Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

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RESPONSE RATES

A total of 21,108 private dwellings were selected in the sample for the 2011-12 NHS, reduced to an actual sample of 18,355 dwellings after sample loss in the field stage.

A fully responding household is one in which all parts of the interview were completed for all persons in scope and coverage. An adequately responding household is the same as a fully responding household, but with legitimate 'don't know' answers or refusals from respondents. Adequately responding households for the 2011-12 NHS included respondents who refused to have their height, weight, waist circumference or blood pressure measured.

Of the 18,355 dwellings in the actual sample, 15,565 (84.8%) were fully or adequately responding households.

Details of response rates are provided below.

			Number of households no.	Proportion of households %
Selected households			21 108	100.0
Sample loss
	Vacant dwelling		1 538	7.3
	All persons out of scope/coverage		345	1.6
	Other sample loss(a)		870	4.0
	Total sample loss		2 753	13.0
Selected households after sample loss			18 355	87.0
Responding households
Selected households after sample loss			18 355	100.0
	Fully/adequately responding households		15 565	84.8
	Not adequately responding households
		Full/part refusal	506	2.8
		Full/part non-contact	1 645	9.0
		Language problems	184	1.0
		Death or illness	338	1.8
		Other	117	0.6
		Total not adequately responding	2 790	15.2
(a) Includes situations such as selected persons away for enumeration period, no adult in household, derelict dwelling, dwelling converted to non-dwelling or holiday home.

	0-17 years				18 years and over				All ages
	Capital city	Balance of State	Total		Capital city	Balance of State	Total		Capital city	Balance of State	Total
New South Wales	603	277	880		1 711	1 011	2 722		2 314	1 288	3 602
Victoria	573	213	786		1 777	724	2 501		2 350	937	3 287
Queensland	394	407	801		1 127	1 316	2 443		1 521	1 723	3 244
South Australia	416	138	554		1 514	440	1 954		1 930	578	2 508
Western Australia	546	169	715		1 608	524	2 132		2 154	693	2 847
Tasmania	188	256	444		612	853	1 465		800	1 109	1 909
Northern Territory	264	76	340		741	223	964		1 005	299	1 304
Australian Capital Territory	431	-	431		1 294	-	1 294		1 725	-	1 725
Australia	3 415	1 536	4 951		10 384	5 091	15 475		13 799	6 627	20 426
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)