Damon Mcknight
Indigenous Australians have historically faced financial exclusion and discrimination, with many lacking access to financial services and education. Their nomadic lifestyle and culture of sharing made personal wealth accumulation less of a priority. Instead, they relied on trade systems to obtain necessary items and facilitate social interactions with other clans and visitors to their lands. With the arrival of European settlers, Indigenous people were prohibited from developing their trade systems and faced further discrimination in employment, often receiving lower wages or no cash payment at all. Today, Indigenous Australians continue to face economic disparities and ongoing political issues surrounding land rights, worker protections, and access to education.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Median weekly personal income | $540 in 2021 and $482 in 2016 |
| Median weekly household income | $830 in 2021 and $701 in 2016 |
| Percentage of First Nations people with weekly equivalised household incomes in the bottom 20% of the household income distribution | 35% |
| Percentage of First Nations people with weekly equivalised household incomes in the top 20% of the household income distribution | 9.5% |
| Historical trade items | Ochre, pearls, tools, boomerangs, didgeridoos |
| Trade partners | Other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, Macassan fishermen, visitors to their lands |
| Barriers to financial inclusion | Remote locations, English as a second language, employment discrimination |
| Employment history | Labor on ranches and farms during the gold rush of the 1850s and '60s |
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What You'll Learn
Trade with other Indigenous groups
Despite their relative isolation, early Indigenous Australians were not cut off from the rest of the world and engaged in trade with other Indigenous groups. For example, the dingo is thought to have arrived by sea from South Asia around 4,000 years ago, indicating evidence of trade.
Indigenous Australians had an established system of trade called Ngujakura, which was prohibited by colonial powers. This prevented Indigenous people from participating in Australian society and developing their trade systems.
During the gold rush of the 1850s and 1860s, Indigenous people found employment on ranches and farms, though they were often not paid in cash for their labour. When they were paid, their wages were significantly lower than those of white workers.
Indigenous Australians continue to face economic challenges, with many being financially excluded and lacking access to financial products and services. The basic concept of money can be challenging for some Indigenous people, especially those from cultures where sharing is an important value. There are significant disparities in wealth between city workers and people in the rural northern territories, with an unemployment rate of 50% in the Western Australian Pilbara region.
To address these issues, land councils have attempted to correct wealth disparities, and economic development initiatives have been proposed to provide education, jobs, and opportunities to participate in business and commerce.
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Trade with visitors
With the arrival of European settlers, trade in Australia became more localized, and the Indigenous people were often forced to adapt to the new economic systems imposed by the colonists. During the gold rush of the 1850s and 1860s, Indigenous people found work on ranches and farms, but they were often subjected to discrimination and unfair wages. Many were not paid in cash for their labour, and those who were paid earned significantly less than their white counterparts.
The introduction of a new monetary system posed significant challenges for the Indigenous people, who traditionally had a different concept of money and value exchange. The established system of Ngujakura was prohibited under the new laws, and Indigenous people were denied the opportunity to participate in the Australian financial system, including accessing basic banking services. This historical context has contributed to the ongoing financial exclusion of Indigenous Australians, with many lacking access to financial products and services, and facing barriers in managing their money effectively.
Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to improve the economic prospects of Indigenous Australians and promote their participation in the mainstream economy. Economic development, education, and job opportunities are seen as pathways to addressing poverty and financial inequality within Indigenous communities. Initiatives such as Indigenous Business Australia aim to empower Indigenous people to engage in business and commerce, correcting the disparities in wealth between urban and rural areas, and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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Employment on ranches and farms
During the gold rush of the 1850s and '60s, indigenous people in Australia found work on ranches and farms. However, they were often not paid in cash for their labour, and those who were earned far less than white workers. This trend of discrimination and low wages continued through much of the 20th century.
Indigenous Australians had been living on and managing the land for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. They had developed sustainable farming practices and food systems, ensuring they could always access food. Their methods of agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture included crop-growing, fish-trapping, and controlled burning to encourage new growth in native plants and facilitate hunting. These practices were disrupted and displaced by colonisation, often to make way for agricultural production.
Despite this, Indigenous people continued to work in agriculture, sharing their knowledge of the land with non-Indigenous pastoralists to develop modern farming systems. They guided farmers to water, led cattle to the best grasses, and incorporated land use knowledge to muster livestock effectively.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of Indigenous employment in Australian agriculture. The National Farmers Federation's 2030 Roadmap highlights the need for better representation of Indigenous people in the industry. In 2021, approximately 5,900 First Nations people were employed in the agricultural industries, with 2.1% of the broader agricultural workforce identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This is an increase from previous years and brings the sector closer to workforce parity goals.
