Appendix: Variable specifications
This appendix gives descriptions of each variable considered for inclusion in one of the 2021 indexes. The description of the variable proportion is followed by two bullet points; the first is a description of the numerator, the second is a description of the denominator. The square brackets contain specifications for creating the numerator/denominator from Census data items, according to the mnemonics used in the Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary, 2021. The variables are arranged by socio-economic dimension.
Notes:
- The Skill Level for each occupation can be found in ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, Version 1.3
- Household composition was ‘not classifiable’ if the household: contained only visitors or persons aged under 15 years on Census night; or was determined to be occupied on Census Night but the collector could not make contact; or could not be classified because there was insufficient information on the Census form.
- The Canadian National Occupancy Standard determines housing appropriateness, using the number of bedrooms and the number, age, sex and relationships of household members. For more information refer to Housing Occupancy and Costs, Australia, 2019–20.
Income variables
Variable mnemonic | Variable description |
|---|---|
INC_LOW | Per cent of people living in households with stated annual household equivalised income between $1 and $25,999 (approx. 1st and 2nd deciles)
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INC_HIGH
| Per cent of people living in households with stated annual household equivalised income greater than or equal to $91,000 (approx. 9th and 10th deciles)
|
Education variables
Variable mnemonic | Variable description | |
|---|---|---|
ATSCHOOL | Per cent of people aged 15 years and over who are attending secondary school
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ATUNI | Per cent of people aged 15 years and over attending university or other tertiary institution
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CERTIFICATE | Per cent of people aged 15 years and over whose highest level of education is a Certificate Level III or IV qualification
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DEGREE | Percent of people aged 15 years and over whose highest level of education is a bachelor degree qualification or higher
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DIPLOMA | Percent of people aged 15 years and over whose highest level of education is a diploma or advanced diploma
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NOEDU | Per cent of people aged 15 years and over who have no formal educational attainment
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NOYR12ORHIGHER
| Per cent of people aged 15 years and over whose highest level of educational attainment is Year 11 or lower (includes Certificate Levels I and II; excludes those still at secondary school)
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Employment variables
Variable mnemonic | Variable description |
|---|---|
UNEMPLOYED | Per cent of people in the labour force who are unemployed
|
UNEMPLOYED_IER
| Per cent of people aged 15 and over who are unemployed
|
Occupation variables
Variable mnemonic | Variable description |
|---|---|
OCC_DRIVERS | Per cent of employed people classified as Machinery Operators and Drivers
|
OCC_LABOUR | Per cent of employed people classified as Labourers
|
OCC_MANAGER | Per cent of employed people classified as Managers
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OCC_PROF | Per cent of employed people classified as Professionals
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OCC_SALES_L | Per cent of employed people classified as Low-Skill Sales Workers
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OCC_SERVICE_L | Per cent of employed people classified as Low-Skill Community and Personal Service Workers
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OCC_SKILL1 | Per cent of employed people who work in a Skill Level 1 occupation
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OCC_SKILL2 | Per cent of employed people who work in a Skill Level 2 occupation
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OCC_SKILL4 | Per cent of employed people who work in a Skill Level 4 occupation
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OCC_SKILL5
| Per cent of employed people who work in a Skill Level 5 occupation
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Housing variables
Variable mnemonic | Variable description | |
|---|---|---|
FEWBED | Per cent of occupied private dwellings with one or no bedrooms
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HIGHBED | Per cent of occupied private dwellings with four or more bedrooms
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HIGHMORTGAGE | Per cent of occupied private dwellings paying more than $3,000 per month in mortgage repayments
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HIGHRENT | Per cent of occupied private dwellings paying more than $500 per week in rent
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LOWRENT | Per cent of occupied private dwellings paying less than $250 per week in rent (excluding $0 per week)
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OVERCROWD | Per cent of occupied private dwellings requiring one or more extra bedrooms (based on Canadian National Occupancy Standard)
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OWNING | Per cent of occupied private dwellings owning the dwelling they occupy (without a mortgage)
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MORTGAGE | Per cent of occupied private dwellings owning the dwelling they occupy (with a mortgage)
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SPAREBED | Per cent of occupied private dwellings with one or more bedrooms spare (based on Canadian National Occupancy Standard)
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Other variables
Variable mnemonic | Variable description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
CHILDJOBLESS | Per cent of families with children under 15 years of age and jobless parents
|
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DISABILITYU70 | Per cent of people aged under 70 who need assistance with core activities due to a long-term health condition, disability or old age
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ENGLISHPOOR | Per cent of people who do not speak English well
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GROUP | Per cent of occupied private dwellings that are group occupied private dwellings
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HIGHCAR | Per cent of occupied private dwellings with three or more cars
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LONE | Per cent of occupied private dwellings that are lone person occupied private dwellings
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NOCAR
| Per cent of occupied private dwellings with no cars
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ONEPARENT | Per cent of families that are one parent families with dependent offspring only
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SEPDIVORCED | Per cent of people aged 15 and over who are separated or divorced
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UNINCORP | Per cent of occupied private dwellings with at least one person who is an owner of an unincorporated enterprise
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