WHAT'S NEW AT ABS ...

NEWS AND EVENTS

RECENT RELEASES

DISCUSSION PAPERS

NEWSLETTERS




NEWS AND EVENTS


Understanding Statistics

Natstats 2010 Conference

ABS Statistical Training Course - Valuing Australia's Environment

ABS Surveys Charter, 2010



Understanding Statistics

ABS has recently launched a suite of 'Understanding Statistics' webpages on the ABS website. These webpages consist of a range of fact sheets, information guides, video tutorials, presentations and online courses to help you:

• find the statistics you're looking for
• understand statistical concepts and processes
• analyse, interpret and evaluate statistical information
• communicate statistical findings with tables and graphs.

Refer to the Introduction to Statistics Online Course for a comprehensive overview of statistics. Or have a look at our Online Video Tutorials and Online Presentations to find out about specific topics of interest. ABS also offers face to face training courses on a range of topics to develop skills for high quality statistical collections and statistical analysis.

NatStats 2010 Conference




The Australian Bureau of Statistics will be hosting another NatStats conference at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour on 15 - 17 September 2010.

NatStats 2010 will build on the enthusiasm and passion generated by delegates at NatStats08 and aims to build stronger links with key stakeholders, strengthen the understanding of statistical issues within and across governments, and consolidate support for current and emerging statistical initiatives.

An exciting program is being developed and will address a range of issues regarding national statistics. If you would like to hear more about NatStats 2010 Conference, or have any suggestions, please email natstats@nss.gov.au.

ABS Statistical Training Course - Valuing Australia’s Environment

The course 'Valuing Australia’s Environment' will be held at the ABS Queensland Office on 1 June 2010.

This one-day course provides an introduction to the notion of environmental accounts, including insight into their compilation and uses. The information contained in environmental accounts enables governments to develop environmental policies, including identifying more sustainable development pathways, priority regions and industries. It also enables monitoring of the impact of economic policies on the environment, and greater precision in the development of environmental regulations and resource management strategies.

Environmental accounts also allow others in the community, business, non-government organisations and the general public to monitor their own progress towards targets which they may have identified and funded.

This course is suitable for those seeking an introduction to environmental accounting. Both statisticians and data users with an interest in the environment may find the course valuable.

Registrations and contacts: ABS Training: Registration and Contacts
Venue: ABS Queensland Office, Level 3 - 639 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland.
Duration: 1 day (approx. 9:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Fee: $450.00 (inc. GST)
Date: 1 June 2010

ABS Surveys Charter, 2010

ABS Surveys Charter, 2010 (cat. no. 1008.0) was released on 5 March 2010.

This Charter specifies what you can expect when the ABS approaches you for inclusion in any of our household or business surveys. We seek to continually improve our relationship with survey participants, and would appreciate your feedback in relation to any contact you have with the ABS, and on the standards identified in this Charter in particular.

RECENT RELEASES


National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey: Users' Guide, 2008

Microdata: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, Expanded CURF, 2008

Framework for Measuring Wellbeing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2009

Crime Victimisation, Australia, 2008-09

Wage and Salary Earner Statistics for Small Areas, Time Series, 2003-04 to 2006-07

Underemployed Workers, Australia, Sep 2009

Australian Social Trends, March 2010

ABS Release Information




National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey: Users' Guide, 2008

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey: Users' Guide, 2008 (cat. no. 4720.0) was released on 26 February 2010.

This publication contains information on the concepts and methods used in sampling, data collection and processing of the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS).

Also included are technical details and conditions of use for the Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs), a copy of the questionnaire, a comprehensive data item list and associated explanatory materials to aid understanding of the survey.

Microdata: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, Expanded CURF, 2008

Microdata: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, Expanded CURF, 2008 (cat. no. 4720.0.55.001) was released on 3 March 2010.

Microdata from the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) is available in the form of two Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs). The CURFs contain confidentialised data about each selected person and the household to which they belong. Data are available for the following topics: language and culture, social capital, life experiences, health, education, work, income and finances, housing and mobility, transport, information technology, and safety, crime and justice. The files are only available through the Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL) to clients who have signed a Deed of Undertaking regarding use of the information for statistical purposes. Information about the data content, technical details and conditions of use is provided in the 2008 NATSISS Users' Guide (cat. no. 4720.0).


Framework for Measuring Wellbeing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2009

Framework for Measuring Wellbeing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2009 (First Issue) (cat. no. 4703.0) was released on 5 March 2010.

This publication describes a framework developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in conjunction with stakeholders, to measure the wellbeing of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The framework attempts to provide a holistic approach to the mapping of statistics about the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. It is presented as a broad level document, balanced across selected themes or 'domains'. It will be used to guide the development of ABS Indigenous statistics, by providing an organisational structure to aid the identification of data gaps and areas for statistical improvements. It will also provide a useful structure for ABS reporting and analysis of Indigenous wellbeing.

When using the framework it is recommended that the elements are used in reference to individuals rather than households. Some elements of the framework may not lend themselves to being collected in traditional statistical collections and some elements may not be able to be measured at all. This in no way means that these concepts are not important to the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

At the 'individual level', topics focus on the characteristics of a person. This relates to a wide range of areas which include: roles and responsibilities, health status, beliefs and history, educational participation and participation in governance arrangements.

The 'social, cultural, physical and economic environment' represents the immediate networks and environments of individuals. The framework attempts to identify the transactions between individuals and their environments, by grouping similar elements together into nine broad domains, which together contribute to the notion of wellbeing. While many of the variables traditionally collected about the Indigenous population are included, so too are a range of concepts and ideas that are outside the traditional statistical areas included in ABS (and other agency) statistical collections. This includes concepts and issues such as identity, customs and spirituality.

As elements within each of the domains may interact with those in other domains, the domains should not be considered as mutually exclusive of each other. The nine domains are:

• Culture, heritage and leisure
• Family, kinship and community
• Health
• Education, learning and skills
• Customary, voluntary and paid work
• Income and economic resources
• Housing, infrastructure and services
• Law and justice
• Citizenship and governance

This is a living document and while the ABS acknowledges the assistance of, and is grateful for, the input of many stakeholder organisations during and subsequent to the consultative phase of the project in 2009, we welcome further comment. Please forward your comment to ncatsis@abs.gov.au especially in relation to perceived omissions or improved terminology.

Crime Victimisation, Australia, 2008-09

Crime Victimisation, Australia, 2008-09 (cat. no. 4530.0) was released on 18 February 2010.

This publication presents first results from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) redesigned national Crime Victimisation Survey, conducted from July 2008 to June 2009 using the ABS Multipurpose Household Survey (MPHS). The publication includes data about victims for a selected range of personal and household offences, whether victims reported these incidents to police, characteristics of victims and characteristics of their most recent incident, and people's perceptions of safety and problems in their neighbourhood.

The 2008-09 Crime Victimisation Survey has been redesigned using a new method of collection. The 2008-09 MPHS data were collected by personal interviews by telephone or at selected dwellings. Due to differences in mode of data collection and survey questions, crime victimisation data from the 2008-09 Crime Victimisation Survey onwards is not directly comparable with data from Crime and Safety Surveys of previous years.

Some data for Queensland:

• In 2008-09, there were 100,700 people who were victims of physical assault and 147,500 who were threatened with physical assault. A further 14,000 were victims of sexual assault and 13,200 were robbed.
• An estimated 41% of physical assaults, 21.4% of sexual assaults and 42.2% of robberies were reported.
• In 2008-09, 53,900 households were broken into and break-in attempts were made at a further 42,000.
• Motor vehicle theft occurred at 12,700 households and theft from a motor vehicle at 54,200 households.
• Malicious property damage was done to 152,700 households and other theft occurred at 70,900 households.
• Similar data for other states and information on victimisation rates, reporting rates and the relative standard errors of all data items is available in the datacubes in the downloads tab of Crime Victimisation, Australia, 2008-09

Wage and Salary Earner Statistics for Small Areas, Time Series, 2003-04 to 2006-07

Wage and Salary Earner Statistics for Small Areas,Time Series, 2003-04 to 2006-07 (cat. no. 5673.0.55.003) was released on 12 March 2010.

This release contains estimates relating to all persons who received income from wages and salaries in the years 2003-04 to 2006-07. This represents a change from the data previously released under this catalogue number for the years 2003-04 to 2005-06. The previous series related to persons whose main (or principal) source of income was from wages and salaries. In addition, there has been a change in the definition of wage and salary income in this issue. The ABS has obtained data for the years 2003-04 to 2005-06 on the new basis to provide a time series for the years 2003-04 to 2006-07. Users should exercise caution in comparing data in this release with data in previous issues.

These data cubes contain various cross-tabulations of the characteristics of wage and salary earners such as age, sex, occupation and wage and salary income for the years 2003-04 to 2006-07. Most of the data in these tables are presented for each Statistical Local Area (SLA) and Local Government Area (LGA) in Australia. These data have been compiled from the Individual Income Tax Return Database of the Australian Taxation Office and are part of the program of the Australian Bureau of Statistics to increase the range of regional statistics available through the use of administrative information from other government agencies.


Underemployed Workers, Australia, Sep 2009

Underemployed Workers, Australia, Sep 2009 (cat. no. 6265.0) was released on 23 February 2010.

