AUSTRALIAN POSTCODE

ABS short name: EPR_POSTCODE
ABS Template reference (Child URL): Column AC
ABS Template reference (Worker): Column G
METeOR Technical name: Service provider organisation (address) - Australian postcode, code (Postcode datafile) {NNNN}
METeOR identifier: 429894
METeOR link: <http://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/429894>
METeOR definition: The numeric descriptor for a postal delivery area, aligned with locality, suburb or place for the address of an organisation, as represented by a code.

Scope

Inclusions: The Australian postcode which identifies the physical location at which the preschool program is being delivered, for all early childhood education and care services that deliver a preschool program.
Exclusions:

• The postcode for a post office box address.

• The postcode of the head administration office, if this is not the location where the preschool program is delivered.

• The postcode of the parent school, if this is not the location where the preschool program is delivered.

• Early childhood education and care services that do not deliver a preschool program.

Underlying Concepts

Concept: Postcode.
Nominal definition: The postcode component of a complete service provider address that identifies the geographical location at which the preschool program is delivered.
Operational definition: Consistent with nominal definition.
Supporting data elements: The following data elements are used in conjunction with Australian Postcode to geo-code an address to Collection District (CD), Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) and Mesh Block (MB) for the data elements Geographic Location of Organisation - ASGC 2006 (Collection District), Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) ASGS 2011 and Geographic Location of Organisation - ASGS 2011 (Mesh Block).

• Address line (Service provider)

• Suburb/town/locality name (Service provider)

• Australian state/territory identifier (Service provider)

Postcode can also be used to validate CD codes, SA1 codes or other supplied address data elements.
Conceptual issues: N/A

Standard Jurisdictional Output Categories

Classification scheme: Postcode datafile
Representation class: Code
Data type: Number
Format: {NNNN}, for example: 2345
Maximum character length: 4
Supplementary values:

9999 - Not stated/inadequately described
0 - Concealed record

2.2.6 LEGAL VALUE CHECKS
	Edit specifications	Edit resolution
1.	If field is blank.	Provide a valid Australian postcode.
2.	If postcode is required to be concealed.	Amend to '0' = concealed postcode.
3.	If field contains text or character length is greater or less than 4 numbers.	Provide a valid Australian postcode. Ensure that NT postcodes are prefixed with '0'.

Guide for Use

Service providers may operate preschool programs at a number of different geographical localities, with the management and operational responsibilities for those preschools being run out of the same administration office. In this situation, each preschool program is required to have an individual postcode recorded, to allow identification of the geographical location where the preschool program is delivered.

For operational purposes, mobile preschools should be recorded with the postcode of the town or suburb out of which it operates. For mobile preschools, this may be different to the actual locations of service delivery.

Counting rules:

• Record the postcode where the preschool program is delivered.

• Postcode may be collected as part of the address line, or separately.

Classification Definitions

CODE 9999 - Not stated/inadequately described
For use when the postcode of the service provider is unknown, not stated or inadequately described. Where the postcode is unknown, the ABS requests that jurisdictions identify the reason for the unknown response and document any follow-up processes undertaken.

CODE 0 – Concealed record
For use when the Postcode of the service provider organisation of the child is concealed/withheld to protect the child’s identity.

Other Information

The ABS requests that data providers identify the reason for any blank responses and document their follow-up processes undertaken. Postcode is a key determinant used within the ABS geocoding process and if not supplied, can have adverse impacts on geography data quality.

Related aggregate data elements: Australian Postcode.

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