4363.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: Users' Guide - Electronic Publication, 2007-08  
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This document was added or updated on 17/09/2009.


ABS STANDARD CLASSIFICATIONS

A number of ABS standard classifications have been referred to throughout the Users' Guide. The following contains more information about each of the classifications and their general use in the National Health Survey.


Classification of country of birth

Country of birth is classified to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), Second Edition, (cat. no. 1269.0). While survey results can technically be classified to the 4 digit level, the survey sample is often not sufficient to support reliable estimates at this level of detail. For general purposes, classification of country of birth to the 2 digit Minor Group level is most suitable.


Classification of main language spoken at home

Main language spoken at home is classified to the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2005-06 (cat. no. 1267.0). While survey results can technically be classified to the 4 digit level, the survey sample is often not sufficient to support reliable estimates at this level of detail. For general purposes, classification of main language spoken at home to the 2 digit Minor Group level is more suitable.


Classification of occupation

Occupation (of main job held at the time of the interview) is classified to both the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (cat. no. 1220.0) and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), 2007 (cat. no. 1220.0). While survey results can technically be classified to the 4 digit level, the survey sample is often not sufficient to support reliable estimates at this level of detail. For general purposes, classification of occupation to the broader Major and Sub-major levels is most suitable.


Classification of industry

Industry (of main job held at the time of the interview) is classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), First Edition (cat. no. 1292.0). While survey results can technically be classified to the 4 digit level, the survey sample is often not sufficient to support reliable estimates at this level of detail. For general purposes, classification of industry to the broader Division level is most suitable.

Industry sector (of main job held at the time of the interview) is classified to the following 1 digit categories: public sector, private sector and Australian Defence Force.


Classification of education

Level of highest non-school educational qualification and field of study of that qualification are classified to the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), 2001 (cat. no. 1272.0). While survey results for field of study can be classified to the 6 digit detailed level, the survey sample is often not sufficient to support reliable estimates at this level of detail. For general purposes, classification of field of study to the Broad and Narrow fields is most suitable. Level of highest non-school educational qualification is output at the 1 digit Broad level.

All classifications can be viewed on the ABS web site, at Statistics by Catalogue Number; 1. General; 12. Classifications and work manuals: https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=ExpandΝm=1.3.