1344.8.55.002 - ABStract, Statistics News, Australian Capital Territory, Jul 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/08/2002   
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Contents

A Message from the Regional Director
News and Reviews
ACT Special Guest Speaker - Professor Peter McDonald
2001 Census Specials
First Release Data Variables
Second Release Data Variables
Get 30% More with an AusStats Subscription
IRDB 2002: Your First Source of Regional Information
International Investment Position, Australia: Supplementary Country Statistics (cat. no. 5352.0) and Balance of Payments, Australia: Regional Series (cat. no. 5338.0)
Statistical Developments
A New Study: Measuring the Socio-Economic Background of School Students
Expected Major Irregular and Annual Releases
Entry Points to the ABS ACT Office


A MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Since the last issue there have been a number of significant releases of information and other statistical developments by the ABS. Most obvious is the release of the 2001 Census of Population and Housing data on 17 June. This issue contains an abstract of Professor Peter McDonald's speech from the Census Launch for the ACT Region, as well as a feature on what information is available from the first release.

31 July sees the release of a new ACT publication, Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators (cat. no. 1367.8). Details on how to order the new publication are contained on page 2 of this newsletter. For subscribers to Business Indicators (cat. no. 1303.8) we can arrange for your subscription to be transferred to the new publication.

In September the ACT Office will release its ACT yearbook, ACT in Focus (cat. no. 1307.8). This has a large amount of information on a range of topics, including demography, transport and the economy.

The ABS has made extensive use of the Internet to disseminate census data. This Census, the amount of information available for free on the ABS web site has been significantly increased. For the first time, all first release tables in the Basic Community and Indigenous Profiles are available for selected geography free of charge via the ABS web site. Please visit census to view your 2001 Census information.


Tracy Stewart
Regional Director,
ACT Office,
Australian Bureau of Statistics.


NEWS AND REVIEWS

PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW FOR THE NEW QUARTERLY
ACT STATISTICAL INDICATORS PUBLICATION


The first issue of the new ACT Statistical Indicators (cat. no. 1367.8), covering the June Quarter 2002, is due for release on 31 July, 2002.

This new quarterly publication replaces Business Indicators (1303.8), following an evaluation and is an enhancement on the information provided. It will present a broader range of data and contain more detailed analysis of recent movements in key demographic, economic and labour market data. ACT Statistical Indicators (cat. no. 1367.8) will be a tool for a wider range of clients making decisions based on ACT data. These include ACT businesses, industry bodies, the ACT Government, health organisations, community care organisations, schools, and tourism bodies. It contains tables, graphs and commentary to give readers an indication of the economic and demographic situation of the ACT, as well as the trends and movements leading to the current figures. It also includes feature articles on various aspects of the ACT population and economy.

If you would like to organise a subscription to the new ACT Statistical Indicators, please contact National Subscription Services on 1300 135 070 or subscriptions@abs.gov.au. Existing clients of Business Indicators, ACT will be contacted regarding arrangements they would like to put in place for the new publication.

For further information about the new ACT Statistical Indicators, please contact Rod Campbell on 02 6207 0446 or rod.campbell@abs.gov.au.

2002 ACT in Focus due in September


ACT in Focus is an annual publication produced by the ACT Regional Office and the 2002 issues is due for release in September 2002.

The publication presents the latest data description of the social, demographic and economic structure of the Australian Capital Territory by drawing on a wide range of statistics compiled by the ABS and other organisations.

Topics included in the publication range from demography, education, environment, tourism and culture, to government, the economy, foreign trade, law and order, housing and construction, transportation, health and community services, ABS business register counts, the labour market and including figures from the 2001 census.

For further information about the new 2001 ACT in Focus, please contact Alan Masters on 02 6207 0286 or alan.masters@abs.gov.au.
ACT SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
PROFESSOR PETER McDONALD

Speaking at the census launch on 17 June, Australian National University Professor Peter McDonald congratulated the "official Australian Statisticians" for producing high quality censuses for almost 150 years. As a professional who constantly uses census data, Professor McDonald acknowledged that census is the principal source of information for planning in Australia.

