The Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) is used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the collection and dissemination of geographically classified statistics. It is an essential reference for understanding and interpreting the geographical context of statistics published by the ABS. The ABS also encourages the use of the ASGC by other organisations to improve the comparability and usefulness of statistics generally.
This edition of the ASGC introduces significant changes to the Classification which will provide a wider analytical scope for geographically classified statistics. The changes are the result of recommendations from the Review of the ASGC conducted during 1996–97 and subsequent development of a broad classification of Remoteness.
The ASGC now provides seven hierarchies of geographical areas. Each structure is designed to suit different statistical purposes. This edition is current at the time of the 2001 Census of Population and Housing and therefore has all seven structures defined. The Main, Statistical Region, Section of State and Remoteness structures each cover the whole of Australia, while the Local Government Area, Statistical District and Urban Centre and Locality structures each cover only part of Australia. The Urban Centre and Locality and the Section of State structures were last defined in the ASGC 1996 Edition and will next be defined in 2006. Similarly the Remoteness Structure, which is introduced for the first time in this edition, will only be defined in Census editions.
This publication is the first part of a three volume set of statistical geography publications relating to the 2001 Census of Population and Housing. The other two volumes Statistical Geography: Volume 2 - Census Geographic Areas Australia (2905.0) and Statistical Geography: Volume 3 - Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) Urban Centres/Localities (2909.0) will be published progressively between July and December 2002.
Any inquiries regarding the Classification, or suggestions for its improvement, can be made by contacting the Assistant Director, Area Classification, on telephone 02 6252 5888, facsimile 02 6252 8666, e-mail geography@abs.gov.au or by writing to PO Box 10, Belconnen, ACT 2616.
R.W. Edwards
Acting Australian Statistician
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