DATA SOURCES
The ABS gathers data from many government and private sector sources to compile balance of payments and international investment position statistics. The main sources include:
International Merchandise Trade statistics are used for the goods debits and credits series of the BOP. The merchandise trade statistics are compiled from imports and exports records submitted by traders to the Australian Customs Service. Small adjustments are made to these statistics to put them onto a balance of payments basis to reflect timing and ownership changes.
Survey of International Trade in Services is used to derive the services debits and credits. This ABS survey collects data quarterly on a wide range of services including transportation, travel, communications and construction services from enterprises which provide (or receive) these services to (or from) non-residents.
Overseas Arrivals and Departures statistics (published in Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (ABS Cat. no. 3401.0)) are used in the derivation of estimates for travel, compensation of employees and migrant transfers. The data comes from passenger cards required to be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Multicultual Affairs by all incoming and outgoing passengers to Australia.
International Visitor Survey, conducted for the Bureau of Tourism Research, provides information on the spending by short term visitors to Australia. This is used in the derivation of estimates of travel credits.
Survey of International Investment (SII) is a quarterly ABS survey which collects information about investment activity into and out of Australia and levels of investment. It is the main source of information for the financial account of the BOP, and the IIP statement.
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