17.4.5
Sources of income for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander entrepreneurs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs play a big role in Australia’s economy. They earn money like other Australians. Before COVID-19, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses grew by about 12.5 per cent each year. More than 2300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses make more than $3 billion a year and employ over 11 000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Work is important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Many mix earning a living with cultural practices. For example, Josh ‘Koomal’ Whiteland is a Wadandi custodian who runs Koomal Dreaming in Busselton, Western Australia. He teaches visitors about native foods, bush medicine and traditional ýre lighting. Successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses also help their communities. The government supports these businesses, especially in regional tourism. Koomal Dreaming received help to improve kitchens and hire more local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for food tours.
17.4 SkillBuilder activity INTERPRETING AND ANALYSING DATA AND INFORMATION FIGURE6 shows average weekly earnings for full-time workers in Australia.
FIGURE6 The average weekly ordinary time earnings of full-time adults, by industry
Average weekly ordinary time earnings, full-time adults by industry, original
Total all industries
Persons Males Females
Other services
Arts & recreation services
Health care & social assistance
Education & training
Public administration & safety
Administrative & support services
Professional, scientific & technical services
Rental, hiring & real estate services
Financial & insurance services
Information media & telecommunications
Transport, postal & warehousing
Accommodation & food services
Retail trade
Wholesale trade
Construction
Electricity, gas, water & waste services
Manufacturing
Mining
0 500.00
1,000.00
1,500.00
2,000.00
2,500.00
3,000.00
3,500.00
$
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Average Weekly Earnings, Australia May 2024.
TOPIC17 Working for a living 603
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