1100.2 - Statistics Victoria, Mar 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/04/2010   
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Selected releases

1329.0 Australian Wine and Grape Industry, 2009. Released 28/01/2010

There were 1.7 million tonnes of grapes crushed in the 2008-09 financial year, a 5.4% decrease on the previous financial year. There were 1.2 billion litres of beverage wine produced in 2008-09, a 5.9% decrease on 2007-08.

In contrast, 2008-09 exports of Australian produced wine rose 5.2% (to 752 million litres) compared to the previous financial year, while domestic sales of Australian wine also increased by 0.6% (to 430 million litres). The 2008-09 inventory values increased by 0.1% to 1.9 billion litres. Imports of wine into Australia rose 16.7% (to 62 million litres) in 2008-09.

The 13 largest winemakers crushed a total of 1.3 million tonnes of grapes, or 73% of the total crush. These 13 businesses averaged 98,000 tonnes each. Conversely, the 76 smallest winemakers accounted for only 0.4% of all grapes crushed and averaged 96 tonnes each. A third of all wine making locations were in South Australia, accounting for 43% of the national wine grape crush. Wine makers in Victoria represented 22% of wine makers nationally as did New South Wales, with Victoria accounting for 16% of the national crush. .

1367.2 State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, Dec 2009. Released 19/02/2010

This issue presented a feature article on 'Living arrangements of Victorian, 2006: a life course perspective'. The living arrangements of Victorians were reported using 2006 Census data, with particular focus on the statistical distribution of these living arrangements for different age cohorts (children and teenagers, younger adults, the middle aged, and older Victorians). Analysis concentrated on household living arrangements by drawing on data regarding the type of family and non-family household structures in which different populations tend to live at different points in their lives. There is further investigation of the differences found in sub-populations of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people holding a qualification, and people with a disability, and differences between males and females.

This publication also presents Victorian data at LGA level on a number of subjects.

3101.0 Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2009. Released 25/03/2010

This release includes an improved net overseas migration (NOM) methodology. Australia's population grew by 2.1% during the 12 months ended 30 September 2009. Natural increase and net overseas migration contributed 34% and 66% respectively to this total population growth.

At 30 September 2009, the preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) for Victoria was 5,473,300 persons. For year ended 30 September 2009, Victoria experienced 2.2% annual population growth (2.1% for Australia). This was surpassed by WA (2.9%), Qld (2.7%) and the NT (2.3%); while NSW grew by 1.7%.

For year ended 30 September 2009, Victoria's preliminary net overseas migration (NOM) estimate was 82,060 persons. This was the difference between 134,240 overseas arrivals added to the population (NOM arrivals) and 52,180 overseas departures subtracted from the population (NOM departures). NOM was the major component (69.6%) of population growth in Victoria.

Victoria recorded a net interstate migration (NIM) gain of 990 persons for year ended 30 September 2009, compared with a NIM loss of 2,400 for 2008. Natural increase (births and deaths) accounted for 29.5% of growth (34,800 persons) in Victoria for the year.

3218.0 Regional Population Growth Australia, 2008-09. Released 30/3/2009

At June 2009, there were an estimated 3,995,500 people residing in Melbourne Statistical Division (SD), an increase of 93,500 people (2.4%) since June 2008. Melbourne was the largest growth capital city SD in Australia during 2008-09, and has been for the last eight years. Melbourne SD accounted for 80.4% of Victoria's population growth between June 2008 and June 2009, and was home to 73.4% of Victoria's 2009 population.

Melbourne's outer suburban growth areas continued growing strongly for the year to June 2009. The LGAs of Wyndham (C), Melton (C), Whittlesea (C), Hume (C), Casey (C), Cardina (C) and Melbourne (C) all experienced large and/or fast growth.

ERP growth for Melbourne LGAs 2008-09


For Victoria, Wyndham (C) in Melbourne's south-west was the largest growing LGA with an increase of over 10,000 people, followed by Casey (C) in Melbourne's south-east with 8,400 people. Wyndham (C) also had the fastest annual growth rate (8.1%) of all Victorian LGAs in 2008-09; and Melton (S) in Melbourne's west the second fastest (7.9%).

