1100.2 - Statistics Victoria (Newsletter), Issue 2, 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/09/2003   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

In this issue:

Melbourne experiences largest population growth in 2001-02
Crime and Safety Survey
Employment in culture
Employment in sport and recreation
How Australia is ageing
National information development plan for crime and justice
Release of ABS Information Paper: Sexual Assault Information Development Framework
What the ABS Demography program produces
Indigenous social survey
Population projections 2002-2101
Business R&D survey 2001-02
Knowledge based economy and society (KBE/S) framework and indicators
ABS statistical training
Selected recent and expected releases
Other selected recent and expected releases
Contact points for VSAC and ABS


STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Melbourne experiences largest population growth in 2001-02

Melbourne experienced the largest population growth of Australia's state and territory capital cities in the year to June 2002, increasing by 52,500 people; while Sydney experienced the second largest increase (42,700 people). This was the first year since 1990-91 that Melbourne's growth was larger than Sydney's. Brisbane recorded the fastest population growth in 2001-02, increasing by 2.3% (38,700 people).


Within Melbourne, large increases in population were recorded in outer suburban areas such as Casey (up 10,100 people), Melton (5,900) and Wyndham (5,500), while in Sydney the largest growth was recorded in Blacktown (5,300 people), Baulkham Hills (4,500) and Liverpool (4,400). This pattern was also apparent in other capital cities, with significant growth in outer suburban areas such as Parkinson-Drewvale in Brisbane, Salisbury in Adelaide, Wanneroo in Perth, Bakewell in Darwin, Kingborough in Hobart and Amaroo in Canberra, although the magnitude of these increases was smaller than that recorded in Melbourne and Sydney.


Inner city areas of capital cities continued to experience high levels of growth in 2001-02. The fastest increasing LGA population in Australia was the City of Perth (up 11.8%), while the City of Sydney and City of Melbourne also experienced continuing high growth (up 6.8% and 6.5%, respectively).


Population growth in many coastal regions continued during 2001-02. The largest increase in population outside of capital cities occurred in the City of Gold Coast in Queensland. In New South Wales, increases in population were recorded in every coastal LGA outside Sydney, while in Victoria the shires of Bass Coast and Surf Coast continued to experience high growth.


Final 1997 and 2001 estimates for Statistical Local Areas and Local Government Areas, as well as state/territory and national data, may be found in the publication
Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand, 2001-02 (cat. no. 3218.0, released 3/4/03). LGA population estimates for June 2002 are also available freely on the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>. Contact Matthew Montgomery on (02) 6252 6487 or <matthew.montgomery@abs.gov.au>.


Crime and Safety Survey

The Crime and Safety Survey was released on June 20, 2003. This survey asked respondents about their victimisation experiences of a selected range of crimes, including: break-in, attempted break-in, motor vehicle theft, robbery, assault and sexual assault.

A total of 9% of Australian households experienced a break-in, attempted break-in or motor vehicle theft in the 12 months to April 2002. This rate has remained virtually unchanged since the last survey in 1998. Over half a million Australian households (553,500) experienced at least one break-in or attempted break-in to their homes in the 12 months to April 2002, with 134,300 households having a motor vehicle stolen.

Household experience of crime varied across states and territories:
  • Victoria had the lowest level of victimisation, with 7% of households experiencing at least one break-in, attempted break-in or motor vehicle theft; and
  • Northern Territory had the highest level of victimisation, with an estimated 20% of households experiencing at least one break-in, attempted break-in or motor vehicle theft.

Five percent of people aged 15 years and over experienced robbery, assault or sexual assault at least once in the 12 months before the survey. This represented a slight increase from 4.8% in 1998. Of people aged 15 years and over:
  • 95,800 were victims of a robbery;
  • 717,900 were the victim of at least one assault; and
  • 33,000 people (aged 18 years and over) were the victim of a sexual assault.

The experience of individuals also varied across states and territories:
  • Queensland had the lowest level of victimisation, with approximately 5% of persons aged 15 years and over experiencing at least one robbery, assault or sexual assault; and
  • Northern Territory had the highest level of victimisation, with an estimated 8% of persons aged 15 years and over experiencing at least one robbery, assault or sexual assault.

Crime was not always reported to police and victims were more likely to report certain crimes. Ninety-five percent of households that had a car stolen reported it to the police, compared with only 20% of female victims of sexual assault. Most Australians feel their neighbourhoods are safe. Eighty percent of people aged 15 years and over indicated they feel safe at home alone during the day, and 69% felt safe after dark. Further information is available in Crime and Safety, Australia, April 2002 (Cat. no. 4509.0). Contact Margaret Windsor on 03 9615 7595 or email <margaret.windsor@abs.gov.au>.

Employment in culture

The five-yearly Census of Population and Housing provides the finest level of detail available from ABS about the occupation and industry of each employed person's main job in the week prior to the Census. Using 7 August 2001 Census data, ABS has produced a publication about people employed in cultural occupations and industries. People who had unpaid involvement in cultural activities, or worked part-time in cultural activities but had another job that they regarded as their main job in the week prior to census, would not be recorded in the census as being in 'cultural' employment.