Professor McDonald said that for the first time the census included Internet and computer questions.

The ACT had come out well ahead of the rest of the nation on home use in both areas.

He said that 64.4% of ACT households had used a home PC in the week preceding the August 2001 census, well ahead of Brisbane with 53.2% and Sydney with 52.6%.

More than 50% of households had used the Internet, the next highest city being Sydney with 41.4%.

Professor McDonald said all of Canberra and Queanbeyan ranked among the nation's top 23 areas for individual earnings.

Also included were the five mining areas in Western Australia, northern Sydney, inner and inner-eastern Melbourne and Sydney and all of Darwin. These statistics were probably influenced by the small number of people on the pension or unemployment benefits in these areas.

Professor McDonald said the report contains several tables related to families and households. The long run trend towards smaller households continued with the average number of persons per household falling from 2.7% in 1996 to 2.6% in 2001. Between 1996 and 2001, lone persons households increased from 22.8% to 24.0% of all households. The other two households types, family and group households, fell in their proportion. The proportion of households that were group households fell from 4.2% to 3.9% - although here the identification of same-sex couples and their classification under the heading of 'family household' may have played a part. The proportion of families with children that were lone parent families increased from 22.6% in 1996 to 24.7% in 2001. Twelve per cent of all couples were de facto couples, concentrated very largely at the younger ages.

HOUSEHOLDS USING HOME COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET

City
% using home computer
% using the internet

Canberra
64
50
Sydney
53
41
Melbourne
53
40
Brisbane
53
41
Adelaide
48
35
Perth
53
40
Hobart
45
32
Darwin
48
37

2001 CENSUS SPECIALS


The first release of information from the 2001 Census was launched on Monday 17 June, just 10 months after collection. To enable access by the broadest possible cross-section of the community, results from the Census are made available in a variety of forms. These range from free information available on the ABS web site to a suite of prepackaged CD-ROM products, hardcopy publications and customised data services.

BASIC COMMUNITY PROFILES

The Basic Community Profile (BCP), available on CD-ROM and from the ABS web site, provides 21 first release tables containing key characteristics of the Australian population. All BCP tables down to the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level of geography are provided free of charge via the web site. BCPs for other standard census geography such as the small area level Collection District can be purchased via the web - the recent introduction of e-commerce by the ABS provides more convenient and timely access to priced products. BCPs can also be purchased for customised geography by contacting the ACT Office. Second release BCP tables are expected to be available in November 2002 - see the list of first and second release variables on page 6 and 7.

WEB SITE

Indigenous Profiles - The ABS is pleased to announce that, for the first time, Indigenous Profiles (IP) were released on 17 June, the same time as the Basic Community Profile, and several months earlier than last census. Another first is that Indigenous Profile tables for selected geography are available from the ABS web site free of charge. The 12 first release IP tables available for free from the web are for Indigenous Areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Regions, States/Territories and Australia. The IP for other geography is available for purchase via the web or by contacting ABS Information Consultancy on 1300 135 070. Second Release tables are expected to be available in November 2002.

For the listing of first and second release tables included in the BCP and IP, please obtain a copy of the free booklet "Making the Most of Your Census" from Gordon Knox on 02 6207 0484 or at gordon.knox@abs.gov.au. Subscribers to the Census Update magazine will automatically receive a copy of this very informative booklet with Issue 26 to be distributed in July 2002.

NEW! CENSUS SNAPSHOTS

Census Snapshots are a narrative, statistical summary for selected geographic areas. They succinctly provide 2001 Census data in a form that is ideal for a variety of uses including news reports, school assignments or community newsletters.

The information in each snapshot is extracted from Basic Community Profile (BCP) tables and some time series information. Fast, easy access is made available through a "drill down" map or area name list enabling users to quickly identify and select an area of interest. Snapshots are available for Australia, States and Territories, Capital Cities and Statistical Local Areas (SLA).