Of all LGAs in Australia, Wyndham (C) had the fourth largest increase and Casey (C) the seventh. Wyndham (C) was also the third fastest growing LGA, and Melton (S) and Cardinia (S) amongst the 10 fastest growing LGA's in Australia.

Four of the five largest growing statistical local areas (SLAs) in Australia in 2008-09 were located in Melbourne's outer suburban fringes. The SLAs of Wyndham (C) - North and Whittlesea (C) - North had the largest population growth of all SLAs in Victoria (both up 5,900 people). Wyndham (C) - North, containing the suburbs of Laverton, Hoppers Crossing and Tarneit, was also the largest growing SLA in Australia. Whittlesea - North (C), containing the suburbs of Whittlesea, Epping and Mernda, was the second largest.

Whittlesea (C) - North accounted for just over 90% of growth in the LGA of Whittlesea (C) and also had the fastest annual SLA growth rate (18.3%) in Victoria. Wyndham (C) - South, including suburbs of Werribee South and Point Cook, experienced the second fastest SLA growth rate (12.8%).

3303.0 Causes of Death, Australia, 2008. Released 31/03/2010.

As the Australian population continues to increase in both size and age, the number of deaths registered each year also continues to slowly increase. In 2008, there were 143,946 deaths registered in Australia, approximately 6,100 (4.4%) more than the number registered in 2007. The standardised death rate in 2008 (6.0 deaths per 1,000 standard population) was the same as in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In 2008, the leading underlying cause of death for all Australians was Ischaemic heart diseases (angina, blocked arteries of the heart and heart attacks)(23,665 deaths). The proportion of Australian deaths by heart disease has decreased over the last ten years. In 1999, 22% of all deaths in Australia were due to heart disease, compared to 16% of all deaths in 2008. It accounted for 17% of all male deaths, and 16% of all female deaths registered in 2008.

Cerebrovascular disease (strokes) remained the second leading underlying cause of death in 2008 (11,973 deaths). Strokes include haemorrhages, strokes, infarctions and blocked arteries of the brain. Deaths attributed to strokes accounted for 8.3% of deaths in 2008.

Over 10 years, deaths due to Dementia and Alzheimer's disease increased 138% (to 8,171 deaths in 2008). The continued increase in deaths from Dementia and Alzheimer's disease has seen this cause of death overtake Trachea and lung cancers as the third leading cause of death in Australia. Trachea and lung cancers were the fourth leading cause of death in 2008 (7,946 deaths).

For all Australians, there were 2,191 deaths due to Suicide in 2008. Males accounted for over three-quarters of all suicide deaths in 2008, resulting in this ranking as the tenth leading cause of death of males. The top 10 leading causes of death accounted for 53% of all deaths registered in 2008.

3401.0 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, Jan 2010. Released 05/03/2010

The trend estimate for Short-term visitor arrivals to Australia during January 2010 (485,400 movements) increased 0.3% compared with December 2009 (483,800 movements). This followed monthly increases of 1.0% for November 2009 and 0.7% for December 2009. Currently, the trend estimate for arrivals are 4.8% higher than in January 2009.

3416.0 Perspectives on Migrants, 2010. Released 05/03/2010

Using data from the ABS Labour Force supplementary surveys, articles explore the interaction of migrants with the Australian labour market. One article looks at the job search related experiences of migrants, broadly defined by their country of birth and year of arrival. Discussion is presented for two groups in the labour force; unemployed migrants (those seeking work) and recently employed migrants (those who started their current job in the last 12 months). A second article examines types of employment in the Australian labour market for both Australian and overseas born people.

In November 2008, the Australian labour force comprised 11.1 million persons, of which 26% (2.9 million) were born overseas. The participation rate for overseas born persons was 61%, compared with 68% for those born in Australia. In July 2009, there were 599,600 unemployed persons of which 33% (196,400) were overseas born. Recent migrants accounted for 42% (83,100 persons) of overseas born unemployed and 58% (113,300 persons) were long term migrants.