Of all those employed in Australia in the week prior to the 2001 Census, 259,909 (3.1%) people had their main job in a cultural occupation. By comparison, in 1996, 229,330 (3.0%) persons had their main job in a cultural occupation. Of those employed in a cultural occupation, the largest numbers were printing tradespersons (27,679) and graphic designers (21,144). In 2001, 56.1% (145,789) of all persons employed in cultural occupations as their main job were males and 43.9% (114,120) were females. In 1996, the percentage of females employed in cultural occupations (42.8%) was slightly lower.


The total number of persons employed in a cultural industry in their main job in the week prior to the 2001 Census was 299,266 (3.6% of employed persons), compared with 268,826 (3.5% of employed persons) in 1996. The 2001 Census showed that the largest cultural industries, in terms of people employed, were the newspaper, book and stationery retailing industry (38,016 employed persons), architectural services industry (26,723 employed persons), advertising services industry (25,794 employed persons) and newspaper printing or publishing industry (25,737 employed persons).


People can either work in a cultural occupation in a cultural industry; in a cultural occupation but not in a cultural industry; or in a non-cultural occupation but in a cultural industry. In 2001, over half (51.0% or 132,585 persons) the people employed in a cultural occupation worked in a non-cultural industry. A librarian employed in a law firm is an example of a cultural occupation within a non-cultural industry. Of the 299,266 persons employed in a cultural industry, 57.5% (171,942) worked in a non-cultural occupation. A cleaner employed in a museum is an example of a non-cultural occupation within a cultural industry.


Some cultural industries are dominated by people employed in cultural occupations, while for others the percentage in cultural occupations is relatively small. Approximately 85.0% (7,941) of those employed in the creative arts industry and 79.4% (9,102) of those in the libraries industry worked in a cultural occupation. On the other hand, 16.4% of persons working in film and video distribution and 15.9% of persons in the parks and gardens industry were employed in a cultural occupation. For details see
Employment in Culture, Australia, 2001 (cat. no. 6273.0), released 29/5/03. The publication has industry and occupation counts (persons) by state. Contact Chris Giddings on 08 8237 7326 or email <chris.giddings@abs.gov.au>.

Employment in sport and recreation

Of all those employed in Australia in the week prior to the 2001 Census, 83,008 persons (1.0%) had their main job in a sport and physical recreation occupation. In the 1996 Census, 68,289 persons (0.9% of all persons employed in Australia) had their main job in a sport and physical recreation occupation. This represents an increase of 21.6% for sport and recreation occupations since 1996, compared to an increase of 8.7% for all occupations. Of those employed in a sport and physical recreation in 2001, the largest occupations were fitness instructors (12,364 persons) and greenkeepers (11,928 persons).


For individual occupations, the largest rate increases were for outdoor adventure leaders (560.2% increase, from 83 persons in 1996 to 548 persons in 2001), sail makers (increased 84.3%, from 235 to 433) and fitness instructors (increased 61.2% from 7,669 to 12,364). Fitness instructors also showed the largest growth in terms of total employment, with an increase of 4,695 persons.


A further 282,373 persons (or 3.4% of all persons employed in Australia) had their main job in another leisure occupation, compared with 243,280 persons (3.2%) in 1996; an increase of 16.1%. The largest other leisure occupation groups in 2001 were waiters (79,826 persons), bar attendants (47,442 persons), restaurant and catering managers (39,076 persons), chefs (38,927 persons) and cooks (37,992 persons).
For details see Employment in Sport and Recreation, Australia, 2001 (Cat. no. 4148.0), released 25/6/03. The publication has two tables on occupation counts (persons) by state. Contact Lisa Conolly on 08 8237 7402 or email lisa.conolly@abs.gov.au.

How Australia is ageing

Census of Population and Housing: Ageing in Australia (Cat. no. 2048.0) is due for release 13/10/03, and analyses characteristics of the older population by drawing on 2001 Census data. This publication will be a useful resource for agencies with ageing policy responsibilities, researchers and the Australian community in general. While the major focus is on number and characteristics of older Australians (65 years and over), the ageing process in Australia is also explored by examining other age cohorts including mature age persons (45 years and over) and the very old (85 years and over). This analysis also reports on trends over time.

Over the last century, the proportion of Australian population who were older persons (65 years and over) increased from 4.0% in 1901 to 12.6% in 2001. This change in population composition is a result of changes in fertility rate, increased
life expectancy and levels of migration. South Australia was home to the highest proportion of older persons (14.7%) while Northern Territory had the lowest (3.9%).

The proportion of older persons is greater amongst the overseas-born population than for Australian-born: 17.7% of overseas-born were aged 65 years and over compared with 10.9% Australian-born. Older persons originating from specific countries have shown a tendency to settle in specific states. In 2001, 75.2% of older persons born in Lebanon, 58.6% born in China and 55.7% born in the Philippines lived in New South Wales. Victoria was home to high concentrations of older persons born in Sri Lanka (51.9%), Greece (46.3%), Italy (40.7%) and Poland (37.1%); while older persons born in New Zealand were most likely to live in Queensland (40.6%).

