Veteran Data – 2021 ABS Census
The NSW Office for Veterans Affairs has undertaken an analysis of the veteran landscape in NSW using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census data. The Census is a comprehensive survey conducted every five years that provides a snapshot of Australia's population, including their demographic characteristics, education, employment, and income.
Our analysis covers population, gender, age distribution, as well as the distribution of current and proposed veterans hubs and ex-service organisations. Department of Veteran Affairs data has also been added to the analysis providing the numbers of Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) pensioners and treatment card holders.
The analysis provides insights into key trends and patterns in the Defence and veteran community across NSW at a regional level.
Individuals are able to access the Census and DVA data sets used in these reports from the following links:
Census analysis: statewide and by region
In addition to a statewide report, our data analysis reports are divided into defined regional groupings, set out below. Each regional report identifies the number of veterans and currently serving Defence personnel at the Local Government Area (LGA) level, as well as other demographic data such as gender and age distribution.
If you are unsure which region your LGA sits within, do a search on this page (CTRL-F) and enter your LGA name.
New South Wales overall
This report provides a snapshot of the number of veterans and current serving Defence personnel at a state level, as well as other demographic data such as gender and age distribution.
Central West
This region includes the following LGAs: Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Weddin.
Far West
This region includes the following LGAs: Broken Hill, Central Darling.
Illawarra
This region includes the following LGAs: Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, Wollongong.
Mid North Coast
This region includes the following LGAs: Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Migratory - Offshore - Shipping (NSW), Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings.
Murray
This region includes the following LGAs: Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Murray River, Wentworth.
Newcastle and Hunter
This region includes the following LGAs: Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter.
North Western
This region includes the following LGAs: Bogan, Brewarrina, Bourke, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle.
Northern
This region includes the following LGAs: Armidale, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Uralla, Walcha.
Richmond-Tweed
This region includes the following LGAs: Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed.
Riverina
This region includes the following LGAs: Bland, Carrathool, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Griffith, Hay, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora, Wagga Wagga.
South East
This region includes the following Local Government Areas: Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley.
Sydney Metropolitan
This region includes the following LGAs: Bayside (NSW), Blacktown, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown (NSW), Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Strathfield, Sutherland, Sydney, The Hills, Waverley, Willoughby, Woollahra.
Sydney Surrounds
This region includes the following LGAs: Blue Mountains, Central Coast (NSW), Hawkesbury, Wollondilly.
Other
This region includes the following LGAs: Migratory Offshore – Shipping (NSW), Unincorporated NSW.