6227.0 - Education and Work, Australia, May 2015 
Quality Declaration
Quality Declaration ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/11/2015
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EXPLANATORY NOTES
7 Boarding school pupils have been excluded from the scope of the SEW since 2005, but were included in earlier collections. The LFS in May 2015 yielded an estimate of 18,490 boarding school pupils aged 15 years and over, who were excluded from the SEW. 8 In 2013, the scope of SEW was extended to include all persons aged 65-74 years for the first time. From 2009 to 2012, persons aged 65-74 years who were in the labour force, or were marginally attached to the labour force were included. Persons were determined to be marginally attached to the labour force if they were not in the labour force in the reference week, wanted to work and:
9 Persons who are permanently unable to work were included in the scope of SEW for the first time in 2013. There were an estimated 452,600 people who reported being permanently unable to work in May 2015. Coverage 10 The estimates in this publication relate to persons covered by the survey scope. In the LFS, coverage rules are applied which aim to ensure that each person is associated with only one dwelling and hence has only one chance of selection in the survey. See Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) for more details. SAMPLE SIZE 11 Approximately 92% of the selected households were fully responding to the SEW, which resulted in around 39,200 completed interviews. DATA COLLECTION 12 Information was collected from respondents over a two week period in May 2015. The data were collected through interviews, conducted either face-to-face or over the telephone, or respondents were able to provide their information over the Internet via a self-completed form. 13 The May 2013 SEW was the first supplementary survey to incorporate this online data collection method, where the option was offered to just over one-quarter of the SEW sample. The May 2014 SEW is the first time this option was offered to all respondents. In 2015, 27% of the total SEW sample took up the online option. While those respondents who chose to complete the survey online may have different characteristics to those who undertake the survey via face-to-face or telephone interview, the ABS has not detected any significant impacts due to the introduction of online collection. However, the ABS will continue to monitor any impacts through a measurement strategy and report these in the Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). For further information see the article Transition to Online Collection of the Labour Force Survey. 14 All information, either from interview or online self-completion, was obtained from any responsible adult in the household who was asked to respond on behalf of all persons in the household in scope of the survey. ESTIMATION METHOD Weighting 15 Weighting is the process of adjusting results from a sample survey to infer results for the total population. To do this, a 'weight' is allocated to each enumerated person. The weight is a value which indicates how many persons in the population are represented by the sample person. 16 The first step in calculating weights for each unit is to assign an initial weight, which is the inverse of the probability of the unit being selected in the survey. For example, if the probability of a person being selected in the survey was 1 in 300, then the person would have an initial weight of 300 (that is, they represent 300 people). Population benchmarks 17 The initial weights are then calibrated to align with independent estimates of the population, referred to as benchmarks. The population included in the benchmarks is the survey scope. This calibration process ensures that the weighted data conform to the independently estimated distribution of the population described by the benchmarks rather than to the distribution within the sample itself. Calibration to population benchmarks helps to compensate for over or under-enumeration of particular categories of persons which may occur due to either the random nature of sampling or non-response. 18 The survey was benchmarked to the estimated resident population (ERP) aged 15-74 years living in private dwellings and non-institutionalised special dwellings in each state and territory. People living in Indigenous communities were excluded. Estimation 19 Survey estimates of counts of persons are obtained by summing the weights of persons with the characteristics of interest. 20 To minimise the risk of identifying individuals in aggregate statistics, a technique is used to randomly adjust cell values. This technique is called perturbation. Perturbation involves small random adjustment of the statistics and is considered the most satisfactory technique for avoiding the release of identifiable statistics while maximising the range of information that can be released. These adjustments have a negligible impact on the underlying pattern of the statistics. After perturbation, a given published cell value will be consistent across all tables. However, adding up cell values to derive a total will not necessarily give the same result as published totals. The introduction of perturbation in publications ensures that these statistics are consistent with statistics released via services such as Table Builder. RELIABILITY OF THE ESTIMATES 21 All sample surveys are subject to error which can be broadly categorised as either:
22 Sampling error is the difference between the published estimates, derived from a sample of persons, and the value that would have been produced if the total population (as defined by the scope of the survey) had been included in the survey. For more information refer to the Technical Note. 23 Non-sampling error may occur in any collection, whether it is based on a sample or a full count such as a census. Sources of non-sampling error include non-response, errors in reporting by respondents or recording answers by interviewers, and errors in coding and processing data. Every effort is made to reduce the non-sampling error by careful design and testing of the questionnaire, training and supervision of interviewers, follow-up of respondents, and extensive editing and quality control procedures at all stages of data processing. Seasonal factors 24 The estimates are based on information collected in the survey month, and due to seasonal factors they may not be representative of other months of the year. DATA QUALITY Interpretation of results 25 The method of obtaining information about all the persons in the household from any responsible adult is only used for collecting information on topics where other members of the household are likely to be able to answer the questions. If the responsible adult is unable to supply all of the details for another individual in the household, a personal interview is conducted with that particular individual. DATA COMPARABILITY Comparability of time series 26 Supplementary surveys are not always conducted on the full LFS sample. Since August 1994 the sample for supplementary surveys has been restricted to no more than seven-eighths of the LFS sample. Since it was introduced, this survey has been conducted on various proportional samples and therefore sampling errors associated with previous supplementary surveys may vary from the sampling error for this survey. 27 Since 2005, boarding school pupils have been excluded from the scope of the SEW, but were included in earlier collections. For more details, see the Scope section of these Explanatory Notes. 28 Since 2007, industry data in the SEW have been classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification, 2006 (cat. no. 1292.0) and prior to this, were classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification, 1993 (cat. no. 1292.0). Therefore, industry data from SEW prior to 2007 are not directly comparable to data for 2007 and subsequent years. 29 Since 2007, occupation data in the SEW have been classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classifications of Occupations, First Edition, Revision 1 (cat. no. 1220.0) and prior to this, were classified according to the Australia Standard Classifications of Occupations, Second Edition, 1997 (cat. no. 1220.0). Occupation data are not directly comparable between these two editions of the classification. Therefore, occupation data from SEW prior to 2007 are not directly comparable to 2007 and subsequent years. 30 Prior to 2008, only persons aged 15-54 years were included in the apprenticeship/traineeship survey questions. In 2008, the age scope was extended to include persons aged 55-64 years and in 2009, the scope was further extended to include persons aged 65-74 years for these questions. In 2008, the definition for apprentices and trainees changed from those employed as apprentices/trainees to include only those with a formal contract under the Australian Apprenticeship Scheme. Therefore data on apprentices from previous years are not directly comparable to 2008 and subsequent data. Note that Australian School-based Apprenticeships continue to be excluded from the apprentice/trainee data. However, some questions on school-based apprenticeships were asked of current school students aged 15-19 years for the first time in 2014. 31 Revisions were made to the in-scope population in 2013. All respondents aged 65-74 years were included for the first time, rather than just those in the labour force or marginally attached to the labour force. Persons who were permanently unable to work were also included. 32 Revisions are made to population benchmarks for the LFS after each five-yearly Census of Population and Housing. The last such revision was made in January 2014 to take account of the results of the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Estimates from supplementary surveys conducted from and including 2014 are therefore based on these 2011 population benchmarks. 33 Since 2014, persons who are identified in the Labour Force Survey as currently studying a school level qualification were asked in SEW whether they are currently studying for any non-school qualifications. If the respondent was still attending school, their level of study was recorded as their current year of schooling, not their non-school qualification. 34 After each Census, population estimates are normally revised back five years to the previous Census year. As announced in the June 2012 issue of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0), intercensal error between the 2006 and 2011 Censuses was larger than normal due to improved methodologies used in the 2011 Census Post Enumeration Survey. The intercensal error analysis indicated that previous population estimates for the base Census years were over-counted. An indicative estimate of the size of the over-count is that there should have been 240,000 fewer people at June 2006, 130,000 fewer in 2001 and 70,000 fewer in 1996. As a result, Estimated Resident Population estimates have been revised for the last 20 years rather than the usual five. Consequently, estimates of particular populations derived since SEW 2014 may be lower than those published for previous years as the SEW estimates have not been revised. Therefore, comparisons of SEW estimates since 2014 with previous years should not be made. However, for comparable data items, comparison of rates or proportions between years is appropriate.
Comparability with other ABS surveys 35 Since the SEW is conducted as a supplement to the LFS, data items collected in the LFS are also available in SEW. However, there are some important differences between the two surveys. The SEW sample is a subset of the LFS sample (see the Introduction of these Explanatory Notes) and the SEW had a response rate of 92% which is lower than the LFS response rate of 93% for the same period. Also the scope of the SEW differs slightly to the scope of the LFS (refer to the Scope section above). Due to these differences between the samples, the SEW data are weighted as a separate process to the weighting of LFS data. Differences may therefore be found in the estimates collected in the LFS and published as part of the SEW, when compared with estimates published in the May 2015 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). 36 Additionally, estimates from the SEW may differ from the estimates produced from other ABS collections, for several reasons. The SEW is a sample survey and its results are subject to sampling error. Results may differ from other sample surveys, which are also subject to sampling error. Users should take account of the relative standard errors (RSEs) on estimates and those of other survey estimates where comparisons are made. 37 Differences may also exist in the scope and/or coverage of the SEW compared to other surveys. Differences in estimates, when compared to the estimates of other surveys, may result from different reference periods reflecting seasonal variations, non-seasonal events that may have impacted on one period but not another, or because of underlying trends in the phenomena being measured. 