QUALITY DECLARATION - SUMMARY

INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Preparation of Australia's migration estimates uses data sourced from a number of other institutional environments.

Estimates of net overseas migration (NOM) are calculated using administrative data compiled by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The main source is incoming and outgoing passenger cards completed by all persons arriving in or departing from Australia. Data from passports and visa (entry permit) applications and approvals are also provided by DIAC's Travel and Immigration Processing System (TRIPS). These three data sources are collected, compiled and matched together by DIAC.

Estimates of net interstate migration (NIM) are calculated using administrative data on interstate changes of address advised to Medicare Australia and to the Department of Defence in the case of the military. The Medicare-based model used for generating post-censal estimates of interstate migration is largely superseded when new Census information becomes available.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census of Population and Housing data are used to determine a base population and provide information on overseas-born residents. For information on the legislative obligations of the ABS, financing and governance arrangements, and mechanisms for scrutiny of ABS operations, please see ABS Institutional Environment.

RELEVANCE

Migration estimates referred to here are a component of population change and therefore a key determinant of the accuracy of the estimated resident population (ERP). The ERP is the official measure of the population of Australia according to a usual residence population concept. It refers to all people, regardless of nationality or citizenship who usually live in Australia, with the exception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. For the purposes of NOM a person is regarded as a usual resident if they have been (or expected to be) residing in Australia for a period of 12 months or more. As from 1 July 2006 this 12 months does not have to be continuous and is measured over a 16 month reference period. Estimates for NOM exclude the movement of operational aircraft and ship's crew.

The data provides information on the flows of migrants into and out of Australia and between the states and territories. It also provides an annual stock take of the number of overseas-born residents. The main demographic variables available for each are:

• Overseas migration - includes age, sex, country of birth and state and territory;
• Interstate migration - includes age, sex, and state and territory; and
• Overseas-born residents - includes age, sex and country of birth (state and territory is only available for Census years).

• Demography Working Paper: 2004/1 Review of Interstate Migration Method (cat.no.3106.0.55.001);
• Population Estimates: Concepts, Sources and Methods (cat.no.3228.0.55.001);
• Information Paper: Evaluation of Administrative Data Sources for Use in Quarterly Estimation of Interstate Migration, 2006 to 2011 (cat.no.3127.0.55.001).
• Information Paper: Improved Methods for Estimating Net Overseas Migration, 2006 (cat.no.3107.0.55.003);
• Information Paper: Statistical Implications of Improved Methods for Estimating Net Overseas Migration, Australia, 2007 (cat.no.3107.0.55.005);
• Information Paper: Improving Net Overseas Migration, Mar 2010 (cat.no.3412.0.55.001);
• Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat.no.1269.0).