Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

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REGIONAL POPULATION ESTIMATES


Annual Estimated Resident Population data (Updated - Mar 2013)
Regional internal migration estimates


ANNUAL ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION DATA

The annual Estimated Resident Population (ERP) data for regions has been released in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2011 (cat. no. 3218.0) and Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2011 (cat. no. 3235.0). These releases include final estimates for 2001 to 2006 and preliminary rebased estimates for 2007 to 2011, based on results of the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Population estimates based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) are included for the last time while estimates based on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) are released for the first time. From 30 June 2012, sub-state population estimates will be prepared and released for ASGS regions only, including for Local Government Areas.

In February 2013, population estimates for ASGS-based Remoteness Areas and Significant Urban Areas were added to Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2011 (cat. no 3218.0).

Rebased ERP and Intercensal error

In September 2012, the ABS indicated its intention to revise the historical Estimated Resident Population, and proposed a 20 year revision instead of the 5 yearly revision which usually takes place when rebasing. The ABS determined that such revisions were necessary to more accurately reflect the population growth of recent years apparent from data on births, deaths and net overseas migration. This was followed by an invitation for feedback from users, which was supplemented by an extensive consultation process.

The ABS has now decided to revise historical ERP back 20 years to 1991 as the methodological response to the relatively high 2006-11 intercensal error. Historical ERP estimates from September 1991 to March 2011 will be revised through this process.

More information on intercensal error and the rebasing process can be found in Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0).

• SLA/SSD/SD level geography, arrivals/departures/net movers (table 7) - e.g. the detailed small area level can show just how many people move in to and out of Adelaide city each year and if more move in to or out of regional centres.
• SD/SSDs with capital cities, by age group and sex (table 8) - e.g. the age and sex characteristics can show which areas young people are moving out of and areas oldies are moving in to.
• inter-SD/SSD data (table 9) - e.g. the source and destination aspects can show where all the new Gold Coast residents are arriving from and where the drought affected former Far West (NSW) people are moving to.
• part of state, single year of age (table 10) - e.g. the detailed age breakdown can show the ages that more people move in to and out of our capital cities.