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Standard output categories

45. The hierarchical structure of the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) allows users the flexibility to output statistics at the level of the classification which best suits their requirements. Data can be presented at the broad group level, narrow group level, or the base (cultural and ethnic group) level. If necessary, significant ethnic or cultural groups within a narrow group can be presented separately while the remaining ethnic groups within the narrow group are aggregated. For example, the third level category 'Finnish' can be separately identified as an output category within the 'Northern European' Narrow Group, with the remaining third-level categories in this narrow group aggregated in an 'Other Northern European' category. The same principle can be adopted to highlight significant narrow groups within a broad group.

46. Regardless of the level of aggregation envisaged for the dissemination of statistics, data should be captured, classified and stored at the base-level of the ASCCEG wherever possible. Collecting and storing data at the most detailed level of the classification allows the greatest flexibility for the output of statistics, enables more detailed and complex analysis, facilitates comparisons with previous data using different classifications, and preserves information that provides maximum flexibility for future use of the data.

47. However, the constraints affecting each statistical collection or other application, such as problems with confidentiality or standard errors, may not permit the collection or output of data at the lower levels of the classification.

48. In instances where significant cultural and ethnic groups within a narrow group are presented separately while the remaining base level units within the group are aggregated, the aggregate group should be labelled 'Other'. Similarly, aggregated narrow groups within a broad group are labelled 'Other'.

49. Cultural and ethnic groups from different narrow groups should not be combined as this corrupts the application of the classification criteria and has repercussions on data comparability. Similarly, narrow groups from different broad groups should not be combined.

50. The following is an example (for illustration purposes only) of the correct approach to producing output for selected cultural and ethnic groups which may be of interest in a particular application:

	OCEANIAN
		Australian Peoples
			Australian
			Australian Aboriginal
			Australian South Sea Islander
			Torres Strait Islander
		New Zealand Peoples
		Other
	NORTH-WEST EUROPEAN
		British
			English
			Scottish
			Other
		Irish
		Western European
			Dutch
			German
			Other
		Northern European

	SOUTHERN AND EASTERN EUROPEAN
		Southern European
			Italian
			Spanish
			Other
		South Eastern European
			Greek
			Macedonian
			Other
		Eastern European
	NORTH AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN
		Arab
		Jewish
		Other North African and Middle Eastern
	SOUTH-EAST ASIAN
			Vietnamese
			Indonesian
			Other

	NORTH-EAST ASIAN
		Chinese Asian
		Other North-East Asian
	SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL ASIAN
		Southern Asian
			Indian
			Pakistani
			Other
		Central Asian
	PEOPLE OF THE AMERICAS
		North American
		Other
	SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN

51. Ancestry does not require any supporting variables but needs to be considered together with other variables on cultural and ethnic origins for the purposes of most analysis. Such variables include Country of Birth of Person, Country of Birth of Mother, Country of Birth of Father, Indigenous Status, Religious Affiliation, Year of Arrival in Australia and language variables.