4102.0 Australian Social Trends. Released 05/03/2010

Australian Social Trends draws together a wide range of statistics from ABS and other official sources to provide a picture of Australian society and how it is changing over time. The latest edition features five articles:

The labour market during recent economic downturns. The recent global financial crisis triggered a period of slowing economic growth in Australia. This article looks at how the labour market was affected and compares this to previous economic downturns.

Health and socioeconomic disadvantage. Previous analysis has shown that disadvantaged Australians have higher levels of disease risk factors and lower use of preventative health services than those who experience socioeconomic advantage. This article examines differences in indicators of health among Australians, according to the relative socioeconomic disadvantage of where they live.

Are young people learning or earning? Increasing education participation and improving transition to work outcomes for young Australians are key objectives of the Council of Australian Governments' 2009 National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment. This article looks at levels of engagement for young people in study and work, including the transition of recent school leavers. In Victoria, 18% of young people aged 15-24 years were not fully engaged (in either study or work). This was just below the national average of 19%.

Income support among people of working age. In contrast to earlier decades, the period since 1996 has seen a fall in the number of working age people receiving income support. This article examines changes that have driven the decline, and profiles recipients of income support.

Repeat imprisonment. The imprisonment rate has increased steadily over the last decade. This article looks at prisoners who have been released from prison and then been reimprisoned within 10 years of their release. Within 10 years of release, 38% of prisoners in Victoria were reimprisoned, compared with a 39% national average.

4221.0 Schools, Australia, 2009. Released 16/03/2010

The number of schools in Australia has decreased 0.6% over the past 10 years: from 9,587 schools in 1999 to 9,529 schools in 2009. This includes a decrease of 165 government schools, and an increase of 4 Catholic schools and 103 independent schools.

In 2009, after excluding special schools, 70% of Australian schools were primary only, 16% secondary only, and 14% combined primary and secondary. A higher proportion of primary schools were government schools (77%) compared with secondary schools (72%) and combined schools (39% were government affiliated).

In 2009, Victoria had a total of 2,279 primary, secondary, combined and special schools. The primary sector comprised of 1,180 (73.4%) government, 379 (23.6%) Catholic and 48 (3.0%) independent schools. The Victorian secondary sector had 252 government (70.6%), 86 Catholic (24.1%), and 19 independent schools (5.3%). Special schools numbered 76 government (77.6%) , 9 Catholic (9.2%) and 13 independent schools (13.3%).

The Victorian government sector catered for 312,144 primary and 224,932 secondary students (FT). The Catholic sector had 100,415 primary and 87,419 secondary students, and independent sector 45,698 primary and 73,316 secondary students.

4512.0 Corrective Services, Australia, Dec 2009. Released 18/03/2010 

For December quarter 2009, there were 86,282 persons under the authority of corrective services (excluding those in periodic detention) in Australia. The total comprised 28,870 persons in full-time custody and 57,412 persons in community-based corrections. This represents an increase of 4% (3,111 persons) from December quarter 2008. Over the same period, persons in full-time custody increased by 5% (1,505 persons) and persons in community-based corrections increased by 3% (1,606 persons).

During December quarter 2009, the average daily number of full-time prisoners in Australia was 28,822 persons. This was an increase of less than 1% from September quarter 2009, and of 6% on December quarter 2008. There were 57,412 persons in community-based corrections, an increase of 1% (580 persons) on September quarter 2009.
  
Nationally, the December quarter 2009 average daily imprisonment rate was 171 prisoners per 100,000 adult population. The Northern Territory had the highest imprisonment rate (662 prisoners per 100,000 adult population), followed by Western Australia (280) and New South Wales (188). The Australian Capital Territory and Victoria had the lowest rates (65 and 107, respectively).

4513.0 Criminal Courts, Australia, 2008-09. Released 12/03/2010

The number of defendants finalised in Australia's Children's Courts in 2008-09 was 42,198, and increase of 7% (2,786) from 2007-08. Increases were recorded in all states and territories, except Queensland. The largest increases were in Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory (20%, 19% and 18% respectively), while in Victoria the increase was 1%. Theft offences represented one third of the 7,698 adjudicated defendants in Children's courts in Victoria, followed by acts intended to cause injury (18%) and public order offences (10%).

