1100.2 - Statistics Victoria (Newsletter), Issue 1, 2004

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/05/2004

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Newsletter About this release	In this issue Australia in Profile: Outer S.E. Melbourne Case Study Australia's Youth Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand General Social Survey, Victoria Characteristics of Wage and Salary Earners in Regions of Australia Schools, Australia Australia Online, how Australians are Using Computers and the Internet Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia Internet Activity, Australia Real Estate Services, Australia Measures of Australia's Progress Micro-Dynamics of Change in Australian Agriculture Criminal Courts, Australia Prisoners in Australia Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia National Regional Profile Classification and Framework Issues Other selected releases ABS statistical training Points of contact Selected recent and expected releases 2032.0 Census of Population and Housing: Australia in Profile - A Regional Analysis, 2001. Released 16/1/04. This social report uses information collected in the 2001 Census of Population and Housing. It consists of seven chapters, each discussing a different topic of social interest and concern, and two regional case studies. In the body of the chapters, data is presented at the Statistical Subdivision (SSD) level within Melbourne, and at the Statistical Division (SD) level elsewhere in Victoria. In addition, the indicator tables following each chapter also present data for Statistical Districts (population centres outside of Melbourne), and as a Victorian total. One case study is on South Eastern Outer Melbourne (SSD): incorporating the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire, around 45 km from the city centre. Some points of interest follow: In June 2001, South Eastern Outer Melbourne (SSD) was home to an estimated 228,600 people, with 27% born overseas. Between 1996 and 2001, the region experienced one of the highest population growth rates in Australia. The average annual growth rate of 3.6% was three times that of Melbourne (SD) (1.1%). The only other SSD in Melbourne with comparable growth was Melton-Wyndham (SSD) (3.7%). In 1996, Casey (C) - Berwick and Casey (C) - Cranbourne both had population densities of just under 550 people per square kilometre; and by 2001, this had increased to 812 and 614 people per square kilometre, respectively. In 2001, the region had a relatively young age profile with a median age of 32 years, compared with 36 years for Australia as a whole. Of families living in the region, almost half (48%) were couple families with dependent children, while 11% were one-parent families with dependent children. The number of one-parent families with dependent children grew by 34% between 1996 and 2001. Between 1996 and 2001, over 9,500 dwellings (15% increase) were added in the region. As measured by the 2001 census, 5.8% of the region's labour force were unemployed, lower than for Melbourne (SD) (6.8%). In 2001, 94% of people living in the region used a private motor vehicle for the journey to work, compared with 85% for Melbourne (SD) as a whole. Only 6% of residents used public transport to get to work, compared with 13% of Melbourne (SD) residents overall. Median individual income in the region was $415 per week, slightly higher than the Melbourne (SD) median of $405 and Australian median of $375. Median household income was $913 per week. Contact Marelle Rawson on Canberra (02) 6252 7187 or email <marelle.rawson @abs.gov.au>. Back to top 2059.0 Census of Population and Housing: Australia's Youth, 2001. Released 5/2/04. The characteristics of youth (15 to 24 years) are explored in detail. It provides a snapshot of young people across a range of areas of social concern, exploring issues such as: Indigenous and cultural background, ancestry, language proficiency, family relationships, participation in education and the labour force, income levels, and use of computers and the Internet. The publication includes a feature article exploring the mobility patterns of youth. In addition, selected regional data (at the Statistical Division level) are available. Some youth facts for Victoria include: In 2001, there were 633,100 people aged 15–24 years, equating to 14% of the Victorian population. Victoria recorded the highest proportion (80%) of overseas-born youth from a non-main English speaking background, and was above the national level (71%). 58% of Victorian youth attended an educational institution in 2001, higher than the national rate of 53%. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of Victorian youth used a computer at home in the week preceding the census, slightly above the national rate of 59%. Further information can be obtained from the Children and Youth statistics theme page on the ABS website: select 'Themes' from the homepage menu. Contact Carrington Shepherd on (08) 9360 5255 or email <carrington.shepherd@abs.gov.au>. Back to top 3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand, 2002-03. Released 12/03/2004. The largest annual population growth in 2002-03 was in Queensland (up 85,800 people), Victoria (up 60,200 people) and New South Wales (up 52,500 people). The estimated resident population of Victoria at June 2003 was 4.9 million. Victoria's annual growth rate of 1.2% in 2002-03 was equal to the average annual growth rate for 1998–2003. Net overseas migration added 33,800 people to Victoria's population, natural increase 26,300 people and net interstate migration 30 people. At June 2003 there were an estimated 3.6 million people resident in Melbourne Statistical Division (SD), representing an increase of 46,600 people (or 1.3%), since June 2002. Melbourne SD accounted for 77% of Victoria's population growth between June 2002 and June 2003. The balance of Victoria's population increased by 13,500 people (or 1.0%) to 1.4 million people. The regional centres of Albury-Wodonga (statistical district), Greater Geelong (C), Greater Bendigo (C) and Ballarat (C) continued to gain population. The largest growth in Victoria from June 2002 to June 2003 has continued to be located in the outer suburban fringe of Melbourne SD. Casey (C) experienced the largest LGA population growth, increasing by 10,900 people (or 5.7%); and Wyndham (C) increased by 7,300 people (or 7.9%). Melton (S), with an annual growth rate of 11.8%, was the fastest growing LGA in Victoria, recording a population increase of 6,900 people. The LGA of Melbourne (C) continued to grow between 2002–03, increasing by 4,200 people (or 7.9%). The largest decline in population occurred in Whitehorse (C) and Monash (C), down 800 and 600 people respectively. Contact Victoria Smith on Canberra (02) 6252 7883 or email <victoria.smith@abs.gov.au>.` Back to top 4159.2.55.001 General Social Survey, Victoria, 2002 Released 21/1/04. This product contains summary results for Victoria from the 2002 General Social Survey (GSS). Topics include health, housing, education, work, income, financial stress, assets and liabilities, transport, family and community, and crime. This product is comprised of summary tables for different population groups and selected themes, together with more detailed cross classified tables covering selected topics. This data cube in Excel spreadsheet format presents 28 tables on Victoria. Some findings follow: Of Victoria's 3,663,000 adults (aged 18 years or more), 95% had at least weekly contact with family or friends they are not living with. This level of contact varied little across age groups or between men and women. Most adults (93%) felt that in a time of crisis they could get support from people outside of their household, with support coming mainly from family and friends. There were 119,000 people with one or both partners having children under 15 years of age living away from them. Some 82% of people with children under 15 years living away from them were providing child support payments. One-third (33%) of adults undertook voluntary work in the 12 months prior to the survey, with the rate of volunteering highest in the 35 to 44 years age group (44%). Volunteering rates were lower in major cities (30%) than elsewhere. The most common potentially stressful situations reported in the preceding year were: serious illness (21% of adults); death (20%); inability to obtain a job (13%); divorce or separation (11%); mental illness (8%); and alcohol or other drug related problems (7%). 14% of adult Victorians reported being unable to raise $2,000 within a week for something important, and 13% reported being unable to pay electricity, gas or telephone bills on time due cash flow issues. Contact Alan Wong on Canberra (02) 6252 6717 or email <alan.wong@abs.gov.au>. Back to top 6261.0.55.001 Characteristics of Wage and Salary Earners in Regions of Australia, 2000-01. Released 05/03/2004. This Excel format data cube presents regional estimates on characteristics of wage and salary earners for 2000-01 using the Remoteness Structure contained in the Australian Standard Geographical Classification, 2001. Data describes the characteristics of employees living in urban, regional and remote parts of Australia. The data also highlight different earning levels of employees in the same occupations across regions. Estimates of the number of wage and salary earners and their characteristics; including age, sex, occupation and income have been compiled from the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) Individual Income Tax Return Database. Data is at state level with remoteness areas. The five remoteness areas are Major Cities, Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote and Very Remote. In Victoria during 2000-01: Major cities (Melbourne and