe (B)
1082.2
Glen Eira (C)
1074.6
Macedon Ranges (S)
1062.8
Port Phillip (C)
1061
Banyule (C)
1057.7
Manningham (C)
1056.1
Yarra (C)
1045.7
Kingston (C) (Vic.)
1044.3
Whitehorse (C)
1042.7
Monash (C)
1042.3
Knox (C)
1042.2
Yarra Ranges (S)
1041.2
Maroondah (C)
1041
Moonee Valley (C)
1040.7
Golden Plains (S)
1039.9
Mornington Peninsula (S)
1037.5
Indigo (S)
1029.4
Moyne (S)
1029
Mansfield (S)
1027.6
Alpine (S)
1027.6
Moreland (C)
1026.5
Cardinia (S)
1021
Hobsons Bay (C)
1020.7
Darebin (C)
1018.3
Moorabool (S)
1017.2
Melbourne (C)
1016.7
Unincorporated Vic
1012.4
Maribyrnong (C)
1009.7
Mount Alexander (S)
1007.5
Greater Geelong (C)
1007.3
Hepburn (S)
1006.3
Wyndham (C)
1005.5
Murrindindi (S)
1004.7
Baw Baw (S)
1003.3
Frankston (C)
1003.1
South Gippsland (S)
1002.6
Towong (S)
1000.8
Mitchell (S)
999.5
Warrnambool (C)
994.9
Casey (C)
994.7
Southern Grampians (S)
993.7
Bass Coast (S)
992.8
West Wimmera (S)
991
Horsham (RC)
990.1
Whittlesea (C)
989.6
Wangaratta (RC)
988.4
Ballarat (C)
985.7
Melton (C)
985.2
Greater Bendigo (C)
985
Corangamite (S)
984.6
Strathbogie (S)
982
Buloke (S)
975
Wodonga (C)
973.1
Wellington (S)
973
Colac-Otway (S)
972.6
Benalla (RC)
968.4
Campaspe (S)
964.9
East Gippsland (S)
963.3
Pyrenees (S)
958.7
Moira (S)
958.3
Ararat (RC)
955.2
Gannawarra (S)
952.4
Glenelg (S)
952.3
Northern Grampians (S)
951.3
Loddon (S)
948.1
Yarriambiack (S)
945.9
Greater Shepparton (C)
944
Hume (C)
940.8
Swan Hill (RC)
940.6
Hindmarsh (S)
940.1
Mildura (RC)
940
Latrobe (C) (Vic.)
930.8
Brimbank (C)
912.5
Central Goldfields (S)
897.6
Greater Dandenong (C)
886.7
Data table
SEIFA – disadvantage across Victoria LGAs table
Download the underlying SEIFA scores and percentiles shown in the current view.
| Area | Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Nillumbik (S) | 1092.9 | 98 |
| Bayside (C) | 1090.4 | 98 |
| Boroondara (C) | 1089.6 | 98 |
| Surf Coast (S) | 1086.2 | 97 |
| Stonnington (C) | 1084.5 | 97 |
| Queenscliffe (B) | 1082.2 | 97 |
| Glen Eira (C) | 1074.6 | 95 |
| Macedon Ranges (S) | 1062.8 | 93 |
| Port Phillip (C) | 1061 | 92 |
| Banyule (C) | 1057.7 | 92 |
| Manningham (C) | 1056.1 | 91 |
| Yarra (C) | 1045.7 | 90 |
| Kingston (C) (Vic.) | 1044.3 | 88 |
| Whitehorse (C) | 1042.7 | 88 |
| Monash (C) | 1042.3 | 88 |
| Knox (C) | 1042.2 | 87 |
| Yarra Ranges (S) | 1041.2 | 87 |
| Maroondah (C) | 1041 | 87 |
| Moonee Valley (C) | 1040.7 | 87 |
| Golden Plains (S) | 1039.9 | 86 |
| Mornington Peninsula (S) | 1037.5 | 86 |
| Indigo (S) | 1029.4 | 83 |
| Moyne (S) | 1029 | 82 |
| Mansfield (S) | 1027.6 | 82 |
| Alpine (S) | 1027.6 | 81 |
| Moreland (C) | 1026.5 | 80 |
| Cardinia (S) | 1021 | 78 |
| Hobsons Bay (C) | 1020.7 | 78 |
| Darebin (C) | 1018.3 | 77 |
| Moorabool (S) | 1017.2 | 76 |
| Melbourne (C) | 1016.7 | 76 |
| Unincorporated Vic | 1012.4 | 75 |
| Maribyrnong (C) | 1009.7 | 74 |
