Statistical News
Developments In ABS Statistics

CensusAtSchool
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is pleased to announce the CensusAtSchool Questionnaire will run annually from 2010.

Students will once again have the opportunity to be part of the Australian CensusAtSchool database. The live 2010 questionnaire will open on 27 January next year, then close before the new data is added to the Random Sampler in July 2010.

CensusAtSchool has previously found that 73% of Australian students had broadband internet at home in 2008, compared with 53% in 2006, their favourite take-away food was Pizza/Pasta and 45% of students travelled to school by car. What will the data show in 2010?

Teachers can set up an account at <www.cas.abs.gov.au/>.

Labour Force Sample Back In Full
On 13 May 2009, the Australian Statistician announced the full re-instatement of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) sample, offsetting the July 2008 reduction.

As foreshadowed in Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0), the sample is being re-instated progressively from September to December 2009.

The December 2009 estimates will be the first produced under the fully re-instated sample, and will be released on 15 January 2010.

The sample re-instatement is expected to result in approximately 56,000 persons fully responding to the LFS in December 2009, covering about 1 in 315 (0.32%) of the civilian population aged 15 years and over.

Thereafter, the sample size will gradually increase in line with population growth until the sample is redesigned following the 2011 Census.

Classification Implementation for Average Weekly Earnings
Changes will be made to the quarterly Survey of Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) from the August 2009 reference period onwards.

This is due to the implementation of the new Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006.

In 2002, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Statistics New Zealand commenced a review to maintain the currency and relevance of ANZSIC.

The review found that since the release of the original classification in 1993, there had been significant changes in industrial and business activities in both Australia and New Zealand.

The 2006 edition of ANZSIC was released in February 2006.

WA Statistical Indicators
Like flares in the 70s, shoulder pads in the 80s and grunge shirts in the 90s, every decade has its fashion, but what will we remember fondly about the noughties?

Western Australian Statistical Indicators (ABS Cat. No. 1367.5) was first released for the September 2000 quarter.

Alas, as with all icons of their day, there comes a time to move on and so, sadly but fittingly, the final quarterly release of this publication will be for December 2009 on 28 January 2010.

However, plans are afoot to bring in the next decade with a new look! A ‘live’ portal is to be developed on the ABS website that will provide quick access to a comprehensive range of up-to-date info about WA, along with summaries of the latest economic, social and environmental happenings and more in-depth analytical articles.

Watch out for an update in the first Stats Talk of the trendy 10s...