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Chapter 5 - Data concepts and classifications
To ensure that the data from the 2006 Census are comparable with data from other ABS collections, 2006 classifications are drawn from the ABS standard classifications. As a result, some 2006 Census classifications will be different to their 2001 counterparts. Where the changes are significant, such as in the case of adopting new classifications in the Census, the ABS will develop concordances to assist users to compare Census data over time.
There are a number of conceptual and classification changes to be applied to the 2006 Census. These changes will be provided in full detail in the 2006 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0) which is scheduled for release in April 2006. The following provides a summary of the changes to major classifications.
Industry of Employment
The first edition of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) (cat. no.1292.0) released in 1993, was used to classify responses to Census questions on Industry of Employment for the 1996 and 2001 Censuses. The second edition (2006 revision) of the classification will be used to output standard tables for the 2006 Census. However, for the 2006 Census, Industry of Employment data are dual coded to both ANZSIC 1993 and ANZSIC 2006, so that users may request their data based on either edition of the classification.
ANZSIC 2006 was developed to provide a more contemporary industrial classification system. Taking into account issues such as changes in the structure and composition of the economy, changing user demands and compatibility with other major international classification standards. For more information see the Information Paper: ANZSIC 2006 Development (cat. no. 1294.0) released in 2004 and ANZSIC 2006 Implementation (cat. no. 1295.0) due to be released in late 2005. The classification is due for release mid 2006.
Main Language Other Than English Spoken at Home
The Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), is used to classify the variable Main Language Other Than English Spoken at Home. The classification has been revised since the 2001 Census. For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), Second Edition (2005 Revision) (cat. no. 1267.0) released July 2005.
Occupation
The Australian Standard Classification of Occupations, Second Edition (cat. no. 1220.0), was used to classify responses to Census questions on Occupation for the 2001 Census. The new Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) (cat. no. 1220.0), will be used to output standard tables for the 2006 Census. However, for the 2006 Census, Occupation data are dual coded to both ASCO Second Edition and ANZSCO, so that users may request their data based on either classification.
For more information see the Information Paper: ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (cat. no. 1221.0) released in September 2005. The publication ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (cat. no. 1220.0) is due for release mid 2006.
Religious Affiliation
Religious Affiliation is coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG). The ASCRG has had a minor revision. For more information see the publication Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (2005 Revision) (cat. no.1266.0), due for release November 2005.
Ancestry
Ancestry is coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG). The ASCCEG has had a minor revision since the 2001 Census.
For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) Second Edition (cat. no.1249.0), released July 2005.
New variables
There are a number of new variables for the 2006 Census including:
- Community Development Employment Projects Participation
- Core activity need for assistance
- Employment type
- Family composition
- Level of highest educational attainment
- Number of children ever born
- Number of employees
- Type of Internet connection
- Unemployment type
- Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability
- Unpaid child care
- Unpaid domestic work: number of hours
- Voluntary work for an organisation or group.
Understanding Usual Residence Data
Changes to processing for the 2006 Census have enabled improvements to be made to usual residence data for persons. However, users should be aware that family variables are only derived for people counted at their usual residence. Families that are absent from home on Census Night are included in family statistics for the area in which they are enumerated. Temporarily absent persons are used to classify types of relationships and families existing in a household, but they are not used in the derivation of any other Census characteristics or in other Census output. Family and household structures are based on persons usually resident.
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