3106.0 - Demography News, April 2012  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/04/2012  Final
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2011 CENSUS DATA RELEASE OVERVIEW


The ABS is developing a range of products and services from the 2011 Census to meet the objective of providing users of statistics with the information they need. Emphasis will be placed on providing a timely and responsive range of products.

The Internet will continue to be the main dissemination tool for the 2011 Census. Previously the ABS released Census data as a defined range of products containing predefined tables for most levels of geography. While this defined data will still be available in 2011, other Internet-based products will also be available. These products will have greater flexibility, allowing clients to choose topics rather than just geography and even to have some ability to create or alter cross-classifications. Predominantly, data from the 2011 Census will be released free of charge.

Detailed information around Census products, release dates and changes to 2011 Census data concepts and classifications are provided in Census of Population and Housing - Products and Services, 2011 (cat. no. 2011.0.55.001).

Staged Release

As with the 2006 Census, there will be a staged release of the data. Basic data items will be available in the first data release (21 June 2012) and others that require more detailed processing will be released as part of the second data release (30 October 2012). The ABS website will continue to be used as the main channel for the release of Census data.

Area based analysis

The power of Census data lies in the ability to analyse information at a detailed area level. Census data will be released on two different bases: place of usual residence and place of enumeration.

Census data at place of usual residence are based on the reported usual residence of all people enumerated on Census Night. Overseas visitors and Australians overseas are excluded. Usual addresses are coded to Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1s). Usual residence Census data will be available for SA1s and aggregates of SA1s.

Census data at place of enumeration are based on each person's actual location on Census Night. Overseas visitors are included while Australians overseas are excluded.

Population Estimates

Preliminary rebased national and state/territory population estimates will be released in Australian Demographic Statistics, December Quarter 2011 (cat. no. 3101.0) on 20 June 2012. Final rebased national and state/territory estimates will be released in June 2013 in Australian Demographic Statistics, December Quarter 2012 (cat. no. 3101.0).

An ABS Information Paper: Ensuring the Quality of Rebased Population Estimates, 2011 (cat. no. 3250.0) summarising the quality assurance approach to preliminary rebasing of the 2011 estimates will be released on 5 July 2012, shortly after release of the preliminary estimates. This Information Paper will be updated in six stages as more data is released, and will retain the same catalogue number (cat. no. 3250.0).

Preliminary rebased sub-state estimates will be released in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2001-2011 (cat. no. 3218.0) on 31 July 2012. Final rebased sub-state estimates will be released in August 2013 in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2001-2011 (cat. no. 3218.0).

For more information see Appendix A in Information Paper: Rebasing Population Estimates, Australia, 2011, Aug 2011 (cat. no. 3101.0.55.001).