1100.2 - Statistics Victoria (Newsletter), Issue 2, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/08/2001   
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    STATE GOVERNMENT LIAISON AND OUTPOSTED OFFICERS

    ABS Victoria relies on developing effective relationships with key State Government agencies to assist in understanding and satisfying both current and emerging statistical needs of the State of Victoria. The Statistical Coordination Branch of the Victorian Office plays a significant role in assessing these needs and in assisting the identification of both ABS and non-ABS data sources to satisfy them.

    Strategic links between the ABS and Victorian Government agencies are the responsibility of the State Government Liaison Officer (SGLO) Terry Byrnes. Terry can be contacted on (03) 9615 7457 or email t.byrnes@abs.gov.au. The SGLO works with ABS Outposted Officers and the Statistical Coordination Branch to further understand Victoria's policy imperatives, the related statistical needs of key clients and to assist agencies to maximise the potential of their data holdings for their own decision making. The ABS currently has seven outposted officers who undertake a variety of tasks. Examples of recent outpostings to Victorian Government agencies include:

    Adrian Serraglio has been outposted to work on the Victorian Population Health Survey 2001 (VPHS2001). This is a household Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) survey with a sample size of approximately 7,500 households in Victoria and will run between August to October 2001. It is coordinated by the Public Health Division of the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS). The survey will collect information on psycho-social risk factors and health status from persons aged 18 years and over. Information will be principally available at the state level with urban and rural analysis, with some analysis for DHS Regions. This is potentially the first in a series of surveys hoped to collect core demographic and health status information for use in planning effective health services by the government.

    Mark Taylor has been outposted to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to improve the coordination of statistics within the agency. Mark's major project is documenting data sources and access paths within DNRE enabling an improved awareness and use of the department's own data. Mark has assisted staff to identify the best available data sources to satisfy agriculture, mining and environment statistical needs, often assisting staff in utilising the functionality of the departments Intranet System for Agriculture Statistics. Mark's outposting has also led to valuable input from the agency into ABS planning in areas such as Agriculture; an Alternative Industry View of Waste Management and Recycling Services; and in assisting the Regional Indicators of Well-Being project to develop environmental indicators and identify potential small area data.

    Steve Gelsi's outposting is to provide general statistical support to the Employment Development Unit (EDU), of the Employment Programs Division of DEET, mostly relating to labour market program development issues. Steve has been involved in providing data and related analysis on labour market trends to the Division's various Program Managers, especially in relation to target groups of the labour market. Most of the data used has been sourced from ABS@vicgov. He also promotes ABS data releases generally within the Division. A revised ABS Labour Force Survey questionnaire was introduced in April, and Steve was able to assist EDU incorporate the changes necessary to ensure the revisions had as little impact as possible on monthly labour market reporting operations (now a function of Policy and Planning Division) by helping the Unit to understand their nature and magnitude. Steve also believes that it has been valuable to see things from a data user's perspective, rather than from the perspective of a data provider.

    Fiona Carnes is outposted at the Department of Human Services to develop a data dictionary for the DisAbility Services Branch. The data dictionary supports the DisAbility Services data model and forms a valuable component of the DisAbility Services Information Strategy. The outposting has involved identifying and compiling data items and performance measures from DisAbility collections and recommending the application of relevant national and international standards. Standardising the DisAbility data items will assist in improving data quality and the comparability of data across internal and external data collections. The data dictionary will facilitate the introduction of a web based data capture system.

    Lohan Fernando has been outposted to the Department of Human Service (DHS), External Data Unit since March 2001. He is playing a critical role in supporting key strategic projects within DHS and in strengthening the relationship between ABS and DHS. He is currently liaising with and sourcing information from a number of agencies, including Centrelink, Health Insurance Commission and identifying opportunities to assist the Department to gain access to unpublished ABS data. In the next few months, Lohan will assist the Department in identifying their data requirements for Census output and support other data management initiatives.

