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Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia

The Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+) is an index of the accessibility of places to service centres, or conversely of remoteness of places.

Geographical areas are given a score (continuous between 0 to 15) based on the road distance to service towns of different sizes. Scores for regions are derived by averaging scores of 1 km2 grid. The index scores can be classified into various categories. Two of the main categories and their ARIA+ scores are detailed below.

Remoteness Areas:

1. Major Cities (ARIA score 0 <= 0.20)—relatively unrestricted accessibility to a wide range of goods and services and opportunities for social interaction.

2. Inner Regional (ARIA score greater than 0.2 to <=2.40)—some restrictions to accessibility of some goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

3. Outer Regional (ARIA score greater than 2.40 to <=5.92)—significantly restricted accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

4. Remote (ARIA score greater than 5.92 to <=10.53)—very restricted accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

5. Very Remote (ARIA score greater than 10.53 to <=15)—very little accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

Remoteness Classes:

1. Highly Accessible (ARIA score 0 to <0.20)—relatively unrestricted accessibility to a wide range of goods and services and opportunities for social interaction.

2. Accessible (ARIA score 0.20 to <2.40)—some restrictions to accessibility of some goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

3. Moderately Accessible (ARIA score 2.40 to <5.95)—significantly restricted accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

4. Remote (ARIA score 5.95 to <10.5)—very restricted accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

5. Very Remote (ARIA score 10.5 to <15)—very little accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction.

Further information on ARIA+ can be found at the Australian GISCA website.

Last reviewed: Aug 25, 2009, Last modified: Mar 2, 2009