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Saibai Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

340
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
104.11 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteRuralCoastalMulticulturalHistoric
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About Saibai Island

Saibai Island is a remote island locality in Queensland's Torres Strait, situated approximately 4 kilometres south of the Papua New Guinea coastline and around 900 kilometres north of Cairns. The island is one of the northernmost inhabited places in Australia, covering approximately 104 square kilometres of low-lying deltaic terrain. Administered under the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Saibai Island had a recorded population of 340 at the 2021 Census, predominantly composed of the Saibai people, the island's traditional custodians.

Saibai Island has a strong Indigenous cultural heritage and a community-focused way of life closely tied to the surrounding sea and land country. The island is known for its rich traditions in art, dance, and marine resource management, as well as its unique position in the Torres Strait borderlands. Residents access essential services including a health clinic, school, and community store on the island, though the nearest regional hub of Thursday Island requires a flight or barge journey. Social housing makes up a large proportion of dwellings, reflecting the community-managed nature of housing on the island.

Saibai Island falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by the Torres Strait Island Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4875
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Torres Strait Island
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-9.58°, 143.77°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
104.11 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4875

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4875, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,835
Median 2023–24
$54,895
▲ 14.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,357

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4875; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus services — N/A N/A

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
900 km
By Train
No rail service
By Car (Peak)
Not applicable (island)
By Car (Off-Peak)
Not applicable (island)

🛣️ Access via scheduled flights from Thursday Island or Horn Island; barge services for freight

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Saibai Island is a compact remote community where walking is common locally, but there are no regular external transport links and essential supplies arrive by air or barge

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
340
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Torres Strait Island Local Government Area, which contains Saibai Island. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
139.8 / 100k
2yr Down 66.7% 10yr Down 81.5%
Motor vehicle theft
23.3 / 100k
2yr Down 66.7% 10yr Down 44.4%
Non-FV assault
2,632.2 / 100k
2yr Up 12.8% 10yr Up 42.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
46.6 / 100k
2yr Up 99.6% 10yr Down 25.8%
View all offence categories for Torres Strait Island →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Saibai Island known for? +

Saibai Island is known for its unique position as one of Australia's northernmost inhabited islands, just kilometres from Papua New Guinea. It is recognised for the rich cultural heritage of the Saibai people, including traditional art, dance, and deep connections to the Torres Strait marine environment.

How far is Saibai Island from Cairns? +

Saibai Island is approximately 900 kilometres north of Cairns, in Queensland's Torres Strait. The island is reached by scheduled air services via Horn Island or Thursday Island.

Does Saibai Island have public transport? +

There is no road or rail access to Saibai Island. The island is serviced by scheduled flights via Horn Island and Thursday Island, and by barge services for freight. Within the island, walking and community vehicles are the main modes of transport.

What is the population of Saibai Island? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 340 residents on Saibai Island. Social housing accounts for the majority of dwellings, consistent with other Torres Strait Island communities.

Is Saibai Island a good place to live? +

Saibai Island offers a deeply connected community life rooted in Torres Strait Islander culture, with access to essential services on-island. It is best suited to those with strong ties to the community or those working in government or health services posted to the region.

What is the postcode for Saibai Island? +

The postcode for Saibai Island is 4875, which covers Torres Strait island localities in far north Queensland.

Is Saibai Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Saibai Island is part of the Torres Strait Island LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.