Valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and recognising our Traditional Custodians
Valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and recognising our Traditional Custodians are significant indicators of the social fabric of Canberra.
Valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture
This measure shows Canberrans' agreement that:
- they feel proud of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (76.2% in 2023)
- that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are important to the Australian identity (85.3% in 2023).
This is important because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are a critical part of our national identity.
When asked over time as part of the University of Canberra's Living Well in the ACT Region survey, the large majority of Canberrans have agreed with these statements.
As of February 2026, there was no new data available for this measure. This question was not asked as part of the 2024 Living Well in the ACT Region survey but was asked in the December 2025 survey.
Data source
Data for this indicator are sourced from the University of Canberra Living well in the ACT Region survey. Detailed survey data, survey user guide and published reports from the survey can be accessed at https://www.regionalwellbeing.org.au/living-well-in-the-act-region/.
Chart description
Line graphs, between 2019 and 2023, of the percentage of respondents who agreed, disagreed or felt neutral about two aspects of valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are important to Australian identity.
In 2023:
- 85.3% agreed compared to 87.8% in 2020
- 7.9% were neutral compared to 6.6% in 2020
- 6.8% disagreed compared to 5.6% in 2020.
They feel proud of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
In 2023:
- 76.2% agreed compared to 78.6% in 2020
- 15.1% were neutral compared to 11.5% in 2020
- 8.7% disagreed compared to 10% in 2020.
Technical notes
The Living Well in the ACT Region survey, conducted by the University of Canberra, aims to measure, track and understand the wellbeing of adult residents living in the Australian Capital Territory region of Australia. It examines factors known to affect wellbeing at the individual, household, community and regional level.
When generating data for the ACT, statistical weighting is used to address differences between the sample of people who respond to the survey, and the characteristics of the ACT adult population.
The descriptive statistics published here show where there are differences in wellbeing, but not what has caused those differences in wellbeing.
The University of Canberra has been conducting the survey since 2019. As of mid-2023, the survey had been conducted 6 times. Not all questions have been measured each time the survey has been conducted.
There have been no changes in measure design, analysis or reporting of this measure since it was first included in the survey.
Further information about the survey can be found at Living Well in the ACT Region or by contacting regionalwellbeing@canberra.edu.au.
Engaging with Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
This measure shows the proportion of Canberrans who attended at least one event in the last year involving:
- a Welcome to Country
- an Acknowledgement of Country
- a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This is important because it shows whether there is growth in recognition and Acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures over time.
As of February 2026, there was no new data available for this measure. This question was not asked as part of the University of Canberra’s 2024 Living Well in the ACT Region survey but was asked as part of the December 2025 survey.
Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of Canberrans who reported attending an event with a Welcome to Country by a Traditional Custodian stayed around 60%.
Attendance of events with an Acknowledgement of Country rose from 75.8% to 82.0%.
People attending an event focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples increased slightly from 31.9% in 2019 to 34.7% in 2023.
Data source
Data for this indicator are sourced from the University of Canberra Living well in the ACT Region survey. Detailed survey data, survey user guide and published reports from the survey can be accessed at https://www.regionalwellbeing.org.au/living-well-in-the-act-region/.
Chart description
Line graphs of percentage of respondents engaging with Traditional Custodians by attending events, ceremonies or activities in the ACT, between 2019 and 2023.
In 2023:
- 82% attended an event with an Acknowledgement of Country compared to 76.1% in 2020
- 59.7% attended an event with a Welcome to Country by a Traditional Custodian compared to 56.4% in 2020
- 34.7% attended other events, ceremonies or activities that focused on or were held by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people compared to 32.2% in 2020.
Technical notes
The Living Well in the ACT Region survey, conducted by the University of Canberra, aims to measure, track and understand the wellbeing of adult residents living in the Australian Capital Territory region of Australia. It examines factors known to affect wellbeing at the individual, household, community and regional level.
When generating data for the ACT, statistical weighting is used to address differences between the sample of people who respond to the survey, and the characteristics of the ACT adult population.
The descriptive statistics published here show where there are differences in wellbeing, but not what has caused those differences in wellbeing.
The University of Canberra has been conducting the survey since 2019. As of mid-2023, the survey had been conducted 6 times. Not all questions have been measured each time the survey has been conducted.
There have been no changes in measure design, analysis or reporting of this measure since it was first included in the survey.
Further information about the survey can be found at Living Well in the ACT Region or by contacting regionalwellbeing@canberra.edu.au.
Knowledge of Traditional Custodians
This measure shows the proportion of Canberrans who can name one or more of the Traditional Custodians of the ACT region. This helps us to identify the extent of engagement with respecting and understanding the first peoples of the ACT region.
As of February 2026, there was no new data available for this measure. This question was not asked as part of the University of Canberra’s 2024 Living Well in the ACT Region survey but was asked as part of the December 2025 survey.
Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of ACT adults who correctly named one or more of the Traditional Custodians of the ACT region rose significantly from 74.7% to 81.7%.
Overall, the findings show growth in recognition of the Traditional Custodians of the ACT.
Data source
Data for this indicator are sourced from the University of Canberra Living well in the ACT Region survey. Detailed survey data, survey user guide and published reports from the survey can be accessed at https://www.regionalwellbeing.org.au/living-well-in-the-act-region/.
Chart description
Stacked bar chart of percentage of respondents able to name one or more Traditional Custodians of the ACT area, in 2019 and 2023.
In 2023:
- 81.7% could name one or more of the Traditional Custodians of the ACT region compared to 74.7% in 2019
- 18.3% could not name one or more of the Traditional Custodians of the ACT region compared to and 25.3% in 2019.
Technical notes
The Living Well in the ACT Region survey, conducted by the University of Canberra, aims to measure, track and understand the wellbeing of adult residents living in the Australian Capital Territory region of Australia. It examines factors known to affect wellbeing at the individual, household, community and regional level.
When generating data for the ACT, statistical weighting is used to address differences between the sample of people who respond to the survey, and the characteristics of the ACT adult population.
The descriptive statistics published here show where there are differences in wellbeing, but not what has caused those differences in wellbeing.
The University of Canberra has been conducting the survey since 2019. As of mid-2023, the survey had been conducted 6 times. Not all questions have been measured each time the survey has been conducted.
There have been no changes in measure design, analysis or reporting of this measure since it was first included in the survey.
Further information about the survey can be found at Living Well in the ACT Region or by contacting regionalwellbeing@canberra.edu.au.
