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MONTHLY POPULATION SURVEY (MPS)
Background
The Monthly Population Survey (MPS) has been carried out since 1960 to provide regular information about the population and the labour force of Australia. The figures for Australia's employment and unemployment come from this survey.
Your household is one of approximately 35,000 around Australia selected by the ABS to take part in the survey each month. It is an official survey conducted under the authority of the Census and Statistics Act 1905.
The information collected in the MPS is used in Government economic policy decision making and in other economic planning and research by the Commonwealth and State Governments, industry, business, trade unions and academics.
What details are required?
The main component of the MPS is the Labour Force Survey (LFS). In the LFS, employed people will be asked some questions on topics such as hours worked, their occupation and the type of industry in which they work. People looking for work will be asked questions on topics such as steps taken to look for work and the length of time they have been looking for work. Retired people and people who are neither working nor looking for work will be asked some questions to clarify their current situation and future intentions.
In some months you might be asked additional questions on various topics including education, the environment, conditions of employment or child care arrangements.
During July to December 2009, a small portion of respondents will be asked about work related injuries, participation in sports and physical recreation, attendance at cultural venues and events, sports attendance, patient experience, family characteristics and crime and safety.
The questions can usually be answered for all of your household members in a few minutes and the answers can be provided by any adult member of the household. The interview is conducted using a notebook computer.
How long will I be in the survey?
Interviews will be conducted for your dwelling once every month for eight months. An ABS interviewer (with an official identification card) will visit your home for the first interview. In the following months, where possible, interviews will be conducted by telephone.
Why do I have to do it for eight months?
One of the main reasons for the MPS is to measure changes in the labour force over time. To reduce burden on your household and to provide reliable information on the current status of the labour force, households are replaced every eight months. Seven-eights of the month-to-month sample is the same as the previous month.
Why is it important that all those selected take part in the survey?
The sample is designed to provide a balanced representation of all households in Australia so that the estimates made from the data reflect, as closely as possible, all households. If some households do not participate, this may result in one type of household being represented more often than another type, which may result in biases in the data.
What provision is made for respondents who do not speak English well?
Arrangements can be made for the interview to be conducted by an ABS interviewer fluent in the language of the householder or using an interpreter.
Will respondents be paid for their time?
No. As with other household surveys, the ABS relies on the willing cooperation of households.
Why are Notebook computers being used for the survey interview?
Using notebook computers helps to minimise the number of mistakes that can be made when information is being collected or processed. This improves the quality and reliability of the survey data. Additionally, notebook computers make it easier for interviewers to conduct the interview smoothly and speed up the interview process.
The use of Notebook computers increases the security of the information collected as it can only be accessed by the interviewer and the ABS officers responsible for processing the data.
Is the survey compulsory?
The Census and Statistics Act 1905 authorises the ABS to ask the questions in the survey. The ABS's approach is to seek the willing cooperation of the selected householders by explaining to them that the survey is of national importance and that the information collected from them will ultimately benefit all Australians. Most households recognise the importance of the survey and the need to collect accurate information that is representative of all households.
Do householders have to give ABS interviewers right of entry to their home?
No. Interviewers can enter the household only by invitation from the householder; however, it would be helpful if a suitable chair and table was made available (inside or outside the house) as the interviewer will be using a notebook computer to collect the information.
Will the information provided be confidential?
Yes. Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, all information provided for the MPS remains confidential. By this we mean that the ABS is under an obligation to ensure that data released to the public, or to any other government department or body, cannot identify any individual who provides their information. The information from individuals is formed into statistics that generalise about population groups and the population as a whole.
The secrecy provisions of the legislation provide for a penalty of up to $5,000 or two years in jail for ABS officers who breach these confidentiality rules. There have been no breaches of confidentiality in the past – the ABS has an unblemished record in this regard.
Where can I obtain the survey results?
Full survey results are published monthly on the ABS website in Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0).
Further information
If you want further information about the Monthly Population Survey or copies of the published results, please contact the ABS office in your state or territory. AUSTRALIAN HEALTH SURVEY 2011-2013 (AHS)
The Australian Health Survey 2011-2013 (AHS) will provide a better understanding of the health of people living in Australia. With your assistance we will be able to provide governments, health researchers and the community with important clues about health problems and emerging issues in Australia today. To find out more about this new survey, please visit www.abs.gov.au/australianhealthsurvey.
SURVEY OF INCOME AND HOUSING 2011–2012 (SIH)
Background
The Survey of Income and Housing (SIH) is one of the most important special social surveys conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It is the primary source of information on household income, housing costs and household wealth.
The information collected in the SIH will enable an assessment of the economic and social wellbeing of Australians, including how work and family responsibilities are balanced and how income and wealth are distributed across the Australian population.
The SIH commenced in July 1994 and is conducted every two years, with the last collection in 2009–10. The 2011–12 SIH will be conducted over the period 3 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.
What information is collected?
In addition to collecting general information including age, birthplace, cultural background, employment, education and income, the SIH collects information about dwelling tenure, assets, liabilities, loans, housing, and child care costs.
A household spokesperson who is aged 18 years and over and a usual resident of the household will be nominated to answer loan and housing questions on behalf of the household. Individual interviews with each person aged 15 years and over in the household will collect information on their employment and income.
How was the content of the survey determined?
The ABS consults with a wide range of users of the survey data in determining the content of the survey. These users include government departments, business groups, universities, service providers, welfare agencies and other research organisations. The SIH is the most detailed source of information on household income, housing costs and housing tenure, with the range and type of information obtained generally not available from other sources.
How are people selected for inclusion in the survey?