    In addition, Terry Byrnes recently provided assistance to the Cross Sectoral Measures Project Team at the Department of Education, Employment and Training (DEET). The purpose of this project was to develop ways to improve DEET's capacity to produce high quality data in order to measure education and training performance. Cross sectoral indicators such as the percentage of young people in Victoria (aged 19) who have completed Year 12 or its equivalent, pose particular measurement problems because administrative systems are currently set up to service the needs of individual sectors. Terry's role was to identify, assess and organise the various data needed for modelling the estimates, and to engage assistance from within ABS resources to construct a model. A major output of this project will be a publication of sub-state data of student attainment.

    If you would like to know more about ABS Outpostings, please contact Terry Byrnes on 03 9615 7457 (email t.byrnes@abs.gov.au) or Joseph Salvatore, Director, Statistical Coordination Branch on 03 9615 7924 (email:joseph.salvatore@abs.gov.au).


    NEW NAME FOR THE NATIONAL INFORMATION SERVICE

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Information Service (NIS) has changed its name to the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Information and Referral Service (ABSNIRS).

    The official name change occurred on Wednesday 11th July.

    What does the change of name mean for our clients?

    Mainly it means that the NIRS is now focusing a lot more on self help options and referring clients to these when appropriate (Eg the new automated CPI service) rather than simply providing the information over the phone. This is to assist in communicating to our clients the expanding range of ABS data and the resources that are being provided and developed for their ease of access to this data. This is in line with our proposed new focus of the provision of value-added services.

    It does not mean that everyone we speak to will be referred to self-help. We will still be providing information over the phone where required but essentially we hope to educate people to search for the information themselves (either on the web or in the library). In turn this will hopefully lead people to have a better understanding of the work that the ABS does in terms of available products and statistical services.

    National Information and Referral Service
    Telephone: 1300 135 070
    Fax: 1300 135 211
    email: client.services@abs.gov.au

    2001 CENSUS CUSTOMISED TABLES - ADVANCED ORDER SERVICE

    The ABS will be again providing a Census Customised Table Service (CCTS) to users of Census data. The Customised Table Service provides cross classified tables tailored to meet individual client's requirements. Clients needing customised data are encouraged to preorder their tables, ensuring prompt delivery of the requested information after Census data is officially released. To facilitate the early ordering of data, the Advanced Order Service (AOS) will be available to all prospective 2001 Census data users from September through to November 2001 (inclusive).

    For more information, please contact your client manager or call 1800 813 939 to register for an AOS information pack, which will be available from mid-August.

    ABS STATISTICAL TRAINING

    The ABS Statistical Consultancy and Training Section prepares and delivers a regular statistical training program for external clients. These training courses are typically run twice per year though extra courses can be arranged to meet client demand. Course presenters are statistical consultants who have expertise in designing questionnaires, analysing data, and managing the survey process. The courses teach practical skills by involving participants in individual and group exercises.

    Tailored training courses can also be designed to meet the specific needs and interests of particular organisations.

    For further information regarding tailored training, or regarding our regular training schedule, please contact Nirmala Narasimhan on (03) 9615 7982 or email n.narasimhan@abs.gov.au or Michael Coombes on (03) 9615 7504 or email michael.coombes@abs.gov.au.

    Regular Statistical Training Program

    Basic Survey Design $565
    A 2 day course which gives a good grounding in all facets of sample survey development.
    This course is useful for those involved in survey development and those who may be evaluating surveys run by consultants.
    Principles of Questionnaire Design$565
    This 2 day course provides an awareness and understanding of questionnaire design principles applicable to both household and business surveys.
    Basic Statistical Analysis$565
    This 2 day course develops knowledge of descriptive statistics involving analysis of variables to describe data. Includes hands-on spreadsheet work to demonstrate basic statistical techniques, and produce tables and charts.
    8 & 9 October 2001
    Focus Group Techniques $565
    A 2 day course which includes deciding when focus groups are most useful, their conduct and facilitation and analysis of results.
    Turning Data into Information $565
    A 2 day course providing skills in the processes and techniques of data analysis important for addressing social issues.
    21 & 22 November 2001

    STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENTS


    DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY STATISTICS

    There is growing recognition worldwide that biotechnology offers many opportunities for delivering economic and social benefits to citizens of both developed and developing countries. However, there is currently little statistical information available to monitor the diffusion of biotechnology and to assist with policy choices.
    The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently participating in an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Group that has been set up to develop a set of internationally comparable biotechnology statistical indicators. A prerequisite for this development involves the preparation of a statistical framework to specify the indicators and ways in which they might be compiled, with a key issue being the establishment of a definition for 'biotechnology'.