38 Finally, differences can occur as a result of using different collection methodologies. This is often evident in comparisons of similar data items reported from different ABS collections where, after taking account of definition and scope differences and sampling error, residual differences remain. These differences are often the result of the mode of the collections, such as whether data are collected by an interviewer or self-enumerated by the respondent and whether the data are collected from the person themselves or from a proxy respondent. Differences may also result from the context in which questions are asked, i.e. where in the interview the questions are asked and the nature of preceding questions. The impacts on data of different collection methodologies are difficult to quantify. As a result, every effort is made to minimise such differences. CLASSIFICATIONS Education 39 Education data are coded to the Australian Standard Classification of Education, 2001 (cat. no. 1272.0). The ASCED is a national standard classification which can be applied to all sectors of the Australian education system including schools, vocational education and training and higher education. The ASCED comprises two classifications: Level of Education and Field of Education. 40 Level of Education is defined as a function of the quality and quantity of learning involved in an educational activity. There are nine broad levels, 15 narrow levels and 64 detailed levels. For definitions of these levels see the Australian Standard Classification of Education, 2001 (cat. no. 1272.0). 41 Field of Education is defined as the subject matter of an educational activity. Fields of education are related to each other through the similarity of subject matter, through the broad purpose for which the education is undertaken, and through the theoretical content which underpins the subject matter. There are 12 broad fields, 71 narrow fields and 356 detailed fields. For definitions of these fields see the Australian Standard Classification of Education, 2001 (cat. no. 1272.0). Level of highest educational attainment 42 Level of highest educational attainment was derived from information on highest year of school completed and level of highest non-school qualification. The derivation process determines which of the 'non-school' or 'school' attainments will be regarded as the highest. Usually the higher ranking attainment is self-evident, but in some cases some secondary education is regarded, for the purposes of obtaining a single measure, as higher than some certificate level attainments. 43 The following decision table is used to determine which of the responses to questions on highest year of school completed (coded to ASCED Broad Level 6) and level of highest non-school qualification (coded to ASCED Broad Level 5) is regarded as the highest. This table has been modified since SEW 2013. It is emphasised that this table was designed for the purpose of obtaining a single value for level of highest educational attainment and is not intended to convey any other ordinality. Decision Table: Level of Highest Educational Attainment
L.n.d. = Level not determined n.f.d. = not further defined N.S. = Not Stated Sec. = Secondary 44 The decision table is also used to rank the information provided in a survey about the qualifications and attainments of a single individual. It does not represent any basis for comparison between differing qualifications. For example, a person whose highest year of school completed was Year 12, and whose level of highest non-school qualification was a Certificate III, would have those responses crosschecked on the decision table and would as a result have their level of highest educational attainment output as Certificate III. However, if the same person answered 'certificate' to the highest non-school qualification question, without any further detail, it would be crosschecked against Year 12 on the decision table as Level not determined. The decision table, therefore, does not necessarily imply that one qualification is 'higher' than the other. Education Variables, June 2014 (cat. no. 1246.0) Level of education of current study 45 Since 2014, persons who are identified in the Labour Force Survey as currently studying a school level qualification were asked in SEW whether they are currently studying for any non-school qualifications. If the respondent was still attending school, their level of study was recorded as their current year of schooling, not their non-school qualification. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 46 A number of Data Cubes (spreadsheets) containing all tables produced for this publication are available from the Downloads tab of the publication. The Data Cubes present tables of estimates and proportions, and their corresponding Relative Standard Errors (RSEs). For all but the first data cube (Tables 1-21: Education and Work), Margins of Error (MOE) are also included. 47 For users who wish to undertake more detailed analysis of the data, the survey microdata will be released through the TableBuilder product. For more details, refer to the TableBuilder information, Microdata: Education and Work, Australia (cat. no. 6227.0.30.001). 48 A Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) was released biennially from 2001 to 2011. A CURF will not be produced for the SEW 2015 data. 49 Special tabulations are available on request. Subject to confidentiality and sampling variability constraints, tabulations can be produced from the survey incorporating data items, populations and geographic areas selected to meet individual requirements. These can be provided in printed or electronic form. All enquiries should be made to the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 50 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated; without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905. PREVIOUS SURVEYS 51 Results of similar surveys have been published in previous issues. These surveys were conducted annually from February 1964 to February 1974, in May 1975 and 1976, in August 1977 and 1978, and annually in May since 1979. Results of previous surveys were published in Transition from Education to Work, Australia (cat. no. 6227.0) from 1964 to 2000. Since May 2001, the results of the survey have been published in Education and Work, Australia (cat. no. 6227.0). CHANGES THIS ISSUE 52 The content of the data cube tables was reviewed after the 2014 publication resulting in some minor changes to tables for this issue. NEXT SURVEY 53 The ABS intends to conduct this survey again in May 2016. RELATED PUBLICATIONS 54 Refer to the Related Information tab for other ABS publications which may be of interest. 55 Current publications and other products released by the ABS are available from the ABS website. The ABS also issues a daily upcoming release advice on the website that details products to be released in the week ahead. The Education and Training Topics @ a Glance page also contains a range of information and useful resources regarding education statistics. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.
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