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INTRODUCTION

1 This publication contains revised estimates of the resident populations by age and sex, of Australian States and Territories, as at 30 June 2000 and preliminary estimates as at 30 June 2001. Mean ages, median ages and sex ratios for the States, Territories and Australia are also included.

2 Following the 1992 amendment to the Acts Interpretation Act to include the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands as part of geographic Australia, population estimates commencing September quarter 1993 include estimates for these two territories. To reflect this change, another category of the State/Territory level has been created, known as Other Territories. Other Territories include Jervis Bay Territory, previously included with the Australian Capital Territory, as well as Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, previously excluded from population estimates for Australia. Data for Other Territories, while not detailed separately, are included in tables where specifically noted.

RESIDENT POPULATION ESTIMATES SERIES

3 Australia's population statistics for the period from 1971 are compiled according to the place of usual residence of the population. An explanation of the place of usual residence conceptual basis for population estimates is given in Demographic Estimates and Projections: Concepts, Sources and Methods.

METHOD OF ESTIMATION

4 The estimates by age of the population of Australia and the States and Territories at the date of the Census are derived from the Census Counts and Place of Usual Residence, by adjusting for under-enumeration and adding the number of Australian residents estimated to have been temporarily overseas at the time of the Census.

5 Post-censal population estimates are obtained by advancing the previous year's estimates to the next year by subtracting deaths and adding births and net estimated interstate and overseas migration. After each census, estimates for the preceding intercensal period are revised by incorporating an additional adjustment (intercensal discrepancy) to ensure that the total intercensal increase at each age agrees with the difference between the estimated resident populations at the two respective census dates.

Net overseas migration

6 Estimates of overseas migration are based on net permanent and long-term overseas movements with State and Territory not stated allocated pro rata. The estimates from July 1976 onwards include an adjustment for the net effect of category jumping. This adjustment is necessary because net permanent and long-term migration figures can be affected by changes in travel intentions from short-term to permanent/long-term or vice versa. For example, an Australian resident departing for a short-term visit overseas (stating that he/she intends to stay abroad for less than 12 months) in fact stays more than 12 months, thereby changing his/her travel category from short-term to long-term. Prior to December quarter 1989, adjustments for category jumping were only made to final population estimates. These adjustments are now also included in preliminary estimates. For further details see Demographic Estimates and Projections: Concepts, Sources and Methods.

Net interstate migration

7 Estimates of interstate migration since June 1986 have been derived from latest census data on interstate movement in the preceding one year and unidentified information on interstate changes of addresses advised to the Health Insurance Commission in the process of administering Medicare.

DEFINITIONS

8 Sex ratio: the sex ratio relates to the number of males per 100 females.

9 Median age: the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.

10 Mean age: The average age of the population.

AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF GROWTH

11 The average annual rate of population growth, r, is calculated as a percentage using the formula below, where P₀ is the population at the start of the period, P_n is the population at the end of the period and n is the length of the period between P_n and P₀ in years.

ACCURACY/RELIABILITY

12 It should be noted that while the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) seeks to produce the most accurate estimates of the population possible, the accuracy of the estimates depends on the quality of the source data used. The major source of potential error is considered to be the estimates of interstate migration based on Medicare transfer data.

13 Single year age estimates are not shown for persons aged 85 years or older. The reliability of age estimates decreases as older ages are reached. However, estimates for each age up to 99 have been calculated and are available on request.

14 In recognition of the inherent accuracy involved in population estimation, population figures over 1,000 in the text are rounded to the nearest hundred, and figures less than 1,000 are rounded to the nearest ten. While unrounded figures are provided in tables, accuracy to the last digit is not claimed and should not be assumed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

15 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated: without it, the wide range of statistics published in the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

16 Eight previous issues of this series containing consolidated data were issued on 23 August 1982 (containing estimates for the years 1971 to 1976); 22 July 1983 (containing estimates for the years 1977 to 1982); 8 December 1987 (containing estimates for the years 1981 to 1987); 21 July 1993 (containing estimates for the years 1987 to 1992); 18 December 1997 (containing estimates for the years 1992 to 1997); 18 December 1998 (containing estimates for the years 1997 and 1998); 16 December 1999 (containing estimates for the years 1998 and 1999); and 19 December 2000 (containing estimates for the years 1999 and 2000).

17 Other ABS publications which may be of interest to users of this publication include:

AusStats - electronic data (see Explanatory Note 18)

Australian Demographic Statistics (Cat. no. 3101.0) - issued quarterly

Australian Demographic Trends (Cat. no. 3102.0) - issued irregularly

Australian Historical Population Statistics (Cat. no. 3105.065.001). From the navigation bar select Themes; Demography; Australian Historical Population Statistics

Births, Australia (Cat. no. 3301.0) - issued annually

Deaths, Australia (Cat. no. 3302.0) - issued annually

Demographic Estimates and Projections: Concepts, Sources and Methods.

Migration, Australia (Cat. no. 3412.0) - issued annually

Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (Cat. no. 3401.0) - issued monthly

Population Projections, Australia, 1999 to 2101 (Cat. no. 3222.0) - issued every two to three years

Regional Population Growth, Australia (Cat. no. 3218.0) - issued annually.

18 AusStats is a web based information service which provides ABS' full standard product range on-line. It also includes companion data in multidimensional datasets in SuperTABLE format, and time series spreadsheets.

19 A compendium of all demographic data for each State and the Australian Capital Territory has been released in State and Territory specific publications, Demography (Cat. nos 3311.1-8). The first release contained 1990 data. These publications are released each year for each State or Territory and contain a variety of demographic data. The first release for the Northern Territory contained 1993 data.

20 Publications are annually produced for each State and Territory showing the estimated resident population within Statistical Local Areas by age group and sex, Population by Age and Sex (Cat. nos 3235.1-8).

21 Current publications produced by the ABS are listed in the Catalogue of Publications and Products (Cat. no. 1101.0). The ABS also issues, on Tuesdays and Fridays, a Release Advice (Cat. no. 1105.0) which lists publications to be released in the next few days. Both are available from any ABS office.