CD-ROMS - THE CENSUS GUIDE

The second edition of the Census Guide was available from 17 June. This free CD-ROM product contains a wide range of census reference information, including the Census Dictionary, product briefs, fact sheets and a range of free data including some Basic Community and Indigenous Profiles and Census Snapshots.

It also includes case studies demonstrating the use of CDATA 2001, and the most recent version of the Census Table Specification Service, a software program that allows clients to select, cost and order Census customised tables that best suit their needs.

To obtain your free copy of the Census Guide simply call Gordon Knox on 02 6207 0484 or at gordon.knox@abs.gov.au.

CENSUS BASICS

Specifically compiled for those with existing database or analysis systems, Census Basics contains all the first release Basic Community Profile tables in .csv format down to Collection District level. It includes the Census digital boundaries in MapInfo Interchange format and an Excel spreadsheet viewer.

SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS PUBLICATION

The national publication Selected Social and Housing Characteristics, Australia, 2001 (cat. no. 2015.0) was available from 17 June. This summary publication includes 2001 Census counts and selected characteristics of persons and dwellings for all Statistical Divisions (SD) and Statistical Subdivisions (SSD) within each State and Territory.

This publication (RRP $35.00) is available from ABS bookshops or by ABS mail order. The Summary of Findings from this publication is available free from the ABS web site while electronic copies of the full content can be purchased using the e-commerce facility.


CENSUS CUSTOMISED TABLES

First release Census data are now available for ordering customised tables. ABS Information Consultants can assist in specifying tables to provide the data that best suit your needs. Orders for second release data may also be placed ahead of the second release expected in November 2002.


POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, ABORIGINAL
AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AUSTRALIANS

Population Distribution, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (cat. no. 4705.0) was released on 26 June 2002. This publication presents information on data quality to help interpret the 2001 Census counts for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Experimental resident population estimates of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, based on the 2001 Census, are also included. Census counts of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population are also provided for small areas (Indigenous Areas and Locations) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission regions.

This publication (RRP $30.00) is available from the ACT bookshops or by ABS mail order. Electronic copies are also able to be purchased via e-commerce from the ABS web site.

If you require a copy of the latest CD-Rom version of CTSS, or would like further information, please contact Gordon Knox on 02 6207 0484 or email: gordon.knox@abs.gov.au.

FIRST RELEASE DATA VARIABLES

The amount of data available in the first release (17 June) has been increased in the 2001 Census. The first release includes family characteristics, new topics on computer and Internet use, and CD of Usual Residence on Census Night. First release data are incorporated into a large number of standard products available from the ABS web site, on CD-ROM and in hardcopy. If the data that you are interested in does not appear to be available in the standard product range, you can request customised 2001 Census data to meet your needs.

PERSON CHARACTERISTICS
Age
Ancestry
Australian citizenship
Birthplace of female parent
Birthplace of individual
Birthplace of male parent
CD of usual residence census night
Child type
Computer use at home
Family/household reference person indicator
Full/part-time student status
Highest level of schooling completed
Indigenous status
Individual income (weekly)
Internet use
Language spoken at home
Proficiency in spoken English
Proficiency in spoken English/language
Registered marital status
Relationship in household
Religious affiliation
Residential status in non-private dwelling
Sex
SLA of usual residence census night
State of usual residence census night
Type of educational institution attending
Usual address indicator census night
Year of arrival in Australia

HOUSEHOLD/DWELLING CHARACTERISTICS

Count of persons temporarily absent from household
Dwelling location
Dwelling structure
Dwelling type
Household type
Housing loan repayments (monthly) dollar values
Housing loan repayments (monthly) ranges
Landlord type
Number of bedrooms in private dwellings
Number of motor vehicles
Number of motorbikes and scooters
Rent (weekly) dollar values
Rent (weekly) ranges
Tenure type
Type of non-private dwelling

FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS

Count of dependent children under 15 temporarily absent
Count of dependent students (15-24) temporarily absent
Count of non-dependent children temporarily absent
Count of persons temporarily absent from family
Family number
Family type
Location of spouse
Relationship between families
SECOND RELEASE DATA VARIABLES

PERSON CHARACTERISTICS

Hours worked
Industry of employment
Industry sector
Journey to work: destination zone
Journey to work: study area
Labour force status/status in employment
Method of travel to work
Non-school qualification: field of study
Non-school qualification: level of education
Non-school qualification: year completed

OCCUPATION

Postal area of usual address census night
SLA of usual residence five years ago
SLA of usual residence one year ago
Social marital status
State of usual residence five years ago
State of usual residence one year ago
Usual address five years ago indicator
Usual address one year ago indicator

HOUSEHOLD/DWELLING CHARACTERISTICS

Household income derivation indicator
Household income (weekly)
Household five year mobility indicator
Household one year mobility indicator

FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS

Family income derivation indicator
Family income (weekly)
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With an AusStats subscription, the latest statistical information will only ever be as far away as your PC. AusStats offers a reliable, accurate, and convenient source of statistical information. With it, you can access our complete range of publications, time series, and databases from your PC - allowing you to find the information you need, when you need it - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

AusStats is updated daily, and gives access to:
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  • Over 2,000 spreadsheets
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For more information on AusStats, please contact Gordon Knox on 02 6207 0484, or visit the ABS web site.

NOTE: (Discount offer not available with any other promotional or discount offers. Only valid for new AusStats Subscriptions)
IRDB 2002: YOUR FIRST SOURCE OF REGIONAL INFORMATION
IRDB 2002 encompasses statistics from the ABS and other government agencies to provide a comprehensive source of regional level data on a single CD-ROM. Powerful retrieval and mapping functions support the information contained in IRDB 2002, and allow you to rapidly find the data you need to chart and analyse trends, plan for infrastructure needs, and undertake policy and strategy development.

NEW IRDB DATA IN 2002


New information in IRDB 2002 includes experimental counts of single location businesses, updated estimated resident population as well as statistics from agencies such as Dept of Health and Ageing, Dept of Veteran Affairs, National Land and Water Resource Audit, and the Western Australian Government.

IMPROVED MAPPING INTERFACE

For 2002, embedded GIS technology has been employed to fully integrate the mapping functionality. The redeveloped software package now caters for the novice through to the expert user.

AgStats 2001: AGRICULTURE DATAPRODUCT CONTAINING
SMALL AREA AGRICULTURAL DATA FOR THE YEARS 1996-97 to 1999-00.

Known as AgStats 2001, this product contains 1996-97 Agricultural Census data disseminated to the Statistical Local Area level, as well as results of the three subsequent Agricultural Commodity Surveys (1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-00), at the higher Statistical Division level.

Data items available relate to area, production and value of most crops, pastures and horticultural products along with the numbers of most types of livestock and quantities and value of livestock products. A 'Formula' function also allows derived items such as yield, density, production intensity etc to be created. Data items, and the spatial units, are grouped in hierarchical 'trees' for ease of locating and selecting.

This package uses the same software as that used by the ABS's Integrated Regional Database (IRDB) product. This platform offers a user friendly data retrieval system and easy-to-use mapping and charting facilities. Other functions include report preparation, importation of data and export of generated tables and reports.

Researchers and decision makers will find AgStats 2001 a very useful tool in identifying and quantifying details of agricultural production in selected regions. Changes in composition of crops and land usage over a four year period can also be tracked and the trends identified. No analysis of Australian agriculture in recent years would be complete without reference to this dataset.

To operate this package, the minimum computing requirement would be a Pentium ll 300 with a Hex speed (x6) CD-ROM. A memory of at least 32 megabytes of RAM is necessary as is Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0.

The cost of the package is $1,700 (GST inclusive) or for clients who already have AgStats 2000, the upgrade is $300 (GST inclusive). For clients who have the older AgStats97 package, the upgrade is $640 (GST inclusive). Holders of the IRDB 2001 package can top-up their agricultural data bank for only $100 (GST inclusive).

