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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Understanding Statistics

ABS has recently launched a suite of 'Understanding Statistics' ' webpages on the ABS website. These webpages consist of a range of fact sheets, information guides, video tutorials, presentations and online courses to help you:

• find the statistics you're looking for
• understand statistical concepts and processes
• analyse, interpret and evaluate statistical information
• communicate statistical findings with tables and graphs

Following the budget night announcement of additional funds for a new Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index, ABS went into the field in September 2009 with an additional 3,000 pensioner household top-up sample for the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES). The additional sample will deliver a very rich micro dataset for researching the income, expenditure and wealth of pensioners and beneficiaries. Expected release of products from HIES is July 2011. Contact Rajni Madan (02 6252 7457).

Measures of Australia's Progress

Measures of Australia’s Progress (MAP) is a statistical product used to inform across the dimensions of people, environment and economy. ABS is further developing MAP through a review of its framework and indicators. A new look MAP is expected to be released in October 2010 to coincide with the NatStats 2010 Conference. Contact Tracey Chester (02 6252 5609).

2011 Census

The 2011 Census of Population and Housing will be held on Tuesday, 9 August, 2011, and will be the sixteenth national Census held in Australia. It will mark 100 years of national Censuses in Australia, after the first national Census held on 2/3 April, 1911.

In October 2009, ABS conducted focus groups with international tertiary students to explore their perceptions of Census and any barriers they face in participation. The results are currently being analysed and will be used to inform the Census public relations strategy and field procedures targeting this sub-population.

In November, ABS released an information paper outlining content of the 2011 Census, and procedures to be followed in collecting, processing and releasing data. 2008.0 Census of Population and Housing: Nature and Content, 2011. Released 20/11/2009

ABS is continuing to meet with government organisations to discuss specific issues around Census planning and enumeration. ABS Victoria has been gathering valuable intelligence through its schedule of Census engagement visits to local government authorities. Nearly two-thirds of Victorian councils have been visited in 2009. Information and contacts gathered will be used in operational planning of the Census Management Unit within ABS Victoria.

Want to help shape the 2011 Census Product Range?

Data collection for the 2009 State Supplementary Survey (SSS) on Household Water, Energy Use and Conservation occurred in October 2009 as part of the Monthly Population Survey enumeration. Victoria used the same survey vehicle as the SSS in Queensland. A similar survey was also conducted in Western Australia at the same time. Results will be released in state-specific publications in May 2010.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey

Following the release of 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) findings in October 2009, presentations have been provided to Victorian Indigenous Coordination Centre networks, as well as to a workshop which brought together stakeholders working on Victoria's 10 year plan for Aboriginal Children and Young People. More NATSISS data will be released progressively throughout 2010 in the form of complete state and territory data cubes, a confidential unit record file, and topic based information packs with State and Remoteness splits. A series of analytical reports is also being planned.

Review of State and Regional Indicators, Victoria

ABS is now mid-way through a review of State and Regional Indicators Victoria (cat. no. 1367.2). Face-to-face consultations with a range of Victorian State Government stakeholders took place in late-2009. As part of the review strategy, ABS also launched an e-survey that enabled it to target Victorian users across the community and gain their feedback. Discussion and feedback from users has been extremely helpful, enabling a better understanding by ABS of potential users and uses of the publication. 'State and Regional Indicators, Victoria' contains Victorian data on a wide variety of subjects, with some data at LGA level.