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Information to help you identify a Census data product that will meet your needs

Quick reference product guide


For each Census data product, the following tables describe:
  • its star rating
  • the target audience
  • key features
  • pricing and access requirements

No software is included with any of the products. You can use the products online, and you can download or import data from some products into your own systems.

Note: For detailed information about geographic areas, go to the ABS Statistical Geography page.

The star rating system will help you to determine the most appropriate Census product for your data need and level of experience.

Star ratings for Census products
* Easy to use product.
** Intermediate product. Requires understanding of Census concepts and skills in building tables with statistical data.
*** Advanced product. Requires detailed understanding of Census concepts and statistical analysis skills.
$ Charge applies.

QuickStats *
How can I use this product? Features Take away

QuickStats is for anyone who wants quick summary information about an area or topic.

It is especially suited to:

  • anyone who just wants simple Census information
  • business owners
  • students and teachers.

Information can be used for assignments, presentations and proposals.

QuickStats has the following features:

  • provides a snapshot summary of Census data for a selected region
  • explains the full range of data you can get for all Census Topics
  • is easy to use and always available no matter how you access the Internet
  • includes a range of graphic representations of the data
  • allows you to easily navigate to other products to further analyse the data.
YES, QuickStats is easy to print or copy for easy distribution.

 

Community Profiles **
How can I use this product? Features Take away

Community Profiles can help you with researching, planning or analysing small and large geographic areas.

You can compare different geographic areas on a number of social, economic and demographic variables.
Profiles are especially suited to:

  • anyone who just wants simple Census information
  • business owners
  • students and teachers.

The profiles for the 2011 Census are:

  • Basic Community (BCP)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) (IP)
  • Time Series (TSP)
  • Place of Enumeration (PEP)
  • Expanded Community (XCP)
  • Working Population (WPP).
YES, Community Profiles are available to download in an Excel workbook.

 

TableBuilder Basic **
How can I use this product? Features Take away

TableBuilder Basic can help you analyse business opportunities, gain a better understanding of your market or compare data for a number of areas.

It's a powerful tool that allows you to undertake planning and research.
TableBuilder Basic is especially suited to:

  • university students
  • researchers and academics
  • business owners and consultants.

TableBuilder Basic combines extensive information on Australian society from the Census with online software that lets you build tables, graphs and maps.

TableBuilder Basic consists of a range of topic-based databases.

In TableBuilder Basic you can:

  • construct and customise tables of Census data
  • create and save custom geographies and data items
  • thematically map or graph data
  • download maps and graphs.

You can construct tables and save them within TableBuilder Basic for later use.

TableBuilder Basic databases are available free of charge for registered users on the ABS website, via an interactive and simple to use interface. To register, go to the ABS Registration centre

YES, maps, graphs and tables can be downloaded in various formats:

  • Excel (2007 and 2003)
  • Comma Separated Value (.csv)
  • CSV String Value (.csv)
  • SDMX Structure Definition (.xml)
  • SDMX Archive (.zip)
  • Adobe Acrobat File (.pdf)
  • KMZ Keyhole Markup Language Zipped (.kmz)
  • PNG Portable Network Graphic (.png).

 

DataPacks Online ***
How can I use this product? Features Take away

If you have databases or analysis systems that allow you to import Census data (for example, Geographic Information Systems and other mapping or tabulation systems) you can use DataPacks from the Census website to obtain the data and associated files you need.

DataPacks Online give you access to data for the full range of areas and boundaries.

DataPacks Online allow you to select and download one geographic area at a time.

DataPacks Online are especially suited to:

  • government users
  • researchers and academics
  • university students.

DataPacks contain data for all of Australia, along with the digital boundaries.

They contain the main Census characteristics for people, families and dwellings.

There are seven profiles that make up the Census DataPacks series, reflecting the same table structure as the Community Profiles.

  • Basic Community (BCP)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) (IP)
  • Time Series (TSP)
  • Place of Enumeration (PEP)
  • Expanded Community (XCP)
  • Working Population (WPP)
  • Estimated Residential Profiles.

The data files are in CSV format and the digital boundary files are in MapInfo Interchange (mid/mif) and Esri Shape (.shp) format.

See DataPacks - details page for system requirements and pricing.

DataPacks will be available to download free of charge from our website. You will need to register to download DataPacks. To register, go to the ABS Registration centre

YES, register and download the files directly to your PC.

 

DataPacks on DVD *** $
How can I use this product? Features Take away

If you have databases or analysis systems such as Geographic Information Systems or other mapping or tabulation systems, you can use DataPacks from the Census website to obtain the data and associated files you need.

DataPacks on DVD contain all the geographic areas from SA1 level to the whole of Australia.

DataPacks Online are especially suited to:

  • government users
  • researchers and academics
  • university students.

Each DVD DataPack will contain more than one Community Profile of data.

DVD 1 contains:

  • Basic Community (BCP)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) (IP)
  • Time Series (TSP).

DVD 2 contains:

  • Place of Enumeration (PEP)
  • Expanded Community (XCP)
  • Working Population (WPP).

DVD 3 contains the Estimated Resident Population.

DataPacks on DVD contain data for all geographic areas as well as Australia-level data, along with the digital boundaries.

They contain the main Census characteristics for people, families and dwellings.

There are seven profiles that make up the Census DataPacks series, reflecting the same table structure as the Community Profiles.
The data files are in CSV format and the digital boundary files are in MapInfo Interchange (mid/mif) and Esri Shape (.shp) format.

See DataPacks - details page for system requirements and pricing.

The ABS no longer produces or sells DataPack DVDs.

 

TableBuilder Pro *** $
How can I use this product? Features Take away

TableBuilder Pro is suitable for experienced Census data users who want the freedom to create large and complex tables of Census data.

In TableBuilder Pro, you start with a blank table so you can choose what you want to build. You are then able to select Census data items to cross-tabulate to produce small or large tables.

TableBuilder Pro is especially suited to:

  • government users
  • researchers and academics
  • university students
  • business owners.

TableBuilder Pro is an improved version of the TableBuilder product that was available in 2006.

TableBuilder Pro gives you access to nearly all variables in the 2011 Census Dictionary.

TableBuilder Pro allows you to:

  • create your own customised tables of up to 10 million cells and download them as Excel, CSV and SDMX files
  • create graphs and download them as PDF and PNG files
  • create thematic maps and download them as PDF and KMZ files
  • create and save customised geographic areas and data items (recodes) and share them with other users.

You can access all geographic areas, ranging from Statistical Area Level 1 to the whole of Australia.

TableBuilder Pro is available as a charged product to registered users. To register, go to the ABS Registration centre

YES, maps, graphs and tables can be downloaded in various formats:

  • Excel (2007 and 2003)
  • Comma Separated Value (.csv)
  • CSV String Value (.csv)
  • SDMX Structure Definition (.xml)
  • SDMX Archive (.zip)
  • Adobe Acrobat File (.pdf)
  • KMZ Keyhole Markup Language Zipped (.kmz)
  • PNG Portable Network Graphic (.png)

You can export smaller tables or view them as a graph or thematic map within TableBuilder Pro.

For larger tables (over 10,000 cells), you construct, preview and submit the tables for processing and download the results to your computer for further interrogation.

Product help

DataPacks help & FAQs

Statistical Geography


Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics