Inclusive Thriving Community

Percentage of people who are able to get support in time of crisis. People with low social support are at increased risk of depression, anxiety and psychological distress, whilst strong social networks may help build resilience. In Western Australia, the number of people able to get support from people outside of their family has risen since 2010.

Percentage of people experiencing a temporary or persistent hardship or trauma. In its broadest sense, the notion of vulnerability refers to the situation of individuals, households or communities who are exposed to potential adversity from one or more risks. It also refers to the resilience of these people or groups to the damage resulting from an adverse shock. The notion of vulnerability is a broad one, encompassing a variety of meanings. The word describes those who are physically or psychologically disadvantaged by adversity.

Percentage of people who have undertaken voluntary work in the last 12 months. Volunteering leads to higher life satisfaction, greater self-esteem and functional ability. Volunteers also display increased mortality and report fewer symptoms of anxiety and . There is a higher proportion of people in Western Australia who volunteer compared to the national figure, totalling more than 8.5 million volunteered hours.

Percentage of enrolled voters who participated in the most recent state general election. The level of voter participation can indicate a strong democracy. Trust in government is essential for well-being and social cohesion. Although voter participation is compulsory in Australia, it is still a useful measure of citizen engagement. In Western Australia, the percentage of enrolled electors was lower in 2017 compared to 2013, however there was an increase in the overall number of enrollments.

Percentage of people who experienced a personal crime in the last 12 months. Crime can impact social cohesion through lower levels of trust and reduced community
engagement. Western Australia has a higher percentage of people who have experienced personal crime
when compared to the national figure, however this gap has narrowed since 2015.

Percentage of households that experienced four or more indicators of financial stress in the last 12 months. Financial stress has been found to be linked to behaviours that affect quality of life, with people who experience financial stressors reporting poorer mental and physical health outcomes. A household can be said to be in financial stress if they experience four or more indicators of financial stress within a 12 month period.