Underemployed workers are defined as part-time workers who want, and are available for, more hours of work than they currently have, and full-time workers who worked part-time hours during the reference week for economic reasons. The number of underemployed workers are an important component of underutilised labour resources in the economy, along with the number of unemployed and some people with marginal attachment to the labour force.

This publication presents information about the characteristics of underemployed workers aged 15 years and over. For time series information on the number of underemployed workers, users are advised to use the quarterly Labour Force Survey estimates. Trend and seasonally adjusted estimates are released quarterly in Australian Labour Market Statistics (cat. no. 6105.0), tables 4.1 to 4.4.

The statistics in this publication were compiled from the Underemployed Workers Survey conducted throughout Australia in September 2009 as a supplement to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) monthly Labour Force Survey (LFS). A range of information is presented on underemployed workers including the number of hours usually worked, number of preferred hours, steps taken to find work with more hours and difficulties finding work with more hours.

Some data for Queensland:

• At September 2009 there were 1,619,300 employed full-time workers (1,041,100 males and 578,200 females) and 622,800 part-time workers (171,000 males and 451,800 females).
• The total number of underemployed workers (who wanted more hours and were available to start within 4 weeks) was 168,400 - 70,400 males and 98,000 females.
• Underemployed females outnumbered underemployed males principally because there were more part-time female workers (451,800) than part-time male workers (171,000).
• The proportion of part-time workers who were underemployed was 30% for males and 21% for females.
• A larger proportion of part-time male workers (33%) would prefer to work more hours than part-time female workers (23%) and a larger proportion of part-time male workers were actively looking for work with more hours or were available to start within 4 weeks (94% of those who wanted more hours) than female part-time workers (92% of those who wanted more hours).

Australian Social Trends, March 2010

Australian Social Trends, March 2010 (cat. no. 4102.0) was released on 16 March 2010.

The publication draws together a wide range of statistics from the ABS and other official sources to provide a picture of Australian society and how it is changing over time.

The latest edition features five articles:

• The labour market during recent economic downturns - The recent global financial crisis triggered a period of slowing economic growth in Australia. This article looks at how the labour market was affected during this time and compares this to previous economic downturns.
• Health and socioeconomic disadvantage - Previous analysis has shown that disadvantaged Australians have higher levels of disease risk factors and lower use of preventative health services than those who experience socioeconomic advantage. This article examines differences in indicators of health among Australians according to the relative level of socioeconomic disadvantage of where they live.
• Are young people learning or earning? - Increasing education participation and improving transition to work outcomes for young Australians are key objectives of the Council of Australian Governments 2009 National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment. This article looks at the levels of engagement of young people in study and work including the transitions of recent school leavers.
• Income support among people of working age - In contrast to earlier decades, the period since 1996 has seen a fall in the number of working age people receiving income support. This article examines the changes that have driven the decline and profiles the recipients of income support.
• Repeat imprisonment - The imprisonment rate has increased steadily over the last decade. This article looks at prisoners who have been released from prison and then re-imprisoned within 10 years of their release.

The publication shows that:

• In Queensland, 22% of young people aged 15-24 years were not fully engaged (in either study or work). This was above the national average of 19%.
• Within 10 years of release, 42% of prisoners in Queensland were re-imprisoned. This was one of the highest rates in Australia and above the national average of 39%.

ABS Release Information

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website provides the release details for all statistical products expected to be released in the coming six months.

The web page 'Release Advice for ABS Publications for the Next Six Months' is revised on the ABS website at the beginning of each month. This six-month forecasting is intended to keep clients informed about products and when they will become available.

All ABS core statistical and other statistical publications that usually have a catalogue number will be detailed as well as prominent non-statistical publications such as the ABS Annual Report and Australian Statistics Advisory Council Annual Report.

For further information please access the following link Release Advice for ABS Publications for the Next Six Months.

Information on all ABS product releases can also be accessed from ABS Release Advice. This web page also provides links to Previous Releases, Releases Scheduled for the Next Six Months and Main Economic Indicator Releases.

DISCUSSION PAPERS


Discussion Paper: Census of Population and Housing - ABS Views on 2011 Census Output Geography, November 2009

Research Paper: Linking Census Records to Death Registrations, March 2010

Assessing impact on policy of ABS products-based data, March 2010



Discussion Paper: Census of Population and Housing - ABS Views on 2011 Census Output Geography, November 2009

Discussion Paper: Census of Population and Housing - ABS Views on 2011 Census Output Geography, November 2009 (cat. no. 2911.0.55.002) was released on 9 March 2010.

