Introduction

The ABS is currently conducting a review of Australian Labour Market Statistics(cat. no. 6105.0). We are seeking your comments on the usefulness of the articles and tables in this publication. This paper briefly provides some background to the publication's development and describes the current content. An excel spreadsheet is attached to this document in which you may provide your comments.


Background

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) undertook a review of its dissemination practices for labour force statistics in late 2001. After extensive consultation with users the monthly Labour Force, Australia(cat. no. 6203.0) publication was discontinued and replaced with the quarterly publication Australian Labour Market Statistics(cat. no. 6105.0).

First released in April 2003, Australian Labour Market Statistics is the flagship release for ABS labour statistics. It is a compendium publication which draws together data from a range of sources, using ABS household and business surveys to provide an overall picture of the labour market.

The original purpose of the publication was to raise awareness of the ABS data available. Since then, the environment in which Australian Labour Market Statistics was designed has changed. With the introduction of free publications and data products via the ABS website, and more than four years on from its initial release, it is timely to review the content and future direction of Australian Labour Market Statistics.


Current contents

Australian Labour Market Statistics includes a labour market overview; feature articles; recent releases; spotlights; labour market data and additional information. The following information is a brief description of the current components within the Australian Labour Market Statistics publication:

• Labour market overview

The overview features labour statistics news and promotes upcoming statistical releases. A key measures table provides a summary of the labour market, as do a number of graphs.

• Feature articles

This section generally contains one or more feature articles, both analytical and technical, relating to a labour market issue. Articles published in Australian Labour Market Statistics have primarily been targeted at the 'intelligent non-expert' audience, and aim to assist users' understanding of labour issues through the analysis of relevant data. Articles are also used to promote the range of labour market available in the ABS.

• Recent releases

These articles are designed to publicise recently released supplementary surveys or Multi-Purpose Household Survey topics. They may include some additional analysis to that in the survey publication summary of findings.

• Spotlights

These are short articles that focus on a technical or analytical data issue. They are also used as a vehicle to announce data updates e.g. Measures of labour underutilisation, and Employment type spreadsheets.

• Labour market data

The 33 tables include a mix of time series and point-in-time data mainly sourced from ABS household and business surveys. A table showing international data, sourced from the International Labour Organisation, is also included. Most of the tables are sourced from the following ABS collections:

1. Labour Force Survey
2. Job Vacancies Survey
3. Survey of Average Weekly Earnings
4. Industrial Disputes
5. Survey of Employment and Earnings
6. Labour Price Index
7. Australian National Accounts

• Additional information

The publication contains the following additional information: Explanatory Notes; Data sources for tables; Related publications; and a Glossary.


User feedback

ABS is seeking your feedback. An excel spreadsheet is attached below in which you may provide your comments.



The spreadsheet contains two worksheets as below:

• Comments on articles:contains a set of questions for each type of article. The questions in this worksheet are designed to identify which articles are being utilised by users, how they are being used and any suggestions for improvement.
  
• Comments on tables:contains a question to determine which tables clients use. It also provides the opportunity for more detailed comments.

All users of ABS labour statistics are encouraged to provide feedback. Your comments will greatly assist in determining the future content and direction of Australian Labour Market Statistics.


Further comments

Although the main focus of the review will be in determining the relevance of tables and articles within Australian Labour Market Statistics,the ABS is also interested in obtaining additional feedback on the following:

• What aspects of Australian Labour Market Statistics do you find most/least useful?

• Is the current content appropriate for your needs?

• Are the key aspects of the Australian labour market covered in the publication?

Further comments can be made in the spreadsheet at the bottom of the Comments on articles worksheet.

Please complete and return the spreadsheet to Catherine Toet <c.toet@abs.gov.au> by Friday 27 July, 2007. Alternatively, if you would prefer to mail your comments, then please send them to:

Catherine Toet
Labour Market Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10
BELCONNEN ACT 2616


Contact information

If you require any further information regarding the review of Australian Labour Market Statistics(cat. no. 6105.0), or wish to clarify any of the information being sought in the spreadsheet, please contact Catherine Toet on Canberra (02) 6252 7636 or email <c.toet@abs.gov.au>.