6202.0 - Labour Force, Australia, May 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/06/2007   
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CHANGES THIS MONTH


NEW ESTIMATION METHOD

As announced in the previous three issues of this publication and in Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics (cat. no. 6292.0), an improved method of estimation for the Labour Force Survey (LFS) has been introduced this month. The new method, known as composite estimation, is more efficient than the previous estimation method. That is, the composite estimator achieves a given level of standard error at lower cost than the previous estimator.


As part of introducing composite estimation, the ABS has revised all the statistics in this publication back to April 2001, based on the new estimation method. The associated spreadsheets in Labour Force, Australia, Spreadsheets (cat. no. 6202.0.55.001) have also been released today, with estimates revised back to April 2001, based on composite estimation.


In addition, the ABS has re-released today Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001), with data up to April 2007, and Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003), with data up to February 2007. These products contain detailed estimates not contained in this publication and are usually released one week after this publication. The estimates back to April 2001 in these products have also been revised based on composite estimation. These products will be released again on 14 June containing estimates for May 2007.


Since the new estimation method produces lower standard errors than the previous estimator, the ABS is also releasing an updated standard error model in Labour Force Survey Standard Errors, Spreadsheet (cat. no. 6298.0.55.001). This updated model has also been used in producing the standard errors presented in this publication and the standard error annotations which appear in the associated electronic releases.


For information on the statistical impacts of this new estimation method, please refer to Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics (cat. no. 6292.0), released on 21 May 2007.