In August 2001, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry comprised the oldest workforce with a median age of 45.0 years, 7.0 years older than the median age for the whole workforce (38.0 years). Other industries characterised by a high median age include education (43.0 years) and health and community services (42.0 years). In contrast, industries with younger workforces include retail trade (31.0 years) and accommodation, cafes and restaurants (32.0 years). Contact Wendy Cooper on (07) 3222 6061 or email wendy.cooper@abs.gov.au.

National information development plan for crime and justice

The National Centre for Crime & Justice Statistics (Victorian ABS Office) is currently working on a National Information Development Plan (NIDP) for Crime and Justice. The NIDP will identify the priority information needs and key datasets currently available in the field of crime and justice statistics. It will lead to both an increased knowledge and use of currently available data, and to improved data availability in the future. It will also assist in establishing a framework for future development in the area.

In order to identify key information needs in the crime and justice field, ABS is consulting widely. This consultation phase forms the main body of NIDP work. The target audience for consultation comprises people who are responsible for identifying policy issues, asking research questions and making decisions in the field of crime and justice. Specifically, ABS is meeting individually with crime and justice CEOs and their senior staff, senior administrators and policy advisers. In addition to these meetings, a series of state and territory workshops is being held to provide opportunities for a broad range of stakeholders to participate in the consultation process, which will continue through November 2003.

The project's major output will be the National Information Development Plan for Crime and Justice, to be released by ABS in 2004. The Plan will contain the following:
    • information on priority data needs in crime and justice;
    • a stocktake of significant datasets currently available in the field; and
    • identification of strategies to address priority gaps between information demands and data supply.
Contact Margaret Windsor on 03 9615 7595 or email <margaret.windsor@abs.gov.au>.

Release of ABS Information Paper: Sexual Assault Information Development Framework

An ABS Information Paper, Sexual Assault Information Development Framework (ABS cat. no. 4518.0) was released on 12 August 2003. The Information Paper aims to help users of statistics improve their understanding of data and related issues in the area of sexual assault. The publication presents a conceptual framework for research and analysis on sexual assault. Importantly, it also brings together information about a number of currently available sexual assault data sources. Some sources are existing ABS collections, and approximately 60 non-ABS sources are included.

The Information Development Framework provides a benchmark from which to move forward; and will be used as a tool for the development and management of information needed for research, policy development and service delivery in relation to sexual assault. The holistic view of sexual assault taken in this framework includes responses provided by the health system, community services system, criminal justice system and other specialist services against sexual violence. A number of conclusions are reached about addressing priority information development needs.

The development process involved extensive consultation with a range of commonwealth, state and territory agencies; including staff from key Victorian Government agencies who provided valuable expert advice, and with various non-government bodies. The Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women provided both funding and valuable support for this project as part of the National Initiative to Combat Sexual Assault. Contact Lyn Tucker on (03) 9615 7883 or email <lyn.tucker@abs.gov.au>.

What the ABS Demography program produces

The demography component produces estimates of population by age, sex, country of birth, Indigenous status, registered marital status, geographical distribution and estimates of families and households. Projections of the population, families and households, according to specified demographic assumptions, are published on a regular basis and produced on request. Statistics are also regularly produced on births, deaths, marriages, divorces, overseas arrivals and departures and internal migration. The demography area also produces estimation benchmarks for ABS population surveys. In addition to reporting on statistics, courses are conducted and an email newsletter is sent to national and international government and commonwealth agencies and other major clients.


Indigenous social survey

Enumeration of the first Indigenous Social Survey (ISS) commenced in August 2002 and was completed in April 2003. Information was collected by personal interview from Indigenous people aged 15 years and over throughout Australia, including those living in remote and very remote areas. The ISS will provide a range of information relating to the social, health and economic circumstances and cultural participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ISS topics include: housing, education, employment, transport and mobility, health, sport, family and community, information technology, culture, crime and justice, and income

Many ISS data items are shared with the 2002 General Social Survey (GSS), which will enable comparison with the broader Australian population. The ISS also has data items in common with the 1994 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey (NATSIS), making it possible to analyse changes over time. Initial Results from the ISS will be published in a summary publication by the end of 2003. A summary of key issues will also be available on the ABS website. Contact Grazyna Majchrzak-Hamilton on 02 6252 5055 or
email <graz.hamilton@abs.gov.au>.

Population projections 2002-2101

The 2002-2101 population projections for Australia will go out to the year 2101, while projections for state/territory and capital city/balance run to 2051. The
Population Projections, Australia (cat. no. 3222.0) publication and associated electronic data was released on 2/9/03.

The ABS uses the cohort-component method for these projections, which requires various assumptions to be made on future levels of fertility, mortality, overseas migration and interstate migration. This method begins with a base population for each sex by single years of age and advances it year by year by applying these assumptions. These assumptions are formulated on the basis of past demographic trends, both in Australia and overseas. The process of developing population projection assumptions involves consultation with various private and government departments at both national and state/territory level to ensure relevance of the projections to users. This consultation occurred during March/April 2003 and some assumptions were revised. Contact Katrina Phelan on (02) 6252 6573 or email <
katrina.phelan@abs.gov.au>.

