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Spatial Statistical Framework
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is responding to the challenge of better integrating statistical and geospatial information by developing the Statistical Spatial Framework. By providing a common approach to connecting people-centric (socio-economic) information to a location, and improve the accessibility and usability of this spatially-enabled information, this Framework will enable:
- improved planning for regional economies and communities
- targeted service delivery at the small area level
- community level decision making
- integration of population, social and economic data in current geospatial analysis.
More information about the Statistical Spatial Framework can be found on the National Statistical Service website.
2011 Census of Population and Housing Data
The Census of Population and Housing is a key source of high quality statistical data for small geographic areas. Information about the 2011 Census of Population and Housing can be accessed from the Census page on the ABS website.
The first release phase of 2011 Census data commenced on 21 June 2012. This included the release of core demographic data items which are freely available in a variety of products from the Census Data & analysis page on the ABS website. This page also provides access to TableBuilder Pro and DataPacks which are designed for advanced Census data users.
The second release phase commenced on 30 October 2012 and included data items requiring more detailed processing, such as the 'Occupation' and 'Method of Travel to Work' variables. Second release 2011 Census data is now available in TableBuilder (Basic and Pro). The Place of Enumeration and Expanded Community Profiles with 2011 Census second release data are also available. The Working Population Community Profiles and online DataPacks for Place of Enumeration, Expanded and Working population profiles were released on 20 November 2012. Mesh Blocks are the smallest geographic region in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), and the smallest geographical unit for which Census data are available. For 2011, Mesh Block counts were released on 11 December 2012 by usual residence for basic person and dwelling counts in Mesh Block Counts, 2011 (cat. no. 2074.0).
The supplementary data release, or third release, relates to the dissemination of highly specialised products such as Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) and the Census Sample Files. The third release will begin on 28 March 2013, with products released progressively until the end of 2013. This will finalise all Census data output from the 2011 Census.
More detailed information about the 2011 Census data products, the release schedule and changes between the 2006 and 2011 Census, is included in Information Paper: Census of Population and Housing -- Products and Services, 2011 (cat. no. 2011.0.55.001).
Planning for 2016 Census of Population and Housing
Public consultation for the review of Census topics and procedures for 2016 commenced after the 2011 Census second data release. Following the release of the information paper Census of Population and Housing: Consultation on Content and Procedures, 2016 (cat. no. 2007.0) on 6 November 2012, public seminars outlining the consultation and submission process, and ABS proposals for the 2016 Census occurred around Australia. Please refer to the Submission presentation for details on how to provide feedback and suggestions for the 2016 Census.
The New Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS)
In July 2011 the ABS began to progressively replace the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) with the new Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). The ASGS is a hierarchy of geographic structures (boundaries) designed to meet the specific requirements of ABS statistical outputs as well as being able to represent commonly used Non ABS boundaries, such as Local Government Areas (LGAs). The ASGC regions such as Census Collection Districts (CCDs), Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) and Statistical Divisions (SDs) have been replaced by the new set of statistical areas.
The ABS published the ASGS manual with the boundaries, labels and codes for many ASGS regions in December 2010, see Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2011 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001). The ASGS came into effect on 1 July 2011.
Regions included in the ASGS Indigenous Structure were released in Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 2 - Indigenous Structure, July 2011 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.002), in September 2011.
The ASGS manual containing the digital boundaries, labels and codes for regions not defined by the ABS, such as postal areas, state suburbs and electoral divisions, was released in July 2011, see Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures, July 2011 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.003).
Urban Centres and Localities, and Section of State regions were released in Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 4 - Significant Urban Areas, Urban Centres and Localities, Section of State, July 2011, in October 2012.
The fifth ASGS Structures publication, Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 5 - Remoteness Structure (cat. no. 1270.0.55.004), is expected to be released in January 2013.
ABS defined ASGS regions will not change until the next Census in 2016. Regions not defined by the ABS will be updated annually.
Correspondence files are used to transform data from one geography to another. The ABS has made an extensive range of correspondence files available to assist with the implementation of the ASGS. Several correspondences, including LGA, were released in June and July 2012 in Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Correspondences, July 2011 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.006). A LGA to Remoteness 2011 correspondence file is expected to be available early 2013.
