PURPOSE
The Main Structure of the ASGC is used to collect and disseminate a broad range of ABS social, demographic and economic statistics. Although the Main Structure is the most widely used and has broad application, the other structures are equally important to their own purposes.
Maps depicting the Main Structure boundaries are provided in Chapter 14.
THE STRUCTURE
The Main Structure has five hierarchical levels at Population Census times, comprising in ascending order: CDs-SLAs-SSDs-SDs-S/Ts. In non-census years, CDs are undefined and the Main Structure thus has only four levels of hierarchy.
In this structure, CDs aggregate to form SLAs, SLAs aggregate to form SSDs and this aggregation principle continues up the remaining hierarchical levels. At each hierarchical level, the component spatial units (e.g. SLAs) collectively cover all of Australia (as defined in Chapter 1) without gaps or overlaps.
Tables
Details of the Main Structure are shown in the following tables in Chapter 13 - The Classification Structures:
(showing three hierarchical levels: S/T-SD-SSD)
Example:
S/T | SD | SSD | |
1 | | | NEW SOUTH WALES |
| 10 | | Hunter |
| | 05 | Newcastle |
| | 10 | Hunter SD Bal |
(showing four hierarchical levels: S/T-SD-SSD-SLA)
Example: