Aboriginal communities in NSW are strong and resilient. In addition to holding a unique place as First Nations people, many have made a huge contribution to all areas of NSW life, succeeding in fields ranging from the media to sport, to politics, to business, education, law, performing arts, academia, medicine and literature.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 265,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in NSW. This represents 3.4% of the total NSW population, and about a third of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia giving NSW the largest share in Australia. By 2031, the NSW population is projected to increase between 1.9% (346,804 people) to 2.1% 363,354 people.
The NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is younger than the non-Aboriginal population, with a median age of 22.9 compared to 37.8 years. Nationally, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is also proportionally younger than the non-Aboriginal population, with 53% aged 24 or younger, compared to 31% of the non-Aboriginal population.