Business R&D survey 2001-02

Processing of the Business R&D survey for 2001-02 is nearing completion. Details collected include: R&D expenditure and human resources devoted to R&D classified by type of expenditure, location of expenditure, source of funds, business employment size, type of employee, research fields and socioeconomic objectives. The survey also included a question on biotechnology R&D. Summary statistics for 2001-02 are included in the publication
Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia (Cat. no. 8104.0) which was released on 7/8/03. Contact Kevin Squair on 02 6252 5707 or email <kevin.squair@abs.gov.ay>.

Knowledge based economy and society (KBE/S) framework and indicators

In response to the needs of Australia's policy makers to better understand the economic and social dynamics of knowledge-based activity, ABS released a discussion paper Measuring a Knowledge-based Economy and Society - An Australian Framework (Cat. no. 1375.0) on 28 August 2002. The discussion paper presented a descriptive framework for measuring the knowledge-based economy and society (KBE/S) through use of relevant statistics. The Framework proposed a range of indicators grouped in broad dimensions to enable assessment of the degree to which Australia is a knowledge-based economy and society. The dimensions are: context , innovation and entrepreneurship, human capital, information and communication technology (ICT), economic and social impacts. Within each dimension, there are a number of characteristics and associated statistical indicators (about 125 indicators in total).

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released a diverse range of information on innovation and entrepreneurship, human capital and information and communications technology on to its web site 5/9/03. The new electronic product,
Measures of a knowledge based economy and society (cat. no.1377.0) draws on a variety of information on knowledge-related activities and makes access easy through the ABS web site. It presents indicators with a focus on national information and includes selected international comparisons. Product content is planned to be built up over time, with the first release covering a large proportion of the innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital and ICT indicators proposed in the framework.

Highlights from the publication include:
  • Support by venture capital funds for innovation and entrepreneurship activities increased by 21% in the funds drawn down by investors between 2001 and 2002;
  • An increase in gross research and development expenditure between 1998–99 and 2000–01 of $1,315 million;
  • An increase from 10% to 18% in the number of working age people with a university degree in Australia between 1992 and 2002;
  • A 77% participation rate in education of young people aged between 15 and 19 years in 2002;
  • A continued increase in the use of computers and Internet by households, business and government; and
  • An increase of 50% in government and business subscribers to the Internet between 2000 and 2002.

New indicators will be introduced over time and updates to indicators will occur continually as new information becomes available. Measures of a knowledge-based economy and society is located on the ABS web site, www.abs.gov.au, under "Australia Now". The ABS welcomes comment on this product. Please contact Tricia O'Reilly on 02 6252 7822 or email <tricia.oreilly@abs.gov.au>.

ABS statistical training

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides a range of statistical training courses for developing the skills needed to undertake high quality statistical collections and statistical analysis in government agencies. There are two streams of courses:

For people managing or conducting surveys:

  • Basic Survey Design
  • Managing Statistical Consultants
  • Introduction to Data Management

For people using statistics, the ABS provides training in how to select - and use correctly - statistical information from a range of collections. These courses are:
  • Basic Statistical Analysis
  • Turning Data Into Information
  • Quality Informed Decisions

Courses run over 2 days and are a standard cost of $600 per person (including GST). An early-bird discount price of $550 is available to participants who book 20 working days ahead of the course date. For further details about training courses please contact Vera Diakun on (03) 9615 7421 or René Jones on (03) 9615 7570, or email vic.coordination@abs.gov.au.

ABS also offers a one-day training course designed to help people understand and utilise output from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing. Understanding 2001 Census Data runs from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 28 October. The cost is $340, which includes a participant's manual, Census Dictionary and fully catered lunch. Contact Glenn Capuano, ABS Information Consultancy, on 03 9615-7770 or email <glenn.capuano@abs.gov.au>.


SELECTED RECENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES

Cat. no. 1252.0.55.001 New Issue. National Localities Index, Australia, July 2003 Electronic delivery (charges may apply). Released 15/7/03. The National Localities Index (NLI) has been developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to assist users assign the Main Structure codes of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) to address based data. The ASGC is the classification used by ABS for collection and dissemination of geographic statistics, and is an essential reference for users to understand and interpret the geographical content of ABS statistics. Coding data to the ASGC Main Structure allows data to be directly compared to ABS and other information.

