WHAT'S NEW IN THE LABOUR FORCE
INCORPORATING UPDATED POPULATION ESTIMATES INTO LABOUR FORCE BENCHMARKS
On 27 June 2017, the ABS released preliminary ‘rebased’ Estimated Residential Population (ERP) statistics using data from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, the 2016 Census Post Enumeration Survey, and other key demographic data sources. These new population estimates, released in Australian Demographic Statistics, December Quarter 2016 (cat. no. 3101.0), revised up Australia's usually resident population aged 15 years and over, for the June quarter of 2016, by around 60,000 people (or 0.3 per cent).
Population estimates form the basis of Labour Force Survey benchmarks, which are updated on a quarterly basis. Any revisions to ERP subsequently flow through to benchmark revisions.
Traditionally, the major revisions resulting from the 5-yearly rebasing of ERP have been incorporated into Labour Force Survey benchmarks after final rebased population estimates are available, around two years after the Census. This approach avoids two major revisions being applied in consecutive years, and reflects an approach that is also taken by other statistical programs that use ERP (eg. National Accounts). This major rebenchmarking process was most recently done as part of the January 2014 issue of Labour Force, Australia, and in the February 2009 issue before that.
The ABS is currently proposing to incorporate the latest major revisions, back to July 2011, as part of the quarterly rebenchmarking process for the November 2018 issue of Labour Force, Australia when final ERP estimates are available.
Until this time, the ABS will continue to update the 2011-based Labour Force Survey benchmarks to reflect changes in the components of population change, as part of the quarterly rebenchmarking process.
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