2970.0.55.025 - 2001 Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheet: Education - Changes for 2001 Census, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/06/2002  First Issue
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Education - Changes for 2001 Census

This fact sheet deals with changes to education related variables. The changes result from the introduction of the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) for the 2001 Census.


AUSTRALIAN STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION (ASCED)

There have been major revisions to the qualifications and education classifications used for the Census. The Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) replaces the Australian Bureau of Statistics Classification of Qualifications (ABSCQ) which was used for the 1996 Census. ASCED is the classification used for the following 2001 Census variables:

  • Highest Level of Schooling Completed (HSCP);
  • Non-School Qualification: Field of Study (QALFP);
  • Non-School Qualification: Level of Education (QALLP).

The classifications for the above variables can be found in the 2001 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0). Further detailed information about the classification can be found in:
  • Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) (cat. no. 1272.0); and
  • Information Paper: Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) (cat. no. 1271.0).


SCHOOL EDUCATION

Highest Level of Schooling Completed (HSCP)

For the 2001 Census, Highest Level of Schooling Completed replaces Age Left School, which was collected in the 1996 Census. In the past, Age Left School was collected due to difficulty collecting Highest Level of Schooling Completed, arising from differences in the education systems within Australia. Testing for the 2001 Census found that the standard designation of levels in Australian schools is well established and that Highest Level of Schooling Completed can now be collected directly.

HSCP data are an important adjunct to data on highest Non-School Qualification, as well as an important indicator of educational need or disadvantage.

Data on HSCP are required for:
  • assessing the usefulness of extension courses or other educational programs; and
  • as an indicator of disadvantage because it shows the level of education reached by people without other educational qualifications.


NON-SCHOOL EDUCATION

Qualifications information from the Census is used to support planning and policy development in the areas of education, training, and employment.

Data on qualifications are important for the assessment of the skill level of the labour force and are therefore valuable for the planning and implementation of labour force training programs. The data are used as a basis for the preparation of the 'Occupational Demand Schedule' for use by the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs in recruiting skilled migrants.

Data on level of education is used as a general indicator of education advantage in a socioeconomic analysis of groups in the population.

Level of qualification and field of study are used in labour market analysis and planning. Field of study is required in considerable detail for studies of skill wastage or under utilisation, and for planning vocational education and training courses.

The responses to name of institution and year qualification obtained are used to assist in coding qualification level and field of study. The institution at which the qualification was completed is used to assist in coding the level of qualification. It is not separately coded and is thus not available from census output. Year qualification obtained is coded and is available in census output.

Non-School Qualification: Field of Study (QALFP)

QALFP describes the field of study of the highest completed non-school qualification. It is applicable to persons aged 15 years and over who stated a qualification on the census form. QALFP is derived from a number of responses to the census form, including the name of the awarding institution. These responses are used only for coding the correct field of study.

The ASCED includes non-school qualifications such as Certificate Level qualifications which may be attained while the person is still attending school. QALFP replaces the 1996 variable 'Post-School Educational Qualification: Field of Study'.

Qualifications outside the scope of this variable are classified as Not applicable.

Non-School Qualification: Level of Education (QALLP)

QALLP describes the level of education of the highest completed non-school qualification (e.g. bachelor degree, diploma). It replaces the 1996 variable 'Post-School Educational Qualification: Level of Attainment'.