Geelong) held 1,443,249 wage and salary earners earning an average $36,387 per annum (or median $31,903), inner regional areas 355,513 earning an average $30,511 (or median $27,938), and outer regional areas had 78,785 earning an average $27,444 (or median $25,410). Some 31.9% of wage and salary earners in Victorian major cities earned $41,600 or more, compared with 18.0% in outer regional areas. Contact Mark Nowosilskyj on (08) 8237 7358 or email <mark.now@abs.gov.au> Back to top 4221.0 Schools, Australia, 2003. Released 24/2/04. In August 2003, there were 819,103 full-time school students in Victoria, 65.4% of whom attended government schools. Over the period 1993 to 2003, the number of full-time students attending Victorian government schools grew by 1.7%, while non-government schools increased by 13.1%. There were 3,992 part-time school students in 2003, a decrease of 4.4% since 2002, and 45.6% higher than in 1998. There were 2,312 schools in Victoria, of which 1,615 (69.9%) were government and 697 (30.1%) non-government. There were 1,668 primary schools, 364 secondary, 185 combined primary/secondary schools, and 95 special schools. The number of combined primary/secondary schools has grown 49.2% in the 10 years to 2003, with combined schools now representing 8.0% of all Victorian schools. Over the last decade, the apparent retention rate (of full-time students) from Year 10 to Year 12 increased for Victorian males from 72.7% to 77.4% in 2003, and for females rose from 85.9% to 88.4%. In 2003, the apparent retention rate (full-time students) from Year 10 to Year 12 was 77.3% for government schools, compared with 91.8% for non-government schools. The ratio of full-time equivalent students to teachers in Victorian government schools was 16.2 students in primary and 12.1 students in secondary school. In non-government schools it was 16.5 students in primary and 12.0 students in secondary school. The publication has tables at state level. Contact Leo Stinson on Canberra (02) 6252 7793 or email <leo.stinson@abs.gov.au>. Back to top 2056.0 Australian Census Analytic Program: Australia online, how Australians are using computers and the internet, 2001. Rachel Lloyd & Anthea Bill, University of Canberra. Released 12/1/04. This paper examines the socio-economic and regional characteristics of users of home computers and the Internet in Australia using data from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing, the first to collect such information. It examines patterns of use at a national level for a range of socioeconomic variables. It identifies groups that are not connected. In Victoria, postal areas (POAs) with the highest concentrations of home computer and Internet users were predominately located in the Melbourne metropolitan region. However, POAs in the top quintiles were scattered through the state, though mainly around major regional centres such as Geelong, Wodonga, Shepparton, Bendigo and Ballarat. Similarly, POAs with low concentrations of home computer and Internet users were spread widely through the rest of the state, but were slightly more likely in the areas most distant from Melbourne. Within the metropolitan area, the inner Melbourne suburbs and those to the north and east of the city tended to have high proportions of users. POAs in the western part of the metropolitan region had low rates of home computer and Internet use, and some were in the lowest quintile for Victoria. For further information about this paper, contact author Rachel Lloyd on Canberra (02) 6201 2764 or email <rachel.lloyd@natsem.canberra.edu.au>. Back to top 8150.0 Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia, June 2002. Released 11/03/2004. The 2001–02 Agricultural Survey was conducted by ABS, in respect of the year ended 30 June 2002. Across non-capital city Statistical Divisions throughout Australia, the proportion of farms using a computer ranged from 38% to 74%, and using the Internet ranged from 28% to 63%. In Victoria: 60% of Victoria's 33,581 farms had access to a computer, up from 37% in March 1998. 47% of farms had access to the Internet, a 37 percentage point increase over 4 years. 49% of farms used a computer and 39% used the Internet as part of their business operations Internet use included: email (33% of all farms), obtaining weather information (25%), checking availability or cost of goods or services (21%), and paying bills (17%). Contact Michael Robertson on Canberra 02 6252 5189 or email <michael.robertson@abs.gov.au>. Back to top 8153.0 Internet Activity, Australia, Sept 2003. Released 20/2/04. Data at the State/Territory level are derived from data provided for POPs (Point of presence or servers), and contains results from all identified Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in Australia at 30 September 2003. There were 667 Australian ISPs supplying Internet access to 5.2 million active subscribers, an increase of 113 ISPs (20%) and 135,000 subscribers (3%) in 6 months. Dial-up subscribers in Australia fell by 85,000 (-2%) in the six months to September 2003, and as a proportion of total subscribers fell below 90% for the first time. Non-dial-up subscribers grew by 220,000 (47%) in 6 months to 690,000. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscribers grew by 163,000 (78%) in 6 months to 372,000. In Victoria: There were 213 ISPs with a presence in Victoria, supplying Internet access to 1.4 million active subscribers. Compared with 6 months earlier, the number of Victorian access lines increased 44.0% to 347,371, and downloaded data increased 41.3% to 1,197 million Mb. Contact Peter Hodgson on Perth (08) 9360 5367 or email <peter.hodgson@abs.gov.au>. Back to top 8663.0 Real estate services, Australia, 2002-03. Electronic delivery. Released 22/4/04. The main focus of the survey was on understanding the composition of the income earned by real estate services businesses, details of expenses incurred and the characteristics of the workforce. A state dimension is also presented. The survey scope included employing businesses in Australia that generated income predominantly from real estate services. Real estate services included: valuing, purchasing, selling, and managing or renting real estate for others. In Australia at the end of June 2003, there were 10,001 real estate services businesses operating. Combined, these businesses employed 76,599 persons and generated income of $7,524.7 million, representing an average $98,200 per person employed. In Victoria at end of June 2003, the survey estimated there were: 1,446 real estate agent businesses, comprising: 610 franchised agents (employing 6,565 persons across 809 locations), and 836 non-franchised agents (employing 8,310 persons across 1,063 locations). These 1,446 businesses had a total income of $1.3 billion, and paid $609.6 million in wages and salaries. Contact Marie Apostolou on Melbourne (03) 9615 7465 or email marie.apostolou@abs.gov.au. Back to top 1370.0 Measures of Australia's Progress, 2004. Released 21/4/04. This report covers 15 headline 'dimensions of progress', that span Australia's economy, society and environment. Headline indicators are used to summarise progress in the key dimensions, while supplementary indicators, dimensions and commentary flesh out the progress story. Supplementary essays on multiple disadvantage, progress indicators in other countries, population, participation and productivity provide additional information. Contact Jon Hall, Analysis Branch, ABS on Canberra (02) 6252 7221 or email <jon.hall@abs.gov.au>. Back to top 2055.0 Australian Census Analytic Program: The Micro-Dynamics of Change in Australian Agriculture, 1976–2001. Released 9/2/04. Authored by Neil Barr, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. This report is about the changing demographic structure of Australia’s farm community. It examines patterns of entry and exit to agriculture, and uses these to build a simple farm sector model. Particular attention is paid to the low recruitment rate of younger persons into agriculture. The model is used to project possible future farming population structures. The report contains choropoleth maps of Australia at SLA level (eg. sub-LGA). Contact the author, Neil Barr, on Melbourne (03) 5430 4439. Back to top 4513.0 Criminal Courts, Australia, 2002-03. Released 25/2/04. Data is sourced from the national Criminal Courts collection conducted by ABS. This publication presents nationally comparable statistics relating to criminal jurisdiction of the Higher (Supreme and Intermediate) Courts across Australia for the year 2002–03. Magistrates' Criminal Courts data are also available on an experimental basis in an appendix. During 2002-03, for the higher courts in Victoria: 1,990 defendants were adjudicated. The largest adjudication types were robbery, extortion and related offences (381 defendants), acts intended to cause injury (372), and sexual assault and related offences (202). Across all offence categories: 7.7% were acquitted, 6.6% had a guilty verdict, and 85.7% had a guilty plea. Sentence types across all offence categories were: custody in corrections/community (54.3%), fully suspended sentence (21.2%), and non-custodial orders (18.5%). The median duration from date of initiation to finalisation was 22.1 weeks for guilty pleas, 46.3 weeks for acquittals, 53.7 weeks for guilty verdicts. Contact <crime.justice@abs.gov.au> or call (03)9615 7381. Back to top 4517.0 Prisoners in Australia, 2003. Released 22/1/04. This publication presents national statistics on prisoners who were in custody on 30 June 2003. These statistics provide indicators on the characteristics of prisoners, sentencing lengths, and offences for which offenders are imprisoned, and provide a basis for measuring change over time. At 30 June, 2003, Victorian data showed: 3,763 prisoners: 3,482 male (92.5%) and 281 female (7.5%). There were 174 Indigenous prisoners. 