    The current intention is that 'biotechnology' will be defined in terms of a single definition supported by a list based definition. The provisional definitions proposed by the Working Group are as follows:

    Single definition

    The application of science and technology to living organisms as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services.

    List based

    The list based definition is based on the following five categories:

    DNA (the coding) : genomics, pharmaco-genetics, gene probes, DNA sequencing/synthesis/amplification, genetic engineering.

    Proteins and molecules (the functional blocks) : protein/peptide sequencing/synthesis, lipid/protein engineering, proteomics, hormones, and growth factors, cell receptors/signalling/pheromones.

    Cell and tissue culture and engineering : cell/tissue culture, tissue engineering, hybridisation, cellular fusion, vaccine/immune stimulants, embryo manipulation

    Process biotechnologies : Bioreactors, fermentation, bioprocessing, bioleaching, bio-pulping, bio-bleaching, biodesulphurization, bioremediation, and biofiltration.

    Sub-cellular organisms : gene therapy, viral vectors.

    As a means of refining the provisional definitions, some members of the Working Group, including Australia, are currently undertaking a pilot test of the definitions in their respective countries. Any comments on the above definitions would be greatly appreciated. Comments can be sent to Derek Byars at derek.byars@abs.gov.au. Alternatively, if you feel that a meeting would be more productive please email Derek or contact him on (02) 6252 5627 and he will be happy to arrange to visit you.

    NEW ESTIMATES OF HOUSEHOLD WEALTH

    The ABS' Analytical Services Branch is well underway with a project to compile new estimates of Australian household wealth. Work on the project commenced last year, in response to user demand for data on the accumulation, and distribution, of wealth across Australian households. The project is combining data from the Australian System of National Accounts (ASNA), ABS household surveys and a number of other data sources, to create estimates of wealth at a detailed level.

    A variety of methods are being used to compile the estimates, depending on the type of asset or liability that is being estimated, and the type of data which already exists. The estimates produced will include breakdowns of households' assets, liabilities and net worth, building on the breakdowns contained in the ASNA Household Balance Sheet. The project is also attempting to estimate this information for different household types (based on the composition of the household and the ages of the people within it), income quantiles and other household characteristics. Work on compiling estimates for one year is almost complete, and the project team is now turning its attention to compiling estimates for the years from 1990 to 2000.

    It is expected that the final set of estimates will be released to the public in early 2002. If you would like any further information on this project, please contact Kristen Northwood on (02) 6252 5854 or email kristen.northwood@abs.gov.au.


    MEASURING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND LANGUAGE BACKGROUND OF SCHOOL STUDENTS

    Is it possible to collect information about students' socio-economic status, socio-economic disadvantage and language background other than English on school enrolment forms? To find out, a study is being conducted by the ABS for the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA). The aim of the study is to test the feasibility of collecting, capturing and coding such data on school enrolment forms, with feasibility defined in terms of accuracy and the burden on systems, schools and parents. This is in line with MCEETYA's commitment to the reporting of nationally comparable outcomes of schooling within the context of their "National Goals for schooling in the 21st Century."

    The National Centre for Education and Training Statistics (NCETS) is undertaking the feasibility study, working closely with education departments in Victoria and the Northern Territory to assist with the application of standard ABS questions to school enrolment forms. ABS standard questions are being used for Indigenous Status, Occupation of father and mother, Language Background Other Than English of student, Country of Birth of student, father and mother and Educational Attainment of father and mother.

    The updated enrolment forms will be trialed in approximately ten schools in each of Victoria and the Northern Territory. The sample includes both Government and Non-government schools from metropolitan and rural / regional areas, representing a wide cultural diversity. In smaller schools, all students and their parents are being asked to participate while in larger schools, only those from particular year groups are being invited. It is anticipated that 4,000 parents across Victoria and the Northern Territory will take part in the study.

