MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME
DIRECTIONS FOR 2011 CENSUS
Main source of income is a new topic being considered for the 2011 Census.
For the 2011 Census, users should consider any data needs for main source of income in conjunction with:
It should be noted that the collection of main source of income for individuals will not enable the output of main source of household income. However its inclusion would allow some household level analysis based on the main source of income of individual household members.
JUSTIFICATION
The ABS recognises that Census data about main source of income would be useful for small area analysis of population groups such as those reliant on government pensions and allowances.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Main source of income has not previously been asked in the Census. However the 1976 Census included questions on whether people received particular government pensions and allowances, and whether they received income from employment.
While a number of submissions were received in support of the topic being included in 1981 Census, the ABS decision was to exclude it. Users at that time were interested in the topic primarily as a source of data about the characteristics of people receiving pensions and other government benefits.
In the lead up to more recent Censuses, users have indicated that data on main source of income is required (even though it was not put forward by the ABS as a possible topic).
USER REQUIREMENTS
Data on main source of income are needed:
- for policy planning purposes, and to monitor the impact of current government policies on the socioeconomic wellbeing of the population
- at the small area level and for small population groups, to determine the dependence of particular sub-groups on government pensions, benefits or allowances
- cross-classified with other Census characteristics, to gather information about self-funded retirees
- in conjunction with the income question, as an important indicator of relative advantage or disadvantage.
AVAILABILITY OF NON-CENSUS DATA
Data on sources of income and main source of income are available from surveys of household income and expenditure conducted regularly by the ABS. These include the Survey of Income and Housing 2005-06 (results released in
Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2005-06, cat. no. 6523.0).
A question on income is asked in most household surveys for use as a classificatory variable. However, survey data cannot produce reliable estimates at the small area level or for small population groups.
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