3413.0 - Migrant Statistics News, Apr 2011  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/04/2011   
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A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to the latest edition of the Migrant Statistics Newsletter from the National Migrant Statistics Unit (NMSU).

While still relatively new, 2011 is shaping up as a very busy year for the NSMU as we continue in our quest to bring you the most up to date migrant related data. We recognise our important role in ensuring that migrant related data required to inform public and policy debate are readily available, timely and of the highest possible quality. In keeping with this objective I am pleased to advise that the second edition of theGuide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0) was released last month. The guide contains a wealth of information on almost 100 migrant and ethnicity data collections/sources. Feedback from users of the first edition has indicated that the Guide has been viewed as a valuable resource by academics, researchers, policy makers and students.

Two other flagships products will be released later this year. A publication containing data from the triennial Characteristics of Migrants Survey is due for release on 24 May 2011, see Characteristics of Recent Migrants, Australia (cat. no. 6250.0). This will be closely followed by the third edition of the Migrant Data Matrices (cat. no 3415.0) due for release on 29 June 2011. The matrices are intended to serve as a 'one stop shop' providing migrant and ethnicity related data from a range of ABS collections on a broad selection of topics. More information about these products are included in this Newsletter.

Other current work includes looking at ways we can improve how we bring data to you. We are looking at the use of 'info graphics' that will visually bring data to life so that you can see the 'story' within the data just with a glance. Also, be on the lookout for some exciting changes to our 'Migrants and Ethnicity' Topics @ a Glance page which we are currently redesigning. We aim to make the page more interesting, easier to navigate and our products easier to find. Following release of the new Topics @ a Glance page later this year we will be keen to get your feedback about the changes and any suggestions you might have for future improvements.

Of course, the ABS as a whole is gearing up for the 2011 Census on 9 August, a date which is approaching very quickly. Within the NSMU we are getting excited about having the new 2011 data available (first release March 2012) to better understand the migrant population, update our existing products and provide users with a range of new and interesting data.

If you are interested in receiving further details about our work, we would be pleased to hear from you. NMSU contact details are listed in the Newsletter. In the meantime - I hope you find the information included in this edition informative and useful.

All the best

Andrew Middleton
Director
Culture, Recreation and Migrant Statistics