You can find more information about the ASGS in the Statistical Geography section of the ABS website. If you have any questions regarding the ASGS please email geography@abs.gov.au.
Release of Annual Estimated Resident Population Data
The annual Estimated Resident Population (ERP) data for regions was released in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2011 (cat. no. 3218.0) and Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2011 (cat. no. 3235.0). These releases include final estimates for 2001 to 2006 and preliminary rebased estimates for 2007 to 2011, based on results of the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Population estimates based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) are included for the last time while estimates based on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) are released for the first time. From June 2012, sub-state population estimates have been prepared and released for ASGS regions only, including for Local Government Areas.
Rebased ERP and Intercensal error
The preliminary rebasing process has resulted in Australia's estimated resident population for the period September 2006 to June 2011 being revised down significantly, which in turn has effected estimates of population growth. The September 2012 edition of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) includes advice on how to use the data in Feature Article 4: Advice on the Use of 2011 Preliminary Rebased ERP, and in the Technical Note: The Impact of Improvements to the 2011 PES on Measuring Population Growth (2006-2011).
The national intercensal error for the 2006-2011 period is the highest on record and the ABS is formulating an appropriate treatment for this in the final rebasing process. The September 2012 release of Australian Demographic Statistics also includes a short discussion paper highlighting the current position on the issue in Feature Article 3: Proposed ABS Treatment of Intercensal Error for 2006-2011. The ABS treatment will be finalised in late 2012 with further details released in Australian Demographic Statistics on 18 December 2012. Final rebased regional ERP is planned for release in August 2013.
Regional Internal Migration Estimates Released
Migration, Australia, 2010-11 (cat. no. 3412.0) was released on 15 August 2012 and includes, for the first time, a series of annual experimental estimates of regional internal migration. Data cubes attached to this product provide summaries of this experimental data for years ending 30 June 2007 to 2011, based on the 2011 edition of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).
There are four new regional internal migration data cubes that allow for exploring the trends within the past five years:
- SLA/SSD/SD-level geography, arrivals/departures/net movers (table 7) - e.g. the detailed small area level can show just how many people move in to and out of Adelaide city each year and if more move in to or out of regional centres.
- SD/SSDs with capital cities, by age group and sex (table 8) - e.g. the age and sex characteristics can show which areas young people are moving out of and areas oldies are moving in to.
- inter-SD/SSD data (table 9) - e.g. the source and destination aspects can show where all the new Gold Coast residents are arriving from and where the drought-affected former Far West (NSW) people are moving to.
- part of state, single year of age (table 10) - e.g. the detailed age breakdown can show the ages that more people move in to and out of our capital cities.
For further information see paragraphs 59-61 of the Explanatory Notes.
Regional Profiles
Looking for data for your region? The National Regional Profile (NRP) contains data snapshots for over 2,000 regions across Australia, with five years of data where it is available. The NRP uses a Google map interface to make it easier to find your region of interest.
The NRP contains a range of data from the ABS and other sources, for geographic areas based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC), such as Statistical Local Areas and Local Government Areas right up to State/Territory and Australia. The data is presented for all years on common boundaries, making it easy to compare data over time. Some of the data in the NRP is not released at such small levels anywhere else on the ABS website. For more information download the NRP brochure.
The next release of the NRP, in early 2013, will include regions based on the new ABS geography, the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) - SA2, SA3, SA4, Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Local Government Areas. A number of new data items as well as 2011 Census of Population and Housing data will also be included.
Newsletters
Local Government and ABS (cat. no. 1376.0)
A newsletter aimed at keeping local government informed of key ABS data and other relevant developments. This annual release includes news about ABS releases and other information to assist in using data. 'Local Government and ABS' is updated during the year with any new information as it becomes available.
What's New in Regional Statistics (cat. no. 1386.0)
This newsletter highlights developments in statistics relevant to regions and other information of likely interest to users of small area data. 'What's New in Regional Statistics' includes data released by the ABS' Regional Statistics Program and other articles on relevant ABS releases. This annual release is updated during the year as new information becomes available. |
This page last updated 18 December 2012 |
