Latest release

National reporting indicators

Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2021
Mnemonic Variable Release 
C3SPAttainment of certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualificationOctober 2022
EMFPEmployment flagOctober 2022
LFFPLabour force participation flagOctober 2022
SVFPLevel of workplace participation survey comparison flagOctober 2022
UEFPUnemployment flagOctober 2022
WTNSQPPeople with or working towards a non-school qualificationOctober 2022New
YR12C2PAttainment of year 12 or certificate II or higherOctober 2022
YR12C3PAttainment of year 12 or certificate III or higherOctober 2022

Supporting variables

Mnemonic Variable Variable TopicRelease 
AGEPAgePopulationJune 2022
EETPEngagement in employment, education and trainingEducation and trainingOctober 2022
HEAPLevel of highest educational attainmentEducation and trainingJune 2022
HOSDHousing suitabilityHousingJune 2022
INGPIndigenous statusAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesJune 2022

Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification (C3SP)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable indicates whether a person has attained a Certificate III or higher or is currently studying a non-school qualification. This allows for calculation of the proportion of the population that has attained the relevant qualifications or is studying for a non-school qualification. This variable can be used for the calculation of the proportion of the population that is employed, as used in the Closing the Gap Target 7 – youth are engaged in employment or education.

 

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Attained Certificate III or higher or studying for a non-school qualification
2Has not attained Certificate III or higher and is not studying for a non-school qualification
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Persons whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described and who were not currently attending an educational institution or whose Type of educational institution currently attending was Secondary level or below.
  • Persons who had not completed a Non-school qualification: level of education at Certificate III or higher and whose Type of educational institution currently attending was Not stated
  • Persons whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described and whose Type of educational institution currently attending was Not stated

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information

Question(s) from the Census form

What type of education institution is the person attending?

Has the person completed any educational qualification?

What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?

How this variable is created

This variable is created by combining information from:

  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)

A matrix is included in the downloads to show how the variable is created.

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, overseas visitors have been separated out from the not applicable category into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National Reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)
  • Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)
  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)

Useful links

Downloads

National reporting indicators 2021

Data files
Download xlsx [337.6 KB]

Employment flag (EMFP)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable flags whether a person is employed or unemployed/not in the labour force. This variable can be used for the calculation of the proportion of the population that is employed, as used in the Closing the Gap Target 8 – strong economic participation and development of people and their communities.

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Employed
2Unemployed or not in the labour force
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons whose Labour force status (LFSP) was Not stated
  • Persons under 15 years of age

*  Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

Last week, did the person have a job of any kind?

In the main job held last week, was the person: Working for an employer; Working in own business?

Last week, how many hours did the person work in all jobs?

Did the person actively look for work at any time in the last four weeks?

If the person had found a job, could the person have started work last week?

How this variable is created

Data for this variable is created by making custom categories from Labour force status (LFSP) as shown in the table below:

Labour force status (LFSP)Employment flag (EMFP)
1 Employed, worked full-time1 Employed
2 Employed, worked part-time1 Employed
3 Employed, away from work1 Employed
4 Unemployed, looking for full-time work2 Unemployed or not in the labour force
5 Unemployed, looking for part-time work2 Unemployed or not in the labour force
6 Not in the labour force2 Unemployed or not in the labour force
& Not stated@ Not applicable*
@ Not applicable (Persons aged under 15 years)@ Not applicable*
V Overseas visitorV Overseas visitor*

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, ‘Overseas visitor’ has been separated out from the ‘Not applicable’ category, into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National Reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable is derived from the Labour force status (LFSP) variable. The non-response rate for Labour force status (LFSP) was 5.8% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.7% in 2016.

Closing the Gap and Other National Government Reporting

This variable aims to provide data on Target 8 for the National Agreement for Closing the Gap:

  • By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-64 who are employed to 62 per cent.

Employment flag (EMFP), Indigenous status (INGP) and Age (AGEP) variables should be used to report on this measure. ‘Not applicable’ and ‘Overseas visitors’ categories should not be used for this measure.

For more information about ABS collections used in Closing the Gap and other National Government Reporting, see Closing the Gap and Other National Reporting.

Comparing Census with the ABS Labour Force Survey

The Census and Labour Force Survey both collect information about the labour market activity of people aged 15 years and over. While both collections seek to measure the concepts related to employment, unemployment and being outside of the labour force, there are a number of differences between them that should be considered in the use of the data. A summary of the differences between these collections is available in Comparing the 2021 Census and the Labour Force Survey.