    In Victoria, enrolment forms will be sent to selected parents on 30th August with completion by mid-September. School office staff will undertake data entry of enrolment forms and the data will be sent to Vic DEET and ABS for simultaneous coding using computer assisted occupation coding software. In December this year, the ABS will report to MCEETYA on the feasibility of collecting, capturing and coding information on schools enrolment forms about socio-economic status, socio-economic disadvantage and language background other than English. The feasibility will be gauged by the accuracy of the data collected and the burden of collection on systems, schools and parents.

    For further information about the study please contact Caroline Daley (ABS Project Manager) on (02) 6252 7198 or email cdb.daley@abs.gov.au or contact Kathleen Nolan (Victorian Project Officer) on (03) 9637 3908 or email nolan.kathleen.j@edumail.vic.gov.au.

    SERVICE INDUSTRIES SURVEYS

    The service industries surveys program includes specific industry surveys each year. The main focus of the surveys is the size and structure of service industries in terms of financial information and employment. As well, some activity data is collected and State data is available for most surveys. There are National Project Centres for the conduct of service industries surveys operating in both the Melbourne and Brisbane Offices.

    Currently, development of the 2000-2001 sport, recreation, gambling, pubs, clubs, accommodation and business event industries surveys are being finalised. With the exception of business events, these industries have been surveyed before. Thus 2000-2001 results will show the change in the economic structure of these industries, which is expected to be significant for sports and gambling industries since they were last surveyed. For the sports industries, it is important to note that the Olympic and Paralympic organisations will be included, and that survey results will be produced by the new Australian Culture and Leisure Statistics Classification as well as ANZSIC.

    Results of these surveys will be produced between March and July 2002.

    There are 14 individual publications of results for the 1999-2000 service industries. Most publications refer to cultural industries, of which Botanic Gardens, Australia (8563.0), Motion Picture Exhibition, Australia (8654.0), and Video Hire Industries, Australia (8562.0) have been released. Other publications of cultural industries include Public Libraries, Australia (8561.0), Museums, Australia (8560.0), Television Industry, Australia (8559.0), Performing Arts, Australia (8697.0), Commercial Art Galleries, Australia (8651.0), and Film and Video Production and Distribution, Australia (8679.0). Other service industries publications for 1999-2000 include Casinos (8683.0), Community Services (8696.0), Hire Industries (8567.0) and Veterinary Services, Australia (8564.0).

    For further information contact Ann Santo on 03 9615 7910 (email ann.santo@abs.gov.au) or Paull Hoffmann on 07 3222 6118 (email paull.hoffmann@abs.gov.au).

    SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND SUPERANNUATION (SEAS)

    Most Australians spend a substantial part of their lives in the workforce. Changes in the labour market have the potential to affect many people, and also help shape our economy and society. Over recent years there has been increasing interest in the emergence of different forms of employment, the characteristics of these forms of employment, and the relative advantages and disadvantages for employees.

    The ageing population also has the potential to have a large impact on Australian society and the economy in the future. Much of the discussion about the implications of the ageing population has focussed on people's ability to support themselves in retirement, in particular through superannuation.

    The Survey of Employment Arrangements and Superannuation (SEAS), conducted between April and June 2000, is a new source of information about people's working arrangements and provision for retirement through superannuation. The aims of the SEAS were:
    • to describe the diversity of employment arrangements in the Australian workforce, with the focus on identifying working arrangements that diverge from the traditional full-time, ongoing, wage and salary job with regular hours and paid leave entitlements; and
    • to describe people's superannuation coverage, and to obtain high quality information about the amount people are contributing to superannuation and the amount they have accrued.

    Data on employment arrangements and general superannuation information have been published in Employment Arrangements and Superannuation, Australia (6361.0) released on March 29, 2001. Publication tables at the state level are available through AusStats. Special data requests are also available from this section of the survey. More detailed superannuation data is to be published in Superannuation: Coverage and Financial Characteristics, Australia (6360.0), which is likely to be released in late September, 2001. A SEAS Confidential Unit Record File (CURF) is also likely to be available in late September, 2001.

