Introduction
The Census
The Census of Population and Housing is the largest statistical collection undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The key objectives of the census are to measure the number and key characteristics of all people in Australia, and the dwellings in which they live, on census night.
The wealth of information collected through the census is a valuable asset for Australian society.
Census information is used to support the planning, administration, policy development and evaluation activities of governments, businesses, researchers and many other users.
Census information can be obtained either as standard products and services, or as customised services tailored to your needs.
This Directory
This Directory is a reference to the range of products and services developed from the information collected from the last census, held on 6 August 1996. It helps you to find census information to meet your particular needs.
For information on the 1991 Census range of products and services, refer to the earlier edition of this Directory or contact one of the ABS State offices listed at the end of this document.
Snapshot of Australia
Information contained in most census products is based on 'place of enumeration'. This means the statistics relate to where people were on census night, 6 August 1996. People were also asked where they usually lived, and these data are used to provide 'usual residence' based statistics.
For explanations of common terms included in this Directory, see the section Common Census Terms, or refer to the Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0) or ask an ABS Consultant for advice.
Consultancy Services
A wide range of census information is available from the ABS. Many census products and services are available 'off-the-shelf' as publications, electronic products or on-demand reports. If the census information you require is not available as a standard product or service, then ABS Consultancy Services can help you with customised services to suit your needs.
The ABS Consultancy Service provides expert advice and accurate information to meet a variety of statistical needs. They can advise you on whether there is 'off-the shelf' information available to suit your purpose, or whether your data needs will require a tailored solution.
ABS Consultants are experts in putting information together, using the extensive range of data available. Consultants can also provide a detailed statistical picture to meet your policy, planning, research and commercial analysis needs.
There is an ABS Consultancy Service located in each State and Territory. Contact details are listed on the back page of this Directory.
ABS Library Extension Program
The ABS is committed to providing access to census and other ABS statistics, to all members of society, through the Australian library network . A collection of standard census publications are held by participating libraries.
In 1998, 528 libraries are taking part in the ABS Library Extension Program (LEP). The ABS provides the Australian National Library, State Libraries and most university libraries with all ABS standard published output, including census publications.
Public and TAFE libraries receive a selection of major ABS publications, including most standard census publications .
In addition to census publications, eligible libraries will hold detailed census data on a specially developed CD-ROM product, CLIB96.
CLIB96 contains:
- Basic Community Profile - from Collection District to all of Australia
- Time Series Profile
- Usual Residents Profile
- Expanded Community Profile
- Working Population Profile
- Indigenous Profile
- Classification Counts
- 1996 Census Dictionary
- CPROFILE software
- On-line help
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The ABS will also provide eligible libraries with Statistical Local Area maps, showing Collection District boundaries, for each library's own Statistical Division.
A list of LEP libraries is published on the ABS web site, www.abs.gov.au. You can also contact your local library and ask if they are a member of the ABS LEP.
ABS on the Internet
The ABS web site is located at www.abs.gov.au
The ABS is endeavouring through the use of technology to keep you, our valued clients, as up-to-date as possible on new developments and issues surrounding statistical information. When you access the ABS Statsite, you will have direct exposure to: statistics information about purchasing specific statistics; News of the ABS and of the Products and Services available; and corporate information about the ABS.
Two tables from the Basic Community Profile are also available for every Statistical Local Area in Australia free of charge via the internet. This information is made available to keep you informed and assist you in your decision making.
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