2901.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary, 2016
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/08/2016
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In addition, there was a substantial change to the question and output classification for the internet topic (Dwelling Internet Connection (NEDD)), and a move to collecting and outputting specific country of birth information in the Country of Birth of Father (BPMP) and Country of Birth of Mother (BPFP) topics. A change to the format of the Religion question, and the use of targeted supplementary questions in collecting data on occupation and industry of employment, are also worth noting. The move to a new method of conducting the Census also meant a change to how data on Dwelling Location (DLOD), Dwelling Type (DWTP), Structure of Dwelling (STRD) and Type of Non-Private Dwelling (NPDD), previously recorded by Census collectors, are obtained. Changes to major ABS classifications are outlined below, followed by a detailed list of variables which have been changed in any way for 2016. New and revised classifications It is important for Census data to be comparable and compatible with previous Censuses and also with other data produced by the ABS and the wider community. The Census uses the current Australian standard classifications where applicable. These are reviewed on an irregular basis to reflect changes in the Australian society. A number of changes have occurred to these classifications since 2011 and these are described below. Where an Australian standard classification is not available, Census-specific classifications have been developed by the ABS. The categories of these classifications are reviewed prior to each Census. Changes to these classifications are described in the section: Summary of Changes to Variables 2011 - 2016 at the bottom of this page. Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), Version 1.2 Responses to the occupation related questions in the 2016 Census are classified using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), version 1.2. Version 1.2 of ANZSCO was released in 2013 and included a net increase of nine occupations (6-digit units). A small number of changes were made at the next highest level of the classification (the unit group) but these were limited to changes in unit group titles, relevant lead statements and lists of tasks. For 2016, targeted supplementary questions on occupation have been added to the online Census forms, to improve coding. Common occupation responses from 2011 which were difficult to code to an appropriate level of detail, for example 'nurse', are targeted by these questions. This should result in better quality fine-level data. For more information see the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), 2013, Version 1.2 (cat. no 1220.0). Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 (Revision 2.0) Responses to the Industry of employment related questions in the 2016 Census are classified using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 (Revision 2.0). Standard 2016 Census data will be output based on this classification. The latest revision of ANZSIC was in 2013. No industries were removed or added in this revision. There were some changes such as clarification of definitions and corrections of small errors and omissions. For 2016, targeted supplementary questions on industry have been added to the online Census forms, to improve coding. Common industry responses from 2011 which were difficult to code to an appropriate level of detail, for example, 'construction' are targeted by these questions. This should result in better quality fine-level data. For more information see the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 (Revision 2.0) (cat. no. 1292.0). Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG), 2016 Responses to the ancestry question in the 2016 will be classified using the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG), 2016. A minor review was conducted in 2016 to maintain the classification's relevance and usability, and to reflect the changes to Australia's cultural and ethnic profile brought about by changing immigration patters. Two new base level cultural and ethnic groups were added: Pitcairn has been introduced due to the inclusion of Norfolk Island in the Australian Census for the first time in 2016, and Yezidi has been added. There were also minor changes to the names of seven 4 digit units. There have been no structural changes in the narrow (2 digit) or broad (1 digit) group level. For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) (cat. no. 1249.0). Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2016 The Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2016 is used in the 2016 Census to code responses to the question 'Does the person speak a language other than English at home?'. A minor review was conducted in 2016 to update the classifications in order to reflect changes to Australia's language profile. As a result three new languages were added. There were also two name changes of existing languages. Pitcairnese was changed to Norf'k-Pitcairn due to the inclusion of Norfolk Island in the Australian Census for the first time and reflecting the terms used on Norfolk Island to refer to this language. Makaton, a sign language, was changed to Key Word Sign Australia, reflecting a change by those who coordinate this language in Australia. For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2016 (cat. no 1267.0). Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG), 2016 The Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG), 2016 is used in the 2016 Census to code responses to the religion question. A minor review of the classification in 2016 resulted in some changes to the classification structure and a net increase in the number of religions (4 digit groups) from 137 to 151, a decrease in 3 digit level groups from 30 to 28 and an increase in 2 digit groups from 3 to 7. The areas of greatest change are the Pentecostal narrow group (2 digit group 24), the Other Protestant narrow group (2 digit group 28) and Broad group 7, previously named No religion and now named Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious Affiliation. For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG), 2016 (cat. no. 1266.0). Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 2016 The Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), is used in the 2016 Census to code responses to the questions on Country of Birth of Person, Country of Birth of Father and Country of Birth of Mother. A minor review was conducted in 2016. Revisions to the names of 4 countries resulted, including the shortening of unnecessarily long names. For more information see the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 2016 (cat. no. 1269.0). Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) The 2016 Census will use the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) which was introduced for the 2011 Census. For the 2011 Census, data was also available for Statistical Local Areas (SLAs), the basic unit from the geographic classification used in 2006, to enable time series comparison. This was a transitional arrangement and will not apply in 2016. Mesh Blocks (MBs) are the base unit of output geography for the ASGS and will aggregate to form the higher level units in the main structure of the ASGS. In addition to the main structure, the ASGS also includes other structures which are based on legal and administrative areas. Examples are Local Government Areas, State Suburbs and Tourism Regions. In 2011, these areas were approximated using aggregates of SA1s. In 2016, they will be approximated using aggregates of Mesh Blocks, giving greater precision. For ASGS purposes, the ABS uses the definition of Australia as set out in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act, 1901. Following an amendment to this Act, Norfolk Island has been included in the definition of geographic Australia from 1 July 2016. In the ASGS, Norfolk Island comprises a Statistical Area Level 2 under 'Other Territories' at the State/Territory level. Definitions of all ASGS structures (such as Mesh Block, Statistical Area Level 1, or Local Government Area), and an outline of the ASGS, can be found under Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) in the glossary. The ABS published the ASGS manual with the boundaries, labels and codes for the Statistical Area units and Capital Cities in July 2016. The Non-ABS structures will be released September 2016 to ensure that the Census is released on the most up to date boundaries available. Urban Centres and Localities, Section of State, Remoteness and Significant Urban Areas will be released after the 2016 Census as they require an analysis of Census data to be developed. The regions defined in the ABS structures will not change until the next Census in 2021, although correspondences will be available. For further information see the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Areas, July 2016 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001) or refer to the ABS website at www.abs.gov.au/geography. Summary of changes to variables from 2011 to 2016 This section outlines changes that have been made to variables since the 2011 Census. It includes details of new variables for the 2016 Census and those variables which are no longer included. It describes changes to names, mnemonics and classifications. Further detail for each classification change included is available in the Glossary. Changes to Census questions designed to improve the data quality of the variables related to them, are also mentioned, except for some minor changes to dot point instructions for questions. Census of Population and Housing: Nature and Content, Australia, 2016 (cat. no. 2008.0) has further background on each question and information on enhancements to them. New and Revised Classifications
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