1246.0 - Education Variables, June 2014  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/06/2014   
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OUTPUT

STANDARD OUTPUT CATEGORIES

The hierarchical structure of the ASCED allows users the flexibility to output statistics at the level of the classification which best suits their requirements (Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), 2001 (cat. no. 1272.0)).

Constraints affecting statistical collection, such as confidentiality or standard errors, may not permit the output of data at the more detailed levels of the classification. However, regardless of the level of aggregation envisaged for dissemination, wherever possible, data should be captured, classified and stored at the detailed level of the classification. The use of the standard classification will enhance data comparability even though it may not always be possible to disseminate the data at the most detailed level.

Level of highest non-school qualification

The following are the recommended standard output categories for 'Level of highest non-school qualification':

    Postgraduate Degree
    Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate
    Bachelor Degree
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma
    Certificate III/IV
    Certificate I/II
    Certificate not further defined
    Level not determined
    No non-school qualification
The following are the recommended short names for the output categories above:
    Postgrad. Deg.
    Grad. Dip./Grad. Cert.
    Bach. Deg.
    Adv. Dip./Dip.
    Cert. III/IV
    Cert. I/II
    Cert. n.f.d.
    Level not determined
    No qual.
Aggregation of categories

Output for 'Level of highest non-school qualification' at the Broad level of the ASCED Level of Education classification indicates completion of a Detailed Level category associated with the Broad level. For example, output at Broad Level 1 (Postgraduate Degree Level) indicates completion of a Doctorate or Master Degree. Similarly output at Broad Level 5 (Certificate Level) indicates completion of at least one certificate at Certificate Levels I, II, III, or IV.

Main field of highest non-school qualification

The following are the recommended standard output categories for this variable:

    Natural and physical sciences
    Information technology
    Engineering and related technologies
    Architecture and building
    Agriculture, environmental and related studies
    Health
    Education
    Management and commerce
    Society and culture
    Creative arts
    Food, hospitality and personal services
    Mixed field programmes
    Field not determined
Year non-school qualification completed

The output categories are the same as the input categories. They may be grouped to suit the analytical purposes of the collection.

SUPPORTING VARIABLES

Within the ABS 'Level of highest non-school qualification' and 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' are coded simultaneously. 'Level of highest non-school qualification' requires the supporting variable 'Year non-school qualification completed'.

These three 'Highest non-school qualification' variables are supporting variables to ‘Level of highest educational attainment’ and ‘Main field of highest educational attainment’.