As part of this release, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has introduced an improved method of estimation for the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The new method, known as composite estimation, is more efficient than the current estimation method. That is, the composite estimator achieves a given level of standard error at lower cost than the current estimator.
This new estimation method has been introduced with the release of May 2007 labour force statistics in Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). The ABS has also released Labour Force Australia, Spreadsheets (cat. no. 6202.0.55.001) with estimates back to April 2001 revised based on the new estimation method. Also as part of this release, to harmonise our labour force statistics, LFS has re-released Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery(cat. no. 6291.0.55.001), with data up to April 2007, and Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003) with data up to February 2007. The estimates back to April 2001 in these products have been revised based on the new estimation method. These products will then be released again on 14 June 2007 with May 2007 data.
Further information about the change in estimation method for LFS and any likely impacts, is provided in Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics (cat. no. 6292.0) which was released on 21 May 2007.
Data from the monthly Labour Force Survey are released in two stages. The Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) and Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003) are part of the second release, and include detailed data not contained in the Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) product set, which is released one week earlier.
The Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) is released monthly. Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003) includes data only collected in February, May, August and November (including industry and occupation).