2902.0 - Census Update (Newsletter), Oct 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/11/2002   
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Census Corner

On 17 June the ABS was proud to announce the earliest ever launch of Census first release data. Building on this fine achievement, the second release data have also been released early.

From 4 September 2002, the full range of 2001 Census variables have been available for dissemination through the Customised Table Service - ABS' highly trained information consultants can advise you on the range of data options available to best meet your individual needs.

On the same day the ABS published, for free access via the web, the Second Release Summary Publications for Australia and each state and territory. These summaries contain information on education, labour force and journey to work topics. The second release data provide you with a great opportunity to get a more in-depth understanding of Australians and how they live. For this Census, an unprecedented amount of data are being made available free to ensure that the community has the widest possible access to Census information.

On 19 November 2002, we will be releasing the complete set of Basic Community Profiles and Indigenous Profiles, incorporating all second release tables, via the ABS web site or on CD-ROM. The Basic Community Profiles can be accessed free of charge via the ABS web site for all Statistical Local Areas in Australia, while the Indigenous Profile will be free down to Indigenous Area level. Also to be released on the web on 19 November, the Census Snapshot series will provide narrative extracts on a range of second release data items for every SLA in Australia.

If Internet access is a problem, just call into your local library. On 15 October 2002, libraries across the nation received CLIB 2001. This first release issue of CLIB 2001 contains the first release tables of Basic Community Profiles and Indigenous Profiles, and Classification Counts for all first release variables with selection through a simple map interface - see inside for more details. CLIB 2001 forms an important part of the ABS' on-going commitment to widely disseminate ABS data
free of charge to the Australian community.

Included in this edition is an article on CDATA 2001, the most powerful product yet developed using Census data. Released on 26 September, CDATA 2001 combines an immense volume of Census data with MapInfo software providing a desktop analysis package which enables you to analyse and integrate the information and present the results with visual impact. See inside for details of the options available and check out the CDATA demo disk on the ABS web site to see how this package can help your organisation. CDATA users have a major advantage - the ABS provides unlimited, free technical assistance on a toll-free number for the next five years. I strongly urge CDATA purchasers to join the CDATA User Group by registering via the ABS web site - membership is free and you will be able to communicate with ABS staff and other CDATA users to share information and ideas.

A wealth of 2001 Census data have already been released within a year of the Census collection. The next year will be
no less challenging for the Census Program.Work has commenced on the Household Sample File, Socio-Economic
Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) and the second release issues of CDATA and CLIB, plus a program of evaluation studies
aimed at identifying and measuring deficiencies which may impact on the accuracy of the data. Progress on development of these products and segments on data quality issues will feature in future editions of Census Update so keep an eye on our web site for upcoming issues.

Jan Kavanagh
Director Census Processing and User Services