All states and territories, except Tasmania had increases in the numbers of defendants finalised in the Magistrates' Courts in 2008-09. Western Australia (12%), South Australia (8%) and New South Wales (8%) had the largest increases. In Victoria there was a 6% increase (to 104,695), with just over a third related to Traffic offences (36,922), followed by public order offences (20,212).

The majority of states and territories had increases in the numbers of defendants finalised in the Higher Courts in 2008-09. Tasmania (39%), the Northern Territory (29%), the Australian Capital Territory (15%) and South Australia (12%) had the largest increases, while Victoria and Queensland were the only states where the number of defendants finalised decreased (down 10% and 4% respectively).

4519.0 Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2008-09. Released 18/03/2010

In Australia during 2008-09, police proceeded against 344,274 alleged offenders aged 10 years or more, a 6% increase on 2007-08. This represents 1,823 offenders per 100,000 people aged 10 years and over; a rise of 71 offenders per 100,000 from 2007-08. Female offenders increased by 8% (to 77,347 offenders) between 2007-08 and 2008-09, while male offenders increased by 6% (to 266,198 offenders). In 2008-09, New South Wales accounted for 30% (103,853) of the Australian offender population aged 10 years and over, followed by Queensland (24% or 83,806) and Victoria (16% or 53,605).

Nationally, there were more than three times as many male offenders (77%) as female offenders (23%), and this distribution was similar across the states and territories. Tasmania (33%) had the highest proportion of offender population proceeded against by police on two or more separate occasions, while South Australia (21%) had the lowest.

Nationally, the most common principal offence for males was acts intended to cause injury (22%); and for females theft (29%). The predominant principal offences in 2008-09, as measured by offender rates were acts intended to cause injury in Western Australia (515 per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over), New South Wales (463) and the Australian Capital Territory (281); public order offences in the Northern Territory (1,754), Tasmania (802) and Queensland (510); illicit drugs in South Australia, although these are likely to be overstated (790); and theft in Victoria (294).

Youth offenders (10-19 years) comprised nearly a third (30%) of the total offender population, while offenders aged 15 to 19 accounted for the largest proportion (24%) of offenders in Australia, and had the highest offender rate (5,480 offenders per 100,000 people aged 15 to 19 years).

Male offending peaked at age 18 (9,500 offenders per 100,000 males aged 18 years) with police taking action against almost one in ten 18 year old males at least once during 2008-09. Female offending peaked earlier at 15 years of age, at 3,050 offenders per 100,000 females aged 15 years.

4530.0 Crime Victimisation, Australia, 2008-09. Released 18/02/2010. First Issue

Includes data about victims for a selected range of personal and household offences, whether victims reported these incidents to police, characteristics of victims and characteristics of their most recent incident, and people's perceptions of safety and problems in their neighbourhood.

In December 2008, 16.9 million people aged 15 years or over were living in private dwellings in Australia. It was estimated that in the 12 months prior to interview, of those aged 15 years or over: 527,400 (3.1%) people were victims of at least one physical assault; 718,600 (4.2%) people were victims of at least one threatened assault, including face-to-face and non face-to-face threatened assaults; and 96,700 (0.6%) people were victims of at least one robbery.

In the 12 months prior to interview, of those aged 18 years or over, an estimated 52,500 (0.3%) people were victims of at least one sexual assault.

The proportion of victims who reported the most recent incident to police varied depending on the type of crime: 45% for physical assault, 39% for robbery, 31% for sexual assault, and 30% for face-to-face threatened assault.

Some 912,500 households (11%) were victims of at least one incident of property damage in the 12 months prior to interview.

4613.0 Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends, Jan 2010. Released 28/01/2010

The publication covers major trends of relevance to the environment, included under five broad headings: population and urban, human activities, atmosphere, water and landscape.

This issue contains a feature article on climate change. It explores climate change, particularly as it relates to Australia, including: Australia's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, opportunities to reduce emissions, and projected impacts of climate change on water availability, tourism, coastal populations and health.

6265.0 Underemployed Workers, Australia, Sep 2009. Released 23/02/2010

There were 10.9 million employed people aged 15 years and over in Australia during September 2009. Of these: 10 million (92%) were fully employed; and 899,500 (8%) were not fully employed of whom 811,600 were underemployed.

