Kalumburu
Kalumburu is a very remote community situated on the banks of the King Edward River in the Wyndham-East Kimberley Shire. Kalumburu uses a community-wide RCP-funded Activ8me Wi-Fi mesh network delivered by Sky Muster satellite. In 2023, the network was upgraded to deliver unlimited downloads, higher speeds and free access to all households, which has increased usage and reliability. However, due to low latency and power outages during wet season, Kalumburu struggles with regular network dropouts, and equipment failures can leave parts of the community without service.
279 from Kununurra
Kwini and Kulari people.
2025 Digital Inclusion score
ADII scores range from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the greater the level of digital inclusion. ADII scores are relative: they allow comparisons across different social groups, different geographic areas, and over time.
2025 Dimension scores
We measure digital inclusion across the three dimensions of Access, Affordability and Digital Ability; identified as the key requirements of digital inclusion. Where early research on digital inclusion focuses on questions of access, subsequent work highlights affordability challenges, and shows the importance of digital skills or abilities as the use of online technologies has grown. To understand and address digital inclusion, it is important to pay attention to Access, Affordability and Digital Ability simultaneously.
Community Outcomes Reports
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Kalumburu, WA 2026 community update report24 Aug 2026 Read PDF online |
Summary
This report outlines updated findings based on a third and final research visit to Kalumburu in 2024 as well as updates since a 2024 visit. Building on the Kalumburu 2023 community update report, this update report is intended to assist local and regional agencies, leaders and residents to better understand the barriers to digital inclusion, develop local strategies to address these barriers, and support planning and partnerships with government and industry stakeholders.
The report presents research findings to date, compares survey results from 2022 to 2024, renews analysis with 2024 findings and quotes, and outlines changes in communications and media services and usage during and since visits. The report also presents 2025 Australian Digital Inclusion Index scores for Kalumburu relative to national averages.
The proposed Digital Inclusion Plan has been updated based on community input and progress to date, as well as planned activities.
Key findings
- The Kalumburu community Wi-Fi mesh network, installed under the Australian Government Regional Connectivity Program, has been well received by residents after several upgrades making the network unlimited and free to access.
- There has been increased residential uptake of Starlink, largely driven by household demand for faster media streaming speeds than the Wi-Fi service can provide as well as more reliability in wet season.
- Despite 65% of households not having free-to-air VAST TV services working in 2024, there have been no VAST upgrades since and increased reliance on smartphones and personal devices for media access.
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Kalumburu, WA community update report15 Mar 2024 Read PDF online |
Summary
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Kalumburu, WA community outcomes report27 Mar 2023 Read PDF online |
Summary
This report outlines the initial findings from a 2022 visit, and highlights the current access to and use of media, telecommunications and online services, as well as the digital inclusion and service delivery challenges in Kalumburu. This report is intended to assist local and regional agencies, including KAC, Kimberley Land Council, Wyndham-East Kimberley Shire, and the WA Government, to better understand the key barriers to digital inclusion in Kalumburu and community aspirations for the future. It is designed to provide a basis for a local digital inclusion plan. This report may assist in identifying infrastructure and program needs to enable a targeted approach for advocacy with government and industry stakeholders. This report will be updated following research visits in 2023 and 2024.
population (ABS 2021)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders (ABS 2021)
occupied dwellings; 4.4 people per ATSI household (ABS 2021)
Research Partner
Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation
Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation is an organization dedicated to preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the Kalumburu community. Through a wide range of community-driven initiatives, partnerships, and services, Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation works to create opportunities for local residents, support economic development, and foster connection for both residents and visitors alike. Its efforts are focused on promoting local employment, tourism, and community programs, while also facilitating collaboration with outside services to enhance the well-being and growth of the community.
Local Research Team
Community co-researchers are employed in each community to support research activities and contribute research findings between site visits. These roles provide local jobs and support capacity building.
Community co-researchers play a central role in the research, liaising between the research team and the local community, providing cultural guidance to the research team, acting as translators, facilitating research activities, identifying possible participants and communicating information to community members.
We’d like to extend our gratitude to the support of our Kalumburu co-researchers and research partners:
Leanne Kelly
Co-Researcher
Ashlyn Hassett
Co-Researcher
Maggie Captain
Co-Researcher
Julia Campbell
Co-Researcher
Kelwyn Gore
Co-Researcher
Karen Mangolamara
Co-Researcher
Madeline Gallagher-Dann
CEO, Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation
Photos from research activities
Mapping the Digital Gap
Mapping the Digital Gap is the first extensive study of digital inclusion and use of media and communications services in remote First Nations communities across Australia. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the project is providing data to help measure progress on Closing the Gap Target 17, which aims for equivalent levels of digital inclusion for First Nations people by 2026.
Mapping the Digital Gap is a partnership project between the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) and funding partner Telstra, as part of the Australian Digital Inclusion Index research suite. The research team also partner with local First Nations organisations and co-researchers to undertake on-site research annually in participating communities.