2006 CENSUS

SYDNEY... A SOCIAL ATLAS

Sydney... A Social Atlas 2006(cat. no. 2030.1) is expected to be released on 17 March 2008. The atlas is one of a series of publications that use maps to highlight key characteristics of the population in Australia's capital cities and selected regional centres, based on data collected in the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. This atlas includes maps for Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle and the Central Coast with brief commentary to accompany each map, highlighting the main features of the mapped characteristic. These characteristics are categorised into broad themes covering Population, Cultural Diversity, Education, Labour Force, Income, Families and Households, and Dwellings.

For further information on the Social Atlas series contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or email client.services@abs.gov.au.


SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDEXES FOR AREAS 2006

The ABS has produced Socio-Economic Indexes for Area (SEIFA) from each Census since 1986. SEIFA is a set of four summary measures of relative socio-economic status at a small area level. These indexes can provide a broad view of relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage across areas in Australia. With information available at the Census Collection District (CD) level, SEIFA is a unique source of information on relative disadvantage.

SEIFA 2006 was created from a wide range of variables collected in the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. For SEIFA 2006 a range of new features have been incorporated into the indexes, including:

• Using place of usual residence rather than place of enumeration. This change helps us remove the effects of unusual population movements at Census time, such as the large numbers of holiday makers visiting the New South Wales and Victorian ski fields.
• New Census variables such as need for assistance with core activities (due to a disability or long term health condition), and type of internet connection.
• Household equivalised income. In the past the SEIFA indexes have used a large number of income variables. These variables were a combination of information on family income and family structure. Household equivalised income is a more refined and accepted way of combining income with family structure.

For further information about the SEIFA 2006 see:

• Information Paper: An Introduction to Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2006 (preliminary) (cat. no. 2039.0)
• Census of Population and Housing: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), Australia – Data only, 2006 (Preliminary) (cat. no. 2033.0.55.001)

The main release of SEIFA will be available from the ABS website on the 26 March. For further information on the SEIFA series contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or email client.services@abs.gov.au.


FREE INFORMATION AND TRAINING Many policy makers, researchers and marketers are not aware of the amazing amount of data that you can get for free from the ABS 2006 Census of Population and Housing. We are offering free online information sessions in the use of our powerful Census data and tools. Please contact us if you would like to find out more about the type of Census data available and how you can use it to increase understanding about your clients, customers, or stakeholders, including geographic areas of interest.

For more information about free 2006 Census training please contact Amanda Biltoft, National Account Manager ABS on (02) 9268 4642 or email client.services@abs.gov.au.

Conditions apply
Information sessions covering existing online data are available only in NSW for groups of 5 and over, for a minimum duration of 30 minutes and maximum of 2 hours.