The NLI consists of two parts: a Localities Index and a Streets Sub-Index. The definition of ‘Locality’ is kept very broad to make the NLI as comprehensive as possible. It is defined as a place where people live or work — or say they live or work. The majority of Localities are wholly within one Statistical Local Area (SLA) and address data for these Localities can be coded to the ASGC using only the Localities Index. The remainder of the Localities, approximately 5%, cross SLA boundaries. The NLI Streets Sub-Index contains street data for these split localities; names, types and number ranges; so that addresses can be coded to their respective SLA. A new edition of the NLI is released each year to reflect any ASGC changes. Contact Alec Bamber on 02 6252 5620 or email <alec.bamber@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no.1349.0 New Issue. Information Paper: A Guide to Interpreting Time Series -- Monitoring Trends, 2003 ($10.00). Released 4/8/03. This paper explains why, in ABS publications, the main features and commentaries sections concerning most time series are increasingly emphasising the trend series rather than seasonally adjusted or original data. It also explains how these trend estimates are obtained, as well as how they may be used more effectively for informed decision making. It indicates that these trend estimates are the better guide to substantive movements in series, and are generally more suitable for most business planning decisions and policy advice. Contact Mark Zhang 02 6252 5132 or email <mark.zhang@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 2006.0 Census of Population and Housing: Working Population Profile, 2001 ($10.00) Released 17/6/03. Community Profiles are a set of standard tables which contain key social, demographic and economic characteristics of people, families and dwellings; and are available for Australian Standard Geographic Classification (ASGC) areas and other standard Census geographic areas. The Working Population Profile contains 19 tables of labour force and related data on characteristics of employed people. For 2001 Census, the Journey to Work (JTW) study areas have been expanded to include all Statistical Local Areas in Australia. Details of the new JTW study areas will be provided in a Fact Sheet and made available on the ABS website. Contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615 7976 or email <heather.burns@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 2016.2 Census of Population and Housing: Selected Characteristics for Urban Centres, Victoria. Released 25/03/2003. This publication has data comparisons for 1996 and 2001, using 1996 figures based on the same physical Urban Centre boundaries as 2001. Excel files on population increase and decrease are provided to enable comparisons using the Urban Centre boundaries as they were in 1996. Contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615 7976 or email <heather.burns@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 2039.0.55.001 Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA), technical paper, due for release 30/09/2003. This paper describes the decision tree used for selecting variables representing disadvantage; gives full results from the Principal Components Analysis, including eigenvalues, loadings and weights; describes the validation used for SEIFA 2001; outlines some of the issues to consider when using SEIFA; and discusses some of the characteristics of SEIFA 2001. Contact Robert Tanton on (02) 6252 5506 or email <robert.tanton@abs.gov.au>.

Background. The five SEIFA indexes which group Australians according to their social and economic conditions are: urban index of advantage, rural index of advantage, index of disadvantage, index of economic resources, and index of education and occupation. SEIFA provides information and rankings for a wide range of geographic areas from CD level and above. Users can also customise areas to their own specifications. SEIFA's release is expected at the end of September 2003. For product information contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615 7976 or email <heather.burns@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 3238.0.55.001 Experimental Estimates of Indigenous Australians, Electronic Delivery, June 2001 Final. Released 3/4/03. Contains estimates of the resident Indigenous and non-Indigenous population by Statistical Local Area as at 30 June 2001 based on the 2001 Census of Population and Housing. Contact Shahidullah 02 6252 5129 or email <m.shahidullah@abs.gov.au>.

Cat no. 3319.0.55.001 Information Paper: Multiple Cause of Death Analysis, 1997 to 2001. New issue, released 22/7/03. Mortality data is one of the most basic tools of public health analysis. Analysis of mortality data commonly focuses on the examination of a single, underlying cause of death. However, data is now available relating to other conditions which contributed to a person's death. Deaths data which include both the underlying and contributory causes of death are known as Multiple Cause of Death (MCD) data. ABS has multiple cause of death data currently available for years 1997-2001. MCD data is particularly useful in examining chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, which commonly appear in conjunction with other conditions. As Australia's population ages, increasing the death rates due to chronic conditions, MCD analysis will become increasingly relevant.

This publication investigates the potential of MCD data, by analysing several important associated causes of death. These include ischaemic heart disease and diabetes, and suicide and substance use. A range of analytical techniques for multiple cause analysis are discussed, including descriptive analysis, ratios of observed to expected joint frequencies, and odds ratios. The limitations of MCD data are also discussed. Technical information on the definitions and methods employed are included in an appendix. Contact Chris Gordon on 02 6252 7318 or email <chris.gordon@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 3321.0.55.001. Drug Induced Deaths. Released 15/7/03. Premature deaths due to drug use continue to be of major concern in Australia, despite recent reductions in the number of these deaths. The publication presents data for drug-induced deaths registered during 1991 to 2001. The paper refers to deaths registered by state and territory Registrars-General during the calendar years in question. Results from the 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey indicate that an estimated 2.6 million Australians, or 16.9 % of people aged 14 years and over, had used illicit drugs in the previous 12 months. Cannabis was the most prevalent drug used (12.9%), with the potentially more lethal illicit drugs being used by much smaller proportions of people. Amphetamines were used by 3.4% of people aged 14 years and over, ecstasy by 2.9% and heroin by less than 1%.