There were 3.2 million part-time workers (2.2 million women and 938,300 men). Of all part-time workers, 26% (823,800) would prefer to work more hours, compared with 23% in September 2008.

Part-time workers aged 20-34 years had the highest incidence of underemployment, with 29% of part-time workers in this age group underemployed. The proportion of part-time workers who were underemployed generally decreased with age.

Older people generally had a longer duration of underemployment than younger people. For example, just over one fifth (21%) of 15-19 year underemployed part-time workers had experienced insufficient work for one year or more. In contrast, 48% of those aged 45-54 years, and 45% of those aged 55 years and over had insufficient work for one year or more.

6467.0 Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index, Dec 2009. Released 15/02/2010

The index rose 0.6% for the December quarter 2009, compared with a rise of 1.0% in September quarter 2009. It rose 2.7% through the year to December quarter 2009, compared to a through the year rise of 1.9% to September quarter 2009.

The most significant price rises in the December quarter 2009 were for food (+1.7%) and housing (+1.1%). The most significant offsetting price falls were for transportation (-1.1%) and health (-2.1%) due to falls in automotive fuel and pharmaceuticals respectively.


7501.0 Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, 2008-09. Released 09/02/2010

In 2008-09 the preliminary estimate of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced was $41.1 billion, a decrease of 5% (or $2.2 billion) from the previous year. The value of crops decreased 7% to $22.1 billion, and livestock products decreased 16%, down to $6.2 billion on the back of falls in the value of wool and milk. Livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose to $12.8 billion, with increases in the value of cattle and calves, sheep and lambs and poultry.

9314.0 Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia, Jan 2010. Released 22/032/2010

In February 2010, a seasonally adjusted 22,685 new vehicles were sold in Victoria, a decrease of 1.8% from Jan 2010. However, this was 20.1% higher than for January 2009, a year earlier. Nationally, new motor vehicle sales fell 1.9% from Dec 2009 to January 2010.

Following the Commonwealth Budget in May 2009, the eligibility period for the Small Business and General Business Tax Break was extended to December 2009. The rebate level was also increased for small businesses, allowing eligible businesses to claim an increased tax deduction on the purchase of new motor vehicles. The rebate may have increased motor vehicle sales in January 2010 and February 2010.


Other releases
1504.0 Methodological News, Mar 2010. Released 10/03/2010

4720.0 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey: Users' Guide, 2008. Released 26/02/2010

4720.0.55.001 Microdata: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, Expanded CURFs, 2008. Released 03/03/2010

5673.0.55.003 Wage and Salary Earner Statistics for Small Areas, Time Series, 2003-04 to 2006-07. Released 12/03/2010

6202.0.30.007 Microdata: Labour Force Survey and Forms of Employment Survey, Basic and Expanded CURF, Australia, November 2008. Released 28/01/2010

6227.0.30.001 Microdata: Survey of Education and Work, Basic CURF, Australia, May 2009.
Released 28/01/2010

8153.0 Internet Activity, Australia, Dec 2009. Released 30/03/2010

8635.2.55.001 Tourist Accommodation, Small Area Data, Victoria, Sep 2009. Released 15/01/2010


Information papers, research papers, and classifications

1220.0.30.001 Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Coder, 2010. Released 29/01/2010.

The ANZSCO Coder is a Windows-based structured coding system on CD-ROM which provides a quick and efficient way to code occupation information to ANZSCO First Edition Revision 1. The ANZSCO Coder incorporates a detailed coding index (an extensive list of occupation titles) which enables coding to the occupation (6-digit) level of ANZSCO with a higher degree of accuracy and consistency than is possible when using just the classification structure and definitions.

The ANZSCO Coder includes an in-built 'Help' facility. To learn to code occupation information properly you should complete the lessons provided in the Help facility.

1254.0.55.002 Assessing impact on policy of ABS products-based data, March 2010. Released 05/03/2010. First Issue

As part of the ABS's ongoing commitment to the review and development of statistical standards, ABS is currently assessing the appropriateness of the suite of product classifications used to produce product-based data. This is a widespread review which is being undertaken in conjunction with other specialised reviews, such as the review of Consumer Price Index Commodity Classification. This discussion paper seeks public comment on the integration of product classifications used by ABS, and the resulting coherence of published product-based data.