    For further information (including special data requests) please contact either Brendan Brady on (02) 6252 5593 or email brendan.brady@abs.gov.au, or Mark Roddam on (02) 6252 5783 or email mark.roddam@abs.gov.au.
    CLASSIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS


    AUSTRALIAN STANDARD GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION 2001

    The Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) Edition 2001 came into effect on 1 July 2001. This edition of the ASGC forms the geographical framework for the 2001 Census of Population & Housing and, as such all structures are represented. This edition includes changes to Local Government Area boundaries, names and codes that have occurred since the previous edition and changes incorporated due to the ASGC Review from 1997 such as an increase in the number of Statistical Districts and an increase in the classes of the Sections of State. This edition also sees the introduction of a seventh structure, the Remoteness Structure and extra classes in the Sections of State (SOS) Structure.

    For the State of Victoria this edition presents a new Statistical District for Warrnambool and a reconfiguration of the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) which make up the LGA of Wyndham (C). Some components of the product suite for this edition such as listings of the codes and names of the spatial units for the SLAs and above were released on 2 July 2001 (1216.0.15.0001). Other components will become available during 2002 and include the digital boundaries for the various spatial units, and those structures reliant upon population counts from the 2001 Census . The first publication for the edition, Statistical Geography Volume 1: Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) 2001 (1216.0) will be available at the end of September 2001 with the two remaining volumes following during 2002.

    The National Localities Index (NLI) (1252.0) which enables suburbs/localities to be coded to the ASGC Edition 2001 SLA is also available. This Index is available for the whole of Australia or for individual States, or as a computer assisted coding package. This product will continue to be updated & released every three months for the life of the ASGC Edition 2001.

    For further information please contact Trish Carroll on (02) 6252 7557 on email trish.carroll@abs.gov.au.
    INFORMATION PAPERS


    THE NEW REMOTENESS STRUCTURE

    After a lengthy consultation process the ABS has refined a new structure for the ASGC which provides a classification of Remoteness Areas for Australia. The Remoteness Structure will be included as the seventh structure of the ASGC in the Census of Population and Housing years beginning with the 2001 Census.

    The two relevant documents which contain a full discussion & background to the many issues considered in the lead up to the design of the structure are:

    Information Paper: ABS Views on Remoteness (1244.0) which was a call for comments from interested parties; and the follow-on document
    Information Paper: Outcomes of ABS Views on Remoteness Consultation, Australia (1244.0.00.001) which outlined how the ABS was going to proceed.

    The Remoteness Structure groups Census Collection Districts (CDs) which display similar characteristics of remoteness and form meaningful classes that are suitable for statistical purposes. The structure has six classes and covers the whole of geographic Australia:
    • Major Cities of Australia
    • Inner Regional Australia
    • Outer Regional Australia
    • Remote Australia
    • Very Remote Australia
    • Migratory

    Further development of the Sections of State Structure (SOS)

    The SOS Structure now provides users with extra classes within the Major Urban, Other Urban and Bounded Locality classes in order to provide statistical information for towns of varying sizes within them. These classes were recommended to a review of the ASGC and the ABS included the proposal in the consultation process initiated with the Information Paper: ABS Views on Remoteness (1244.0). The SOS Structure is designed to identify CDs which are intrinsically urban or rural and provides statistics for urban concentrations (Major Urban and Other Urban classes), for the rural localities and balance areas.

    For further information please contact Trish Carroll on (02) 6252 7557 on email trish.carroll@abs.gov.au.
    IMPROVEMENTS TO ABS QUARTERLY BUSINESS INDICATORS

    The Information Paper: Improvements to Australian Bureau of Statistics Quarterly Business Indicators (5677.0) was released on 6 July 2001 and will be of interest to subscribers to the following publications:
    • Company Profits, Australia (5651.0)
    • Inventories and Sales, Selected Industries, Australia (5629.0)
    • Wage and Salary Earners, Australia (6248.0)
    • Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product (5206.0).

