RECENT AND FUTURE ABS RELEASES


RECENT RELEASES

Relocation across the nation: Internal migration and population growth

Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia

Regional Population Growth

Australian Standard Geographical Classification

Use of the Internet on Farms


FUTURE RELEASES

National Regional Profile

Estimates of Personal Income for Small Areas

Births

Deaths


RELOCATION ACROSS THE NATION: INTERNAL MIGRATION AND POPULATION GROWTH

Net internal migration is the difference between the number of people who changed their usual residence by moving into a region and the number who have changed their usual residence by moving out of that region. This movement is a significant factor when considering population growth within Australia's regions. Understanding patterns of migration is important in understanding the needs for infrastructure and services in regions.

Relocation across the nation: Internal migration and population growth, published in the June edition of Australian Social Trends (cat. no. 4102.0), explores the movements of people to particular cities and regions. The article highlights regions with high levels of internal migration and population growth, such as the south-east region of Queensland and the coastal regions of Mandurah and Bunbury in Western Australia. Examining the characteristics of those people moving to these regions can provide further insight into migration patterns and trends. For example, a larger than average proportion of those aged over 60 years arriving in Mandurah reflects the popularity of this coastal location for retirement.

While the majority of internal migration was seen towards coastal locations, Bendigo and Ballarat, located in central Victoria, were the exceptions to this trend. These two regions were the only two inland areas that experienced positive net internal migration of more than 2,000 people between 2001 and 2006.

To find out more about internal migration and population growth, see the article Relocation across the nation: Internal migration and population growth in the June edition of Australian Social Trends (cat. no. 4102.0).


POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX, REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA

Released on 11 August 2009, Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 3235.0) contains preliminary estimates of the resident population by age (in five-year age groups up to 85 and over) and sex as at 30 June 2008 for a range of geographies, including Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). It also includes data for 30 June 2003, converted to 2008 boundaries, to allow for comparison over time.

The publication provides an overview of regional trends in the age and sex distribution of Australia's population as well as commentary for each state and territory, covering topics such as median age, children aged under 15 years, the working population, those aged over 65 years and sex ratios (the number of males per 100 females).

Highlights of the data at the LGA level include:

• The LGAs with the highest proportion of their population aged over 65 were Victor Harbor (SA) (31.9%), Queenscliff (Vic) (31.8%) and Great Lakes (NSW) (28.2%).
• High sex ratios were observed in a number of LGAs with significant resources sector activity, such as Roxby Downs in South Australia (135.9) and Ravensthorpe in Western Australia (173.0).
• Excluding LGAs with less than 2,000 people, the LGAs with the highest proportion of children aged under 15 years were Victoria-Daly (33.7%), Roper Gulf (31.5%) and East Arnhem (30.7%), all located in the Northern Territory.

REGIONAL POPULATION GROWTH

Released on 23 April 2009, Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2007-08 (cat. no. 3218.0) contains estimates of the resident populations of areas of Australia as at 30 June in each year from 2001 to 2008. The publication provides an overview of regional trends in Australia's population growth as well as detailed commentary on regions of growth in each state and territory, with data presented for Local Government Areas (LGAs) and other regions of Australia.

The article Regional Population Growth, published in the June edition of What's New in Regional Statistics (cat. no. 1386.0), used these data and provides further insight into population growth across Australia's regions. The article explores population growth in capital cities, outer suburbs and coastal areas as well as providing key findings for each state and territory at the LGA level.


AUSTRALIAN STANDARD GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION

The latest edition of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC), July 2009 (cat. no. 1216.0) was released on 16 September 2009. The ASGC is a geographical classification system designed and maintained by the ABS, which divides Australia into geographical areas for the purpose of collecting and disseminating statistics. The publication provides details of the statistical geography effective at 1 July 2009 and includes maps of these areas.

See the feature article in this issue 'The New Australian Statistical Geography Standard' for information about changes to the geographical classification system that will be introduced in 2011.


USE OF THE INTERNET ON FARMS

Released on 17 August 2009, Use of the Internet on Farms, Australia, 2007-08 (cat. no. 8150.0) presents statistics on the use of the Internet on farms for business operations in Australia. The publication includes data on the number of farms with Internet connections, the type of Internet connection, industry and estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO). Some of these data are available at the Statistical Division level. The publication highlights that a higher proportion of farms in remote areas use the Internet for business operations when compared to smaller farms located around urban areas.
NATIONAL REGIONAL PROFILE

The fifth edition of the National Regional Profile (NRP) is due for release in early 2010. This edition will contain a range of data from 2004 to 2008 presented on the geographical boundaries as described in the 2008 edition of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC). The NRP presents a range of key social and economic data for various levels of the ASGC, including Local Government Areas and Statistical Local Areas, making it a useful tool for users of small area data.

The current version of the NRP, containing data for the years 2002 to 2006, can be accessed through the NRP Welcome Page.


ESTIMATES OF PERSONAL INCOME FOR SMALL AREAS

Scheduled for release in late 2009, Estimates of Personal Income for Small Areas (cat. no. 6524.0.55.002) will contain estimates of the sources and amount of personal income people received for the years 2003-04 to 2006-07. Compiled using aggregated individual income tax data from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), this release will contain information on income from Wages and salaries, Own unincorporated business, Investment, Superannuation and annuities, Other income (excluding Government pensions and allowances) and Total income (excluding Government pensions and allowances). Data will be available for various levels of the 2008 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC), including Local Government Areas.

The current issue can be found in Estimates of Personal Income for Small Areas, 2001-02 to 2005-06 (cat. no. 6524.0.55.002).


BIRTHS

Births, Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 3301.0) will be released on 12 October 2009. This publication will present a range of statistics on confinements and live births, including data on male and female births, births of Indigenous children, age and birthplace of parents, duration of marriage, nuptial and exnuptial births, single and multiple births and fertility rates. Small level data will be available for the number of births and fertility rates for Local Government Areas, Statistical Local Areas, and Statistical Divisions.

The current issue can be found in Births, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3301.0).


DEATHS

Scheduled for release on 25 November 2009, Deaths, Australia, 2008 (cat. no. 3302.0) will contain a range of statistics on deaths and mortality for 2008. The publication will include the number of deaths, classified by age, sex, birthplace, marital status, cause of death and usual residence by state or territory, as well as information on infant deaths, deaths of Indigenous persons, age-specific death rates, expectation of life at birth and standardised death rates. At the Local Government Area level, data on the number of deaths and standardised death rates will be available.

The current issue can be found in Deaths, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3302.0).