GLOSSARY OF MIGRANT RELATED TERMS
This glossary contains general definitions for migrant related data items. These definitions are those currently defined in the ABS collections. They are not necessarily all encompassing nor the definitive meaning of the terms listed. Further, while a general definition is provided in this glossary, this may differ slightly between collections. It is recommended that you refer to the Glossary for individual collections for an accurate description of the data item within that collection.
AGE
Age is defined as the measure of time elapsed from date of live birth to a specific point in time (e.g. date of a particular survey or collection), measured in complete years.
AGE ON ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA
Age on arrival in Australia is defined as the age of a person, who was born overseas, when they first arrived in Australia from another country, with the intention of staying in Australia for one year or more. Measured in complete years.
ANCESTRY
Ancestry describes the ethnic or cultural heritage of a person, that is, the ethnic or cultural groups to which a person's forebears are or were attached.
Operationally, Ancestry is defined as the ethnic or cultural groups which a person identifies as being his or her ancestry. Ancestry therefore involves measures of self-identification of ethnic or cultural group affiliation or nationality as well as of descent from one or more particular groups.
AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP
Australian citizenship is a person's status in relation to Australia and carries with it certain responsibilities and privileges. The Australian Citizenship Act 1948 determines who holds Australian citizenship. A person may acquire Australian citizenship in a number of ways, for example, by birth, adoption, descent, resumption or grant of Australian citizenship (naturalisation).
COUNTRY OF BIRTH OF FATHER
Country of Birth of Father is defined as the country in which a person's father was born. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).
COUNTRY OF BIRTH OF MOTHER
Country of Birth of Mother is defined as the country in which a person's mother was born. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).
COUNTRY OF BIRTH OF PERSON
Country of Birth of Person is defined as the country in which a person was born. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).
COUNTRY OF LAST RESIDENCE
Country of last residence is defined as the country in which the person last lived before coming to Australia to live. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).
FIRST LANGUAGE SPOKEN
First Language Spoken is defined as the first language an individual masters during the language acquisition phase of intellectual development. This would generally be the language spoken in the home by the people who have raised the individual from infancy.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN AT HOME
Languages Spoken at Home is defined as the language or languages spoken by a person in his/her home, on a regular basis, to communicate with other residents of the home and regular visitors to the home. Classified according to the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) (cat. no. 1267.0). Usually only one language is coded for each person.
MAIN ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES
Main English-speaking countries comprises the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America and South Africa.
MAIN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH SPOKEN AT HOME
Main Language Other Than English Spoken at Home is the main language, other than English, spoken by a person in his/her home, on a regular basis, to communicate with other residents of the home and regular visitors to the home.
MAIN LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME
Main Language Spoken at Home is defined as the main language spoken by a person in his/her home, on a regular basis, to communicate with other residents of the home and regular visitors to the home.
MIGRANT
Migrant is defined as a person who was born overseas and has obtained permanent Australian resident status prior to or after their arrival. The scope of several ABS surveys restricts the definition of migrants to include only migrants who arrived in Australia in the last 20 years and who were aged 15 years or more on arrival.
PROFICIENCY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH
Proficiency in Spoken English is defined as the ability to speak English in every day situations. Generally classified as: very well, well, not well or not at all.
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
Religious Affiliation is defined as the religious beliefs and practices to which a person adheres or the religious group to which a person belongs. Classified according to the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (cat. no. 1266.0).
YEAR OF ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA
Year of Arrival in Australia is the year a person who was born overseas first arrived in Australia from another country, with the intention of staying in Australia for one year or more.
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