    The information paper describes changes which will improve the consistency and coherency of these statistics. The changes involve the integration of three collections into a single survey called the Quarterly Economic Activity Survey. The paper also details the publication and release strategy for Business Indicators, Australia (5676.0), a new publication which will first be issued in respect of September quarter 2001, and describes implications for users of time series.

    For further information please contact Bernard Williams on (02) 6252 5304 or email bernard.williams@abs.gov.au.
    AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY - A STATE PERSPECTIVE

    In response to ongoing user demand for State dissections of industry data, the ABS has published a range of experimental estimates for selected industries. The Information paper: Australian Industry - A State Perspective (8156.0) released 30th July 2001, contains State estimates of operating income and expense measures for the 1998-99 financial year.

    The State estimates are the result of combining ATO Business Income Tax data with data that has been directly collected by the ABS in the annual Economic Activity Survey (EAS). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is a major alternate source of data collecting key economic data for Business Income Tax purposes.

    These statistics are the first part of an ongoing program to make State estimates available for the full range of industries. While this new range of statistics is still experimental at this stage, we are committed to improving their quality and range in future releases. The ABS plans to continue this work for 1999-2000 and to release estimates for subsequent years on a regular basis. The ABS welcomes feedback from interested readers regarding the usefulness, range and quality of the data presented.

    For further information please contact Mike Booth on (02) 6252 6299 or email mike.booth@abs.gov.au.

    THE PRICE INDEX OF DOMESTIC FINAL PURCHASES

    The Price Index of Domestic Final Purchases Information Paper (6428.0) was released on 10 July. The paper introduces experimental index numbers for a new economy-wide Price Index of Domestic Final Purchases and represents the last major element of the system of price indexes articulated in the earlier Information Paper: An Analytical Framework for Price Indexes in Australia (6421.0). The focus of this system of indexes is on the analysis of inflation.

    The experimental Domestic Final Purchases index is intended to complement other available indexes, in particular the Stage of Production Producer Price Indexes, the Wage Cost Index and the Export Price Index. The system of complementary indexes is designed to enhance the means of studying price transmission processes in the Australian economy by providing analysts with measures which are presented from the perspectives of both producers and purchasers. Information seminars and user consultation to seek feedback on the information paper and plan for regular production of the DFP index is scheduled for late July-early August.

    For more information contact Richard McKenzie, Director Producer Price Indexes on Canberra (02) 6252 6170 or email richard.mckenzie@abs.gov.au.
    RECENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES


    ANALYTICAL LIVING COST INDEXES FOR SELECTED AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLD TYPES

    A feature article, "Analytical Living Cost Indexes for Selected Australian Household Types", was published in the June 2001 edition of the Australian Economic Indicators publication. The article presents indexes specifically constructed to measure the impact of changes in prices on the out-of-pocket living costs experienced by four categories of Australian households, namely, employee, age pensioner, other government transfer recipient, and self-funded retiree. The indexes have been constructed to cover the period from June quarter 1998 up to and including December quarter 2000 and represent the conceptually preferred measures for assessing the impact of changes in prices on the after tax incomes of households. Living cost indexes are not available at the capital city level of geographic disaggregation as population subgroup weights were calculated at the national level only. This was necessary because the subgroup sample sizes at the capital city level were simply too small to produce reliable estimates at the capital city level.

    For more information contact Keith Woolford, Director Prices Development on Canberra (02) 6252 6673 or email keith.woolford@abs.gov.au.

    VOLUNTARY WORK, AUSTRALIA

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics released Voluntary Work, Australia (4441.0) on June 20, 2001. The release coincides with the International Year of the Volunteer. The publication presents results from the second National Survey of Voluntary Work conducted throughout Australia over four quarters in 2000. The first survey was conducted in June 1995. It includes data on rates of participation in voluntary work, characteristics of people who volunteer, the types of organisations they work for, and the activities they undertake. Information on whether people made monetary donations to organisations is also included.

