Who uses Census Information?
How are the Census results used? A few examples ... Planning for residents Census results were used by local government councils to develop strategic land-use plans. Up-to-date population statistics, including data on population movements, were used to plan for future residential needs, helped to predict the level of demand in the local housing market and increased the councils' awareness about future growth. This information assisted the councils to be able to see how the cities were growing and what services would be in demand in the future. Monitoring educational performance A senior secondary school board wanted to find out whether there were particular groups of students that were not achieving their potential due to socioeconomic factors. This board used Census information to complement the school's own information; to illustrate the relationships between socioeconomic level, educational participation and qualification attainment; and to identify the groups of students who were at most risk of under achieving. This enabled the board to address the issues associated with this group. Making unpaid work count. During the 2006 Census public consultation period, a number of national, state and local government councils and non-government organisations identified the need for a set of questions on unpaid work. These organisations stated that they would use the information to identify the long-term planning needs of carers and volunteers, planning for support services and programs, and to fund and provide these services to assist unpaid workers. The information will help to make sure that resources and services are allocated to people in the areas with the greatest need and to ensure that programs are sustainable and meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population. |
2006 Census: Uses of Census Information