4240.0.55.002 - National Early Childhood Education and Care Collection: Data Collection Guide, 2011

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/03/2012 First Issue

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Contents >> Data Element Collection Instructions >> Unit Record Level (URL) Data >> Statistical Entity: Child - URL >> Indigenous Status - URL

INDIGENOUS STATUS

Technical name: Person - Indigenous status, code N
METeOR identifier: 291036
METeOR link: http://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/291036
METeOR definition: Whether a person identifies as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, as represented by a code. This is in accord with the first two of three components of the Commonwealth definition.

Scope
Inclusions: The Indigenous status of the child, for all children enrolled in a preschool program.
Exclusions: Children not enrolled in a preschool program.

Underlying Concepts
Concept: Indigenous status.
Nominal definition: According to the 'The Commonwealth Definition', 'An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which he or she lives'.
There are three components to the Commonwealth definition:

descent;

self-identification; and

community acceptance.

'The Commonwealth Definition' was given in a High Court judgement in the case of Commonwealth v Tasmania (1983) 46 ALR 625.
Operational definition: The Indigenous status of the child, as identified by the child's parent or guardian and recorded on the child's enrolment record.
Conceptual issues:

Nominal and operational definitions of Indigenous status differ because it is infeasible for children in-scope of this collection to self-report. It is also infeasible to collect information on the community acceptance aspect of this definition. Therefore, the child's parent or guardian must be asked to identify the child's Indigenous status on the child's behalf.

Standard Jurisdictional Output Categories
Representation class: Code
Data type: Number
Format: N, for example: 3
Maximum character length: 1
Classification values:

Supplementary values:

2.1.3 LEGAL VALUE CHECKS


	Edit specifications	Edit resolution

1.	If field is blank.	Provide a valid Indigenous code otherwise amend to code ‘9’.

2.	If Indigenous code is not 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 or 9.	Provide a valid Indigenous code.

3.	If field contains text or character length is greater than 1.	Provide a valid Indigenous code.

Guide for Use
Counting rules:

Enter data as recorded on the child's enrolment record, as identified by the child's parent or guardian.

The value 'Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, not further defined' should only to be used in instances where breakdown by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origins are not available. If Indigenous status is only able to be collected at this level for the 2011 collection, the ABS recommends that changes to enrolment forms be made for future cycles to allow collection of this information in accordance with the agreed standards set out in the ECEC NMDS.

Classification Definitions
CODE 1: Aboriginal, but not Torres Strait Islander origin
This code should be used when the child's parent or guardian identifies the child as being of Aboriginal, but not Torres Strait Islander origin.

CODE 2: Torres Strait Islander, but not Aboriginal origin
This code should be used when the child's parent or guardian identifies the child as being of Torres Strait Islander, but not Aboriginal origin.

CODE 3: Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin
This code should be used when the child's parent or guardian identifies the child as being of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.

CODE 4: Neither Aboriginal nor Torres Strait Islander origin
This code should be used when the child's parent or guardian identifies the child as being of neither Aboriginal nor Torres Strait Islander origin.

CODE 8: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander - not further defined
This code should only be used in instances where breakdown by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origins are not available.

CODE 9: Not stated/inadequately described
For use where the child's Indigenous Status is not stated or inadequately described.

Other Information
Related aggregate data elements: Number of Indigenous children attending a preschool program and Number of Indigenous children enrolled in a preschool program.