NAME OF COLLECTION
Household Expenditure Survey
Contact
Contact Officer
Income, Expenditure and Housing Section
Australian Bureau of Statistics
PO Box 10
BELCONNEN ACT 2616
Telephone: Canberra 02 6252 7031
Facsimile: Canberra 02 6252 6870
Email: client.services@abs.gov.au
Internet: www.abs.gov.au
Purpose
To measure the levels and patterns of expenditure on commodities and services by households in Australia.
Description
The Household Expenditure Survey (HES) collects detailed information about the expenditure, income and household characteristics of a sample of households resident in private dwellings throughout Australia. The 1998--99 survey comprised a sample of 6,893 households. Information on income, personal and household characteristics, and irregular or infrequent expenditure are collected by personal interview. In addition, household members keep diaries in which they record all their expenditure during a two-week period.
Data Detail
Weekly household expenditure by all or a specific group of households on detailed items within the following broad categories:
- Current housing costs (selected dwellings);
- Domestic fuel and power;
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages;
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Tobacco products;
- Clothing and footwear;
- Household furnishings and equipment;
- Household services and operation;
- Medical care and health expenses;
- Transport;
- Recreation;
- Personal care; and
- Miscellaneous goods and services.
In relation to tourism, data are available for household expenditure on domestic and overseas holidays, including the amount spent on fares and petrol.
Geographic Coverage
Data from the HES is available at National, State and Capital City / other urban / rural level.
Frequency of Data Availability
The HES is conducted about every five years. The latest survey was conducted from July 1998 to June 1999.
Historical Data
Data are available for 1974-75, 1975-76, 1984, 1988-89, 1993-94, and 1998-99.
Note: Data for 1974-75 were collected from households in capital cities only (excluding Darwin). Data for subsequent surveys were collected from households in capital city, other urban and rural areas. The first two surveys collected information on fewer goods and services than those from 1984 and subsequent surveys.
Products and Services Available
Publications
Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: User Guide (cat. no. 6527.0).
Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Summary of Results (cat. no. 6530.0).
Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Detailed Expenditure Items (cat. no. 6535.0).
Other
Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) on CD-ROM (cat. no. 6544.0.30.001).
Special data services are available on request.
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