For further details and/or order forms, contact Gordon Knox on 02 6207 0484 or at gordon.knox@abs.gov.au.


INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT POSITION, AUSTRALIA:
SUPPLEMENTARY COUNTRY STATISTICS (cat. no. 5352.0);
AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS, AUSTRALIA: REGIONAL SERIES (cat. no. 5338.0)

The 2000-01 issue of the above products will be available on www.abs.gov.au from June 2002. Both products can be purchased in either acrobat (pdf) format or as Excel spreadsheets (as data cubes).

International Investment Position, Australia: Supplementary Country Statistics (cat. no. 5352.0) is an annual publication presenting statistics on Australia's international investment position by selected countries. For foreign investment in Australia (liabilities), it includes details on country of investor, investment stocks (level of investment), flows (transactions) and associated income. For Australian investment abroad (assets) similar detail is provided in respect of country of investment. The non-transaction changes which occur due to exchange rate effects, other price effects and other changes in the levels of these assets and liabilities that are not due to transactions are not shown in this publication but do contribute to the level of investment.

The statistics in International Investment Position, Australia: Supplementary Country Statistics (cat. no. 5352.0) are presented as time series for the years 1991-92 to 2000-01 inclusive.

Balance of Payments, Australia: Regional Series (cat. no. 5338.0) is an annual publication presenting comprehensive statistics on Australia's balance of payments by selected countries. This issue contains regional estimates of Australia's current and capital accounts. The current account includes credit and debit estimates for goods, services, income and current transfers. Services are further broken down into: transportation; travel; communication; construction; insurance; financial; computer and information services; royalties and license fees; other business services; personal, cultural and recreational services; government services; and other. Income is further broken down into compensation of employees and investment income. More detailed income information is available in International Investment Position, Australia: Supplementary Country Statistics (cat. no. 5352.0).

The statistics in Balance of Payments, Australia: Regional Series (cat. no. 5338.0) are presented as time series for the years 1989-90 to 2000-01 inclusive.

Both products supplement the quarterly publication, Balance of Payments and International Investment Position, Australia (cat. no. 5302.0) and are consistent with the March quarter 2002 issue.

If you would like any further information regarding either of these products, please contact Kevin Yeadon on (02) 6252 6255 or via email, kevin.yeadon@abs.gov.au.
STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENTS

NEW LABOUR THEME PAGE ON ABS WEB SITE
    The ABS has launched a new Labour Theme Page on its web site, which is expected to provide easier access to labour related statistical information, as it will help users find the data that they require and assist in providing metadata for the surveys. In addition, it will be of assistance in communicating with clients details about changes in labour related products, details about new products as they are developed and the release dates of upcoming products.

    The theme page includes:

    • a catalogue of relevant products.
    • key statistics from a range of surveys on the Australian labour market.
    • links to more detailed statistical output and related metadata.
    • links to articles, information papers and detailed papers on statistical developments relating to labour statistics.
    • links to reference material such as the manual Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods (cat. no. 6102.0).
    • links to other relevant web sites.
      The new theme page was launched on the ABS web site on 27 May 2002. Comments will be sought from the labour statistics user community on the usefulness of the theme page and possible enhancements which might improve it.

      For further information contact Harry Kroon, Labour Market Section, on 02 6252 6753 or harry.kroon@abs.gov.au
      A NEW STUDY: MEASURING THE SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF SCHOOL STUDENTS

      A study is being coordinated by the ABS into an alternative source of information about students' socioeconomic status and language background. The aim of the study being conducted for the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA), is to test the feasibility of collecting, capturing and coding such data on school enrolment forms.

      The ABS National Centre for Education and Training Statistics is coordinating the study, with assistance from Education Departments in Victoria and Northern Territory. Their enrolment forms were updated by inserting standard ABS questions for Indigenous Status, Occupation of Father and Mother, Language Background, Country of Birth, and Educational Attainment of Father and Mother.

