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APPENDIX 1 AIGC STRUCTURE


OVERVIEW

The Australian Indigenous Geographical Classification (AIGC) provides a geographical standard for the publication of Census data about the Indigenous population of Australia. The AIGC sits alongside the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC), which is the primary geographical classification used by the ABS.

In addition to the Census Collection District (CD), which forms the basic building block of both the ASGC and the AIGC, the AIGC comprises three levels of geographic units in a single hierarchy as follows:

• Indigenous Region (IREG)
• Indigenous Area (IARE)
• Indigenous Location (ILOC)

These three levels of the classification are described below. For information on CDs, please refer to Statistical Geography Volume 1 - Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC), 2006 (cat. no. 1216.0).

INDIGENOUS REGIONS

In 2001, the highest level of the AIGC was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Region (AREG), which reflected the legal ATSIC Region boundaries defined under the ATSIC Act (1989). When ATSIC ceased operations in 2005, the legal requirement for these boundaries also ceased to exist.

In 2006, the highest level of the AIGC is made up of Indigenous Regions (IREGs). IREGs are based on the earlier ATSIC Regions but reflect recent changes in local government areas. Changes in government administrative arrangements were also taken into account in defining the IREGs. Where possible and appropriate, the 2001 boundaries were maintained to allow the characteristics of Indigenous people within a Region to be compared across Censuses.

2006 AIGC Indigenous Region boundaries

IREG names and codes

The IREG name corresponds to the 2001 ATSIC Region name (usually the location of the former ATSIC office) unless significant changes to the have Region occurred. Each IREG has a unique two digit code starting at 01. The IREG code is not necessarily the same as the code used for the corresponding 2001 ATSIC Region.

INDIGENOUS AREAS

Each Indigenous Region is divided into a number of Indigenous Areas (IAREs). Indigenous Areas allow detailed Census information relating to Indigenous people to be produced, while maintaining confidentiality of individuals. Large Indigenous communities and Local Government Areas correspond to Indigenous Areas. Each IARE generally has a minimum population of around 300 Indigenous people. Local Government Areas with smaller Indigenous populations are combined to meet the 300 person criteria. Where possible and appropriate, 2006 Indigenous Areas are equivalent to 2001 Indigenous Areas.

IARE names and codes

The IARE name is based on the distinctive name for the area which the boundary encompasses. Equivalent ASGC names are used where the IARE matches an ASGC area. Each IARE has a five-digit code, with the first two digits identifying the IREG to which the IARE belongs.

INDIGENOUS LOCATIONS

Each Indigenous Area is divided into a number of Indigenous Locations (ILOCs). An ILOC allows summary Census information relating to Indigenous people to be produced, while maintaining the confidentiality of individuals. Generally, an ILOC includes at least 50 Indigenous people and corresponds to smaller Indigenous communities or Local Government Areas with small Indigenous populations.

ILOC names and codes

The ILOC name is based on a distinctive name for the area which the boundary encompasses. Equivalent ASGC names are used where the area concords exactly. Each ILOC has a unique seven-digit code, with the first five digits identifying the IARE and IREG to which the ILOC belongs.

Example:

25 South Hedland (IREG)

25 001 Port Hedland (IARE)

25 001 01 Tjalkaboorda (ILOC)

25 001 03 Port Hedland: excl. Tjalkaboorda (ILOC)