Related variables and glossary terms

Useful links

Labour force participation flag (LFFP)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable flags whether or not a person is participating in the labour force for people who had a stated Labour force status (LFSP). This variable can be used for the calculation of the proportion of the population that is employed, as used in Closing the Gap Target 8 – Strong economic participation and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Participates in the Labour Force
2Not in the Labour Force
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Persons whose Labour force status (LFSP) was Not stated

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

Last week, did the person have a job of any kind?

In the main job held last week, was the person: Working for an employer; Working in own business

Last week, how many hours did the person work in all jobs?

Did the person actively look for work at any time in the last four weeks?

If the person had found a job, could the person have started work last week?

How this variable is created

Data for this variable is created by making custom categories from Labour force status (LFSP) as shown in the table below:

Labour force status (LFSP)Labour force participation flag (LFFP)

1 Employed, worked full-time

1 Participates in the Labour Force

2 Employed, worked part-time

1 Participates in the Labour Force

3 Employed, away from work

1 Participates in the Labour Force

4 Unemployed, looking for full-time work

1 Participates in the Labour Force

5 Unemployed, looking for part-time work

1 Participates in the Labour Force

6 Not in the labour force

2 Not in the Labour Force

& Not stated

@ Not applicable*

@ Not applicable (Persons aged under 15 years)

@ Not applicable*

V Overseas visitor

V Overseas visitor*

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, 'Overseas visitors' have been separated out from the 'Not applicable' category into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable is derived from the Labour force status (LFSP) variable. The non-response rate for Labour force status (LFSP) was 5.8% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.7% in 2016.

Comparing Census with the ABS Labour Force Survey

The Census and Labour Force Survey both collect information about the labour market activity of people aged 15 years and over. While both collections seek to measure the concepts related to employment, unemployment and being outside of the labour force, there are a number of differences between them that should be considered in the use of the data. A summary of the differences between these collections is available in the Comparing the 2021 Census and the Labour Force Survey. 

Related variables and glossary terms

Useful links

Level of workforce participation survey comparison flag (SVFP)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable approximates a population that is comparable with in-scope survey populations as used in the Closing the Gap Target 8 – strong economic participation and development of people and their communities.

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1In scope of national reporting level of workforce participation survey comparison population
@Not applicable*

Number of categories: 2

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons living in non-private dwellings
  • Persons living in non-classifiable households
  • Persons who reported their Industry of employment (INDP) as ‘Foreign Government Representation’ or ‘Defence’
  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Visitors (from within Australia)
  • Overseas visitors

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

Question(s) from the Census form

This variable is not derived from a question, but by other variables.  See 'How this variable is created' for further information.

How this variable is created

To determine the people who are in scope for this variable, the following variables are used:

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

Useful links

Unemployment flag (UEFP)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable flags whether a person is unemployed or employed for people who reported they are in the labour force. This variable can be used to calculate the proportion of the labour force that is unemployed, as used in Closing the Gap Target 8 – Strong economic participation and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Unemployed
2Employed
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Persons whose Labour force status (LFSP) was Not stated or Not in the labour force

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

Last week, did the person have a job of any kind?

In the main job held last week, was the person: Working for an employer; Working in own business

Last week, how many hours did the person work in all jobs?

Did the person actively look for work at any time in the last four weeks?

If the person had found a job, could the person have started work last week?

How this variable is created

Data for this variable is created by making custom categories from Labour force status (LFSP) as shown in the table below:

Labour force status (LFSP)Labour force participation flag (LFFP)
1 Employed, worked full-time2 Employed
2 Employed, worked part-time2 Employed
3 Employed, away from work2 Employed
4 Unemployed, looking for full-time work1 Unemployed
5 Unemployed, looking for part-time work1 Unemployed
6 Not in the labour force@ Not applicable*
& Not stated@ Not applicable*
@ Not applicable (Persons aged under 15 years)@ Not applicable*
V Overseas visitorV Overseas visitor*

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, 'Overseas visitors' have been separated out from the 'Not applicable' category into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable is derived from the Labour force status (LFSP) variable. The non-response rate for Labour force status (LFSP) was 5.8% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.7% in 2016.

Comparing Census with the ABS Labour Force Survey

The Census and Labour Force Survey both collect information about the labour market activity of people aged 15 years and over. While both collections seek to measure the concepts related to employment, unemployment and being outside of the labour force, there are a number of differences between them that should be considered in the use of the data. A summary of the differences between these collections is available in Comparing the 2021 Census and the Labour Force Survey. 

Related variables and glossary terms

Useful links

People with or working towards a non-school qualification (WTNSQP)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable indicates whether a person has a non-school qualification, is working towards a non-school qualification or both. 

