Creating a better WA, for everyone

Research shows that there are powerful benefits to being part of a community including opportunities for support, connection, learning, fulfillment, and a focus on the greater good. An inclusive thriving community is one where the diversity of Western Australians are supported to actively engage in community life.

Key Outcomes

  • More people have a stronger sense of belonging in their community

  • There is reduced vulnerability and disadvantage across our community

  • Community connection and participation are raised

Indicators of Inclusive, Thriving Communities

To measure the wellbeing and resilience of communities, we need to look at many different indicators to make sure we get the full picture of people’s lives. Important indicators include access to support networks, vulnerability to adversity, volunteering and voter participation, homelessness, crime rate and financial stress.

 

So, how is WA tracking against key community wellbeing indicators?

  • Support Networks by Gender and Age

    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.

  • Adversity by Region and Gender

    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.

  • Voter Participation by District

    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.

How we’re helping to create a more inclusive WA

Lotterywest and Healthway are working to reduce disadvantage and increase community connection and belonging through grants for a wide range of projects, events and initiatives. We encourage all our grant partners to think about the impact they can have on equality, access and inclusion to improve the wellbeing of all Western Australians.

Lotterywest 12

Our investment in supporting Inclusive Thriving Communities last financial year

  • Coins

    $51.6m

    in grants awarded
  • Shake

    296

    total number of grants funded
  • Heart

    109 grants

    to raise community connection and participation
  • Health

    141 grants

    to support the outcome of reduced vulnerability and disadvantage across our community
Browse our grants library

Dive deeper into your community

Use the Community Insights Tool to access the latest publicly available data on wellbeing indicators in WA. This tool is ideal for framing your project to your unique community and state of wellbeing.

OPEN THE COMMUNITY INSIGHT TOOL

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as the original custodians of this country, recognising their connection to land, waters and community. We respect their cultures and Elders, past and present.

Ngala kaaditj Whadjuk moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja – We acknowledge Whadjuk Noongar people as the original custodians of the land on which we are based.