The Australian National University's Nicholas Biddle is set to release a paper that looks at 43 regional centres with large indigenous populations.

The study has found that Geraldton, Port Augusta (SA), Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Hervey Bay (QLD) have the most disadvantaged and mobile social groups.

Patricia Karvelas and Sarah Elks writing for "The Australian" report that the study covered regional centres of 10,000 to 250,000 with at least 1000 indigenous usual residents. Geraldton and the other three centres in question rated poorly mainly due to low employment rates and to a lesser extent overcrowding issues.

The article talks about the risks and opportunities policy makers face, and the generational consequences if they get it wrong.