    For further information, please contact Deborah Dawkings on (02) 6252 7361 or email deborah.dawkings@abs.gov.au.
    AUSTRALIAN HISTORICAL POPULATION STATISTICS ON AUSSTATS

    Australian Historical Population Statistics (3105.0.65.001) was released on 26 April 2001 as an electronic product only on ABS AusStats.

    It contains a wide range of time series demographic data in computer spreadsheet form going back, where possible, to the beginnings of European settlement of Australia. Statistics are included on population size and growth, population distribution, population age-sex structure, births, deaths, migration, marriages and divorces.

    A total of 103 spreadsheets are involved in the initial release and a complete listing is on the ABS web site - select Products & Services; ABS Catalogue; 31. Demography - general; Australian Historical Population Statistics (3105.0.65.001); Main Features; and List of Tables.

    AusStats clients

    AusStats clients can access Australian Historical Population Statistics in AusStats - select Publications and data; Data Cubes by catalogue number; 31. Demography - general; then Australian Historical Population Statistics (3105.0.65.001).

    Non-AusStats clients

    For non-AusStats clients, individual spreadsheets may be obtained from ABS Information Service on 1300 135 070 or email client.services@abs.gov.au.
    THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF AUSTRALIA'S ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

    The third edition of this biennial publication (4704.0) will be jointly released by ABS and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on 30 August 2001. This publication presents an overview of the health and welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The data and other information used were the most up-to-date available at the time of writing, and include the results of national censuses and surveys, as well as information held in the administrative datasets of various government departments and national statistical collection agencies. Chapters covering housing and environmental health, community services and housing assistance, the availability and use of health services, the health of mothers and babies, health status, and rates and causes of mortality are included in this edition. Demographic, social and economic information provides a context in which current issues in Indigenous health can be understood. A separate chapter has been included which examines the nature and prevalence of diabetes in the Indigenous population. The final chapter of the publication discusses issues and recent developments in the collection of Indigenous statistics.

    For further information, or to place an advance order, please contact NCATSIS on (08) 8943 2190, or email NCATSIS WDB@abs.gov.au.
    WORK-RELATED INJURIES, AUSTRALIA

    Work-Related Injuries, Australia (6324.0), presents information about persons who worked at some time during the year ending September 2000 and experienced a work-related injury or illness in the same period.

    Statistics in this publication were obtained from the Work-Related Injuries Survey conducted throughout Australia in September 2000 as a supplement to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Monthly Labour Force Survey.

    This survey provides information about persons aged 15 years and over who worked at some time in the previous 12 months and who suffered a work-related injury or illness. The survey collected details of their most recent work-related injury or illness: whether they suffered the injury in their current or previous job; the number of illnesses or injuries suffered; the number of days/shifts absent from work due to the injury/illness; sources of financial assistance; whether they applied for workers' compensation; and the reason they did not apply for workers' compensation. This information is cross-classified with labour force characteristics and demographics such as occupation, industry, State, sex, relationship in household, marital status, birthplace.

    The publication is expected to be released in September 2001.

    For further information please contact Annette Milnes on (02) 6252 7240 or email annette.milnes@abs.gov.au.

    OTHER RECENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES

    General & Census
    1004.0
(2002) Statpak(Nov)
    1109.0
Australian Bureau of Statistics Publications to be Released in 2002 (Oct)
    1268.0.55.001
(1999) Functional Classification of Buildings -- Web Site Version (First Issue)(Aug)
    2914.0.30.001
(2001) Census of Population and Housing: Census Guide (First Issue) (Sep)

    Demography
    3301.0
(2000) Births, Australia(Oct)
    3302.0
(2000) Deaths, Australia(Nov)
    3310.0
(2000) Marriages and Divorces, Australia(Aug)
      Social Statistics
      4160.0
    (1999) Measuring Social Well-being(Oct)
      4390.0
    (1999-2000) Private Hospitals, Australia (Jul)
      4602.0
    (2001) Environmental Issues: People's Views and Practices (Nov)
      4611.0
    (1999-2000) Environment Expenditure, Local Government, Australia(Sep)
      4612.0
    (2001) Concepts, Sources and Methods for Australia's Water and Energy Accounts (First Issue)(Oct)
      4613.0
    (2000) Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends (First Issue) (Jul)

      National Accounts, International Trade & Finance

      5204.0

    (2000-01) Australian System of National Accounts

    (Nov)

      5492.0

    (1994-95 to 1996-97) Information Paper: Measuring Region of Origin Merchandise Exports - Experimental Estimates, Selected Regions, Australia (First Issue)

    (Jul)

      5611.0

    (2000-01) Finance, Australia

    (Oct)

      5661.0.40.001

    (1999-2000) Annual Statistics on Financial Institutions on Hardcopy

    (Aug)

      5675.0

    (1995-96 to 1997-98) Information Paper: Use of Business Income Tax Data for Regional Small Business Statistics -- Experimental Estimates, Selected Regions, Australia (First Issue)

    (Jul)

      Labour Statistics & Prices
      6206.0
    (2001) Labour Force Experience, Australia(Sep)
      6224.0
    (2001) Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Families, Australia (Oct)
      6342.0
    (2000) Working Arrangements, Australia (Aug)
      6360.0
    (Apr to Jun 2000) Superannuation: Coverage and Financial Characteristics, Australia (First Issue) (Sep)
      6537.0
    (1998-99) Government Benefits, Taxes and Household Income, Australia (Aug)

      Agriculture
      7106.0
    (2001) Australian Farming in Brief (Jul)
      7113.0
    (1999-2000) Agriculture, Australia (Oct)
      7507.0.15.001
    (1999-2000) Item Estimates from Agricultural Finance Survey on Floppy Disk (Aug)
      Secondary Industry, Distribution and Transport
      8104.0
    (1999-2000) Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia (Jul)
      8140.0
    (1999-2000) Business Operations and Industry Performance, Australia (Oct)
      8208.0
    (1999-2000) Electricity, Gas, Water and Sewerage Industries, Australia(Aug)
      8221.0
    (1999-2000) Manufacturing Industry, Australia (Oct)
      8415.0
    (1999-2000) Mining Operations, Australia (Aug)
      8651.0
    (1999 to 2001) Commercial Art Galleries, Australia(Aug)
      9220.0
    (2001) Freight Movements, Australia, Summary (First Issue)(Oct)
        VICTORIAN STATISTICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

        VSAC is major forum for statistical liaison between Victorian Government Agencies and the ABS, Dr Michael Kirby from the Department of Treasury and Finance chairs VSAC and is also the State representative on the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC). The following group of departmental representatives meets 2-3 times each year.

        Departmental Representatives
        Treasury and Finance
        Dr Michael Kirby
      03 9651 5543
        Premier and Cabinet
        Dr David Adams
      03 9651 5264
        State and Regional Development
        Mr Chris West
      03 651 9492
        Natural Resources and Environment
        Mr Gary Stoneham
      03 9637 3238
        Education, Employment and Training
        Ms Debbie King
      03 9637 3203
        Human Services
        Mr Scott Briant
      03 9637 4721
        Infrastructure
        Mr John Hanna
      03 9655 6548
        Justice
        Mr Robert Eldridge
      03 9651 5921

        CONTACT POINTS FOR ABS VICTORIA

        Dial-a-Statistics
        1900 986 400

        National Information and Referral Service
        Telephone: 1300 135 070
        Fax: 1300 135 211
        email: client.services@abs.gov.au

        Bookshop, Library and Information Services
        Level 5, CGU Tower, 485 LaTrobe Street
        Melbourne Vic 3001

        Postal Address
        GPO Box 2796Y
        Melbourne Vic 3001

        ABS Web Site
        www.abs.gov.au

        State Government Liaison Officer
        Terence Byrnes
        Telephone: 03 9615 7457
        Fax: 03 9615 7098
        email: t.byrnes@abs.gov.au

        Statistics Victoria Editors
        Olivia Agius
        Telephone: 03 9615 7590
        email: olivia.agius@abs.gov.au

        Simone Alexander
        Telephone: 03 9615 7492
        email: s.alexander@abs.gov.au


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