1318.3 - Qld Stats, Feb 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/02/2010   
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WHAT'S NEW AT ABS ...


Microdata: Survey of Education and Work, Basic CURF, Australia, May 2009

Technical Manual: Survey of Education and Work, Basic CURF, Australia, May 2009

Schools, Australia, Preliminary, 2009

Microdata: Labour Force Survey and Forms of Employment Survey, Basic and Expanded CURF, Australia, Nov 2008

Labour Force Survey and Forms of Employment Survey, Australia: Basic and Expanded CURF, Technical Manual, Nov 2008

Venture Capital and Later Stage Private Equity, Australia, 2008-09

Information Paper: Reinstatement of Job Vacancies Survey, Nov 2009

Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, 2008-09

Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, Jan 2010

ABS Forms Design Standards Manual, 2010

Education News, Feb 2010

How Fit is Your Data?

ABS Forward Work Program, 2009-10 to 2012-13

ABS Release Information

Queensland Theme Page



MICRODATA: SURVEY OF EDUCATION AND WORK, BASIC CURF, AUSTRALIA, MAY 2009

Microdata: Survey of Education and Work, Basic CURF, Australia, May 2009 (cat. no. 6227.0.30.001) was released on 28 January 2010.

This Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) from the 2009 Survey of Education and Work provides selected information on: participation in education; highest educational attainment; transition from education to work; and current labour force and demographic characteristics for the civilian population aged 15-64 years and persons aged 65-74 years, who are in the labour force or marginally attached to it. Characteristics reported include: type of educational institution attended or attending; level and main field of education of current study and highest level and main field of educational attainment. Information on unsuccessful enrolment and deferment of study is included for persons not studying in the survey year.



TECHNICAL MANUAL: SURVEY OF EDUCATION AND WORK, BASIC CURF, AUSTRALIA, MAY 2009

Technical Manual: Survey of Education and Work, Basic CURF, Australia, May 2009 (cat. no. 6227.0.30.002) was released on 28 January 2010.

This publication provides information about the data available from the 2009 Survey of Education and Work in the form of a Basic Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF). It explains data content, technical details and conditions of use.


SCHOOLS, AUSTRALIA, PRELIMINARY, 2009

Schools, Australia, Preliminary, 2009 (cat. no. 4220.0) was released on 28 January 2010.

This release contains a summary of state, territory and national data for the broad categories of schools, students and staff at the 2009 school census date of the 7th August. More detailed data, including derived participation and progression measures, will be published in Schools, Australia (cat. no. 4221.0), due for release in March 2010, or in the detailed data cubes and spreadsheets subsequently published on the ABS website.

Some data for Queensland:
  • In 2009 there were 1,245 government schools comprising 929 primary, 178 secondary, 91 combined and 47 special schools. Catholic schools numbered 289 including: 196 primary, 61 secondary, 26 combined and 6 special schools. Independent schools totalled 176, of which 36 were primary, 11 secondary, 123 combined and 6 special schools.
  • Staff numbers in Queensland schools in 2009 included 41,353 teaching staff and 25,706 other staff at government schools, and 17,703 teaching staff and 11,635 other staff in non-government schools.
  • Student numbers in Queensland schools totalled 310,327 government primary students and 174,288 government secondary students in 2009. Catholic schools had 75,539 primary students and 52,631 secondary students, while independent schools had 52,665 primary and 52,538 secondary students.
  • Indigenous students in Queensland schools included 26,685 Indigenous full-time primary students and 12,672 Indigenous full-time secondary students at government schools, and 3,212 Indigenous full-time primary students and 3,541 Indigenous full-time secondary students at non-government schools.
  • Government schools had apparent retention rates of 72.8% for Year 7/8 to Year 12 and 72.4% for Year 10 to Year 12. All schools (government and non-government) had retention rates of 79.4% for Year 7/8 to Year 12 and 78.6% for Year 10 to Year 12.


MICRODATA: LABOUR FORCE SURVEY AND FORMS OF EMPLOYMENT SURVEY, BASIC AND EXPANDED CURF, AUSTRALIA, NOV 2008

Microdata: Labour Force Survey and Forms of Employment Survey, Basic and Expanded CURF, Australia, Nov 2008 (cat. no. 6202.0.30.007) was released on 28 January 2010.

This Basic and Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) provides information from both the monthly Labour Force Survey and the related Forms of Employment supplementary survey.

Detailed labour force and demographic characteristics for the civilian population aged 15 years and over are included. In addition, data is provided on independent contractors, other business operators and employees. Information is also provided on people who had found employment through a labour hire firm or employment agency.

This CURF is available on CD-ROM and via the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL). The CD-ROM allows users to tabulate, manipulate and analyse data to their individual specifications. The RADL is accessible for authorised users via the ABS web site. It enables the ABS to provide more detailed microdata than that available on CD-ROM, while still maintaining the confidentiality of ABS data providers.


LABOUR FORCE SURVEY AND FORMS OF EMPLOYMENT SURVEY, AUSTRALIA: BASIC AND EXPANDED CURF, TECHNICAL MANUAL, NOV 2008

Labour Force Survey and Forms of Employment Survey, Australia: Basic and Expanded CURF, Technical Manual, Nov 2008 (cat. no. 6202.0.30.008) was released on 28 January 2010.