Cat. no. 4130.0.55.001 New Issue. Housing Occupancy and Costs, Australia, 2000-01. Released 15/8/03, replaces hard copy biennial Cat. no. 4130.0. Contains data from the Survey of Income and Housing Costs on Australian housing costs (rates, mortgage and rent payments) and relates these to characteristics of occupants and dwellings such as tenure, household composition, dwelling structure, age, income and principal source of income. Also includes value of dwelling estimates for capital cities, and information on recent home buyers. Contact Margaret Ning on 02 6252 7374 or email <margaret.ning@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 4148.0 Employment in Sport and Recreation, Australia, August 2001 ($22.00) Released 25/6/03. Contains details from 2001 Census of Population and Housing on the number of people employed in sport, gambling and recreation industries by type of occupation. Includes a breakdown by demographic characteristics. Comparisons with the 1996 Census will also be shown. Contact Lisa Conolly on 08 8237 7402 or email <lisa.conolly@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 4159.0 New Issue. General Social Survey, Australia, 2002 $32.00. Release 15/10/2003. Also available in electronic format: 4159.0.80.001 ($32). Presents results of the first General Social Survey, which brings together a wide range of information to enable it to be linked in ways not previously available. The focus is on the relationships between characteristics from different areas of social concern, rather than in-depth information about a particular field. Topics include health, housing, education, work, income, financial stress, broad assets and liabilities, transport, family and community, and crime. Provides an overview through summary tables for different population groups and selected themes. More detailed cross classified tables also cover selected themes. Provides a range of information not previously available from household surveys for smaller states. Contact Graeme Groves on 02 6252 5943 or email <graeme.groves@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 4363.0.55.001 National Health Survey: Users' Guide - Electronic Publication, 2001 Released 23/5/03. Contains information details about the 2001 National Health Survey, including the supplementary survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Information provided includes the survey objectives, methods and design; survey content; data quality and interpretation; and information about the availability of results. Contact Mike Langan on 02 6252 6403 or email <mike.langan@abs.gov.au.

Cat. no. 4814.0.55.001 Occasional Paper: Measuring Dietary Habits in the 2001 National Health Survey, Australia, 2001 Released 23/5/03. Good nutrition can enhance quality of life and contribute to better health outcomes. This has been recognised by both the Commonwealth and State governments who have all identified the need to monitor and assess Nutrition. Recent government policies such as Eat Well Australia and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating provide a strong mandate for the collection of information on Nutrition. In 1995, the Australian Bureau of Statistics in conjunction with then Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services conducted the National Nutrition Survey (NNS). Information from the 24 hour dietary recall, Food Frequency Questionnaire and questions on eating habits and patterns have provided national benchmark information on the Australian population's nutrition. Subsequent to the National Nutrition Survey, the priority is to measure food habits that are indicative of diet quality such as usual fruit and vegetable intake, using short dietary questions. The primary focus is change in methodology for the short dietary questions, in the move from a self-enumeration form in 1995 NNS to a personal interview in the 2001 National Health Survey; and development of new questions on deliberate intake of folate fortified foods and beverages. Results from the short dietary questions in both surveys are examined with discussion of the impact of methodological and contextual changes. Issues of data quality and interpretation are also discussed. No state level data. Contact Tony Lloyd on 02 6252 6682 or email <tony.lloyd@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 4817.0.55.001 Information Paper: Use of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in ABS Health Surveys, Australia, 2001 Released 21/5/03. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale - 10 (K10) is a scale of non-specific psychological distress. It was developed by Professors Ron Kessler and Dan Mroczek, as a short dimensional measure of non-specific psychological distress in the anxiety-depression spectrum, for use in the US National Health Interview Survey. In Australia, national level information on psychological distress using the K10 was first collected in the Survey of Mental Health and Well-being of Adults (SMHWB) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 1997. The SMHWB was an initiative of, and funded by, the Commonwealth Department Of Health and Family Services as part of the National Mental Health Strategy. The K10 was included in the ABS 2001 National Health Survey (NHS) as it proved to be a better predictor of depression and anxiety disorders than the other short, general measures used in the 1997 SMHWB. This publication provides information on the use of the K10 in ABS health surveys. Some alternative scoring methods are outlined and some snapshot and time series comparisons are made between ABS and Australian State surveys. Contact Maureen Millar on 02 6252 6958 or email <maureen.millar@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 5249.0 Australian National Accounts: Tourism Satellite Account 2001-02. Released 5/6/03. ($23.00) This publication presents Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) key results for 1997–98 to 2001–02. It has been funded by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. A Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) has been recognised internationally as the best method for measuring the economic contribution of tourism and as an important information base for calculation of its economic effects. 'Tourism' is defined broadly in international standards to include visitors whose primary purpose is private or government business, as well as the more familiar tourism for leisure purposes. The TSA is compiled using a combination of visitor expenditure data from surveys conducted by the Bureau of Tourism Research, industry data from ABS collections and supply-use relationships in the Australian system of national accounts supply and use tables. Contact Dianne Bourke on 02 6252 7243 or email <dianne.bourke@abs.gov.au>.

