Contents of DataPacksCommunity Profile DataPacks contain data for Census geographic areas ranging from Statistical Area Level 1 to the whole of Australia. They include digital boundary files, metadata and reference documents to enable you to read the data.
DataPacks do not include software.
Metadata files contain the information you need to match the data with the Community Profile template, such as information about the sequential numbers and labels, the digital boundaries, the table descriptors, and the population that is being counted.
2011 sample DataPacks (without data)Sample 2011 DataPacks (with no data) are available at the Australia level, to help you decide whether DataPacks are suitable for your needs and for your databases or analysis systems. You can download these files without registering.
Samples are only available for the following Community Profiles DataPacks:
- Basic Community
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous)
- Time Series.
Using the DataPacksDataPacks are suitable for experienced Census data users who have their own database or analysis systems. You can use DataPacks if you want Community Profile data for numerous geographic areas.
Once you have Census data in your Geographic Information System (GIS), you can merge the data with the digital boundaries.
The data items in DataPacks are contained in CSV files which can be easily imported into existing systems and are ready for immediate manipulation.
How to add the geographic labels to csv data files in Excel for the 2011 DataPacksYou will need to download the following file, which contains the codes and geographic labels:
 2011 DataPacks codes and geographic labels (csv 2.5MB)
Then the following guide will walk you through the process of attaching geographic labels to DataPack .csv files using Microsoft Excel:
 2011 DataPacks - Adding geographic labels (pdf 556KB)
DescriptorsThere are three options for column labels in the 2011 DataPacks. You can use the sequential number labels, short descriptors (up to 29 characters) or long descriptors. Short descriptors were created for use with Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
The example below, using Local Government Area (LGA) geography, shows the three options for descriptors.
Columns with sequential number labels
| region_id |
B1 |
B2 |
B3 |
| LGA10050 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| LGA10110 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| LGA10150 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Columns with short descriptor labels
| region_id |
Tot_P_M |
Total_P_F |
Total_P_P |
| LGA10050 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| LGA10110 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| LGA10150 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Columns with long descriptor labels
| region_id |
Total_Persons_Males |
Total_Persons_Females |
Total_Persons_Persons |
| LGA10050 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| LGA10110 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| LGA10150 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Comparison of DataPacks on DVD and DataPacks Online
| DataPacks on DVD |
DataPacks Online |
| Priced to recover administration and production costs only |
Free download |
| No need to register |
Register with us online to get access to the downloads |
| You can order DVDs now and they will be despatched on release day |
Access to a descriptor type and one or more profiles for each DataPack download |
Convenient and flexible access to the full set of available data - all profiles, geographic areas and descriptor types (labels) and geography boundaries in both ESRI shape and Mid/Mif format |
Download zip files and corresponding geography boundaries in either ESRI shape or Mid/Mif format |
DataPacks on DVDDataPacks on DVD are available for each Community Profile. They include all Census geographic areas ranging from Statistical Area Level 1 to the whole of Australia.
Ordering DVDs2011 DataPacks on DVD and 2006 DataPacks on CD are charged products, but registration is not required to purchase them. You can order 2011 DataPack DVDs by phoning our National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. International callers phone +61 2 9268 4909.
You will need to give the catalogue number for the type of DataPack you want to buy:
- Basic Community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) and Time Series Profiles, DVD (cat. no. 2069.0.30.008)
- Place of Enumeration, Expanded Community and Working Population Profiles, DVD (cat. no. 2069.0.30.009)
- Estimated Resident Population, DVD (cat. no. 2069.0.30.010).
The DataPacks will be mailed to you on the day of data release, or you can collect them after 11:30 am on the day of release from your ABS state or territory office. You are advised to order the DVDs early to ensure that they will be available.
Requirements for DataPacks on DVDA DVD-ROM drive (DVDs cannot be read by CD-ROM equipment).
The DVD does not contain video content and therefore does not require a DVD decoder.
The DVD contains:
- data in CSV format
- 'Readme' document in Microsoft Word 2010 (.docx) format
- metadata in Microsoft Excel 2010 (.xlsx) format.
Minimum software requirementsYou will need the following software to use DataPacks.
- Software for decompressing zip files (eg Winzip)
- Text Editor for CSV Files
- Microsoft Word 2010 for 'Readme' document
- Spreadsheet application for the Metadata files.
A GIS application such as MapInfo or Esri ArcGIS is required to use the digital boundary files.
PricingDVDs are priced to recover administrative and production costs.
- The first release Basic Community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) and Time Series Profile DataPacks are all on one DVD. This DVD costs $100 (including postage and GST). This price includes the second and third release DVDs which will also be mailed to you.