This manual provides information about the release of microdata from the November 2008 Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Forms of Employment (FOE) Survey. The microdata are available as a Basic Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) and an Expanded CURF released with the approval of the Australian Statistician. The Basic CURF is available on CD-ROM, and via the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL). The Expanded CURF is accessible only through the RADL. Expanded CURFs allow more detail to be presented for some data items, for example, age, industry, occupation, hours and number of employees. The RADL is a secure, on-line database query service, which clients may access via the ABS website. Users of the RADL can submit programs in SAS, SPSS and STATA software to interrogate and analyse the microdata, and access the results. Further information about the RADL facility and information about obtaining access to the file is available on the ABS website.


VENTURE CAPITAL AND LATER STAGE PRIVATE EQUITY, AUSTRALIA, 2008-09

Venture Capital and Later Stage Private Equity, Australia, 2008-09 (cat. no. 5678.0) was released on 11 February 2010.

Venture capital and later stage private equity is high risk capital directed towards businesses with prospects of rapid growth and/or high rates of returns. It is an investment not only of money, but also of skills and time. This publication presents information on both financial and non-financial contributions to venture capital and later stage private equity investments.

Some data for Queensland:
  • In 2008-09, there were 145 investee companies with a head office in Queensland. These companies received $1,059 million of venture capital and later stage private equity. This was down from 153 companies receiving $1,123 million in 2007-08 but up from 43 companies receiving $210 million in 1999-2000.
  • New and follow-on investments of $206 million in 60 investee companies with a head office in Queensland were made in 2008-09. This figure was down from the $287 million worth of new and follow-on investments made in 61 investee companies in 2007-08, but up from the $168 million invested in 61 companies in 2004-05.


INFORMATION PAPER: REINSTATEMENT OF JOB VACANCIES SURVEY, NOV 2009

Information Paper: Reinstatement of Job Vacancies Survey, Nov 2009 (cat. no. 6354.0.55.001) was released on 4 February 2010.

This information paper describes changes to Job Vacancies statistics, as a result of the Job Vacancies Survey being suspended during 2008-09 and reinstated for the November 2009 survey. Statistics on job vacancies up until May 2008 were released in Job Vacancies, Australia (cat. no. 6354.0). This title and catalogue number will continue to be used for future issues.

The first issue of 6354.0 following the reinstatement of the Job Vacancies Survey will be for the February 2010 reference period, which is scheduled for release on 1 April 2010. This issue will include the first release of data for the November 2009 reference period, which has been delayed due to additional work in re-establishing the survey.

As a result of the Job Vacancies Survey being suspended, there will be a gap in all series: original, seasonally adjusted and trend, for five quarters between August 2008 and August 2009 inclusive. The new survey incorporates changes to accommodate ANZSIC 2006 and some other changes to improve the survey framework. The sample size in the new survey has been reduced from around 5,200 businesses to around 5,000 businesses, but with no loss of survey accuracy.

For further information on the changes to be introduced or specific information on Job Vacancies please contact Zaneta Georgievski, on (08) 9360 5249.


VALUE OF PRINCIPAL AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES PRODUCED, AUSTRALIA, PRELIMINARY, 2008-09

Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, 2008-09 (cat. no. 7501.0) was released on 9 February 2010.

This publication contains preliminary estimates of the gross values of production for principal agricultural commodities for all states, territories and Australia for 2008-09.

Some data for Queensland:
  • The value of all crops for the year ended 30 June 2009 was $4,692 million. The largest contribution to this total was other fruit and nuts ($1,010 million) followed by sugar cane cut for crushing ($916,000) and other vegetables ($727,000).
  • The value of livestock slaughterings and other disposals was $3,975 million, the major portion ($3,307 million) being for cattle and calves.
  • The value of livestock products was $471 million, with more than half ($293 million) being the value of milk produced.


AUSTRALIA'S ENVIRONMENT: ISSUES AND TRENDS, JAN 2010

Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, Jan 2010 (cat. no. 4613.0) was released on 28 January 2010.

This publication presents a broad selection of environmental statistics and information which illustrate topical environmental issues. The subject matter will vary in each issue, as new environmental issues emerge or more current data sources become available. While ABS data forms a core component of the statistical information, data from other government agencies, international organisations, industry, and individual researchers is also included. Value is added to these widely sourced datasets by bringing them together and analysing their import for selected environmental issues.

Some data for Queensland:
  • Use of agricultural water fell 21% between 2005-06 and 2007-08 from 2,581 GL to 2,039 GL.
  • Queensland recorded the largest population increase of the states and territories between 2007 and 2008, growing by 98,000 people.
  • The LGA with the highest growth in Australia was Brisbane, with 17,000 new residents, followed by the Gold Coast, with an increase of 13,000 people.
  • Of the 5,772 petajoules of energy used nationally in 2007-08, Queensland was the third highest consumer of all states and territories, using 23% of the total.
  • Queensland produced over 8 million tonnes of waste (18% of the 43.8 million tonnes produced nationally).
  • In 2008, Queensland had the highest number of cattle (12.2 million).


ABS FORMS DESIGN STANDARDS MANUAL, 2010

The ABS Forms Design Standards Manual, 2010 (cat. no. 1530.0) was released on 25 January 2010.

Aim of these standards

These standards are to be used in the design and preparation of self-administered collection forms (paper and electronic) and Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) interfaces. A good working knowledge of these standards should aid the development of forms that collect accurate data, ease the burden of respondents and ensure efficient processing.

Topics include:
  • Mode suitability framework
  • Paper form design standards
  • Electronic forms
  • Telephone and face to face interviews
  • Survey letters.

While aspects of these standards will be of interest to those outside the ABS, they were developed for internal use. As such, some information contained in these standards will not be applicable to an external audience.


EDUCATION NEWS, FEB 2010

Education News, Feb 2010 (cat. no. 1330.0) was released on 2 February 2010.

This newsletter highlights the latest curriculum related teaching resources, student activities and statistical tools that have been developed by ABS Education Services as well as other ABS resources that are useful for schools.

Topics covered in this issue include:
  • CensusAtSchool News
  • An Idea for the Classroom - Young Peoples' participation in sport
  • Getting to school, getting to work
  • Environmental Studies: Protecting the Great Barrier Reef

HOW FIT IS YOUR DATA?

Over the past few years, a call has gone out for public policies to be informed by good evidence. Statistical information is now answering that call. Statistical information has long been recognised as being good evidence, which places it at the heart of evidence-based policy. So, how do we get 'good statistical information'? One answer is DATAfitness. DATAfitness = good data management practice.

Good data management is one of the foundation stones for building a solid statistical resource for Australia. In simple terms, DATAfitness symbolises the ability to compare apples with apples or being able to compare data which has similar characteristics.

The National Statistical Service (NSS), a community of government agencies led by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is promoting good data management practices through its DATAfitness program. DATAfitness encourages the use of statistical frameworks, principles and resources which can help data providers and users to realise the benefits of good data management.

The three key elements of DATAfitness are:
  • Metadata Management, which describes what data is about and where it comes from. Adding metadata about data is essential for bringing data sets together and comparing information from different sources.
  • Data Quality, which describes data's 'fitness for purpose'. Data has a range of dimensions which must be understood to determine whether or not data is 'fit for purpose' or, put simply, whether it can be used for the desired purpose.
  • Data Sharing, which describes sharing information as an important part of maximising data use and re-use. Data sharing arrangements ease the sharing of data between providers and users and support evidence-based policy and decision-making.

As part of its DATAfitness program, the NSS is in the process of developing Data Quality Online (DQO), an easy-to-use online support system for data collectors, providers and users. DQO is the first assistant of its kind in the world and will provide clear and simple support to those involved in managing data. The system will help users to compile data quality statements and will also provide tailored guidance on statements for COAG indicators.

The NSS will officially launch DQO in May 2010, in conjunction with the ABS. DQO is based on the nationally recognised ABS Data Quality Framework, which provides a consistent standard for describing the quality of data. The NSS has also released A good practice guide to sharing your data with others. The guide supports quality data sharing across agencies by offering a non-technical introduction and by providing a basic model for making data sharing agreements, which includes factors to consider and how these relate to agencies, staff and data.

For more information on DATAfitness, visit www.nss.gov.au/datafitness or email inquiries@nss.gov.au .

Image: ABS Forward Work Program, 2009-10 to 2012-13 ABS FORWARD WORK PROGRAM, 2009-10 TO 2012-13

Forward Work Program, 2009-10 to 2012-13 (cat. no. 1006.0) was released 30 September 2009. The ABS Forward Work Program (FWP) is produced annually and is one of the suite of ABS corporate publications.

The FWP provides background information about statistical and non-statistical programs across the ABS, their objectives and the outputs they produce. It includes details of past and current resource usage, and developments in the work program for each of the statistical and non-statistical programs over the next three years. The FWP covers all programs in the ABS, across Central Office and all eight state and territory regional offices.

Image: ABS Release Information ABS RELEASE INFORMATION

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website provides the release details for all statistical products expected to be released in the coming six months.

The web page 'Release Advice for ABS Publications for the Next Six Months' is revised on the ABS website at the beginning of each month. This six-month forecasting is intended to keep clients informed about products and when they will become available.

All ABS core statistical and other statistical publications that usually have a catalogue number will be detailed as well as prominent non-statistical publications such as the ABS Annual Report and Australian Statistics Advisory Council Annual Report.

For further information please access the following link Release Advice for ABS Publications for the Next Six Months.

Information on all ABS product releases can also be accessed from ABS Release Advice. This web page also provides links to Previous Releases, Releases Scheduled for the Next Six Months and Main Economic Indicator Releases.

Image: Queensland Theme Page QUEENSLAND THEME PAGE

The Queensland theme page provides access to Queensland statistical information including statistical releases and links to non-ABS sources. A wide range of economic and social statistics is covered.