Cat. no. 8225.0 Manufacturing, Australia, 2002 ($35.00) Released 2/4/03. Presents a variety of statistical information and analysis concerning the size, structure and performance of manufacturing industries in Australia. Indicators for 2001-02 have been compiled from various ABS quarterly surveys while the main detailed analysis is based on the 2000-01 Annual Manufacturing Survey. Also included are articles prepared by other organisations or analysis based on non-ABS statistics. Generally, data are presented for manufacturing as a whole and for the nine broad manufacturing industries. Topics include structure, performance, employment, outputs, profits, capital expenditure and some more specific topics such as energy use, expenditure to protect the environment, research and development expenditure and characteristics of the workforce. Contact Keith James on 02 6252 5436 or email <keith.james@abs.gov.au>

Cat. no. 8693.0 Consultant Engineering Services, Australia. Released 03/07/2003. This publication presents results in respect of the 2001–02 financial year from an ABS survey of consultant engineering businesses. This is the fourth time the ABS has conducted this survey. Previous statistics were released for 1987–88, 1992–93 and 1995–96. The scope of the survey was all employing businesses classified to class 7823 (Consultant Engineering Services) of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC). Contact Dean Bloom on 07 3222 6404 or email <dean.bloom@abs.gov.au>.

Changes at ABS reception

The ABS Victorian Office Bookshop will be closing on Friday, 19 September 2003. From this date, stock will no longer be available from the Bookshop. A public reception area will be maintained on level 5; which will be able to help with data enquiries, consultancies, and arrange for ad hoc publication purchasing through the National Information and Referral Service. The ABS library will remain open, but an appointment will now be required: call (03) 9615-7000. Useful resources include: ABS Catalogue of Publications and Products (Cat. no.1101.0), National Information Referral Service - phone 1300 135 070, ABS Website <www.abs.gov.au>.

Where else can I access ABS information? Library Extension Program: State Library, University libraries, and Public libraries.
Member libraries are provided with selected paper and electronic titles. Participating libraries have access to the FREE on-line eLEP service providing access to all ABS publications since 1998. Census at your local library Libraries are provided with CLIB2001 which contains detailed census tables of demographic information across a range of geographic areas. State and local government employees: please refer to the article about free on-line access to ABS data at the end of the following 'selected and recent releases' section.


OTHER SELECTED RECENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES.

Cat. no. 1353.0 Integrated Regional Data Base (IRDB), Australia, 2003, CD-ROM (Charges may apply) Released 2/4/03.

Cat. no. 1367.2 State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, June Quarter 2003 ($25.00) Released 16/9/03.

Cat. no. 2004.0 Census of Population and Housing: Usual Residents Profile, 2001, Electronic Delivery ($10.00 per area). Released 15/7/03.

Cat. no. 2005.0 Census of Population and Housing: Expanded Community Profile, 2001, Various media ($75.00) Released 6/5/03.

Cat. no. 2006.0 New Issue. Census of Population and Housing: Working Population Profile, 2001, Various media ($10.00). Released 17/6/03.

Cat. no. 2035.0 Census of Population and Housing: Population Growth and Distribution, Australia, 2001 ($36.00) Released 16/6/03.

Cat. no. 3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand, 2001-02 ($30.00) Released 3/4/03. June 2002 data is also available for electronic delivery (Cat. no. 3218.0.55.001).

Cat. no. 3235.2.55.001 Population by Age and Sex, Victoria , June 2002, Electronic Delivery (Charges may apply). Released 14/8/03.

Cat. no. 3239.0.55.001 Population, Australian States and Territories - Electronic Publication, December 2002 (Charges may apply) Released 27/5/03.

Cat. no. 3321.9.55.001 New Issue. Drug-induced Deaths, Australia, 1991 to 2001, Electronic delivery (Charges may apply). Released 15/7/03.

Cat. no. 3401.0 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, June 2003 ($21.00). Released 12/8/03.

Cat. no. 3401.0.55.001 Short-term Visitor Arrivals to Australia, Preliminary, July 2003, Electronic delivery (Charges may apply). Released 14/8/03

Cat. no. 3412.0 Migration, Australia, 2000-01 and 2001-02 ($35.00) Released 28/5/03.

Cat. no. 4102.0 Australian Social Trends, 2003 ($49.00). Released 3/6/03.

Cat. no. 4183.0 Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2001-02 ($19.00). Released 28/7/03. Has level of government and state data.

Cat. no. 4402.0 Child Care, Australia, June 2002 ($23.00) Released 16/5/03.

Cat. no. 4510.0 Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2002 ($23.00) Released 29/5/03.

Cat. no. 4513.0 Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, 2003 ($44.00). Released 31/7/03.

Cat. no. 4813.0.55.001 New Issue. Occasional Paper: Vaccination Coverage in Australian Children - ABS Statistics and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), 2001, Electronic delivery (Charges may apply). Released 4/6/03.

Cat. no. 5249.0.55.001 New Issue. Australian National Accounts: Tailored Tourism Satellite Accounts, 2003, Electronic Delivery. (Charges may apply). Released 28/8/03.