The survey will be conducted in approximately 15,000 households selected at random across Australia. Using scientific sampling techniques, dwellings were selected at random within each state and territory, with each dwelling having an equal chance of selection. All household usual residents aged 15 years or older in the selected dwelling are asked to participate. For household members aged between 15 and 17 years, the consent of a parent or guardian will be sought.
Each selected dwelling (and its residents) represents a number of others in that area, state and in Australia. The information collected from each selected household is used to represent a number of others which are like them in terms of their household composition, location, age, employment characteristics, income and housing tenure. The cooperation of all those selected is important to ensure all households and persons are properly represented in the survey and so are properly reflected in the survey results.
How will the information be collected?
Selected households will receive a letter informing them of their selection in the survey together with a brochure which outlines the survey, their role in it and an ABS office contact number. A trained ABS interviewer will contact the occupants, explain the purpose of the survey, answer any questions they might have and make an appointment for the survey interview.
The survey is conducted using a face-to-face interview, capturing details in a notebook computer. The survey consists of an interview with a household spokesperson who has knowledge of the household finances, and interviews with each individual aged 15 years and over.
Further information
If you would like any further information about this survey, please contact the ABS office in your State or Territory.
HOUSEHOLD ENERGY CONSUMPTION SURVEY (HECS) 2012Background
The Household Energy Consumption Survey (HECS) is being conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 2012, from 1 January to 31 December 2012. From January to June 2012, it is being conducted in conjunction with the 2011–12 Survey of Income and Housing.
The results of the survey will provide important information which will be used in conjunction with the data from the Survey of Income and Housing to inform governments, researchers, and the community about the differing energy costs, consumption and behaviour patterns of Australian households.
What information is collected?
The HECS collects detailed information about the types of household energy sources; household energy expenditure and consumption; household energy efficiency characteristics; and energy efficiency actions and intentions.
A household spokesperson who is aged 18 years and over and a usual resident of the household will be nominated to answer energy consumption and expenditure questions on behalf of the household. Each member of the household aged 15 years and over will also be interviewed individually (for members aged between 15 and 17 years, the consent of a parent or guardian will be sought).
How are people selected for inclusion in the survey?
The survey will be conducted in approximately 13,000 households selected at random across Australia. Using scientific sampling techniques, dwellings were selected at random within each state and territory, with each dwelling having an equal chance of selection. All household usual residents aged 15 years or older in the selected dwelling are asked to participate. For household members aged between 15 and 17 years, the consent of a parent or guardian will be sought.
Each selected dwelling (and its residents) represents a number of others in that area, state and in Australia. The information collected from each selected household is used to represent a number of others which are like them in terms of their household composition, location, age, employment characteristics, income and housing tenure. The cooperation of all those selected is important to ensure all households and persons are properly represented in the survey and so are properly reflected in the survey results.
How will the information be collected?
Selected households will receive a letter informing them of their selection in the survey together with a brochure which outlines the survey, their role in it and an ABS office contact number. An ABS Interviewer will contact the occupants, explain the purpose of the survey, answer any questions they might have and make an appointment for the survey interview.
The survey consists of a short paper questionnaire to be completed by the household, and face-to-face interviews with a household spokesperson who has knowledge of the household finances and each individual aged 15 years and over. The face-to-face interviews use a notebook computer to capture details, and are conducted at the same time as the SIH.
The household spokesperson will also be asked if they are willing to participate in a voluntary follow-up collection. If they choose to participate, they will be asked to complete a short questionnaire, via the internet or telephone, every three months up until March 2013.
Further information
If you would like any further information about this survey, please contact the ABS office in your State or Territory.
PROGRAMME FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ADULT COMPETENCIES (PIAAC)
Background
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is conducting a survey to collect information about adult literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills as part of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). PIAAC is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and will be run internationally in 25 countries. PIAAC 2011-12 will be the third in a series of surveys, with the ABS conducting similar surveys in 1996 and 2006.
PIAAC 2011-12 will be conducted in approximately 14,400 households selected at random across Australia. Selected households will receive an explanatory letter informing them of their selection in the survey together with a brochure which outlines the survey and their role in it. A trained ABS interviewer will then contact the occupants, explain the purpose of the survey, answer any questions they might have and make an appointment for the interview. One member of each selected household aged 15 to 74 will be chosen at random via computer to participate. If the selected person is aged between 15 and 17 years (inclusive), consent will be sought from a parent or guardian.
What information is collected?
PIAAC 2011-12 will collect information such as age, birthplace, employment, education and training, literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology practices at work and in everyday life, skills used at work and income.
The information collected in PIAAC 2011-12 will assist government and non-government organisations to:
- understand the current skills and experiences of the adult Australian population;
- assess the performance of current education and training systems in providing the required skills; and
- develop policies and programs to improve the skills adults need to participate successfully in the economy and society of the 21st century.
An important element of PIAAC 2011-12 is its international nature. The survey was designed to ensure that it can be used across the many different cultures, nationalities, and languages of participating countries to provide a solid comparison of adult skills among the 25 countries.
How are people selected for inclusion in the survey?
Dwellings are selected at random across Australia so that within each State and Territory each household has a known chance of selection.
Each selected dwelling (and it's residents) represents a number of other dwellings in that area, in that State, in Australia. The information collected from each selected household is used to represent a number of others which are like them in terms of their household composition, location, age, education and employment characteristics. The cooperation of all those selected is important to ensure all households/persons are properly represented in the survey and so are properly reflected in the survey results.
Will the information I provide be confidential?
Yes. The ABS is required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to maintain secrecy of all information provided to it. The ABS also complies with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 when collecting and using personal information. No information will be released in any way that would enable an individual or household to be identified. The ABS is widely respected for its long standing record for maintaining the secrecy of information it receives.
Further Information
If you would like any further information about this survey, please contact the ABS office in your State. |
