ABOUT THIS ISSUE
This issue contains estimates of the resident population for areas of Australia in each year from 2001 to 2017. Estimates are provided for Statistical Areas Level 2 to 4 (SA2s - SA4s), Significant Urban Areas (SUAs), Remoteness Areas (RAs), Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs) and states and territories of Australia, according to the 2016 edition of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Estimates are also provided for Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Commonwealth and State Electoral Divisions (CEDs and SEDs) based on 2017 boundaries. This issue also contains estimates of the components of population change (births, deaths, internal and overseas migration) for 2016-17 for SA2s and LGAs.
The summary commentary in this issue focuses on population changes at the SA2 level and above between 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017, based on preliminary rebased estimates for 2016 and preliminary estimates for 2017. All estimates are available from the Downloads tab. For further information on the status of the population estimates contained in this issue, please see the ERP Status and Future Releases sections below.
The total population of the Other Territories, namely Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Jervis Bay and Norfolk Island, is included in all references to the total population of Australia. However, the Other Territories are excluded from commentary about the states and territories of Australia.
ERP STATUS AND FUTURE RELEASES
The estimates initially released in this issue on 24 April 2018 were final for 2001 to 2011, preliminary rebased for 2012 to 2016 (denoted 2012pr - 2016pr) based on results of the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, and preliminary for 2017 (2017p). The commentary contained in this issue is based on these preliminary rebased estimates as at 30 June 2016 and preliminary estimates as at 30 June 2017.
Final 2016 Census-based estimates for 2012 to 2016, and revised estimates for 2017 were added to the Downloads tab of this product on 31 August 2018. Revised estimates for 2017 incorporate the new, final rebased 2016 ERP base, and state/territory revisions to each of the components of population change for the 2016-17 financial year. Age and sex breakdowns of these revised population estimates will be released on 28 September 2018 in Regional Population by Age and Sex, Australia, 2017 (cat. no. 3235.0).
ACCURACY OF POPULATION ESTIMATES
It is important to recognise that the sub-state/territory population estimates in this product are produced using Census data and administrative by-product data, and are subject to some error. A degree of caution should be exercised when using the estimates, especially for areas with very small populations. For more information see paragraphs 32 to 36 of the Explanatory Notes.
All statistics included in the commentary text for this publication are rounded. While unrounded figures are provided in tables and spreadsheets, accuracy to the last digit should not be assumed.
CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE
This issue includes the first release of official population estimates prepared using the component method. Sub-state ERP has been estimated out from the 2016 Census-based ERP using the components of population change - births, deaths, internal and overseas migration. This method is consistent with that used to prepare national, state and territory ERP and provides an accounts-base for breaking down population change, enabling users to see how much change is due to natural increase and migration. Estimates of the components of population change for 2016-17 by SA2 and LGA are available from the Downloads tab of this product. Preliminary estimates of the components were released in this issue on 24 April 2018, and revised estimates were added on 31 August 2018. Further information about the component method is provided in the Feature Article 'New Methodology Used to Prepare Sub-state Population Estimates' and the Explanatory Notes accompanying this product.
A feature article that uses the preliminary component data to explore the forces driving population change in sub-state areas is also included in this issue. See 'Understanding the 'Hows and Whys' of Regional Population Growth: What's driving changes in our regions' which can be accessed from the left navigation panel of this publication.
To complement the inclusion of the components of population change in this product, the total regional internal migration estimates (RIME) previously released in Migration, Australia (cat. no. 3412.0) are now available from the Downloads tab of this product. Further breakdowns of RIME by age and sex will be available in Regional Population by Age and Sex, Australia, 2017 (cat. no. 3235.0) on 28 September 2018.
GeoPackages for SA2s and LGAs are available from the Downloads tab. GeoPackages contain ERP data linked together with ASGS boundaries, and are suitable for data users who have their own Geospatial information systems. Google Earth files are no longer supported are therefore are not included as part of this release.
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. The ABS Privacy Policy outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information that you provide to us.
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