Lifestyle

The Pilbara is home to approximately 2.0% of Western Australia's population (39,282 estimated population for 2005). The population has declined over the last 10 years, due primarily to restructuring within the resources sector.

The vast majority of the population live in the western third of the region, in the towns of Port and South Hedland, Karratha, Newman, Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Roebourne, Wickham, Dampier, Pannawonica, Onslow and Marble Bar. Over 5700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in the Pilbara with a number of Aboriginal communities scattered across the region having resident populations of between 50 and 300 people.

The cultural, economic and environmental diversity of the Pilbara region provides its residents with a relaxed and rewarding lifestyle with a variety of recreational activities and social opportunities. Education, training, health and recreation services provide residents with a standard of living that is on par with other towns and cities in Western Australia.

Education opportunities in the Pilbara range from pre-school to post secondary. Both government and non-government schools are present in major towns and the Port Hedland School of the Air provides opportunities to study by correspondence for primary and secondary students in areas too remote to attend regular schools.

Pilbara TAFE delivers vocational education and training (VET), which are nationally accredited across campuses in the Pilbara including Karratha, South Hedland, Newman, Tom Price and Onslow. Pilbara TAFE also serves a number of remote Aboriginal communities in Marble Bar, Nullagine, Yandeyarra and Kiwirrkurra. Pilbara TAFE is also recognised as a centre of excellence for its work in preserving Indigenous languages from all over Australia.

The Pilbara has a comprehensive network of health services covering all areas of health care and prevention. The regional hospital is located in Port Hedland. The towns of Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Newman and Onslow are serviced by district hospitals, and in the case of Karratha and Newman, these are called Integrated District Health Services. Community nursing posts or company-operated clinics service smaller communities.

Several specialist services are available at the regional hospital, including paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, anaesthetics, internal medicine, general surgery. Port Hedland and Karratha also receive visits from specialists including gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, rheumatologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, ear, nose and throat specialists, orthodontists and urologists. Emergency cases in isolated areas and smaller centres may be evacuated to larger hospitals via the Royal Flying Doctor Service that is based at Port Hedland.

In addition, the Pilbara Population Health Unit provides community health services (school and child health care), allied health services, drug and alcohol services and health promotion and education.

Sport and recreation are an integral part of the Pilbara lifestyle and contribute towards enhancing the quality of life throughout the region. Residents have access to a wide range of sporting and recreational activities that are supported by local, regional and state associations and agencies. There are more than 500 sporting, recreation and community organisations in the Pilbara.

The unique Pilbara climate necessitates the construction of facilities that enable participation throughout the year. Major towns in the Pilbara provide air-conditioned facilities for indoor sports during the day and the lighting of ovals has increased opportunities for juniors and seniors, particularly during the summer months.

The uniquely beautiful marine environment has generated one of the highest ratios of boat ownership in Australia. Boating enthusiasts take advantage of the fishing and diving or simply enjoy the rugged beauty of the coast and the islands.

Game fishing for Marlin, Sailfish and Mackerel is popular with locals and tourists alike and charter vessels are available in most coastal towns in the region both for fishing and diving expeditions.

Further information and contact details of Pilbara Employment Agencies, Education, Resource Companies,  Real Estate Agents and Government Agencies are available here.