3,068 prisoners were sentenced (81.5%) and 695 unsentenced (18.5%). Nationally, 20.5% were unsentenced. 98.3 persons per 100,000 adult population were imprisoned, compared with 153.4 persons nationally, the lowest rate for any state or territory. Victorian males (186.6 per 100,000 males) had a higher imprisonment rate than females (14.3 per 100,000 females). 59.1% of prisoners had a maximum/minimum type sentence, 21.2% a fixed term, and 18.5% were unsentenced. The median age of prisoners was 35.2 years, and the median aggregate sentence length was 3.0 years. 21.5% of prisoners were serving less than 1 year sentences, 43.7% 1 to less than 5 years, and 21.2% 5 to less than 10 years, and 12.1% 10+ years. Contact <crime.justice@abs.gov.au> or call (03)9615 7381. Back to top 7501.0 Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2002-03, Preliminary. Released 28/1/04. This publication contains preliminary information on the gross value of production for principal agricultural commodities for all states and Australia; with final estimates to be released September 2004. In 2002–03, the preliminary estimate of gross value of Australian agricultural commodities produced fell by 17% to $33.0 billion. The prolonged drought saw decreases in the gross values of all major categories of agricultural production (crops, livestock slaughterings, and livestock products), with significant falls in production levels partly offset by increases in price for some commodities. During 2002–03 in Victoria, the preliminary gross value of agricultural commodities was $7.6 billion: Crops accounted for $3.0 billion. Livestock slaughterings and other disposals were valued at $2.2 billion. Livestock products (wool, milk and eggs) were valued at $2.4 billion. Contact Geoff Ellerton on Hobart (03) 6222 5856 or email geoff.ellerton@abs.gov.au. Back to top National Regional Profile The National Regional Profile (NRP) facility on the ABS website was released on Friday 19 March 2004. The NRP is a free, web based product, which allows clients to download an Excel spreadsheet containing a range of indicator information for a standard area of their choice. Information is available for Local Government Areas, Statistical Local Areas, Statistical Subdivisions, Statistical Divisions, States/Territories, and Australia. In a manner similar to Census Basic Community Profiles, users can use a drill-down map facility or choose their selected region's name from a pick-list. The NRP combines a range of ABS and non-ABS information such as population, births and deaths, remoteness, unemployment, income support customer numbers, wage and salary earners, new vehicle sales and building approvals. This first version of NRP contains data for only one year (latest was June 2002). The next version, expected to be released early in 2005, will contain a five year time series for each region. It is also anticipated that the suite of indicators will grow over time. The NRP does not, however, contain data from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing (the SEIFA score aside). Information from the Census remains available free through the 2001 Census Page on the ABS website. A link is available from the NRP. The NRP can be accessed free from the ABS website home page (www.abs.gov.au) by selecting: themes > regional statistics > national regional profile. ABS@ users can access the National Regional Profiles from the 'Products and Information' section on the front page of ABS@. Contact Mark Taylor in Melbourne on (03) 9615 7582 or email <mark.a.taylor@abs.gov.au>. Back to top Classification and framework issues 1209.0 Information paper: mesh blocks, 2003. Released 16/3/04. The ABS proposes to overcome the shortcomings of Census Collection Districts (CD) as a dissemination unit by developing a new micro-level geographic unit known as a Mesh Block. Mesh Blocks will contain a minimum of 20 to 50 households (about one fifth the size of a CD) and be created to align with a wide range of administrative and natural boundaries. After the 2006 Census, very basic census data will be available at Mesh Block level, perhaps only number of dwellings and population counts; but a range of census data will be available for combinations of Mesh Blocks to meet clients' individual needs. Once designed and available, Mesh Blocks have the potential to become a new building block of Australian geography. For Mesh Blocks to fulfil their potential, it is vital that State and Local Governments inform the ABS on how to define Mesh Blocks in a way that would maximise their use. Feedback on the Information Paper is sought before the end of June 2004. Contact Frank Blanchfield on Canberra (02) 6252 7759 or <frank.blanchfield@abs.gov.au>. 