ABS FORWARD WORK PROGRAM
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its Forward Work Program (FWP) on the 5 July 2011. The FWP provides background information about statistical and non-statistical programs across the ABS, their objectives and the outputs they produce. The FWP covers all programs in the ABS, across Central Office (Canberra) and all eight state and territory regional offices. It includes details of past and current resource usage, and details developments in the work program for each of the statistical and non-statistical programs over the next four years (from 2011–2012 to 2014–2015).
The Migrant Statistics Program covers the activities of the ABS National Migrant Statistics Unit (NMSU), which has a focus on temporary and permanent migrant settlement within Australia. The unit provides data relevant to migrant populations, and is involved in the development and compilation of a range of survey and administrative data outputs relevant to migrants.
The NMSU is involved in activities including:
- understanding current and emerging policy issues and debates
- determining what statistics might be appropriate to inform decision making relevant to migrants and diverse ethnic groups
- providing expertise within the ABS regarding the collection of relevant data
- informing governments and the community about relevant classifications and standards, and appropriate data analysis.
The major stakeholders of the program are the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), and the various Australian, State and Territory government agencies providing services to migrant and ethnic groups.
The main medium-term developments in the Migrant Statistics Program are to:
- analyse the nature and extent of migrant mobility in the period following initial arrival in Australia
- undertake the ABS 2011 Census Data Enhancement (CDE) project to link Census data to migrant settlement records
- undertake subsequent CDE quality assessment, analysis and dissemination of data from the project
- explore, assess and utilise the administrative data holdings of the DIAC and undertake collaborative projects focussed on statistical development
- explore, assess and utilise administrative data held within other government agencies for statistical purposes, and
- explore options for improved integration of ABS and other migrant data to address identified data gaps.
Refer to the
Forward Work Program, 2011–2012 to 2014–2015 for further information about the ABS Forward Work Program and the Migrant Statistics Program (pg 59).
Print Page
Print All