POST CLOSURE CONTACT EMAIL: westirclosure@gmail.com
WESTIR Ltd is a not-for-profit community organisation, standing for Western Sydney Regional Information and Research Service. Since 1981, we have been committed to enhancing accessibility to social research and data for everyone in Greater Western Sydney (GWS) and beyond. We address current and potential issues by collecting, analysing, and interpreting information, making it readily available to the community. Our guiding principle is to ‘let the data run free.’ For information about our Board, staff and WESTIR’s Strategic Plan, click the link below.
WESTIR has available current data and information about Greater Western Sydney, and beyond, for you to use.
Australia's housing landscape has shifted rapidly in recent years, with rising costs, supply constraints, and growing demand reshaping how households access and experience housing. This report provides an updated overview of housing in Greater Western Sydney (GWS), following the last paper released in 2019 by Amy Lawton. It draws on 2021 ABS Census data and other key data sources, and includes mapping to visualise spatial patterns across the region. The paper examines dwelling types and density, housing tenure, dwelling supply, social housing and rental assistance, household composition, housing costs, and affordability in GWS.
Drawing on datasets from the ABS 2021 Census and other relevant datasets, this paper presents an overview of young people aged 16-17-year-olds in GWS, with a focus on their disengagement from school, family, and community.
Teenage pregnancy, as well as motherhood, is a highly complex social issue. In the past century, much has changed in both policy and discourse. This paper builds on an earlier WESTIR report on Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) priority groups and aims to analyse trends in the prevalence of teenage and young motherhood in Greater Western Sydney (GWS). It focuses on teenage mothers aged 15-19 and young mothers aged 20-24. The data was sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census of Population and Housing and HealthStats NSW. The overview of the health context of teenage and young mothers is supplemented by an analysis of the social factors that may engender vulnerabilities of both cohorts, informed by a review of Australian and international literature. Overall, it aims to contribute to the broader understanding of young motherhood in the region.
This fact sheet is the snapshot of the “Outcomes of the 2026 Census topic review” conducted and released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in February 2025.
This fact sheet is a summary of WESTIR Ltd’s 2021 Census publication entitled Transport andTravel to work in Greater Western Sydney.
WESTIR Limited analyses data from the Australian Census Report of Population and Housing for Greater Western Sydney.
EXPLORE ALL
WESTIR holds a library of contemporary and historic publications, available online and in our Parramatta office.
EXPLORE ALL
WESTIR Limited analyses data from the Australian Census Report of Population and Housing for Greater Western Sydney.
EXPLORE ALL
WESTIR holds a library of contemporary and historic publications, available online and in our Parramatta office.
EXPLORE ALL
We provide data expertise to organisations to build their data analysis skills, utilise a range of contemporary data visualisation approaches to support data interpretation, and deliver tailored data consultancy services.
Our research projects offer valuable assistance to services by uncovering essential data-driven insights.
Our service and program evaluation expertise serves as a vital resource for those aiming to maximise their impact.
By conducting client surveys, we gather valuable feedback that illuminates perspectives and preferences, aiding services in understanding their clients.
Our expertise in demographic and statistical data analysis provides a crucial advantage to others seeking actionable insights.
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Stay up to date with our latest publications, news and reports.
Well this is usually an exciting day for WESTIR as we love love love the Census. Unfortunately, we will not be around to analyse this one but please complete it. ... See MoreSee Less
NOTICE OF CLOSURE OF WESTIR LTD
This notice is to regrettably advise that WESTIR Ltd (WESTIR) will be closing, as a Company Limited by Guarantee, effective from 31 August 2026.
A vote of the financial Members of WESTIR took place, and the vote was unanimous for voluntary deregistration.
Since its inception, WESTIR has been funded by the NSW Department of Communities & Justice (DCJ). The reason why the decision to deregister has been taken was due to the lack of a contract being offered by DCJ when moving from the Targeted Earlier Invention Program (TEI) to the Child & Family Support Program (CAFS). There were 17 contracts that were not renewed under CAFS, which was 4% of the total grant program (notification of this was previously sent). After a thorough review, no other viable income sources were available for WESTIR to continue our operations.
WESTIR received numerous communications from individuals and organisations about their disappointment that WESTIR was not offered a contract resulting in the loss of critical research and information services to support an effective community sector.
For the last 46 years, WESTIR has had a dramatic impact on Western Sydney and beyond, some examples of which are highlighted in the Impact Statement, attached.
We thank all those people and organisations who have contributed to WESTIR as members, staff, clients, other stakeholders and the communities that collaborated with us through the decades.
For any enquiries relating to the operations and closure of WESTIR up to the 31 August 2026 you can contact Margaret Tipper at eo@westir.org.au (email post the 31 August 2026 westirclosure@gmail.com).
Regards
From the Board Members of
WESTIR Ltd
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WESTIR Impact Statement - May 2026 - WESTIR
www.westir.org.au
Since its establishment in 1980, WESTIR Limited has served as a critical knowledge hub and strategic pillar for data-driven social research within Greater Western Sydney. Over more than four decades, ...The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - AIHW has published their 20th biennial report on the health of Australians. It was first released in 1988. ... See MoreSee Less
Australia's health
www.aihw.gov.au
Australia's health 2024 is the AIHW's 19th biennial report on the health of Australians. It is a mix of short statistical summaries and long-form articles exploring topical health issues. Australia...Our EO, Margaret Tipper at WESTIR is attending the Western Sydney Community Forum's Leadership Forum on Digital Inclusion and Service Access. Sponsored by Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association and Centre for Western Sydney. ... See MoreSee Less
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A great article from Simon Webster (The Mandarin 9/6/26) ... See MoreSee Less
Patchy progress following aged care royal commission
www.themandarin.com.au
It’s been five years since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety made its 148 recommendations. So, what’s happened?Social Impact Summit Day 2. Our EO, Margaret Tipper attending. Lots of learning and knowledge. ... See MoreSee Less
WESTIR EO, Margaret Tipper is attending Day 1 of the Social Impact Summit. Fantastic Key note speaker, Professor Arnold Dix. Great workshops. Connecting with old friends and new colleagues. ... See MoreSee Less
The new NSW Imagery Basemap is now available, giving NSW a single, consistent view of the best available aerial imagery across the state. This release strengthens the state’s digital foundation and supports better use of spatial data across government and industry, giving teams a shared and trusted view of place. It supports housing and infrastructure planning and improves emergency response through better situational awareness. This release refreshes the previous SIX service with a modern basemap that balances quality, coverage and currency. It brings together the best available data across NSW into a single statewide basemap, improving how we understand change on the ground. The basemap improves how imagery is delivered and used across Government and industry, with faster access, stronger performance and a more reliable service built for day-to-day use. ... See MoreSee Less
Spatial Collaboration Portal
portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au