Challenges remain, however, in attracting and retaining Indigenous employees. Racism, cultural load, and identity strain are significant factors that contribute to the reluctance of Indigenous people to identify in the workforce. Additionally, social media and agricultural media often fail to depict Indigenous involvement in the sector, making it less likely for First Nations people to see themselves in the industry.
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Financial exclusion
Indigenous Australians have historically been excluded from the financial system, with many unable to access basic financial products and services. Almost half of all Indigenous Australians are severely financially excluded, and three in four are excluded from financial services, including superannuation, insurance, and financial advice.
Indigenous Australians have faced significant barriers to financial inclusion due to a variety of factors, including historical and contemporary oppression, discrimination, and the impact of colonisation on their traditional lifestyles and value systems. The imposition of 'white man's law' prohibited the development of their trade system and prevented them from participating in Australian society, including accessing banking services.
Additionally, Indigenous Australians have faced challenges due to their nomadic lifestyle, remote locations, and English being a second language. They have also faced employment discrimination and lower wages, further contributing to financial exclusion.
The lack of financial inclusion has had significant impacts on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. Research has shown that nine in ten Indigenous people do not have financial security, and there is a strong link between low income and poorer health outcomes. Financial stress can lead to increased alcohol consumption, drug use, and negative impacts on children's health and education.
Addressing financial exclusion among Indigenous Australians requires a range of interventions, including improving financial literacy, supporting Indigenous-led finance solutions, and increasing access to social security and income support payments. It is also important to address the systemic inequalities and discrimination that have contributed to the financial exclusion of Indigenous people.
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Impact of colonisation
Before the arrival of European settlers, the Indigenous people of Australia lived in small groups that were part of larger cultural groups within specific territorial boundaries. Each clan had its own "Country", which it relied on for food, shelter, medicine, and tools. They did not think of land in terms of monetary value, and they did not believe that they "owned" the land. Their nomadic lifestyle left little room for personal wealth, creating a culture that valued sharing as a virtue. Trade frequently occurred at tribal gatherings, where families exchanged knowledge, songs, stories, and physical goods.
The arrival of European settlers had a devastating impact on Indigenous Australians and their way of life. The British colonisation of the continent began in 1788 when British ships carrying around 1,500 people landed on the shores of Sydney Cove. This event, known as the First Fleet, disrupted the traditional way of life of Indigenous people, who had lived in Australia for over 60,000 years. Early relations were friendly, and the British governor, Arthur Phillip, instructed colonists to treat Aboriginal people respectfully and learn the local language. However, as the colony spread inland, competition for land and resources bred conflict.
The Indigenous population suffered a drastic decline, with numbers decreasing by as much as 90% between 1788 and 1900. This was due to several factors, including the loss of their traditional territories, exposure to new diseases brought by colonists, and violent conflict. The colonists' ideas of landscape, agriculture, and land ownership further disrupted Indigenous land management practices, such as fire-stick farming.
Indigenous Australians also faced economic exploitation. During the gold rush of the 1850s and 1860s, they found employment on ranches and farms but were often unpaid or underpaid compared to white workers. They were also forced into dangerous work in industries such as pearling. Additionally, the imposition of Western laws and values hindered the practice of traditional trade and sharing systems, further exacerbating financial exclusion.
The consequences of colonisation on Indigenous Australians continue to be felt today. Many Indigenous communities still reside in remote areas, facing challenges such as a lack of financial services and employment opportunities. They also continue to fight for land rights, worker protections, and access to education. Despite these difficulties, Indigenous customs, traditions, and kinship systems remain resilient, with ongoing efforts to reclaim and preserve their culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Indigenous Australians traded with each other and with visitors to their land. Trade was essential to obtain necessary items that they could not find in their country. They also traded with visitors to their land, such as Indonesian fishermen called the Macassans, with whom they exchanged the right to fish for sea cucumbers for cloth, tobacco, rice, axes, and knives.
Colonisation disrupted the nomadic lifestyle of Indigenous Australians, leaving little room for personal wealth. The established systems of Indigenous Australians, such as the Ngujakura lore, were not allowed to be practised under racist laws imposed by colonisers. These laws prevented Indigenous people from participating in Australian society and accessing financial services.
Yes, Indigenous Australians started using money introduced by colonisers. However, they faced challenges in learning to manage this new form of currency, and many continue to be financially excluded today.
During the gold rush of the 1850s and '60s, Indigenous people found employment on ranches and farms. However, they frequently faced discrimination and were often paid less than white workers, if they were paid at all.
