2011.0.55.001 - Information Paper: Census of Population and Housing - Products and Services, 2016  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/03/2017   
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CENSUS GEOGRAPHY

Data from the 2016 Census will be released using the 2016 version of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

Mesh Blocks (MBs) are the base unit of output geography for the ASGS and will be aggregated up to form the higher level units in the main structure of the ASGS.

For the 2011 Census, data was also available for Statistical Local Areas (SLAs), the basic unit from the geographic classification used in 2006, to enable time series comparison. However, this was a transitional arrangement and will not apply in 2016.

In addition to the main structure, the ASGS also includes other structures based on legal and administrative areas. Examples are Local Government Areas, State Suburbs and Tourism Regions. In 2011, these areas were approximated SA1s. In 2016, they will be approximated using Mesh Blocks, giving greater precision.

The 2016 ASGS has been updated to include the Territory of Norfolk Island within the 'Other Territories' category.

More information about the 2016 ASGS can be found in the publication Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2016 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001).

For a detailed list of which geographies will be available in each 2016 Census Product, see Appendix 2: Release Schedule by Geography.