Community Services

   Page tools:

    NAME OF ORGANISATION
    Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

    OVERVIEW
    The 1999-2000 Community Services Survey was the second comprehensive economic survey undertaken of the sector by the ABS, the first having been conducted in respect of the 1995-1996 reference year. The survey was part of an annual program of surveys targeting the Services Sector of the economy. The survey collected operational, including financial, information of businesses/organisations in the community services sector. Information was also collected on the levels of activity and services provided by these businesses/organisations. Information is published on the structure, activity and operation of businesses/organisations in Australia. A more limited range of information was collected from units significantly involved in community services in the three levels of government.

    PURPOSE
    The Community Services Industry Survey was developed with a number of objectives in mind. The key objectives were:

    • Measure the size and structure of the industry
    • Measure the significance and role of government in the industry
    • Identify the source and application of funds by community services providers
    • Collect information on service delivery in terms of types of service, costs, clients and delivery point
    • Enable comparisons between States/Territories
    • Identify the size and complexity of the non profit sector
    • Enable comparison of the industry to other industries.

    In summary, the objective of the survey was to provide the fundamental base line data necessary to understand the nature of the industry, to enable comparison with other industries and to provide a benchmark for measuring change over time.

    SCOPE
    The scope of the survey was all employing businesses and organisations classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC):
    1. Classes 8613 Nursing Homes, 8710 Child Care Services, 8721 Accommodation for the Aged, 8722 Residential Care Services, 8729 Non-Residential Care Services
    2. Commonwealth, State/Territory, and Local government departments/authorities which have a significant role in funding and/or directly providing community services
    3. Organisations classified to ANZSIC Class 9629 Interest Groups which provide a group advocacy (e.g. lobbying) and policy development function to the community services sector (commonly known as peak bodies).
    4. Organisations classified to ANZSIC Class 7861 Employment Placement Services which primarily provide support services to the disabled.
    5. Organisations classified to ANZSIC Class 8634 which are Community Health Centres.
    6. Organisations operating sheltered workshops. These organisations are classified to a range ANZSIC classes.

    DATA DETAIL

    Conceptual framework
    Not applicable

    Main outputs
    Published data reflects a range of standard outputs including:

    • sources of income
    • items of expenditure
    • characteristics of employment
    • number of volunteers and hours worked
    • selected statistics by organisation size

    Classifications
    ANZSIC: The Community Services publication presents statistics classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) (1292.0). Each business is classified to a single industry. The industry allocated is based on an estimate expenditure on the primary service activity of the business irrespective of whether a range of activities or a single activity is undertaken by the unit. For example, a business which expends most of its financial resources on provision of nursing home care would have all operations included in the aggregates and ratios for the Nursing Home industry, even if significant secondary activities (e.g. hostel care) were undertaken.

    ANSZIC has been used to classify businesses included in the Community Services Survey. Statistics in publications are generally presented at the ANZSIC Class level.

    National Classification of Community Services Activities (NCCSA): This classification was developed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The classification has a hierarchical structure comprising Sections (1 digit), Groups (2 digits), Classes (3 digits). Data was released at 2 digit level. Broadly speaking the scope of the classification is activities which assist or support members of the community in personal functioning as individuals or as members of the wider community. The NCCSA allows secondary activities to be reflected in statistics.

    Other concepts (summary)
    Not applicable

    GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
    Australia
    New South Wales
    Victoria
    Queensland
    South Australia
    Western Australia
    Tasmania
    Northern Territory
    ACT
    Part of State Metropolitan
    Part of State Extra-Metropolitan

    Comments and/or Other Regions
    Not applicable

    COLLECTION FREQUENCY
    Other

    Frequency comments
    Current work program is to repeat on a regular basis as needed.

    COLLECTION HISTORY
    The Community Services Survey was conducted in respect of 1995-1996 and 1999-2000.

    DATA AVAILABILITY
    Yes

    Data availability comments
    Data is available at Australia, State/Territory, and Met/Ex-Met level from publication: Community Services, Australia (cat. no. 8696.0)


    DATE OF LAST UPDATE FOR THIS DOCUMENT
    17/09/2004 08:21 AM