1200.0.55.004 - Country of Birth Standard, 2016  
Latest ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/08/2016   
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INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

The Country of Birth standard codifies the concept, definitions, and methods recommended by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for collecting, processing and presenting country of birth statistics. The use of this standard will enable the compilation of statistics about the countries of birth of people living in Australia and their parents.


NAME OF STANDARD

This is the Country of Birth standard. It includes the variables:

  • Country of Birth of Person
  • Country of Birth of Father, and
  • Country of Birth of Mother.


DEFINITIONS

Nominal definition

Nominally, Country of Birth is defined as the country in which a person was born.

Operational definitions

Operationally, Country of Birth has been defined for each of the three variables:
  • Country of Birth of Person, which is the country identified as being the one in which the person was born
  • Country of Birth of Father, which is the country in which the person's birth father was born, and
  • Country of Birth of Mother, which is the country in which the person's birth mother was born.


DISCUSSION OF ISSUES

These variables can be used to provide information about whether a person, or their father or mother, was born in Australia or overseas. More detailed information on Country of Birth may be available where detailed question modules are used.

The country of birth for father or mother is intended to be limited to birth parents. People who are adopted, or have step or foster parents or other guardians, should provide the country of birth for their birth parents, if known. If the country of birth for birth parents is unknown, no response should be provided.