NATIONAL COMPARISONS

INTRODUCTION

The national comparisons table presents data for Australia and all the states and territories. It is intended to complement the other chapters in this publication by providing a national perspective to a number of key indicators.

POPULATION

In 2006-07, NSW population grew by 1.1%. This was less than the Australian population growth rate of 1.5%. Western Australia (2.3%) and Queensland (2.2%) recorded the highest population growth rates during the year.

In 2006-07, NSW recorded the highest net loss of people to other states and territories with a loss of 27,300 people. Queensland recorded the highest net gain with an increase of 27,000 people from other states and territories. The remaining states and territories recorded relatively small net population gains or losses. In NSW, the younger age groups (0-34 years) were the most mobile, and recorded the highest net population losses.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Participation in education and training by persons aged 15-19 years in NSW (78%) in May 2007 was the same as the national participation rate (78%). Victoria (85%) and the ACT (82%) had the highest participation rates.

In May 2007, the ACT recorded the highest level of persons with bachelor degree or above qualifications (42%), well above all other states and territories.

WORK

In 2006-07, NSW and South Australia had the second highest unemployment rate (5.0%) and Tasmania had the highest (5.7%). ACT had the lowest (3.0%) unemployment rate.

HOUSING

In 2005-06, Sydney had the highest housing costs as a proportion of gross income when compared to all states and territories. As measured by the median ratio of housing costs to income, Sydney owners with a mortgage spent 22% of their gross income on housing costs.

In 2006-07, Sydney recorded the highest first home buyers average loan with $257,500, followed by ACT which recorded $232,600.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

In 2006-07, NSW had the second smallest annual growth in Gross State Product (GSP) with an increase of 1.8%. Western Australia (6.3%), the Northern Territory (5.6%) and Queensland (4.9%) recorded the highest growth.

During this period, NSW Gross State Product (GSP) per capita was $46,816 and ranked the fourth lowest amongst all states and territories. The Northern Territory had the highest GSP per capita with $63,500 closely followed by the ACT with $62,800.

ENVIRONMENT

In 2004-05, NSW consumed the second lowest amount of water per capita with each individual consuming 84 kilolitres (kL). The people of Victoria consumed the least amount of water when compared to all states and territories with a consumption of 81kL per capita. Western Australia were the highest water consumers with a consumption of 180kL per capita.

DATA SOURCES

ABS Census of Population and Housing

ABS Survey of Education and Work (cat. no. 6227.0)

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE)

Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0)

Australian National Accounts: State Accounts (cat. no. 5220.0)

Australian Social Trends (cat. no. 4102.0)

Causes of Death, Australia (cat. no. 3303.0)

Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia (cat. no. 4901.0)

Crime and Safety, Australia, April 2005 (cat. no. 4509.0)

Deaths, Australia (cat. no. 3302.0)

Disabilities, Ageing and Carers: Summary of findings, 2003 (cat. no. 4430.0)

House Prices Indexes (cat. no. 6416.0)

Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2005-06 (cat. no. 6523.0)

Household wealth and wealth distribution, Australia (cat. no. 6554.0)

Housing Finance, Australia (cat. no. 5609.0)

Housing Occupancy and Costs, Australia, 2005-06 (cat. no. 4130.0.55.001)

Labour Force, Australia, Detailed-Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001)

Labour Force, Australia: Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Families-Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6224.0.55.001)

Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs

National Health Survey, Summary of Results (cat. no. 4364.0)

Population by Age and Sex; Australian States and Territories (cat. no. 3201.0)

Prisoners in Australia (cat. no. 4517.0)

Recorded Crime-victims, Australia (cat. no. 4510.0)

Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0)

Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 9314.0.55.001)

Schools, Australia (cat. no. 4221.0)

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (SCRGSP) 2007, Report on Government Services 2007, Productivity Commission, Canberra

Water Account, Australia (cat. no. 4610.0)