2940.0.55.001 - Information Paper: Measuring Net Undercount in the 2011 Population Census, 2011

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 06/07/2011

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Contents >> How net undercount contributes to the Estimated Resident Population >> Background

BACKGROUND

The estimated resident population (ERP) is the official estimate of the population calculated by the ABS at quarterly intervals each year. Accurate estimates of the Australian resident population are essential for the allocation of seats in the Federal House of Representatives as well as distributing Commonwealth funding to states and territories.

These estimates are also used for demographic, social and economic studies. The validity of these population estimates depends on a number of factors, one of which is the accurate measurement of net undercount in the Census.

Following each Census, the ERP for 30 June of the Census year is rebased using the Census data, adjusted by the PES.