2970.0.55.022 - 2001 Census of Population and Housing - Fact Sheet: Internal Migration, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/06/2002  First Issue
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Internal Migration

The Census collects data on place of usual residence census night, one year ago and five years ago. The information collected records the State/Territory and Statistical Local Area (SLA) of a persons usual residence at these times. Data can also be derived for geographic areas which are aggregations of SLAs. From these data net internal migration from 1996 to 2001 and from 2000 to 2001 can be determined. Data showing the characteristics of the migrants can also be output. For example age, birthplace of individual, marital status and occupation.

Net migration

Since the indicators are derived from usual residence at certain dates, only the net effects of any multiple movements between these dates can be derived. For example, John Citizen was living in a South Australian rural area at the time of the 1996 Census. Six months later he moved to Melbourne for two years, and then to Adelaide where he was living at the time of the 2001 Census. Census data would only show the net South Australian country to city movement.

No movement is shown in the internal migration data for 'Out and back' movements. For example, where a family move away from their place of usual residence to live elsewhere, then return before the end of the reference period to live at their previous address.

Net migration at State/Territory level

There are three variables:

  • State of Usual Residence Census Night (STEUCP);
  • State of Usual Residence One Year Ago (STEU1P); and
  • State of Usual Residence Five Years Ago (STEU5P).

The following table was produced using STEUCP and STEU5P data from the 1996 Census for people whose State/Territory of usual residence in 1996 was different to their State/Territory of usual residence in 1991. It shows the number of people who left each State/Territory and the number of people who arrived in each State/Territory. For example, the table shows Queensland had 267,987 arrivals from interstate with the majority of people coming from New South Wales (127,704 persons) and Victoria (74,514 persons). It also shows 122,528 people left Queensland for other States and Territories with the majority of people going to New South Wales (59,941 persons) and Victoria (24,455 persons).

By using the variables STEUCP and STEU1P a similar table showing interstate movers 1995 to 1996 could be derived.


NET INTERSTATE MOVERS, 1991 to 1996

State or Territory of Departure
State or
Total
Territory
NSW
Vic.
Qld
SA
WA
Tas.
NT
ACT
arrivals
of arrival
NSW
. .
57 857
59 941
16 051
14 016
6 454
5 040
25 082
184 441
Vic.
42 578
. .
24 455
16 529
11 153
7 707
3 343
4 969
110 734
Qld
127 704
74 514
. .
19 578
14 960
9 590
11 726
9 915
267 987
SA
14 270
16 843
7 721
. .
5 295
1 929
6 000
1 640
53 698
WA
19 587
19 223
12 573
8 226
. .
3 969
5 797
2 364
71 739
Tas.
6 652
7 401
4 913
2 164
2 589
. .
743
692
25 154
NT
6 221
6 563
7 396
6 869
4 379
696
. .
840
32 964
ACT
26 225
6 961
5 529
2 572
2 066
1 060
985
. .
45 398
Total
departures
243 237
189 362
122 528
71 989
54 458
31 405
33 634
45 502
792 115


The above variables can also be used with other variables to identify the characteristics of the
interstate movers.


Net migration at SLA level

There are three variables:
  • SLA of Usual Residence Census Night (SLAUCP);
  • SLA of Usual Residence One Year Ago (SLAU1P); and
  • SLA of Usual Residence Five Years Ago (SLAU5P).

These variables can be used in a similar way to the State of Usual Residence variables. They can be used to create other geography that is based on SLAs including Local Government Areas, Statistical Divisions and Statistical Regions etc.


Other data on interstate migration

The ABS produces quarterly information on interstate migration in the publication Australian Demographic Statistics (Cat. no. 3101.0). The data are derived from a combination of information that is acquired from the census, and from unidentified information on interstate changes of address advised by the Health Insurance Commission.