2001 ATSIC Region to 2006 Indigenous Region Comparability
	ATSIC Region Code		2001 ATSIC Regions	IREG Code		2006 Indigenous Regions	Major changes between 2001 and 2006
	1		Bourke	1		Bourke	Balranald (A) and Wentworth (A) now included in Wagga Wagga IREG. All of Cobar (A) now included in Bourke IREG.
	2		Queanbeyan	2		Queanbeyan	ACT no longer included in Queanbeyan IREG.
				37		Australian Capital Territory	Previously included in Queanbeyan IREG.
	3		Coffs Harbour	3		Coffs Harbour	Walcha (A) now included in Tamworth IREG.
	4		Sydney	4		Sydney	Unchanged.
	5		Tamworth	5		Tamworth	Now includes Walcha (A).
	6		Wagga Wagga	6		Wagga Wagga	Balranald (A) and Wentworth (A) now included, all of Cobar (A) excluded, all local government areas in the new Dubbo IREG were formerly in the Wagga Wagga IREG.
				38		Dubbo	Bogan (A), Dubbo (A), Gilgandra (A), Narromine (A), Parkes (A), Warrumbungle Shire (A) and Wellington (A) local government areas excised from the Wagga Wagga IREG to create the new Dubbo IREG.
	7		Wangaratta	7		Melbourne	Complete change in concept from East and West Victoria to Melbourne and Non-Metropolitan Victoria.
	8		Ballarat	8		Non-Metropolitan Victoria	See above.
	9		Brisbane	9		Brisbane	No change.
	10		Cairns	10		Cairns	Minor boundary change with no substantive population impact.
	11		Mt Isa	11		Mt Isa	All of Carpentaria (S) now included in Mt Isa IREG.
	12		Cooktown	12		Cape York	All of Carpentaria (S) now included in Mt Isa IREG.
	13		Rockhampton	13		Rockhampton	Minor boundary change with no substantive population impact.
	14		Roma	14		Roma	Minor boundary change with no substantive population impact.
	15		Torres Strait Area	15		Torres Strait Indigenous region	No substantive change.
	16		Townsville	16		Townsville	No change.
	17		Adelaide	17		Adelaide	Several minor changes the most significant being all of Goyder (DC) now being included in the Port Augusta IREG.
	18		Ceduna	18		Ceduna	Several minor changes with little effect on populations covered.
	19		Port Augusta	19		Port Augusta	Several minor changes the most significant being all of Goyder (DC) now included in the Port Augusta IREG.
	20		Perth	20		Perth	Murray (S), Chittering (S) and Gin Gin (S) now included in Narrogin IREG.
	21		Broome	21		Broome	Unchanged.
	22		Kununurra	22		Kununurra	Minor boundary change with no substantive population impacts.
	23		Warburton				Warburton IREG no longer exists. Split between expanded South Hedland and Kalgoorlie IREGs.
	24		Narrogin	24		Narrogin	Murray (S), Chittering (S) and Gin Gin (S) now included in Narrogin IREG. Coorow (S) now part of Geraldton IREG. Ravensthorpe (S) now part of Kalgoorlie IREG.
	25		South Hedland	25		South Hedland	All of Meekatharra (S) now excluded. Exmouth and all of East Pilbara (S) now included.
	26		Derby	26		Derby	Unchanged.
	27		Kalgoorlie	27		Kalgoorlie	Ngaanyatjarraku (S), Ravensthorpe (S) and Wiluna (S) now included in Kalgoorlie IREG. All of Kalgoorlie / Boulder (S), Laverton (S) and Menzies (S) now included in Kalgoorlie IREG.
	28		Geraldton	28		Geraldton	All of Coorow (S) and Meekatharra (S) included in Geraldton IREG. Exmouth (S) now included in South Hedland IREG.
	29		Hobart	29		Tasmania	Unchanged.
	30		Alice Springs	30		Alice Springs	The community of Ammonguna now part of Apatula Region
	31		Jabiru	31		Jabiru	Substantial changes to the boundaries of Indigenous community council areas resulting in major boundary changes between Katherine and Jabiru with very little effect on population counts.
	32		Katherine	32		Katherine	Substantial changes to the boundaries of Indigenous community council areas resulting in major boundary changes between Katherine and Jabiru with very little effect on population counts.
	33		Aputula	33		Apatula	The community of Ammonguna now part of Apatula Region.
	34		Nhulunbuy	34		Nhulunbuy	Several minor changes with little effect on populations covered.
	35		Tennant Creek	35		Tennant Creek	Unchanged.
	36		Darwin	36		Darwin	Unchanged.

FURTHER ADVICE

For further advice please contact the National Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics (NCATSIS) on 1800 633 216.