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.
The ASGC provides seven hierarchies of geographical areas. Each structure is designed to suit different statistical purposes. This edition has four current structures: the Main and the Statistical Region structures covering the whole of Australia; the Local Government Area and the Statistical District structures which cover only part of Australia. The three remaining structures, which are not current, are the Urban Centre and Locality, the Section of State and the Remoteness structures which were last defined in the ASGC Edition 2001. They will next be defined in 2006 as part of the census edition.
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, email <geography@abs.gov.au> or by writing to Locked Bag 10, Belconnen, ACT 2616.
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