CENSUS DATA - SECOND RELEASE
On 25 October 2007, the Australian Bureau of Statistics published second release data from the 2006 Census. Second release data builds on the already extensive range of census information available. Differing from first release data (which provides statistics relating to age, gender, country of origin and household finance etc), second release data focuses on statistics relating to Australia’s workforce, level of education, the way we travel to work and internal migration.
Workforce analysis
Detailed occupation data is needed for analysing current and potential imbalances in the supply and demand for particular skills at the national, regional and local area levels. This information provides input to the development of policies and programs in the fields of education, training, immigration, industry and industrial relations. Occupation data is considerably more useful when analysed with detailed data on industry of employment and qualifications.
Because the census provides small area data, users can assess labour force changes for small population groups and within small geographic areas. Labour force statistics can also be used to determine participation rates for small groups of the population such as Indigenous people, migrants from particular countries and detailed age groups.
Education
Information on whether a person is attending an educational institution has important uses for education and labour market planning. The census provides a wider range of information on the characteristics of students than is currently available from statistics derived from administrative sources. This topic is considered to be of high importance to education planners at national, state and community levels. Information on the relationship between education and labour market activities, particularly for young people and disadvantaged groups, is required by governments to monitor the impact of their policies and programs. While much of this need is met by data from surveys, the census provides data for small areas and for small population groups which assists in the planning and delivery of relevant programs.
Journey to work
Information on the direction and distance of journeys to and from work is needed for transport planning and is used extensively in land use planning. Day time population figures are important when planning for facilities in employment centres. Journeys to and from work form the largest proportion of the total number of journeys and are concentrated in peak periods which place a critical load on transport systems.
Journey to work data is used by transport authorities for the analysis of travel patterns within major metropolitan areas, the modelling of fuel usage, the forecasting of public transport patronage and the analysis of catchment areas for transport routes. This data also assists policy makers in the planning of transport systems, industrial development and the release of residential and industrial land.
Internal migration
Statistics on usual residence one year ago and five years ago are used in the postcensal estimation of interstate migration, which in turn is used for calculating Estimated Resident Population (ERP). The census is the only source of this data.
Coupled with other census topics, the questions on usual residence provide information on characteristics of the migratory population as well as the non-migratory population. As internal migration is a major component of population change for many areas, this data is important in the calculation of population estimates and forecasts. Information on the internal migration patterns of the population at national, state, regional and local government levels is also used in planning transport, health and educational services.
Access
The second release information is available free of charge on the ABS website. The data is accessible through 2006 Census products such as QuickStats, MapStats, Census Tables and Community Profiles. The availability of the new data enables researchers, analysts and the broader community, to gain a better understanding of Australians and how they live. The information can assist businesses and governments to make informed decisions.
If you have any further enquiries regarding second release census data, please contact the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070. Alternatively, you can email - census.users@abs.gov.au to keep up-to-date with the latest Census developments and releases.
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