ABOUT THIS ISSUE
This issue contains estimates of the resident population by age (in five-year age groups up to 85 and over) and sex for 30 June 2001 to 30 June 2016. Estimates are provided for Statistical Areas Levels 2 to 4 (SA2s - SA4s), Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs), and states and territories of Australia, according to the 2016 edition of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Estimates are also provided for Local Government Areas (LGAs) based on 2016 boundaries.
Estimates for SA2s - SA4s and GCCSAs according to the 2011 edition of the ASGS are also included.
Both preliminary and final rebased estimates are available from the Downloads tab. For further information on the status of the population estimates contained in this issue, please see the ERP Status and Future Releases section below. The summary commentary in this issue focuses on the age and sex distribution of populations at the SA2 level and above as at 30 June 2016, as well as changes to these distributions over ten years (2006 - 2016), based on preliminary rebased estimates as at 30 June 2016.
The total population of the Other Territories, namely Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Jervis Bay is included in all references to the total population of Australia. Under the 2016 ASGS, Norfolk Island is also included from 2016. However, the Other Territories are excluded from commentary about the states and territories of Australia.
ERP STATUS AND FUTURE RELEASES
The estimates initially released in this issue on 28 August 2017 were final for 2001 to 2011 and preliminary rebased for 2012 to 2016 (denoted 2012pr - 2016pr), based on results of the 2016 Census of Population and Housing. The commentary contained in this issue is based on these preliminary rebased estimates as at 30 June 2016.
Final 2016 Census-based estimates for 2012 to 2016 were added to the Downloads tab of this product on 31 August 2018. Corresponding final rebased totals were added to the Downloads tab of Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2016 (cat. no. 3218.0) on the same date. Final rebased estimates supersede all previously released estimates. Please note that no new commentary has been prepared based on final rebased estimates.
For further information on the rebasing process, see Quality Assurance of Rebased Population Estimates (cat. no. 3250.0.55.001), and Feature Article: Final Rebasing of Australia's Population Estimates Using the 2016 Census in Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2017 (cat. no. 3101.0).
ACCURACY OF POPULATION ESTIMATES
It is important to recognise that sub-state/territory population estimates in this product are produced using Census data, mathematical modelling and population-weighted geographical correspondences and are subject to some error. A degree of caution should be exercised when using the estimates, especially for areas with very small populations.
All statistics included in the commentary for this publication are rounded. While unrounded figures are provided in spreadsheets, accuracy to the last digit should not be assumed.
CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE
This issue includes the first release of official population estimates by age and sex based on the 2016 edition of the ASGS. It is also the last issue that will include total population estimates by age and sex based on the 2011 edition of the ASGS. The 2016 edition of the ASGS reflects growth and changes in Australia's population, economy and infrastructure since the ASGS was introduced in 2011.
Following the introduction of the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015, the population of Norfolk Island is included in the population of Australia under the 2016 edition of the ASGS from 2016 onwards.
This issue also incorporates minor format changes to streamline the Main Features and State/Territory commentaries. The sections of commentary focussing on children (under 15 years of age), working age population (aged 15-64 years) and people aged 65 years and older are no longer included. Estimates for these age groups are still available from the Downloads tab.
FUTURE CHANGES IN THIS PRODUCT
A new method has been introduced to prepare total sub-state population estimates for 30 June 2017 onwards. Sub-state ERP totals have been estimated out from the 2016 Census-based ERP using the components of population change - births, deaths, internal and overseas migration. This method is consistent with that used to prepare national, state and territory ERP and provides an accounts-base for breaking down population change, enabling users to see how much change is due to natural increase and migration. The component method has replaced the regression modelling method previously used to prepare totals, and compliments the component-based approach currently used to prepare age-sex estimates.
The annual release of sub-state ERP prepared using this new method will follow the current schedule, with totals released nine months after the reference date and age-sex breakdowns around 13 months after the reference date. The first set of total sub-state population estimates prepared using this new method (for 30 June 2017) was released in April 2018, with age and sex breakdowns scheduled for release in September 2018.
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. The ABS Privacy Policy outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information provided to us.
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