This publication announces plans for the implementation of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) for the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is to replace the Australian Statistical Geographical Classification (ASGC) with the new Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) commencing in 2011. The Census of Population and Housing is a key source of high quality statistical data for small geographic areas. The move to the new classification will lead to improvements in the quality of small area time series data from the Census and will enable better comparison between Census and other data sources that adopt the new geographic classification.

The purpose of this paper is to:

• inform census users of the geographical areas for which data from the 2011 Census will be available, and
• seek user views on the range of products that will be available for the various levels of the ASGS.

Research Paper: Linking Census Records to Death Registrations, March 2010

Research Paper: Linking Census Records to Death Registrations, March 2010 (cat. no. 1351.0.55.030) was released on 11 March 2010.

In order to gain a better understanding of the extent of Indigenous identification in mortality data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) linked 2006 Census data to death registrations to compare the reported Indigenous status from each dataset. Data linking was conducted by authorised ABS officers during the Census processing period when name and address were available to be used as linking variables. After Census processing, all Census names and addresses held by the ABS were destroyed. This data linking project is referred to as the Indigenous Mortality Quality Study, which forms part of the broader Census Data Enhancement project.

This paper builds on other papers already released about the Indigenous Mortality Quality Study, by elaborating on the probabilistic data linking methodology used to link the Census and death records. An evaluation of the linkage is also provided.

Assessing impact on policy of ABS products-based data, March 2010

Assessing impact on policy of ABS products-based data, March 2010 (cat. no. 1254.0.55.002) was released on 5 March 2010.

As part of the ABS on-going commitment to the review and development of statistical standards, the ABS is currently assessing the impact on policy of ABS products-based data.

Classifications provide structured frameworks to support systematic data collection, collation, manipulation, dissemination, and statistical analysis. Product classifications relate to physical goods, and in some cases, services. The ABS currently uses a range of product classifications which are each designed to meet specific objectives.

This Discussion Paper seeks public comment on the suitability of the product classifications used by the ABS, and the resulting usefulness and relevance of published product-based data.

NEWSLETTERS

Labour Statistics News, February 2010

CURF Microdata News, February 2010

Innovation and Technology Update, February 2010

Demography News, March 2010

Methodological News, March 2010



Labour Statistics News, February 2010

Labour Statistics News, February 2010 (cat. no. 6106.0) was released on 25 February 2010.

Labour Statistics News is published twice yearly by the Labour Market Statistics National Statistical Centre.

It provides information about the latest in labour market statistics including:

• Outlining recent developments and survey reviews
• Informing and seeking feedback on current projects
• Providing analysis and articles on labour-related issues
• Providing information on how to find, use and interpret ABS labour market statistics
• Providing useful contacts within the labour market area of the ABS
• Highlighting significant releases of ABS labour market data or analysis and
• Advertising upcoming statistical training in labour market statistics.

Labour Statistics News aims to reach a wide range of users to inform and engage with the community on labour market issues and statistical developments.

CURF Microdata News, February 2010

CURF Microdata News, February 2010 (cat. no. 1104.0) was released on 26 February 2010.

CURF Microdata News is a quarterly newsletter created by the Microdata Access Strategies Section at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). CURF Microdata News is aimed at informing new and current Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) Microdata users about issues and developments in the access to, and use of, CURF Microdata. The newsletter periodically covers topics such as available and forthcoming microdata releases, terms and conditions of access, responsible access to microdata and best practice tips, pricing, microdata research outputs, frequently asked questions, and information about applying for ABS CURF microdata.

Interested readers are also invited to visit the CURF Microdata pages on the ABS web site for relevant up-to-date information about each of these matters.

Innovation and Technology Update, February 2010

Innovation and Technology Update, February 2010 (cat. no. 8101.0) was released on 26 February 2010.

This half-yearly electronic newsletter is published by the Innovation and Technology National Statistical Centre to inform internal and external stakeholders of recent and upcoming developments on Information and Communication Technology, Innovation and Research and Development statistics.

Demography News, March 2010

Demography News, March 2010 (cat. no. 3106.0) was released on 3 March 2010.

Demographic statistics provide measures of the Australian population, its size, growth, composition and geographic distribution, as well as the components that shape population change: births, deaths and migration.

This newsletter provides information about the latest demographic research and analysis being undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Methodological News, March 2010

Methodological News, March 2010 (cat. no. 1504.0) was released on 10 March 2010.

The Methodological News is a quarterly information bulletin from the Methodology and Data Management Division. The newsletter features articles and developments in relation to work done with the division. Features in this issue include: household survey framework developments, a new strategy for employment size in business survey frames, the challenges in design of a wheat use survey, small area estimation techniques and the NatStats 2010 conference.