| Mount Alexander (S) | 1007.5 | 72 |
| Greater Geelong (C) | 1007.3 | 72 |
| Hepburn (S) | 1006.3 | 71 |
| Wyndham (C) | 1005.5 | 71 |
| Murrindindi (S) | 1004.7 | 70 |
| Baw Baw (S) | 1003.3 | 69 |
| Frankston (C) | 1003.1 | 69 |
| South Gippsland (S) | 1002.6 | 68 |
| Towong (S) | 1000.8 | 68 |
| Mitchell (S) | 999.5 | 67 |
| Warrnambool (C) | 994.9 | 64 |
| Casey (C) | 994.7 | 63 |
| Southern Grampians (S) | 993.7 | 62 |
| Bass Coast (S) | 992.8 | 62 |
| West Wimmera (S) | 991 | 60 |
| Horsham (RC) | 990.1 | 60 |
| Whittlesea (C) | 989.6 | 59 |
| Wangaratta (RC) | 988.4 | 57 |
| Ballarat (C) | 985.7 | 55 |
| Melton (C) | 985.2 | 55 |
| Greater Bendigo (C) | 985 | 55 |
| Corangamite (S) | 984.6 | 54 |
| Strathbogie (S) | 982 | 53 |
| Buloke (S) | 975 | 48 |
| Wodonga (C) | 973.1 | 46 |
| Wellington (S) | 973 | 46 |
| Colac-Otway (S) | 972.6 | 46 |
| Benalla (RC) | 968.4 | 43 |
| Campaspe (S) | 964.9 | 40 |
| East Gippsland (S) | 963.3 | 39 |
| Pyrenees (S) | 958.7 | 36 |
| Moira (S) | 958.3 | 35 |
| Ararat (RC) | 955.2 | 34 |
| Gannawarra (S) | 952.4 | 32 |
| Glenelg (S) | 952.3 | 32 |
| Northern Grampians (S) | 951.3 | 31 |
| Loddon (S) | 948.1 | 29 |
| Yarriambiack (S) | 945.9 | 28 |
| Greater Shepparton (C) | 944 | 27 |
| Hume (C) | 940.8 | 25 |
| Swan Hill (RC) | 940.6 | 25 |
| Hindmarsh (S) | 940.1 | 25 |
| Mildura (RC) | 940 | 24 |
| Latrobe (C) (Vic.) | 930.8 | 21 |
| Brimbank (C) | 912.5 | 16 |
| Central Goldfields (S) | 897.6 | 12 |
| Greater Dandenong (C) | 886.7 | 11 |
Chart view
Variation within Colac-Otway (S)
See the spread of scores across smaller areas within the municipality.
Warncoort
1082.3
Percentile 91
Whoorel
1082.3
Percentile 91
Barramunga
1075.7
Percentile 88
Grey River
1075.7
Percentile 88
Kennett River
1075.7
Percentile 88
Separation Creek
1075.7
Percentile 88
Skenes Creek North
1075.7
Percentile 88
Sugarloaf (Vic.)
1075.7
Percentile 88
Tanybryn
1075.7
Percentile 88
Wongarra
1075.7
Percentile 88
Wye River
1075.7
Percentile 88
Bungador
1066.6
Percentile 83
Irrewillipe
1066.6
Percentile 83
Swan Marsh
1066.6
Percentile 83
Birregurra (part)
1064.7
Percentile 82
Murroon
1056.6
Percentile 77
Ombersley (part)
1054.5
Percentile 76
Marengo (Vic.)
1049.9
Percentile 72
Barongarook
1047
Percentile 71
Colac West
1043.5
Percentile 68
Petticoat Creek
1043.3
Percentile 68
Skenes Creek
1043.3
Percentile 68
Irrewarra
1041.7
Percentile 67
Yeo
1041.7
Percentile 67
Barwon Downs
1040.2
Percentile 66
Gerangamete
1040.2
Percentile 66
Yeodene
1040.2
Percentile 66
Wingeel (part)
1031.9
Percentile 61
Elliminyt
1031
Percentile 61
Barongarook West
1027.7
Percentile 58
Irrewillipe East
1027.7
Percentile 58
Cape Otway
1023.1
Percentile 55
Glenaire
1023.1
Percentile 55
Hordern Vale
1023.1
Percentile 55
Johanna
1023.1
Percentile 55
Larpent
1017.4
Percentile 52
Forrest (Vic.)