Cat. no. 5370.0.55.001 New Issue. Information Paper: Foreign Direct Investment: Overcoming Hurdles and Obstacles in FDI Measurement and Collection, 2003, Electronic delivery (Charges may apply)

Cat. no. 5506.0 Taxation Revenue, Australia, 2001-02 ($20.00) Released 23/5/03.

Cat. no. 6461.0 Australian Consumer Price Index: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2003, Electronic publication (Charges may apply). Released 3/7/03.

Cat. no. 6523.0 Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2000-01 ($25.00). Released 33/7/03.

Cat. no. 7121.0 Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2001-02 ($23.00). Released 15/7/03.

Cat. no. 7123.2.55.001 New Issue. Agricultural State Profile, Victoria, 2000-01, Electronic delivery (Charges may apply). Released 4/7/03. Provides an overview of agricultural industry in the state. Includes data on farm numbers, agricultural production and contribution of agriculture to the economy. Some data are provided at statistical division level.

Cat. no. 8556.0 Market Research Services, Australia, 2001-02 ($20.00). Released 1/7/03.

Cat. no. 8635.2.55.001 Tourist Accommodation, Victoria - Data Cubes (Survey of Tourist Accommodation data for holiday flats, units and houses, caravan parks and visitor hostels), March quarter 2003 (Charges may apply). Released 31/7/03.

Cat. no. 8668.0 Accounting Practices, Australia, 2001-02 ($20.00) Released 28/5/03.

Cat. no. 8693.0 Consultant Engineering Services, Australia, 2001-02 ($20.00). Released 3/7/03.

Cat. no. 8752.2 Building Activity, Victoria, March Quarter 2003 ($20.00). Released 31/7/03.

Free access to ABS publications. People working in Victorian government agencies and local government offices should be able to access ABS publications at no cost from their desktop PCs using the ABS@ facility. ABS@ has all ABS publications from 1998 onwards in pdf format, 2001 Community Profiles at all geographic levels, time series spreadsheets in Excel format and datacubes in SuperTable format. In local government, the council's extranet coordinator must register a person as a user. In state government agencies, access to ABS@ is through the Victorian state government intranet (or Lotus Notes in some Departments), on the index page using the research and information button; with no registration required.

For further information contact Heather Burns, Manager, ABS Information Consultancy Section on 03 9615 7976 or email: <heather.burns@abs.gov.au>. Email is the preferred mode of contact.

POINTS OF CONTACT

Victorian Statistics Advisory Committee (VSAC)

VSAC is a major forum for statistical liaison between Victorian Government Agencies and the ABS. Dr Michael Kirby from the Department of Treasury and Finance chairs VSAC, and is also the State representative on the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC). The following group of departmental representatives meets 2-3 times each year.

Departmental Representatives

Department of Treasury and Finance
VSAC Chairperson
Dr Michael Kirby 9651 5543

Department of Premier and Cabinet
Garth Lampe 9651 5264

Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
Patrick Webb 9651 9349

Department of Education and Training
George McLean 9637 3758

Department of Human Services Victoria
Dr Robert Brazenor 9616-6111

Department of Justice
Robert Eldridge 9651 6921

Department of Infrastructure
Fotios Spiridonos 9655 8536

Department for Victorian Communities
Dr David Adams 9655 2036

Dept of Sustainability and Environment
John Hanna 9655 6548

Dept of Primary Industries
Gary Stoneham 9637 8344

ABS Victoria
Vince Lazzaro 9615 7345


Contact Points for ABS Victoria

Dial-a-Statistics
1900 986 400 ($0.77 per minute)

National Information and Referral Service
Telephone: 1300 135 070
Fax: 1300 135 211
email: <client.services@abs.gov.au>

Bookshop, Library and Information Services
Level 5, CGU Tower, 485 LaTrobe Street
Melbourne Vic 3001

Postal Address
GPO Box 2796Y
Melbourne Vic 3001

ABS Website
<www.abs.gov.au>

Regional director
ABS Victoria
Vince Lazzaro
Telephone: (03) 9615 7345
Fax: 03 9615 7387
Email: <julianne.patterson@abs.gov.au>

State Government Liaison Officer
Terence Byrnes
Telephone: (03) 9615 7860
Fax: (03) 9615 7002
email: <t.byrnes@abs.gov.au>

State Government Liaison Officer
Peter Hawkes
Telephone: (03) 9615 7463
Fax: (03) 9615 7002
email: <pete.hawkes@abs.gov.au>

Statistics Victoria Editor
Alan Page
Telephone: (03) 9615 7899
email: <alan.page@abs.gov.au>


Spread the news electronically

Copies of
Statistics Victoria are available free for electronic dissemination. There are two ways to access an electronic copy of the newsletter:

1. Elect to receive your copy of this newsletter in PDF format by contacting Alan Page on (03) 9615-7899 or email
<alan.page@abs.gov.au>. The ABS encourages further dissemination of this newsletter through email, or by its placement on your organisation's intranet.

2. Go to the ABS Web site at
<www.abs.gov.au>. Choose News from the menu bar, then go to Newsletters. You can access current and previous copies of Statistics Victoria, as well as many other ABS newsletters.