• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

Population data sources and definitions

POPULATION: DEFINITIONS

Births

live births occurring in that year. A live birth is the delivery of a child irrespective of the duration of pregnancy who, after being born, breathes or shows any evidence of life such as a heartbeat.
Reference: Births, Australia (ABS cat. no. 3301.0).

based on the year in which the death occurred. Estimates may differ from estimates given in the Health chapter of this publication, which are based on the year in which the death was registered.
Reference: Deaths, Australia (ABS cat. no. 3302.0).

including the countries of North-East, South-East and Southern and Central Asia. Countries are classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 1998 (ABS cat. no. 1269.0).
Reference: Migration, Australia (ABS cat. no. 3412.0).

including the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Reference: Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 1998 (ABS cat. no. 1269.0).

migrants who have been sponsored by a relative who is an Australian citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, under the family stream of the migration program.
Reference: Immigration Update, June Quarter 2001, Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

comprise: those who arrive under the refugee program (which provides protection for people who have fled their country because of persecution); those who arrive under the special humanitarian programs (those suffering persecution within their own country or who have left their country because of significant discrimination amounting to gross violation of human rights); and those who arrive under the special assistance category (groups determined by the Minister to be of special concern to Australia and in real need, but who do not come under the traditional humanitarian categories. It includes those internally and externally displaced people who have close family links in Australia).
Reference: Immigration Update, June Quarter 2001, Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are accepted as such by the community in which they live. Data referring to the size of the Indigenous population are experimental estimates in that the standard approach to population estimation is not possible because satisfactory data on births, deaths and migration are not generally available. Furthermore, there is significant intercensal volatility in census counts of the Indigenous population, due in part to changes in the propensity of persons to identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.
Reference: Experimental Estimates of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population (ABS cat. no. 3230.0).

long-term arrivals comprise overseas visitors who intend to stay in Australia for one year or more (but not permanently) and Australian residents returning after an absence of one year or more overseas. Long-term departures comprise Australian residents who intend to stay abroad for one year or more (but not permanently), and overseas visitors departing who stayed one year or more.
Reference: Migration, Australia (ABS cat. no. 3412.0).

the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.
Reference: Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories (ABS cat. no. 3201.0).

the excess of births over deaths during the year.
Reference: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS cat. no. 3101.0).

interstate arrivals minus interstate departures during the year. Net interstate migration rate expresses this as a proportion (per cent) of the population at the beginning of the year.
Reference: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS cat. no. 3101.0).

permanent and long-term arrivals minus permanent and long-term departures during the year.
Reference: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS cat. no. 3101.0).

permanent arrivals comprise travellers who hold migrant visas and other persons eligible to settle, and permanent departures comprise Australian residents who intend to settle in another country.
Reference: Migration, Australia (ABS cat. no. 3412.0).

the population of Australia is based on the concept of residence. 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. It includes usual residents who are overseas for less than 12 months. It excludes overseas residents who are in Australia for less than 12 months. Estimated resident population (ERP) is an estimate of the Australian population obtained by adding to the estimated population at the beginning of each period the components of natural increase (on a usual residence basis) and net overseas migration. For the states and territories, account is also taken of estimated interstate movements involving a change of usual residence.
Reference: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS cat. no. 3101.0).

increase in the population during the year, measured as the sum of natural increase and net overseas migration. For dates prior to 1996, differences between growth and the sum of natural increase and net overseas migration arise from retrospective adjustments to population estimates (which are made after each census) to compensate for intercensal discrepancy. Population growth rate expresses the increase as a proportion (per cent) of the population at the beginning of the year.
Reference: Australian Demographic Statistics (ABS cat. no. 3101.0).

ABS population projections take the base year population for each sex by single years of age and advance it year by year by applying assumptions about future mortality and migration. Assumed age-specific fertility rates are applied to the female populations of child-bearing ages to provide the estimates of new births for each year. The ABS produces several series of population projections based on different combinations of assumptions about mortality, fertility and migration. The assumptions underlying Series B most closely reflect prevailing trends and comprise: declining rates of mortality; the total fertility rate for Australia falling to 1.6 by 2011, and then remaining constant; low levels of overseas migration (annual net gain of 100,000 from 2005-2006); and medium levels of interstate migration. The base year for these projections is 2002.
Reference: Population Projections, Australia, 2002 to 2101 (ABS cat. no. 3222.0).

the number of males per 100 females.
Reference: Births, Australia (ABS cat. no. 3301.0).

the skill stream component of the migration program is designed to contribute to Australia's economic growth. Settlers under this program meet a demand in Australia for their particular occupational skills, outstanding talents or business skills.
Reference: Immigration Update, June Quarter 2001, Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

comprised largely of those who arrived under the Migration and Humanitarian programs and those who are not required to seek a visa before travelling (mostly New Zealand citizens). These programs include the following categories: the family stream; the skilled stream; special eligibility migrants; refugees; special humanitarian and special assistance migrants.
Reference: Immigration Update, June Quarter 2001, Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.