1004.7
Percentile 45
Pirron Yallock (part)
1002.8
Percentile 43
Cressy (Vic.) (part)
1000.4
Percentile 42
Barunah Plains
1000.1
Percentile 42
Cundare
1000.1
Percentile 42
Cundare North (part)
1000.1
Percentile 42
Eurack
1000.1
Percentile 42
Weering
1000.1
Percentile 42
Balintore
998
Percentile 41
Cororooke
998
Percentile 41
Nalangil
997.4
Percentile 41
Coragulac
996.3
Percentile 40
Corunnun
996.3
Percentile 40
Apollo Bay (Vic.)
993.7
Percentile 39
Beeac
991.6
Percentile 37
Gellibrand
976.3
Percentile 29
Kawarren
976.3
Percentile 29
Ondit
975.4
Percentile 29
Warrion
975.4
Percentile 29
Beech Forest
972.2
Percentile 28
Carlisle River
972.2
Percentile 28
Chapple Vale (part)
972.2
Percentile 28
Ferguson (Vic.)
972.2
Percentile 28
Lavers Hill
972.2
Percentile 28
Weeaproinah
972.2
Percentile 28
Wyelangta
972.2
Percentile 28
Yuulong
972.2
Percentile 28
Colac East
962.9
Percentile 24
Wool Wool (part)
962.1
Percentile 24
Alvie
958.3
Percentile 22
Dreeite (part)
958.3
Percentile 22
Dreeite South
958.3
Percentile 22
Colac
904.8
Percentile 10
Data table
Variation within Colac-Otway (S) table
Download the underlying SEIFA scores and percentiles shown in the current view.
| Area | Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Warncoort | 1082.3 | 91 |
| Whoorel | 1082.3 | 91 |
| Barramunga | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Grey River | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Kennett River | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Separation Creek | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Skenes Creek North | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Sugarloaf (Vic.) | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Tanybryn | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Wongarra | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Wye River | 1075.7 | 88 |
| Bungador | 1066.6 | 83 |
| Irrewillipe | 1066.6 | 83 |
| Swan Marsh | 1066.6 | 83 |
| Birregurra (part) | 1064.7 | 82 |
| Murroon | 1056.6 | 77 |
| Ombersley (part) | 1054.5 | 76 |
| Marengo (Vic.) | 1049.9 | 72 |
| Barongarook | 1047 | 71 |
| Colac West | 1043.5 | 68 |
| Petticoat Creek | 1043.3 | 68 |
| Skenes Creek | 1043.3 | 68 |
| Irrewarra | 1041.7 | 67 |
| Yeo | 1041.7 | 67 |
| Barwon Downs | 1040.2 | 66 |
| Gerangamete | 1040.2 | 66 |
| Yeodene | 1040.2 | 66 |
| Wingeel (part) | 1031.9 | 61 |
| Elliminyt | 1031 | 61 |
| Barongarook West | 1027.7 | 58 |
| Irrewillipe East | 1027.7 | 58 |
| Cape Otway | 1023.1 | 55 |
| Glenaire | 1023.1 | 55 |
| Hordern Vale | 1023.1 | 55 |
| Johanna | 1023.1 | 55 |
| Larpent | 1017.4 | 52 |
| Forrest (Vic.) | 1004.7 | 45 |
| Pirron Yallock (part) | 1002.8 | 43 |
| Cressy (Vic.) (part) | 1000.4 | 42 |
| Barunah Plains | 1000.1 | 42 |
| Cundare | 1000.1 | 42 |
| Cundare North (part) | 1000.1 | 42 |
| Eurack | 1000.1 | 42 |
| Weering | 1000.1 | 42 |
| Balintore | 998 | 41 |
| Cororooke | 998 | 41 |
| Nalangil | 997.4 | 41 |
| Coragulac | 996.3 | 40 |
| Corunnun | 996.3 | 40 |
| Apollo Bay (Vic.) | 993.7 | 39 |
| Beeac | 991.6 | 37 |
| Gellibrand | 976.3 | 29 |
| Kawarren | 976.3 | 29 |
| Ondit | 975.4 | 29 |
| Warrion | 975.4 | 29 |
| Beech Forest | 972.2 | 28 |
| Carlisle River | 972.2 | 28 |
| Chapple Vale (part) | 972.2 | 28 |
| Ferguson (Vic.) | 972.2 | 28 |
| Lavers Hill | 972.2 | 28 |
| Weeaproinah | 972.2 | 28 |
| Wyelangta | 972.2 | 28 |
| Yuulong | 972.2 | 28 |
| Colac East | 962.9 | 24 |
| Wool Wool (part) | 962.1 | 24 |
| Alvie | 958.3 | 22 |
| Dreeite (part) | 958.3 | 22 |
| Dreeite South | 958.3 | 22 |
| Colac | 904.8 | 10 |