1136.0 - Directory of Education and Training Statistics, 2007
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 06/07/2007
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Survey of Aspects of Literacy
Scope The survey covered all persons aged 15-74 years who were usual residents of private dwellings, excluding overseas residents in Australia; certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments; and members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependants) stationed in Australia. It was conducted in both urban and rural areas in all states and territories, but excluded persons living in certain remote and sparsely settled parts of Australia. Reference Period The survey was conducted between May and July 1996. Frequency of Collection This is an irregular collection. A second survey of this type, the Adult Literacy and Life Skills survey (ALLS) was conducted in Australia in late 2006. The ALLS will allow comparison of 2006 literacy skill levels to those reported in 1996, and comparison of Australians' literacy skills with those of other countries. Method of Collection Background information was collected from a randomly selected member of each selected household by specially trained ABS interviewers. Respondents were then asked to complete a set of literacy-related tasks. The objective assessment of literacy skills was based on a methodology developed by the United States’ Educational Testing Service and Statistics Canada which was adapted for use in several countries. DISSEMINATION Release schedule The results of the first component of the 1996 SAL were released in May 1997. The results of the objective assessment were released in September 1997. The first results of the 2006 ALLS are expected in late 2007. Publications Survey of Aspects of Literacy, 1996 Aspects of Literacy: Assessed Skill Levels, Australia, 1996 (ABS cat. no. 4228.0) Aspects of Literacy: Profiles and Perceptions, Australia, 1996 (ABS cat. no. 4226.0) Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, 2006 Adult Literacy and Life Skills, Summary Results, Australia, 2006 (ABS cat. no. 4233.0) (expected release late 2007) Geography Data are available for Australia, state and territory, and capital city/balance of state (excluding territories). Data Service Customised tables are available on request (a charged service), and a set of state/territory tables. A Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) is available. Other information In 2006 the ALLS assessed four different types of skills in related domains. Only two scales - prose and document literacy - have been defined and measured in the same manner as the 1996 SAL, and are therefore directly comparable. While the 2006 ALLS collected some items consistent with the 1996 SAL, a variety of new topics such as use of technologies, social capital and well being have been introduced. The four scales defined in the 2006 ALLS are:
DATA ITEMS Demographic State or territory of usual residence Area of usual residence Sex Age Marital status Relationship in household Country of birth Year of arrival in Australia Labour force participation, Employment activities Labour force status Status in employment in current job Occupation Occupation of last full-time job Industry Industry of last full-time job Hours (usually) worked Duration and other characteristics of unemployment and underemployment Participation in education and training Number of schools attended before the age of 15 years Educational attainment before migration Field of study of highest qualification obtained before migration Whether finished schooling in Australia Educational attainment in Australia Level of educational attainment Level of parents' educational attainment Field of study of highest qualification obtained Main reason left school early Years of formal education completed Whether received any training or education in the last 12 months Number of courses or workshops attended in the last 12 months For first, second and third courses:
Reasons for not taking recreational course in the last 12 months Reasons for not taking job-related training course in the last 12 months Language and literacy Language first spoken Self-perception of current reading and writing skills in language first spoken Age learned to read, write and speak English Self-perception of current English speaking skills Age attended English language classes Length of English language classes Provider of English language classes Languages spoken well enough to converse in Language usually spoken at home Language in which most at ease Reasons for not taking training to improve English reading and writing skills Frequency of using or reading written material in job Frequency of writing or filling in forms etc. in job Frequency of using mathematics or arithmetic in job Self-assessment of English reading, writing and mathematics skills against those required in job held Self-perception of extent to which English reading, writing and mathematics skills limit jobs Frequency of general reading, writing, social and cultural events Kinds of reading material in the home How often help needed from others to read/write in English Self-perception of English reading, writing and mathematics skills needed for daily life Satisfaction with English reading and writing skills Assessed skill level - prose scale Assessed skill level - document scale Assessed skill level - quantitative scale Other Occupation of parents' main job Personal income from wages, salary or self-employment Personal income from all sources Types of income from government sources Historical Data This survey was conducted for the first time in 1996. Data for this survey will become historical upon release of data from the 2006 ALLS.
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