- The first release Place of Enumeration and Expanded Community Profile DataPacks are both on one DVD. This costs $100 (including postage and GST). The second release DVD also includes the Working Population Profile DataPack. This price includes the second and third release DVDs which will also be mailed to you.
- The Estimated Resident Population DataPack costs $50 (including postage and GST).
- For $250 (includes postage and GST) you can purchase all 7 DataPacks across all releases (first, second and third release).
Release dates for DataPacks on DVD
| DataPack |
First Release |
Second Release |
Third Release |
| Basic Community Profile |
21 June 2012 |
30 October 2012 |
28 March 2013 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profiles |
21 June 2012 |
30 October 2012 |
28 March 2013 |
| Time Series Profile |
21 June 2012 |
30 October 2012 |
.. |
| Place of Enumeration Profile |
21 August 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
28 March 2013 |
| Expanded Community Profile |
21 August 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
.. |
| Working Population Profile |
.. |
20 November 2012 |
.. |
| Estimated Resident Population |
.. |
.. |
26 August 2013 |
.. not applicable
The table above shows the availability of data on DVD for the first, second and third releases. The release dates are the dates on which the DataPacks will be mailed from the ABS.
The third release for the Basic Community Profile, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile and Place of Enumeration Profile will include Remoteness Area, but no new tables.
DataPacks Online2011 DataPacks are available to download free of charge from our website. You need to register to download DataPacks. You are advised that high levels of traffic on the website are expected on release dates.
When you download data, you will choose the profiles and descriptor types as well as the type of geographic area. You can also download the corresponding digital boundaries.
Release dates for DataPacks Online
| DataPack |
First Release |
Second Release |
Third Release |
| Basic Community Profile |
10 July 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
28 March 2013 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Profile |
10 July 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
28 March 2013 |
| Time Series Profile |
10 July 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
.. |
| Place of Enumeration Profile |
3 September 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
28 March 2013 |
| Expanded Community Profile |
3 September 2012 |
20 November 2012 |
.. |
| Working Population Profile |
.. |
20 November 2012 |
.. |
| Estimated Resident Population |
.. |
.. |
26 August 2013 |
.. not applicable
The table above shows the data available to download from the Census website for the first, second and third releases.
The third release for the Basic Community Profile, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile and Place of Enumeration Profile will include Remoteness Area, but no new tables.
Availability of geographic structuresThe following tables show the availability of data for each geographic area, for the first, second and third releases.
Legend:
1 = DataPack available for launch of first release data
2 = DataPack available for launch of second release data
3 = DataPack available after second release
Abbreviations for geographic structures are listed after the tables. | DataPacks
Details
Help & FAQs
DataPacks tutorials
Sample downloads
2011 release schedule |
Geography: ABS structures
| DataPack |
Aust |
STE |
SA4 |
SA3 |
SA2 |
SA1 |
GCCSA |
IREG |
IARE |
ILOC |
SUA |
UC/L |
SOS |
SOSR |
RA |
| Basic Community Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Place of Enumeration Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Indigenous Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
.. |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
3 |
| Time Series Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Expanded Community Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
.. |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
2 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Working Population Profile |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
.. |
2 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Estimated Resident Population |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
.. |
3 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. not applicable
Geography: Non-ABS structures
| DataPack |
LGA |
SLA |
SSC |
POA |
CED |
SED |
| Basic Community Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Place of Enumeration Profile |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Indigenous Profile |
1 |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Time Series Profile |
1 |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Expanded Community Profile |
1 |
1 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Working Population Profile |
2 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
| Estimated Resident Population |
3 |
3 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. not applicable |
Abbreviations
| Aust
| Australia |
| CED |
Commonwealth Electoral Divisions |
| GCCSA |
Greater Capital City Statistical Areas |
| IARE |
Indigenous Areas |
| ILOC |
Indigenous Locations |
| IREG |
Indigenous Regions |
| LGA |
Local Government Areas |
| POA |
Postal Areas |
| RA |
Remoteness Areas |
| SA1 |
Statistical Area Level 1 |
| SA2 |
Statistical Area Level 2 |
| SA3 |
Statistical Area Level 3 |
| SA4 |
Statistical Area Level 4 |
| SED |
State Electoral Divisions |
| SLA |
Statistical Local Areas |
| SOS |
Section of State |
| SOSR |
Section of State Ranges |
| SSC |
State Suburbs |
| STE |
States and Territories |
| SUA |
Significant Urban Areas |
| UC/L |
Urban Centres and Localities |
|  |
