4914.0.55.001 - Newsletter: Age Matters, Apr 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/04/2003   
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NEW AND IMMINENT DATA RELEASES

First CURFs released on the Remote Access Data Laboratory

The release of the first Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs) from the National Health Survey 2001 on 7 April also heralds the release of the ABS Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL). 2001 NHS clients have a choice of purchasing a CURF file on CD-ROM, or a CURF file designed for use via the RADL, which will provide them with access to more detailed data than can be provided on the CD-ROM release.

The RADL has been developed as part of the wider ABS microdata access strategy. A key feature of the RADL is that unit record data remain within the ABS environment. Users are able to submit SAS or SPSS queries to the RADL via a secure Internet link, and have appropriate statistical outputs returned to them.

The NHS 2001 CURFs will also utilise strengthened ABS microdata access arrangements. As part of a wider protections strategy, all users now have to sign a Personal Undertaking to abide by confidentiality requirements, as well as undergo training in responsible access to unit record files, before access to the CURFs can be given.

Further information on the RADL, Application and Undertakings, as well as the Responsible Access to Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs) Training Manual, can be found on the ABS website at Products and Services/How to get ABS statistics/Access to ABS CURF.

The full launch of the RADL service has been scheduled for July 2003, coinciding with the release of Census 2001 CURFs and a second-stage release of the NHS 2001 CURFs. User feedback from the first stage release of the 2001 NHS CURFs will be used to fine-tune the RADL over these next few months, and the possibility of including STATA software functionality will also be investigated.


Australia's population growing and growing older

On 27 March 2003, the ABS released the publication Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, June 1997 to June 2002 (cat . no. 3201.0). The publication contains final revised estimates of the resident population by age and sex for Australian states and territories as at 30 June 1997 to 2001 and preliminary estimates as at 30 June 2002, based on the 2001 Census of Population and Housing.

In the 12 months to June 2002, the Australian resident population increased by 249,500, reaching 19,662,800 persons in total. The growth rate over this period was 1.3%. The average annual growth rate for the previous 5 years, 1996 to 2001 was 1.2%. Over the 20 years to 2002, the population of Australia has increased by 4,478,500 (29%). The estimated resident population of all states and territories increased in the year to June 2002. Queensland recorded a growth rate of 2.2%, followed by Victoria and Western Australia (each 1.4%).

The median age of the Australian population, the age at which half the population is older and half is younger, increased by 0.2 years in the year to June 2002. The median age has increased by 6.0 years in the last 20 years, from 29.9 years in June 1982 to 35.9 years in June 2002. Australia’s population is ageing due to sustained low fertility (resulting in proportionally fewer children in the population) and increased life expectancy.

Since 1982 the number of children (aged 0-14 years) in the population has grown 6%. In contrast, the number of persons aged 15-64 years has increased by 33% and the number of persons aged 65 years and over has increased by 66%. This disparate growth pattern reflects a shift in the age structure of the total population, commensurate with gradual population ageing.

POPULATION CHANGE, Age group - 1982 to 2002p
Graph - population change, age group-1982 to 2000p
p - preliminary


In the 12 months to June 2002, the number of children aged 0-14 years decreased nationally by 5,200 children (0.1%). An increase in the number of children aged 10-14 years of 1.0% was more than offset by decreases in the number of children in lower age groups, reflecting Australia’s declining fertility (from 1.86 babies per woman in 1991 to 1.73 in 2001). Queensland was the only state to record growth in the number of children aged 0-14 years (0.9%). The number of children in Victoria was virtually unchanged and declined in all other states and territories.

The number of persons aged 15-64 years grew by 1.5% during the 12 months to June 2002. For this age group, Queensland (2.4%) and Victoria (1.7%) experienced growth rates above the national average.

In the 12 months to June 2002, the number of persons aged 65 years and over increased by 2.2%, to just under 2.5 million in total, or 12.7% of the population of Australia. The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over in was 11.8% in Queensland and 11.2% in Western Australia, while the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory recorded 8.8% and 3.9%, respectively.

Proportionally, the greatest population increase in the year to June 2002 occurred among persons aged 85 years and over (5.7%). During this period, the number of people in this age group increased from 265,200 to 280,400. This continues the rapid increase in the elderly population, which has grown by 164% over the last 20 years, compared with a total population growth of 29% over the same period.