1378.0 Information paper: measuring social capital - An Australian framework and indicators, 2004. Released 11/2/04. There is as yet no internationally agreed framework of what constitutes social capital, how it accumulates in society, or how to measure it. Following extensive consultation, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has developed a broad conceptual framework for statistics on social capital. It is a multi-dimensional concept; and those interested in education or public health may focus on different areas from those interested in community renewal. While the framework has relevance for economic relationships, the indicators are primarily focused on social rather than economic relationships. Readers interested in social capital's role in the economy are referred to the publication Discussion Paper: Measuring a knowledge-based economy and society — an Australian framework (cat. no. 1375.0). The social capital framework is one of a number of social and cross-cutting frameworks developed by the ABS to describe how various statistics relate to each other. Measuring wellbeing: frameworks for Australian social statistics (cat. no. 4160.0) draws social statistics together, while Measures of Australia's progress (cat. no. 1370.0) provides a set of economic, social and environmental progress indicators. Contact Elisabeth Davis on (02) 6252 7880 or email <elisabeth.davis@abs.gov.au>. 4522.0.55.001 Information paper: measuring crime victimisation in Australia: the impact of different collection methodologies. Released 5/2/04. The paper includes: an outline of national crime victimisation statistics available from several different sources, comparisons between statistics from these sources, methodological differences between survey sources, and possible impacts of methodological differences between survey vehicles. The paper focuses predominately on survey methodology. However, references are also made to differences between survey and administrative data. Two ABS administrative collections were utilised in the paper: Recorded crime - victims, Australia (cat. no. 4510.0), and Causes of death (cat. no. 3303.0). Statistics from four national survey collections were also included: Crime and safety, 2002 (cat. no. 4509.0), General social survey, 2002 (cat. no. 4159.0), Women's safety survey, 1996 (cat. no. 4128.0), and International crime victims survey, 2000. The Information Paper is available on the ABS web site (see back page). Contact email <crime.justice@abs.gov.au>. Back to top Other selected releases: 1101.0 Catalogue of publications and products, 2004. Released 29/4/04. 1269.0 Standard Australian classification of countries (SACC), 1998 (Revision 2.02). Released 5/4/04. 1301.0 Year book, Australia, 2004. Released 27/2/04. 1351.0 Working papers in econometrics and applied statistics: No. 2003/3, sixth joint project on use of information and communications technologies (ICT); adopters and non-adopters of ICT in the Australian economy: experimental results based on a linked data file for 1999-2000. Released 26/2/04. 1353.0 Integrated regional data base (IRDB), Australia, 2004, CD-ROM. Released 5/4/04. 1367.2 State and regional indicators, Victoria, Mar qtr 2004. Released 10/5/04. 2024.0.30.001 Census of population and housing: CLIB, Australia, 2001 Final, CD-ROM. Released 17/3/04. 2039.0.55.001 Census of population and housing: socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA), Australia - technical paper, 2001, electronic delivery. New issue. Released 20/1/04. 2052.0 Australian census analytic program: Indigenous Australians in the contemporary labour market, 2001. New issue. Released 20/1/04. 3320.0 Deaths from external causes, Australia, 1998 - 2003. New issue. Released 6/2/04. 4130.0.55.001 Housing occupancy and costs, Australia, 2000-01. Released 21/04/2004 4819.0.55.00 Asthma in Australia: a snapshot, 2001. Electronic delivery. New issue. 4901.0 Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia, April 2003. Released 30/1/04. 5362.0.55.001 A guide to Australian balance of payments and international investment position statistics. Released 02/04/2004. 5506.0 Taxation revenue, Australia, 2002-03. Released 1/4/04. 5512.0 Government finance statistics, Australia. Released 01/04/2004. 5675.0 Experimental estimates, regional small business statistics, Australia, 1995-96 to 2000-01. Released 2/2/04. 6310.0 Employee earnings, benefits and trade union membership, Australia, Aug 2003. Released 11/3/04 (annual) 7121.0.55.002 Agricultural survey, apples and pears, Australia, 2002-03. New issue. Released 26/03/2004 8127.0 Characteristics of Small Businesses, Australia. Released 28/4/04. 