FEATURE RELEASES


Recent ABS Publications

The countdown has begun - one year to go until the Census

Media release - 9 August 2010

With exactly one year to go until the ABS’ Census of Population and Housing on 9 August 2011, planning is well underway for the largest peace time logistical exercise in Australia.

The Census aims to accurately measure the number of people in Australia on Census night wherever they are, from Australia’s research hubs in Antarctica to remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia.

Next year’s Census remains the most comprehensive way of providing a snapshot of Australia, our key characteristics and where we live.

The Census helps define who we are and what your community looks like now and into the future. Census data supports planning, decision-making and funding at all levels of government, and is behind the services and facilities you use in your community every day.

The first results from the 2011 Census will be made public in June 2012.


Pizza, pasta and pop music: A snapshot of Australian Students

Media release - 27 July 2010

Pizza and pasta are the favourite take-away choice for Australian students who completed the ABS CensusAtSchool for 2010.

Over 22,000 students from Years four to 12 voluntarily submitted their data this year, with the aim to spark students' interest in statistics and to improve their statistical literacy. Results are designed for education purposes only.

Interesting results from the 2010 CensusAtSchool data include:

• Students in years 5 - 12 spend more hours per week hanging out with friends than using the computer/Internet
• 40% of girls listen to pop as their favourite music whilst rap is the most popular choice for boys with 21%

Students and teachers can access the data from the online Random Sampler to make comparisons between students like themselves and students in different year levels and parts of Australia.

The CensusAtSchool project is a free online questionnaire and analysis resource for students in Years four to 12 at all Australian schools.

The questionnaire phase is available annually during Terms 1 and 2 and the data is released early in Term 3 of each year.

For further information on the CensusAtSchool project including data for 2010, please visit the ABS website at www.abs.gov.au/censusatschool.
Other Information

The Principles of Statistical Integration

The Commonwealth Government is seeking to meet demand for high quality data through the integration of information from several administrative and statistical sources. Greater statistical data integration will enable significant cost reductions in evidence-based advice and the development of a new range of official statistics.

Recognising that many challenges do not fit neatly within individual portfolios and the importance of establishing a common framework for statistical integration, Commonwealth Portfolio Secretaries established the Cross Portfolio Statistical Integration Committee (CPSIC) in April 2009, jointly chaired by the ABS and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

The first stage of the Committee’s work involved the development of seven high level principles for statistical data integration across the Australian Government. These principles provide a framework for data integration for statistical and research purposes, while recognising information as a strategic resource and the accountability of data custodians.

The next stage of work is currently underway with consideration of appropriate institutional and governance arrangements in line with these principles. Consultation with a range of stakeholders is ongoing and a communications plan is also being prepared. For more information, please contact the CPSIC Secretariat, (02) 6252 7198.