CHANGES THIS MONTH


REVISED POPULATION BENCHMARKS

Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates of persons employed, unemployed and not in the labour force are derived to add to the estimates of the civilian population aged 15 and over, referred to as population benchmarks. For the LFS estimates, the population benchmarks are based on Census of Population and Housing (Census) data, adjusted for under-enumeration and updated for births, deaths, interstate migration, and net overseas migration. Revisions are made to population benchmarks after each five-yearly Census.

From this issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) LFS estimates will be compiled using population benchmarks based on results from the 2006 Census. Additionally, for the period June 2001 to January 2009, LFS estimates have been revised to be based on 2006 population benchmarks.


IMPACT ON LABOUR FORCE ESTIMATES

In original terms, the civilian population aged 15 years and over has been revised by no more than 0.4% in any month, for the period April 2001 to January 2009.

The average absolute change in the male population benchmarks for the period April 2001 to January 2009 was 7,900 males. The largest revision to the male population benchmarks was a decrease of 24,200 males in December 2004. In contrast, the average absolute change in female population benchmarks was 21,900 females, with the largest revision being an increase of 55,700 females in March 2007. The graph below displays the revision to the civilian population for persons, males and females for the period April 2001 to January 2009.

Changes to civilian population benchmarks are not uniform across age groups. The largest change was to the 65 years and over age group, with an average absolute revision of 23,800 persons. Benchmarks for those aged 25 to 34 years were revised by an average absolute change of 19,100 persons; those aged 35 to 44 years were revised by an average absolute change of 17,600 persons; those aged 45 to 54 years were revised by an average absolute change of 12,100 persons.


EMPLOYED PERSONS

Employed persons, in trend terms, have been revised by an average absolute change of 31,200 persons. The revision to the employed persons estimates, is larger than the revision to the civilian population, due to age compositional effects. The largest revision to employed persons estimate was an increase of 81,200 persons for the September 2006 estimate.

UNEMPLOYED PERSONS

Unemployed persons, in trend terms, have been revised by an average absolute change of 2,000 persons.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

The unemployment rate, in trend terms, has been revised by an average absolute change of 0.01 percentage points.

PARTICIPATION RATE

The participation rate has been revised by an average absolute change of 0.105 percentage points. This is due to the age composition effects referred to earlier.

OTHER CHANGES

The ABS has introduced several other changes to detailed original data at the unit record level. These changes include:

• regional estimates are classified to the Labour Force Statistical Regions based on the 2006 Australian Statistical Geography Standard. Previous estimates were based on the 2001 Australian Standard Geographical Classification
• estimates of industry are classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 2006), previously Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 1993)
• estimates of occupation are classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), previously Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO).

Additional to implementation of revised population benchmarks and classifications as detailed above, annual reanalysis of seasonal factors has been conducted on all seasonally adjusted LFS series.


LFS STATISTICAL REGION BOUNDARIES

LFS Statistical Region boundaries are revised at each sample redesign to align with the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) (cat.no.1216.0). From the February 2009 issues of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed- Electronic Delivery (cat.no.6291.0.55.001) and Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat.no.6291.0.55.003), regional estimates are produced based on the 2006 LFS Statistical Regions. Additionally, LFS estimates are revised back to November 2007 based on these new regions. For further details, see Information Paper: Regional Labour Force Statistics (cat.no.6262.0).


INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATIONS

From the February 2009 issue of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat.no.6291.0.55.003) the industry and occupation employment estimates are based on new classification structures: Industry is classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) 2006; Occupation is classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

The ANZSIC 2006 classification system replaces the existing classification ANZSIC 1993, for the periods November 1984 to the current release. Industry data will continue to be collected in the LFS to the Group (3 digit) level. For more information on the implementation of ANZSIC 2006 see Information Paper: Update on ANZSIC 2008 Implementation, 2006 (cat.no.1295.0.55.001).

The ANZSCO classification system replaces the classification Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) Second Edition, introduced in August 1996. Occupation data will continue to be collected in the LFS to the Unit Group (4 digit) level. For more information on the implementation of ANZSCO see Information Paper: ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2005 (cat.no.1221.0).


ANNUAL SEASONAL REANALYSIS

As a result of the revisions outlined above a reanalysis has been conducted on all seasonally adjusted LFS series. This reanalysis examines series for trend breaks, seasonal breaks, and outliers, and in this instance coincides with the annual reanalysis conducted for February issue each year.


CHANGES TO ABS WEBSITE

On the ABS website, from this issue the corresponding time series spreadsheets Labour Force, Australia, Spreadsheets (cat.no.6202.0.55.001) will be included in Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0).


FURTHER INFORMATION

For any queries regarding the implementation of any of these changes to the LFS contact Labour Force Estimates on Canberra 02 6252 6525, or via email at labourforce@abs.gov.au.