STANDARD OUTPUT CATEGORIES
45. The hierarchical structure of the ASCED allows users the flexibility to output statistics at the level of the classification which best suits their requirements. Data can be presented by Broad Levels, Narrow Levels, or by the base Detailed (third) Levels. If necessary, significant Detailed Levels within a Narrow Level can be presented separately while the remaining Detailed Levels within the Narrow Level are aggregated. For example, the third-level category '311 Bachelor (Honours) Degree' can be separately identified as an output category within the Narrow Level '31 Bachelor Degree Level', with the remaining third-level Detailed Level categories in this Narrow Level aggregated in an 'Other Bachelor Degree Level' category. As no Broad Level contains more than two Narrow Levels, such aggregation is unnecessary at the second level of the classification. For further information on aggregation of categories, see the section on Aggregation of Categories below.
46. Regardless of the level of aggregation envisaged for the dissemination of data, wherever possible, data should be captured, classified and stored at the base level of the classification. Collecting and storing data at the most detailed level of the classification allows the greatest flexibility for the output of data, enables more detailed and complex analysis, facilitates comparisons with previous data using different classifications, and preserves information that may prove historically useful.
47. However, the constraints affecting each statistical collection or other application, such as problems with confidentiality or standard errors, may not permit the collection or output of data at the more detailed levels of the classification. Nevertheless, the use of a standard classification will enhance data comparability even though it may not always be possible to disseminate the data at the most detailed level.
48. The following are the recommended standard output categories for data on 'Level of highest educational attainment':
Postgraduate Degree
Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
Certificate III/IV
Certificate I/II
Certificate not further defined
Year 12
Year 11
Year 10 or below
Level not determined
49. The following are the recommended short names for the output categories above:
Postgrad. Deg.
Grad. Dip./Grad. Cert.
Bach. Deg.
Adv. Dip./Dip.
Cert. III/IV
Cert. I/II
Cert. n.f.d.
Year 12
Year 11
Year 10 or below
Level not determined
50. It is also standard to aggregate data from these categories as follows:
Diploma or above
Certificate
Year 12 or below
Aggregation of categories
51. Output for 'Level of highest educational attainment' at the Broad Level of the ASCED Level of Education classification indicates completion of a Detailed Level category associated with the Broad Level. For example, output at Broad Level 1 (Postgraduate Degree Level) indicates completion of a Doctorate or Master Degree. Similarly output at Broad Level 5 (Certificate Level) indicates completion of at least one certificate at Certificate Levels I, II, III, or IV.
52. Output at the Broad Level follows the same principle for those whose 'Level of highest educational attainment' is school level education or for those who are still studying at school. A person need not have completed all individual years of secondary or primary education to be output at Broad Level 6 (Secondary Education) or Broad Level 7 (Primary Education). Therefore:
- A person who has completed at least one year of secondary schooling will have a 'Level of highest educational attainment' of 6 (Secondary Education) at the Broad Level of the classification.
- A person who has completed at least one year of primary schooling will have a 'Level of highest educational attainment' of 7 (Primary Education) at the Broad Level of the classification.
53. A footnote should be attached to any output on educational attainment at the Broad Level of the classification indicating that the data includes completion of any part of the constituent Detailed Levels for categories 6 and 7 and does not indicate completion of coursework to the highest constituent Detailed Level. Output at the Narrow Level of the classifications should be similarly treated.
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