Modernising the Labour Force Survey

The ABS is modernising the way we do things so that we can continue to produce high quality statistics while making it easier for people to complete our surveys. 

As part of the Data Acquisition Modernisation Program, we are making improvements to how we collect the Labour Force Survey to:

• continue to produce high quality labour force statistics
• maintain response rates
• deliver an improved experience for survey respondents, and
• improve the efficiency of our business.

The Labour Force Survey is the official source of employment and unemployment statistics in Australia. It is part of a suite of surveys collected as part of the Monthly Population Survey (MPS). 

A new collection model will update the:

• design (i.e. the groups of questions and topics and how, when and to who they are asked)
• content (i.e. the questions we ask)
• systems and tools used to enumerate the surveys.

The current collection model for the MPS is complex and the systems used to conduct the survey need updating. The current model has been in place since 2014. 

Updating the design of the MPS will:

• continue to ensure we produce high quality labour force statistics and maintain our response rates
• allow the ABS to implement long planned for improvements to the Labour Force Survey
• provide an improved user experience for people completing the survey. The sequencing through the questions will be improved
• improve the efficiency and effectiveness of how we collect data, by reducing duplication and overlap of information collected across our surveys
• build in greater recoverability from the impacts of extreme weather events and other disruptions
• continue to ensure the statistics that we collect reflect a contemporary Australian labour market and society
• provide the opportunity to explore producing more frequent statistics on selected topics. 

Changes to how the Labour Force Survey is conducted will be implemented progressively during 2026. We are planning to undertake the transition over several months which will allow us to carefully assess any statistical impact and adjust our approach if required. 

During the transition period, headline estimates of employment, unemployment and the unemployment rate will continue to be produced monthly. The publication of some supplementary labour topics will be paused or delayed during the transition period. Further details on changes to outputs will be shared in the coming months.

The ABS is committed to producing high quality Labour Force Survey data that meets the needs of our users. Controls are being implemented to measure and manage any statistical impact. 

Things we are doing to ensure a successful transition to the new collection model include:

• Undertaken a field test of 2,000 households in October and November 2025. This allowed us to test our systems, processes and provided an initial assessment of the quality of data collected through the new model.
• Implementing the changes progressively, by survey rotation group, to ensure that any unforeseen impacts can be isolated and addressed.
• Using administrative data (such as single touch payroll data) to quality assure the survey data.
• Working with stakeholders to ensure they are informed and engaged as we transition to the new collection model. Additionally, we are seeking feedback and advice from our Labour Statistics Advisory Group and Methodology Advisory Committee.

The current collection model for the Monthly Population Survey and Labour Force Survey is outlined below with a summary of the changes being implemented as part of the modernisation program.

The MPS is the largest household survey conducted by the ABS. It has been run in some form since 1960. Australia’s official employment and unemployment estimates are produced from information collected in the MPS via the Labour Force Survey. Information is collected online, over the phone or in person with an ABS interviewer. 

Each month, the MPS collects data from around 50,000 people from approximately 24,000 households. It comprises eight sub-samples (or rotation groups), with each group remaining in the survey for eight months. A new rotation group is introduced each month to replace an outgoing rotation group. 

The MPS currently collects a rotating range of information from households each month, which includes:

• Core labour force topics, asked in each month in the Labour Force Survey.
• Additional detailed labour information, such as industry and occupation of employment, asked on a quarterly basis in February, May, August and November Labour Force Surveys.
• Detailed information on supplementary topics collected in specific months (from people who are completing months one to seven of the MPS):
  • Participation, Job Search and Mobility in February
  • Education and Work in May, and
  • Characteristics of Employment in August.
• Additional social and economic topics collected over a financial year in the Multipurpose Household Survey (MPHS), as supplement to the MPS. It is completed shortly after a person’s last month (i.e. month eight) of the MPS. The MPHS is collected over the phone from a selected person and cannot be completed online. 

Planned changes as part of modernisation program:

• Core labour force content will be asked in months one to eight (including some previous content collected quarterly).
• Supplementary survey content will no longer be collected in specific months, instead respondents will complete a new labour focused supplementary survey in their last month (month eight).
• The labour topic Digital Platform Workers will be collected as part of the MPHS in 2026-27. 

Remaining the same:

• The scope of the MPS will remain the same, that is, the usually resident population of Australia aged 15 years and over, excluding members of the permanent defence forces, certain overseas diplomatic personnel, and overseas residents in Australia.
• The sample design of the MPS will also remain the same.
• Headline labour force estimates will continue to be released monthly.
• Key questions asked in the Labour Force Survey that are used to calculate headline estimates will not be changed. However, small improvements will be made to the supporting help information that provides guidance to respondents about how to accurately answer the survey questions.
• Education statistics currently collected in the Labour Force Survey will continue to be collected (as part of the new month eight supplementary survey).

The ABS is committed to ensuring our users are informed of changes in advance of them being implemented. Regular updates will be published on the ABS website. 

If you have a question about the changes to the Labour Force Survey or Monthly Population Survey please email labour.statistics@abs.gov.au.