[10] The authority has its seat at both Port Augusta which is located outside the unincorporated area and at Andamooka.

The area has a population of 3,750, of whom 639 are Indigenous Australians, and includes several large pastoral leases and mining operations.

The traditional language region includes the local government area of the Shire of Diamantina extending into the Outback Communities Authority of South Australia towards Innamincka.

The board oversees a small team of support staff led by a general manager.

[16] As of 2014, the authority provided services to the following communities: Andamooka, Beltana, Blinman, Border Village, Cockburn, Coorabie, Copley, Fowlers Bay, Glendambo, Innamincka, Iron Knob, Kingoonya, Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst, Marla, Mannahill, Marree, Oodnadatta, Parachilna, Penong, Pimba, William Creek, Woomera and Yunta.