2902.0 - Census Update (Newsletter), Jul 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/07/2006   
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Census Dictionary

The Census of Population and Housing provides a wealth of information about the Australian community. This information is made available through a suite of standard products or as data tailored to suit individual user requirements. The 2006 Census Dictionary (cat.no. 2901.0) is a comprehensive reference guide, designed to assist users of 2006 Census data, to determine and specify their output requirements and to develop a better understanding of the conceptual issues underlying the data.

The 2006 Census Dictionary contains information about the 2006 Census classifications, which are the standard output variables for which data is produced. The Dictionary also describes the new topics introduced in the 2006 Census and summarises classification changes that have occurred since the 2001 Census.

Alongside the classifications is a comprehensive Glossary, which contains definitions of census terms, explanations of the concepts relevant to census collection, data processing and data output, including geographic concepts. Entries in this section of the Dictionary are cross-referenced to major related entries, many of which refer directly to questions on the 2006 Census form.

Additional features are:

  • listing of the 2006 Census output variables;
  • listing of all standard classifications used in the 2006 Census;
  • indexes of topics, first and second release variables, and mnemonics (4 letter codes) which are used to describe census variables; and
  • a new section about managing Census data quality.

The 2006 Census Dictionary should prove an invaluable reference for all census data users. The 2006 Census Dictionary was released on 26 May 2006 and is available for purchase as a hardcopy publication and to be viewed electronically on the ABS web site. It will also appear on The Census Guide interactive CD-ROM, to be released in September 2006.