WELCOME

Introduction and News
Release of CDATA Online
CURF Microdata Access


INTRODUCTION AND NEWS

Welcome to the November 2008 edition of Age Matters. This newsletter provides information on the latest ABS news, releases on age-related statistics, latest findings and upcoming events.

This edition we are particularly pleased to draw your attention to the recent release of CDATA Online. This tool represents a major step forward in the way the ABS makes statistical data available to our clients and we hope you find it useful. More information on CDATA Online is provided below.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Age Matters.

Graeme Thompson
Director
Family and Community Statistics
RELEASE OF CDATA ONLINE

2006 CDATA Online (cat. no. 2064.0) is an online tool which combines information on Australian society from the 2006 Census, with web graphing and mapping capability. CDATA Online allows you to create your own tables of Census data on a range of different topics such as - age, education, housing, income, transport, religion, ethnicity, occupation and more. This free online product allows you to create tables, maps and graphs of Census characteristics for all ABS geographic areas.

The product is designed to provide clients with a high degree of freedom in selecting and combining the geographical areas most suited to their needs. You can access data for areas as small as a Collection District (approximately 225 households) or as large as an entire state or territory or all of Australia. CDATA Online allows you the freedom to select and combine areas that interest you by creating your own customised geographic areas.

With CDATA Online you are able to cross-tabulate chosen Census data variables to produce a table which can also be viewed as a graph or a thematic map. Predetermined basic tables are available for selection based on broad topics via a topic list. Once a table has been created it can be further customised by adding and removing data items and geographic areas, and by creating custom data groups. Graphs and maps created in CDATA Online can be downloaded in a variety of formats, while registered users can also save created tables within CDATA Online for future retrieval. CURF MICRODATA ACCESS

CURF Microdata News, Aug 2008 (cat. no. 1104.0) announced a number of developments designed to improve the CURF application process and to ease the administrative load on CURF Contact Officers and Responsible Officers. These developments include the CURF tool kits to be released on the website in September; on-line CURF application forms for release in November; and new simplified CURF Undertakings in preparation. You can find more about these developments on the website.

ABS is also developing a system which will streamline the CURF application process. This system will provide on-line application forms to replace the paper forms currently used to apply for access to CURFs. CURF Contact Officers will be able to manage existing registered CURFs, new CURF registrations and renewals from their desktop. If there is something you would like to see included in this system email your ideas through to microdata.access@abs.gov.au.