1287.0 Standards for Income Variables, 2010. Released 15/03/2010

Specifies ABS standards for the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of statistics on income. Topics covered include ABS recommended definitions of concepts, classification criteria, code structures, questionnaire modules and output categories. Issues related to these standards are also discussed.

1351.0.55.029 Research Paper: Small Area Estimation Using a Multinomial Logit Mixed Model with Category Specific Random Effects, Jan 2010. Released 28/01/2010. First Issue

This paper describes a model based approach to producing small area estimates of counts for different categories of the Australian labour force based on a multinomial logit mixed model with category specific random effects. By category-specific we mean that within each small area there are two correlated random effects, one associated with the employed category and the other associated with the unemployed category.

1351.0.55.030 Research Paper: Linking Census Records to Death Registrations, Mar 2010. Released 11/03/2010. First Issue

To better understand the extent of Indigenous identification in mortality data, ABS linked 2006 Census data to death registrations to compare the reported Indigenous status from each dataset. Data linking was conducted by authorised ABS officers during the Census processing period when name and address were available as linking variables. After Census processing, all Census names and addresses held by ABS were destroyed. This data linking project is referred to as the Indigenous Mortality Quality Study, which forms part of the broader Census Data Enhancement project. This paper builds on other papers already released about the Indigenous Mortality Quality Study, by elaborating on the probabilistic data linking methodology used. An evaluation of the linkage is also provided.

1530.0 ABS Forms Design Standards Manual, 2010. Released 25/01/2010. First Issue

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.

While aspects of these standards were developed for internal use by the ABS they may be of interest to an external audience.

3412.0.55.001 Information Paper: Improving Net Overseas Migration Estimation, Mar 2010. Released 12/03/2010. First Issue

This information paper provides an overview of changes being undertaken to improve net overseas migration (NOM) estimation and reduce the large revisions to ERP. This paper:
  • reviews changes being made to the methodology for estimating preliminary NOM,
  • outlines changes to the preliminary and revision timetables,
  • provides implementation dates and schedules, and
  • discusses future directions the ABS is examining to make further improvements.

Estimates of both the resident population (ERP) and NOM for Australia and each of the states and territories are published quarterly in Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0). The improvements outlined in this paper have been introduced from the September 2009 issue of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0), released on the 25 March 2010.

4703.0 Framework for Measuring Wellbeing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2010. Released 05/03/2010. First Issue

This publication describes a framework to map statistical information about Indigenous people, in the context of interrelationships with their social and physical environments. Not only does it provide a means to present existing data, it also provides the means to identify potential data gaps.

5260.0.55.002 Experimental Estimates of Industry Multifactor Productivity, 2008-09. Released 05/02/2010. Reissue

This data cube provides experimental industry estimates of Multifactor productivity (MFP), and two aggregate MFP measures: aggregate MFP for the updated definition of the market sector, consisting of 16 industries (ANZSIC06 Divisions A to N and Divisions R and S); and MFP for the 12 selected industries (ANZSIC06 Divisions A to K and R).

The estimates of MFP for the 12 individual industries in this data cube use the same basic data that underlies the estimates for selected industries in electronic Table 13 published in the 2008-09 System of National Accounts (cat. no. 5204.0).

6354.0.55.001 Information Paper: Reinstatement of Job Vacancies Survey, Nov 2009. Released 04/02/2010. First Issue

This information paper describes changes to Job Vacancies statistics, as a result of the Job Vacancies Survey (JVS) being suspended during 2008-09 and reinstated for the November 2009 survey. The first issue of 6354.0 following the reinstatement of JVS will be for the February 2010 reference period, which was released on 1 April 2010.

Main Economic Indicators (MEIs). Also released during the past quarter were a number of monthly and quarterly MEIs which can be accessed from the ABS website home page <www.abs.gov.au>. Examples of MEIs include: housing finance, building approvals, labour force, consumer price index, sales of new motor vehicles, and retail trade.