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INTRODUCTION

The Census of Population and Housing is conducted every five years to measure the number of people and dwellings in Australia on Census Night. The Census also provides information on the key characteristics of people and dwellings for small geographic areas and small population groups.

The Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset (ACLD) uses data from the Census of Population and Housing to build a rich longitudinal picture of Australian society. The ACLD can uncover new insights into the dynamics and transitions that drive social and economic change over time, and how these vary for diverse population groups and geographies.

The ACLD is a random 5% sample of the Australian population and three waves of data have so far contributed to the ACLD from the 2006 Census (Wave 1), 2011 Census (Wave 2) and 2016 Census (Wave 3).

In this release of the 2011-2016 ACLD, a representative sample of over 1.2 million records from the 2011 Census (Wave 2) was brought together with corresponding records from the 2016 Census (Wave 3) to form the 2011 Panel of the ACLD. The 2011 Panel includes new births and migrants since the 2006 Census, and is a rich source for exploring how Australian society has changed between the 2011 and 2016 Censuses.

A second release of the 2016 ACLD in mid-2018 will include additional data items on the 2011 Panel, as well as an updated 2006 Panel consisting of a linked sample between the 2006, 2011 and 2016 Censuses. The 2006 Panel was first released in December 2013 (as the Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset, 2006-2011, (cat. no. 2080.0)), bringing together a sample of almost one million records from the 2006 Census (Wave 1) with corresponding records from the 2011 Census (Wave 2). The addition of corresponding information from the 2016 Census (Wave 3) will expand our understanding of the dynamics and transitions that have been driving change in Australia since the 2006 Census.

As information from subsequent Censuses are added to the ACLD, its value as a resource for longitudinal studies of the Australian population will continue to increase.


INQUIRIES

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