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	MAIN DATA SOURCES

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Information in this release draws mostly on data from the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS), however it also includes information from the Census of Population and Housing, a number of other surveys conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and from selected administrative data sources. A brief description of the main sources used in this release is provided in the following paragraphs. Terms and concepts used in this release are explained in the Glossary. Additional sources referenced within the articles are included in the corresponding endnotes.


NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SOCIAL SURVEY

The 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) provides information on a range of demographic, social, environmental and economic indicators, including: personal and household characteristics; geography; language and cultural activities; social networks and support; health and disability; education; employment; financial stress; income; transport; personal safety; and housing.

The 2008 NATSISS was conducted from August 2008 to April 2009 and is the third national social survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians conducted by the ABS, building on the 1994 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey (NATSIS) and the 2002 NATSISS.

The survey collected information from approximately 13,300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children living in private dwellings in remote and non-remote areas, including discrete communities. More information on the 2008 NATSISS is available in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey: Users' Guide, 2008 (cat. no. 4720.0).

Several ABS sources have been used in this release for comparisons with the non-Indigenous population, including:

• 2006 General Social Survey (GSS)
• 2007–08 National Health Survey (NHS)
• 2008 and 2009 Surveys of Education and Work (SEW)
• 2007–08 Survey of Income and Housing (SIH)

In some cases, these comparisons are based on age-standardised estimates in order to account for the differences in age structure between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous populations. For more information on age standardisation, see the Glossary. For more information on how the NATSISS compares to these non-Indigneous data sources, see Comparison to other ABS data sources appendix from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2008 summary publication (cat. no. 4714.0).


CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING

The Census of Population and Housing is the largest statistical collection undertaken by the ABS and is conducted every five years. Selected results from the 2006 Census are presented in this release.

The Census is a count of the whole population at a given point in time. As such, it forms the basis of the estimated resident population (ERP); the official measure of the Australian population and each state/territory population. These population estimates are used to determine the number of seats in the House of Representatives for each state and territory, and for the allocation of government funding. In addition, Census information about the characteristics of the population as a whole, and of various sub-populations (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) is used to support the planning, administration and policy development activities of governments, businesses and other users.


NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH SURVEY

The 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) collected information about the health circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, including general health status, health actions taken, and selected lifestyle factors which may influence health outcomes.

The survey was conducted from August 2004 to July 2005 by the ABS. Building on the Indigenous components in the 1995 and 2001 National Health Surveys, the NATSIHS is the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific health survey.

The 2004–05 NATSIHS collected information from 10,400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians of all ages in remote and non-remote areas. More information on the 2004–05 NATSIHS is available in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Users' Guide, 2004–05 (cat. no. 4715.0.55.004)


ABS DEATHS COLLECTION

Deaths, Australia, 2010, presents statistics on deaths and mortality for Australia, states and territories, and sub-state regions. Information on characteristics of the deceased include place of usual residence, age at death, sex, Indigenous status and country of birth. Information is also provided on infant deaths, life expectancy and death rates.

Data refer to deaths registered during the calendar year shown, unless otherwise stated. State or territory relates to state or territory of usual residence, unless otherwise stated.

Populations used in the calculation of death rates for 2006 and earlier years are the final estimated resident population (ERP) by age and sex based on results of the 2006 Census of Population and Housing (2006 Census) and earlier censuses. Death rates for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are calculated using revised 30 June 2007, 2008 and 2009 ERP respectively, while rates for 2010 are calculated using preliminary 30 June 2010 ERP. For more information about about this publication please see 3302.0 - Deaths, Australia, 2010.