3302.0.55.003 - Experimental Life Tables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2005–2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/05/2009   
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APPENDIX 3 ILLUSTRATIVE LIFE EXPECTANCY ESTIMATES FOR 2000–2002 BASED ON ASSUMED IDENTIFICATION RATES


ILLUSTRATIVE LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH ESTIMATES FOR 2000-2002 USING ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON 2006 CDE RESULTS

The 2006 Census Data Enhancement (CDE) Indigenous Mortality Quality Study related to deaths which occurred from 9 August 2006 to 30 June 2007. While Indigenous deaths identification rates and adjustment factors derived from the study were assumed to be applicable to Indigenous deaths registered during 2005-2007, they cannot be applied to Indigenous deaths for more distant periods for use in estimating Indigenous life expectancy for these periods.

However, assumptions can be made about the level of identification of Indigenous deaths for other periods, using the CDE-derived identification rates as a reference point. Using these assumptions, illustrative life expectancy estimates using direct demographic methods can be derived.

A range of illustrative life expectancy estimates for 2000-2002 is presented in Table A3.1, based on three assumptions on the level of identification of Indigenous deaths during this period.

As the estimates are only illustrative and based on assumptions regarding improvements in identification of Indigenous deaths over time, they cannot be considered to be true estimates of life expectancy at birth for 2000-2002. Nor should differences between these estimates and estimates for 2005-2007 be interpreted as measuring changes in Indigenous life expectancy at birth over time. However it is worth noting that the estimates for each scenario are considerably higher than the previously published ABS Indigenous life expectancy estimates for 1996-2001.

A3.1 Indigenous life expectancy, Assumed Indigenous deaths identification rates - 2000-2002

Assumption
If death identification rate was 20% less
If death identification rate was 10% less
If death identification rate was unchanged
State/territory
years
years
years

Males
NSW
65.1
66.6
67.9
Qld
62.7
64.4
65.9
WA
62.0
63.7
65.3
NT
56.2
58.1
59.8
Aust.(a)
62.4
64.1
65.6
Females
NSW
70.9
72.3
73.5
Qld
68.4
69.9
71.2
WA
67.8
69.4
70.8
NT
62.8
64.5
66.1
Aust.(a)
68.2
69.8
71.1

(a) Includes all states/territories.


The ABS and AIHW continue to work with key stakeholders such as state and territory Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages, funeral directors, medical officers and hospital staff to improve Indigenous identification in administrative collections, including death registrations. The larger numbers of Indigenous deaths recorded in Australia in recent years than those recorded in earlier years are due to improvements in the reporting of Indigenous status in death registrations.