Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics
ABS Home

Census home > Data quality > Statements > Person

Hours Worked

This data quality statement applies to
Hours Worked (HRSP) and Hours Worked (ranges) (HRWRP)

Hours Worked (HRSP, HRWRP)

This variable records the number of hours worked in all jobs held during the week prior to Census Night, by employed people aged 15 years and over. This excludes any time off but includes overtime and extra time worked.

The question relating to Hours Worked (HRSP) was first asked in the 1966 Census. In 1971, 1976 and since 1996, the hours worked question has focused on hours worked in all jobs held in the week prior to the Census. The Hours Worked (ranges) (HRWRP) variable has been introduced for the 2011 Census. Further information on Census Topics 1911–2011 can be found in How Australia Takes a Census (cat. no. 2903.0).

The non-response rate for this variable was 2.2% (2.8% in 2006). Unlike some other Census variables, the non-response rate for HRSP is not affected by persons who were imputed into dwellings that did not return a Census Form, as HRSP is only applicable for persons with a labour force status of employed. More information is available from the 2011 Census non-response quality statement.

Data for this variable is captured automatically from written numeric responses, or the 'None' mark box, from question 44 on the Census Household Form. This process is subject to low levels of recognition error. The data are subject to sample checks to ensure an acceptable level of quality. In addition, outlying values are checked manually to ensure that they match the actual response on the form. The data may include a small proportion of persons with an unusual number of hours worked, as all numeric responses are accepted as reported.

Ranged data is also available from the variable Hours Worked (ranges) (HRWRP).

More information on HRSP is available in the 2011 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0).

Question 44 as it appeared on the 2011 Census Household Form



A text only version of this question is also available.


Back to Person classification

Statements

Person

Family

Household / Dwelling

2011 Census Dictionary

Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics