Release of Discussion Paper - Assessment of Methods for Developing Estimates for Regional Internal Migration
The ABS is exploring the development of a new series of demographic estimates, to provide better information on movement patterns of Australia's population at regional level. Currently, the the main source of migration data below state/territory level collected by the ABS is the five-yearly snapshots from the Census. Change-of-address information based on administrative data is being used to develop an experimental historical series of regional internal migration estimates, based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC). Medicare data has not previously been deemed suitable for smaller regions mainly because it has been supplied to ABS by postcode, which is not directly compatible with the ASGC.
The ABS released Discussion Paper: Assessment of Methods for Developing Estimates for Regional Internal Migration (cat. no. 3405.0.55.001) in December 2011. This discussion paper provides an overview of the current sources of migration estimates and includes information about the data sources and methods used to develop an experimental historical series of regional internal migration estimates. It summarises a method to convert the historical Medicare-based internal migration data to ASGC boundaries. It discusses challenges with this approach and provides potential solutions to overcome these challenges in respect of the historical estimates. The paper also provides an opportunity to provide feedback to the ABS on these data, methods and experimental estimates. Submissions should be made to the ABS by 3rd February 2012. The ABS will then consider this feedback in planning any future work on regional internal migration estimates.
The New Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS)
In July 2011 the ABS began to progressively replace the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) with the new Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). The ASGS is a hierarchy of geographic structures (boundaries) designed to meet the specific requirements of ABS statistical outputs as well as being able to represent commonly used Non ABS boundaries (such as Local Government Areas). The ASGC regions such as Census Collection Districts (CCDs), Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) and Statistical Divisions (SDs) will be replaced by the new set of statistical areas.
The ABS published the ASGS manual with the boundaries, labels and codes for many ASGS regions in December 2010, see Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2011 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001). The ASGS came into effect on 1 July 2011.
The ASGS manual containing the digital boundaries, labels and codes for regions not defined by the ABS, such as postal areas, state suburbs and electoral divisions, was released in July 2011, see Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures, July 2011 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.003).
Regions included in the ASGS Indigenous Structure are expected to be released in September 2011. Urban Centres and Localities, Section of State, Remoteness and Significant Urban Areas will be released after the 2011 Census as they require an analysis of Census data to be developed.
ABS defined ASGS regions will not change until the next Census in 2016. Regions not defined by the ABS will be updated annually.
You can find more information about the ASGS in the Geography section of the ABS website. If you have any questions regarding the ASGS please email geography@abs.gov.au.
2011 Census of Population and Housing
The Census of Population and Housing is a key source of high quality statistical data for small geographic areas. Information about the 2011 Census of Population and Housing can be accessed from the Census page on the ABS website.
In December 2011, Information Paper: Census of Population and Housing - Products and Services, 2011 (cat. no. 2011.0.55.001) was released. This paper informs users of plans for the release of results from the 2011 Census. It provides information on changes to 2011 Census data concepts and classifications; outlines the 2011 output product range and associated pricing policies; and confirms key release dates for the full range of 2011 Census output products.
The following key 2011 Census output strategies are proposed:
- the Internet will be the main tool for dissemination of 2011 Census data with an expanded range of products and services;
- place of usual residence as the basis for the dissemination of standard Census data;
- implementation of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) for the 2011 Census;
- timely release of data through a three-phase release strategy, increasing the number of first release data items while maintaining timeliness; and
- enhancing the value of the Census through the Census Data Enhancement project by improving and expanding the range of official statistics.
In terms of the three-phased release for the 2011 Census data, core demographic 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 release (30 October 2012). The supplementary data release, or third release, relates to the dissemination of highly specialised products (such as SEIFA and the Census Sample Files). The third release will begin on 28 March 2013, with products released progressively until the end of 2013. This will finalise all Census data output for the 2011 Census. The ABS website will continue to be used as the main channel for the release of Census data.
Regional Profiles
Looking for data for your region? The National Regional Profile (NRP) contains data snapshots for over 2,000 regions across Australia, with five years of data where it is available. The NRP uses a Google map interface to make it easier to find your region of interest.
The NRP contains a range of data from the ABS and other sources, for geographic areas such as Statistical Local Areas and Local Government Areas right up to state/territory and Australia. The data is presented for all years on common boundaries, making it easy to compare data over time. Some of the data in the NRP is not released at such small levels anywhere else on the ABS website. For more information download the NRP brochure.
The next NRP will be released on 4 November 2011, with updates to many series.
Newsletters
Local Government and the ABS (cat. no. 1376.0)
A bi-annual newsletter aimed at keeping local government informed of small area data developments. Local Government and the ABS includes news about ABS releases and other information to assist in using data.
What's New in Regional Statistics (cat. no. 1386.0)
An annual newsletter providing information on the latest developments in statistics that are relevant to regions (including metropolitan, urban, and rural areas) and other information of likely interest to researchers, policy makers and other users of small area data. What's New in Regional Statistics highlights data released by the ABS' Regional Statistics Program and includes articles on other ABS releases that are relevant to users of regional data. |
