PREFACE

The National Localities Index (NLI) has been developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to assist users assign the Main Structure codes of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) to address based data. The ASGC is the classification used by the ABS for the collection and dissemination of geographic statistics and is an essential reference for users to understand and interpret the geographical content of ABS statistics. Coding data to the ASGC Main Structure allows data to be directly compared to ABS and other information.

Editions of the NLI are released in mid-July and reflect the new edition of the ASGC which came into effect on the first of that month.

Between editions the NLI is regularly updated to include new localities, commercial and residential developments and postcode changes. These updates continue to reflect the ASGC current at the time.

The NLI consists of two parts - a Localities Index and a Streets Sub-Index. The definition of ‘Locality’ is kept very broad to make the NLI as comprehensive as possible. It is defined as a place where people live or work - or say they live or work.

The majority of Localities are wholly within one Statistical Local Area (SLA) and address data for these Localities can be coded to the ASGC using only the Localities Index. The remainder of the Localities, approximately 5%, cross SLA boundaries. The NLI Streets Sub-Index contains street data for these split Localities - names, types and number ranges - so that addresses can be coded to their respective SLA.

Any queries in regard to this Index may be made by email to geography@abs.gov.au.