In the 12 months to June 2002, the fastest increases in the number of persons aged 85 years and over occurred in the Australian Capital Territory (9.4%), Queensland (6.8%), Tasmania (6.3%) and New South Wales (6.2%). These states and territories experienced faster growth in the number of elderly people than did Australia as a whole.

For further information contact Genevieve Heard on 02 6252 7883 or genevieve.heard@abs.gov.au

2002 General Social Survey

The release of results from the first iteration of a new ABS survey, the 2002 General Social Survey (GSS) is imminent. The GSS, which is intended to be repeated every four years, provides a wide range of information about the same individuals allowing the links betwen different areas of social concern to be explored. The information collected in the survey includes details of health and disability, housing, education, labour force, transport, crime, and indicators of family and community involvement, as well as economic items (income and selected assets, liabilities and financial stress). Both national and state level estimates will be available from the survey. Initial results from the GSS will be released in May/June 2003 in the publication General Social Survey, Australia (cat. no. 4159.0). Data from this survey are available for different age groups, including older people.

For further information contact Graeme Groves on 02 6252 5943 or graeme.groves@abs.gov.au

Managing Caring Responsibilities and Paid Employment, Queensland

This Queensland-specific publication investigates the labour force experience of those who currently have or have had caring responsibilities. The focus is on the use of leave and flexible work arrangements. The survey will also look at whether caring responsibilities have an impact on labour force participation. Key areas of interest include labour force information on employment status; whether cared for someone and relationship to the person cared for, leave taken (or leave required) to care for someone and length of paid maternity leave.

The publication Managing Paid Employment and Unpaid Caring Responsibilities, Queensland, October 2002 (cat. no. 4903.3) is due for release late April 2003.

Aged Care Facilities Now Separately Identified in Value of Non-residential Building Approvals Data Produced by the ABS

From the 1st of July 2000, the Australian Bureau of Statistics commenced coding building approvals using a revised Functional Classification of Building (FCB) (ABS Cat. 1268.0.55.001). The FCB classifies buildings to the stated predominant function or purpose of the building, according to the description as it appears on the approval documentation. The revised FCB takes into account new and emerging trends within the building industry and provides further dissection on types of buildings. The revised FCB has resulted in changes to the classifications within the non-residential sector, including the identification of aged care facilities.

Building Approval data is still being published using the previous FCB, but it is planned to publish using the new FCB commencing with the July 2003 issue of 'Building Approvals, Australia' (ABS cat. no. 8731.0). In the interim, data using the new FCB has been published in two feature articles in 8731.0. The most recent article, with data for the financial years 2000-01 and 2001-02, can be found on the ABS website Feature Article - Functional Classification of Buildings (cat. no. 8731.0).

The ABS is also identifying residential building approved where the purpose of the building is for 'retirement' purposes. This can include, but is not limited to, buildings described in approval documentation as 'retirement villages'. These data are not currently published, but are available as a consultancy service. Data is available for the current (2002-03) financial year only.

Inquiries should be directed to Andrea Woods, ABS Building and Construction on (08) 8237 7350 or andrea.woods@abs.gov.au


Age Data from 2001 Crime and Safety Survey

The 2001 Crime and Safety Survey (cat. no. 4509.0) will be released in June 2003. Publication tables will include breakdowns for mature age and older age groups (45-54; 55-64; and 65 years and over), covering the following topics:
  • Victims of Robbery, Selected characteristics;
  • Victims of Assault, Selected characteristics;
  • Victims of Sexual Assault, Selected characteristics;
  • Feelings of safety at home alone* during the day by selected characteristics; and
  • Feelings of safety at home alone* after dark by selected characteristics.

* Feelings of safety at home alone are new topics for the 2001 Crime and Safety Survey.


Introduction of Age Dimension to Courts Data

The publication Criminal Courts, Australia 2001-02 (cat. no. 4513.0) includes, for the first time, information about offence and penalty. This information will be available for both sex and age groupings. The publication will present the principal offence category for which defendants were adjudicated, allowing readers to examine differences in patterns of offending for males and females and for the various age groups. Information will also be presented on sentences received by defendants, providing data users with the opportunity to examine differences in court outcomes for males and females and for the various age groups. These cross-classifications of sex and age by offence and sentence type will add a new level of complexity and value to the Criminal Courts publication. The publication was released on 9 April 2003.

For further information contact Julie Cole, ABS National Crime and Justice Statistics Centre, on 03 9615 7381 or julie.cole@abs.gov.au