2901.0 - Census Dictionary, 2006 (Reissue)  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/11/2006  Reissue
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Contents >> Glossary >> Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC)

Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC)


The Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) was developed by the ABS for the collection and dissemination of geographic statistics. It is a hierarchically structured classification with a number of spatial units to satisfy different statistical purposes.


The ASGC areas used for the Census are:

    • Mesh Block (MB)
    • Collection District (CD)
    • Statistical Local Area (SLA)
    • Local Government Area (LGA)
    • Remoteness Area (RA)
    • Statistical Subdivision (SSD)
    • Statistical Division (SD)
    • Statistical District (S Dist)
    • Statistical Region (SR)
    • Major Statistical Region (MSR)
    • Urban Centre/Locality (UC/L)
    • Section of State (SOS)
    • State/Territory

There is a separate entry in this dictionary defining each of these geographical areas.


The ASGC facilitates the standardisation of terminology and comparability of data.


Census data are also available for non-ASGC areas. For example, Postal Area and Electoral Division. For a list of relevant areas, see the entry 'Census Geographic Areas'.


For more information see:

    • Statistical Geography Volume 1: Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) 2006 (cat. no. 1216.0)
    • Statistical Geography Volume 2: Census Geographic Areas, Australia (cat. no. 2905.0)
    • Statistical Geography Volume 3: Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) Urban Centres/Localities (cat. no. 2909.0)


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