5216.0 - Australian System of National Accounts: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2014  
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PREFACE


This publication is a guide to the Australian System of National Accounts. It outlines the major concepts and definitions, describes the data sources and methods used to prepare the estimates, and discusses the accuracy and reliability of the national accounts. It is particularly designed for use by those regularly using the accounts, such as economic and financial analysts. It is also intended as a reference for others who make use of the accounts less frequently, such as students of economics. The material is designed to enable users to appreciate and more readily assess the significance, accuracy and reliability of national accounting concepts and estimates.

This is the fifth edition of 5216.0. A revised edition was first published in July 2012, and reflected the implementation of System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA), Sixth Edition of the IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) and Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (cat. no. 1292.0) (ANZSIC06) with statistics published in Australian System of National Accounts, 2010-11 (cat. no. 5204.0); the September quarter 2011 issue of Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product (cat. no. 5206.0); the Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2010-11 (cat. no. 5220.0); and the September quarter 2011 issue of Financial Accounts (cat. no. 5232.0).

The second edition was published in September 2012, and included the chapter on the concepts, sources and methods that underpin the Australian Input-Output tables. This is consistent with the ABS publications, Australian National Accounts: Input-Output Tables 2008-09 (cat. no. 5209.0.55.001) and the Australian National Accounts: Input-Output Tables (Product Details) 2008-09 (cat. no. 5215.0.55.001).

The third edition was published in December 2012, and included five additional chapters covering productivity and analytical measures; state accounts; satellite and environmental-economic accounts; and the quality of the national accounts. This is consistent with the ABS publications, Australian System of National Accounts, 2011-12 (cat. no. 5204.0); the September quarter 2012 issue of Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product (cat. no. 5206.0); and Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2011-12 (cat. no. 5220.0).

Two additional appendices were included in the third edition. The first appendix addresses the current issue of measuring ‘beyond GDP’ and ABS initiatives to meet this demand. The second one outlines the issues of the non-observed economy within the Australian context.

The fourth edition was published in December 2013, and is consistent with the ABS publications, Australian System of National Accounts, 2012-13 (cat. no. 5204.0); the September quarter 2013 issue of Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product (cat. no. 5206.0); and Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2012-13 (cat. no. 5220.0).

This edition does not include new chapters or appendices. The chapters released in this edition have been updated to reflect changes made to the sources and methods used to compile the Australian System of National Accounts. This is consistent with the ABS publications, Australian System of National Accounts, 2013-14 (cat. no. 5204.0); Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2013-14 (cat. no. 5220.0); and the September quarter 2014 issues of Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product (cat. no. 5206.0) and Australian National Accounts: Finance and Wealth (cat. no. 5232.0).