      This expanded enrolment form was trialled in a sample of government and non-government schools from metropolitan, rural and regional areas in both State/Territory and across a wide cultural diversity. Approximately 3,000 parents have participated in the study.

      On completion of the trial, the ABS will report to MCEETYA on the feasibility of collecting, capturing and coding this type of information, based on the accuracy of the data and the burden on the collection system, schools and parents.

      For more information about the study, contact Caroline Daley, ABS Project Manager on 02 6252 7198 or email: cdb.daley@abs.gov.au.
      EXPECTED MAJOR IRREGULAR & ANNUAL RELEASES

      This listing shows those ABS publications expected to be released over the coming quarter. The expected month of release is shown in brackets. Release dates may vary from those shown. Current publications and other products released by the ABS are listed in the Catalogue of Publications and Products (cat. no. 1101.0). The Catalogue is available from any ABS office or the ABS web site. The web site also provides daily release information for the week ahead.

      GENERAL

      1216.0Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) (September)
      1252.0National Localities Index, Australia, July 2002 (July)
      1307.8Australian Capital Territory In Focus, 2002 (September)
      1314.8Australian Capital Territory at a Glance, 2002 (September)
      1321.0Small Business in Australia, 2001 (August)
      1367.8Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators, June 2002 (July)
      1375.0Discussion Paper: Measuring a Knowledge-based Economy and Society - An Australian Framework (August).


      CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING

      2905.0Statistical Geography: Volume 2 - Census Geographic Areas, Australia, 2001 (July)
      2909.0Statistical Geography: Volume 3 - Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) Urban Centres/Localities, 2001 (September)
      2015.8Census of Population and Housing: Selected Social and Housing Characteristics for Statistical Local Areas, Australian Capital Territory, (September)


      DEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL STATISTICS

      3218.0Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand (July)
      3235.8.55.001Population by Age and Sex, ACT - Electronic Delivery (July)
      3310.0Marriages and Divorces, Australia, 2001 (August)
      4183.0Cultural Funding, Australia, 2000-01 (July)
      4390.0Private Hospitals, Australia, 2000 - 01 (August)


      ECONOMIC STATISTICS


      5256.0Australian National Accounts: Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account (August)
      5673.0Experimental Estimates, Regional Wage and Salary Earner Statistics, Australia, 1995-96 to 1998-99 (July)
      5675.0Experimental Estimates, Regional Small Business Statistics, Australia 1995 - 96 to 1999 - 00 (August)


      Labour Statistics

      6266.0Retrenchment and Redundancy, Australia, July 2002 (July)
      6209.0Labour Mobility, Australia (September)
      6265.0Underemployed Workers, Australia, Sep 2001 (July)
      6359.0Forms of Employment, Australia, Nov 2001 (August)
      6523.0Income Distribution, Australia, 2000 - 01 (September)


      Business and Industry

      8112.0Research and Experimental Development, All Sector Summary, Australia (August)
      8126.0Information Technology, Australia, 2000 - 01 (July)
      8146.0Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2001 (July)

      ENTRY POINTS TO THE ABS ACT OFFICE


      BOOKSHOP:
      Office Hours: 9am to 4.30pm Mon to Fri
      Level 5,
      QBE Insurance Building
      33 Ainslie Ave.,
      Canberra City

      Ph. (02) 6207 0326
      Fax (02) 6207 0282

      POSTAL ADDRESS:ACT ABS Office
      PO Box 10
      BELCONNEN ACT 2616

      NATIONAL DIAL A STATISTIC LINE
      (for main economic indicators other than CPI)
      1900 986 400
      (75c per minute)

      CPI INFORMATION LINE1902 981 074 (75c per minute)

      WEB SITE:www.abs.gov.au

      National Information Services
      Telephone
      Fax
      Email
      1300 135 070
      1300 135 211
      client.services@abs.gov.au



      ABS ACT REGIONAL CONTACTS:
      • Assistant Regional Director: James Holt 02 6204 0244
      • Project and Information Manager: Gordon Knox 02 6207 0484