DataPacks | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)

# ABS DataPacks

ABS DataPacks are suitable for experienced Census data users who have their own database or analysis systems. DataPacks contain data for the main Census characteristics of people, families and dwellings for geographic areas ranging from a single Statistical Area Level 1 to the whole of Australia. Use DataPacks if you want Community Profile data for numerous geographic areas.

DataPacks include metadata and reference documents to enable you to manipulate formats and read the data. DataPacks do not contain software and are intended to be loaded into, or viewed, using an appropriate system. Geography boundary files are available for you to map data to regions.

Metadata files contain information required to enable you to match the data with the Community Profile template, such as information about sequential numbers and labels, table descriptors, and the population that is being counted.

## About DataPack Formats

ABS produces DataPacks in a compressed archive (.zip)format. 
Note:
* Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet software is required to open .xlsx files.
* Readme(.txt) files can be viewed in any text editor.

### 1.  Compressed Archive (.zip)

ABS ".zip file" DataPacks contain:
* Census data containing Community Profile content (.csv)
* About DataPacks_readme.txt - "Read Me" documentation contains information for users about the data and how it is structured (.txt)
* Formats_readme.md which contains details about basic structure formats and contents of DataPacks
* Sequential template file (.xlsx) contains information about the Community Profile template, such as information about the sequential numbers, data labels, the table descriptions, and the population that is being counted
* Metadata file (.xlsx) contains information on the table numbers, names, populations and cell descriptor information
* 2021 Geography descriptor file (.xlsx) lists all geographies used in DataPacks (.csv) by level, code, label and Area sqkm.
* Creative Commons Licensing information (.txt)