8129.0 Business use of information technology, 2002-03. Released 17/03/2004. Free access to ABS publications. People working in Victorian government agencies and local government offices should be able to access ABS publications at no cost from their desktop PCs using the ABS@ facility. ABS@ has: all ABS publications from 1998 onwards in pdf format, 2001 Community Profiles at all geographic levels, time series spreadsheets in Excel format, and datacubes in SuperTable format, which allow users to construct tables to suit their requirements. In local government, the council's extranet coordinator must register a person as a user. In state government agencies, access to ABS@ is through the Victorian state government intranet (or Lotus Notes in some Departments), on the index page using the research and information button; with no registration required. For further information contact Heather Burns, Manager, ABS Information Consultancy Section on 03 9615 7976 or email: <heather.burns@abs.gov.au>. Email is the preferred mode of contact. Back to top ABS statistical training, May to December 2004 The ABS provides a range of statistical training courses for developing the skills needed to undertake high quality statistical collections and statistical analysis in government agencies. Understanding Demographic Data. Demographic statistics are increasingly significant in policy and planning, especially with respect to migration and population movements in rural and regional areas. This seminar provides an awareness of ABS demographic data; as well as introducing techniques to enable comparison of data across regions over time. A 1 day course 18 May 2004. May be offered in the second half of 2004: contact Maxine (below) to register interest. Course fee: $350 ($325 if booking is made 20 days in advance). Turning Data Into Information (TDII). Develops skills in interpreting, communicating and displaying data clearly and effectively. A 2 day course 17-18 June, 2004. Course fee: $600 ($550 if booking is made 20 days in advance). Basic Statistical Analysis (BSA). Develops skills in basic statistical and graphical data analysis techniques. A 2 day course 7-8 September, 2004. Course fee: $600 ($550 if booking is made 20 days in advance). Making Quality Informed Decisions. Introduces the concept of 'wholistic quality' through the use of a data quality framework for a statistical collection, which enables users to assess the set of statistics for fitness for purpose. A 2 day course 18-19 November, 2004. Course fee: $600 ($550 if booking is made 20 days in advance). Lunch is provided with these training courses. For further information or to register, please contact Maxine McDermott on (03) 9615-7080 or email <maxine.mcdermott@abs.gov.au>. Back to top POINTS OF CONTACT Victorian Statistics Advisory Committee (VSAC) VSAC is a major forum for statistical liaison between Victorian Government Agencies and the ABS. The following group of departmental representatives meets 2-3 times each year. Departmental Representatives Department of Treasury and Finance VSAC Chairperson To be advised, pending Dr Kirby's departure. Department of Premier and Cabinet Mark Burford 9651 2486 Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Patrick Webb 9651 9349 Department of Education and Training George McLean 9637 3758 Department of Human Services Victoria Dr Robert Brazenor 9616-6111 Department of Justice Robert Eldridge 9651 6921 Department of Infrastructure Fotios Spiridonos 9655 8536 Department for Victorian Communities Dr David Adams 9208 3833 Dept of Sustainability and Environment John Hanna 9655 6548 Dept of Primary Industries Gary Stoneham 9637 8344 ABS Victoria Vince Lazzaro 9615 7345 Contact Points for ABS Victoria Dial-a-Statistics 1900 986 400 ($0.77 per minute) National Information and Referral Service Telephone: 1300 135 070 Fax: 1300 135 211 email: <client.services@abs.gov.au> Library and Information Services Level 5, CGU Tower, 485 LaTrobe Street Melbourne Vic 3001 Postal Address GPO Box 2796Y Melbourne Vic 3001 ABS Website <www.abs.gov.au> Regional director ABS Victoria Vince Lazzaro Telephone: (03) 9615 7345 Fax: 03 9615 7387 Email: <julianne.patterson@abs.gov.au> State Government Liaison Officers Janet Creaney Telephone: (03) 9615 7607 Fax: (03) 9615 7002 email: <j.creaney@abs.gov.au> Catherine Andersson Telephone: (03) 9615 7860 Fax: (03) 9615 7002 email: <catherine.andersson@abs.gov.au> Statistics Victoria Editor Alan Page Telephone: (03) 9615 7899 email: <alan.page@abs.gov.au> Spread the news electronically Copies of Statistics Victoria are available free for electronic dissemination. There are two ways to access an electronic copy of the newsletter: 1. Elect to receive your copy of this newsletter in PDF format by contacting Alan Page on (03) 9615-7899 or email <alan.page@abs.gov.au>. The ABS encourages further dissemination of this newsletter through email, or by its placement on your organisation's intranet. 2. From the ABS Web site (<http.//www.abs.gov.au>): choose News from the menu bar, then go to Newsletters. You can access current and previous copies of Statistics Victoria, as well as many other ABS newsletters. Back to top Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.