1. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) has been developed for use in both countries for the production and analysis of industry statistics. It replaces the Australian Standard Industrial Classification (ASIC) and the New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (NZSIC) which have been in use for many years. Both have been widely accepted as statistical standards in their own right.
2. There has been extensive consultation with external users to ensure that the ANZSIC reflects the structure of Australian and New Zealand industry and user requirements for statistics. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and the New Zealand Department of Statistics encourage other organisations to use the classification in their own work in order to improve the comparability and usefulness of statistics.
3. In the development of the ANZSIC greater emphasis has been placed on alignment with the international standards than has been the case in the past. The International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC), Revision 3, has been used as the international standard for reference purposes. This will lead to significant improvements in the comparability of industry statistics internationally.
4. The ANZSIC is to be implemented progressively in statistical series published by the two agencies. In Australia statistics on both an ASIC and ANZSIC basis will be produced starting with the economic censuses conducted in respect of 1991-92 and be completed with the 1996 Census of Population and Housing. In New Zealand the Annual Business Directory Update and the Agriculture Census will use the ANZSIC in 1993. Other surveys will adopt the ANZSIC over the next five years. The 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings will also use the new classification.
5. Both statistical agencies are willing to assist users to interpret and use the classification for their own purposes. Assistance can take a variety of forms, from general advice through to use of computer assisted coding systems. Users are encouraged to discuss their requirements with either of the two statistical agencies.
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