Data use considerations
Collecting both occupation title and task information ensures more accurate coding of occupations. This data is essential for:
- labour market analysis
- policy formation
Changes in the occupational composition of the labour force are important for planning at the industry and geographic area levels.
The data is used in analyses of education and training needs, and as indicators for industry assistance programs.
Small area data on occupation are important in regional planning; in examining the occupational mobility of ethnic and other minority groups; and in measuring socioeconomic status variability between regions.
The introduction of targeted supplementary questions in the online Census has reduced 'not further defined' categories across some Occupations and classified responses into more detailed Occupation categories.
Care should be taken when using this variable. The update is only relevant to occupations relating to agriculture, cyber security, naval ship building, and emerging occupations identified by the National Skills Commission. If these occupations are not relevant to your data needs, it is recommended to use the Occupation (OCCP) variable instead.
Lockdown
A number of regions across the country were in various stages of lockdown on Census day, and the week preceding it, resulting in a greater number of people being temporarily stood down on Census day. Guidance on how to correctly respond was provided at the time on the Census website, as follows:
'If you were employed in the 4 weeks prior to the current lockdown period, but haven't been able to work in the last week due to COVID restrictions or requirement to self-isolate, please answer all questions reflecting your usual occupation. This includes your role (such as occupation and tasks performed) and information about your employer (such as industry and number of employees).'