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1With a non-school qualification only
2Working towards a non-school qualification only
3With and working towards a non-school qualification
4Not with or working towards a non-school qualification
&Status not determined/Not stated*
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 7

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Persons whose Type of educational institution attending was Primary school

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

What type of education institution is the person attending?

Has the person completed any educational qualification?

What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?

How this variable is created

This variable is created by combining information from:

  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Type of education institution attending (TYPP)

A matrix is included in the downloads to show how the variable is created.

History and changes

This is a new variable for 2021.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National Reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

Report on Government Services (RoGS)

This variable can be used to provide data for indicators in the Report on Government Services (RoGS) Chapter B Child care, education and training sector overview:

  • BA.7 Proportion of 20-64 year olds with or working towards a non-school qualification
  • BA.8 Proportion of 20-64 year olds with or working towards a non-school qualification, by Indigenous status

Employment flag (EMFP), Indigenous status (INGP) and Age (AGEP) variables should be used to report on this measure. ‘Not applicable’ and ‘Overseas visitors’ categories should not be used when reporting on this measure.

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Type of education institution attending (TYPP)

Useful links

Downloads

National reporting indicators 2021

Data files
Download xlsx [337.6 KB]

Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable indicates whether a person has attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate II or higher. This allows calculation of the proportion of the population that has attained the relevant qualifications, as used in the Closing the Gap Target 6 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students reach their full potential through further education pathways.

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate II or higher
2Has not attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate II or higher
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons without Year 12 attainment whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described
  • Persons who did not state their highest year of school completed and who had not completed a Non-school qualification: level of education at Certificate II or higher
  • Persons who did not state their highest year of school completed and whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described
  • Persons under 15 years of age

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?

Has the person completed any educational qualification?

What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?

How this variable is created

This variable is created by combining information from:

  • Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)

A matrix is included in the downloads to show how the variable is created.

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, 'Overseas visitors' have been separated out from the 'Not applicable' category into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National Reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

Report on Government Services (RoGS)

This variable can be used to provide data for indicators in the Report on Government Services (RoGS) Chapter B Child care, education and training sector overview:

  • BA.10 People aged 20-24 years who have completed year 12 (or equivalent) or Certificate II level or above, by Indigenous status

Indigenous status (INGP) and Age (AGEP) will also have to be used to report on these measures. ‘Not applicable’ and ‘Overseas visitors’ categories should not be used when reporting on these measures.

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Attainment of Year 12 of Certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)

Useful links

Downloads

National reporting indicators 2021

Data files
Download xlsx [337.6 KB]

Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable indicates whether a person has attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate III or higher. This allows calculation of the proportion of the population that has attained the relevant qualifications, as used in the Report on Government Services (RoGS) Indicator BA. 12 – Proportion of 20-24 year olds who have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) or Certificate III level or higher.

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate III or higher
2Has not attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate III or higher
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons without Year 12 attainment whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described
  • Persons who did not state their Highest year of school completed and who had not completed a Non-school qualification: level of education at Certificate III or higher
  • Persons who did not state their Highest year of school completed and whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described
  • Persons under 15 years of age

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?

Has the person completed any educational qualification?

What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?

How this variable is created

This variable is created by combining information from:

  • Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)

A matrix is included in the downloads to show how the variable is created.

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, 'Overseas visitors' have been separated out from the 'Not applicable' category into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

Closing the Gap and Other National Government Reporting

This variable can be used to provide data on Target 5 for the National Agreement for Closing the Gap:

  • By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (age 20-24) attaining year 12 or equivalent qualification to 96 per cent

Indigenous status (INGP) and Age (AGEP) will also have to be used to report on this measure. ‘Not applicable’ and ‘Overseas visitors’ categories should not be used for this measure.

For more information about ABS collections used in Closing the Gap and other National Government Reporting, see Closing the Gap and Other National Government Reporting.

Report on Government Services (RoGS)

This variable can be used to provide data for indicators in the Report on Government Services:

  • BA.12 Proportion of 20-24 year olds who have completed year 12 (or equivalent) or Certificate III level or above
  • BA.14 Proportion of 20-64 year olds with qualifications at Certificate III level or above, by age group
  • BA.15 Proportion of 20-64 year olds with qualifications at Certificate III level or above, by Indigenous status

Indigenous status (INGP) and Age (AGEP) will also have to be used to report on these measures. 'Not applicable’ and ‘Overseas visitors’ categories should not be used when reporting on these measures.

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Attainment of Year 12 of Certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)

Useful links

Downloads

National reporting indicators 2021

Data files
Download xlsx [337.6 KB]