STANDARD OUTPUT CATEGORIES
38. 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.
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. The following are the recommended standard output categories for 'Level of highest non-school qualification':
Postgraduate Degree
Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
Certificate III/IV
Certificate I/II
Certificate not further defined
No non-school qualification
Level not determined
42. 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.
No qual.
Level not determined
43. The Census Basic Community Profile uses the following output categories:
Postgraduate Degree
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma and Diploma
Certificate
Not stated
Not applicable
44. The Census Expanded Community Profile uses the following output categories:
Postgraduate Degree Level n.f.d.
Doctoral Degree
Masters Degree
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate n.f.d.
Graduate Diploma
Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma and Diploma n.f.d.
Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree
Diploma
Certificate Level n.f.d.
Certificate III & IV
Certificate I & II
Not stated
Not applicable
Aggregation of categories
45. Output for 'Level of highest non-school qualification' 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
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