Key changes made to Labour Mobility Survey include:

Revision of 2010 and 2012 Labour Mobility Data

During processing of 2013 data, it was found that a different weighting process had been applied in 2010 and 2012, and as a result the data for 2010 and 2012 has been revised to allow comparison over time. The revision reduced the estimates of level but had little impact on the proportions. The difference in weighting process related to the treatment of records for visitors to private dwellings, and those who, at the time of interview, had last worked more than a year ago. The revision primarily impacted on those populations containing unemployed people (Populations 1, 4 and 6). The key estimate of those working at some time during the year ending February (Population 1) has been revised down significantly. There was only a minor impact on the other populations, and mostly within one standard error.

Tables most affected in the 2010 and 2012 publications are Tables 6 to 9 (based on Population 1) and Table 10 (based on Population 4).

The revised 2010 and 2012 data will be published as spreadsheets attached to the 2013 Labour Mobility publication on Friday 30 August 2013.

This revision effects the 2010 and 2012 CURFs – Microdata: Labour Force and Labour Mobility, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0.30.004). The only change will be to the Labour Mobility Survey weights. This revision does not effect the Labour Force Survey weights.

Revision of population benchmarks

Revisions are made to population benchmarks for the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following the final rebasing of population estimates to the latest five-yearly Census of Population and Housing, or when the need arises. From February 2009 labour force estimates have been compiled during population benchmarks based on the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Revisions were applied to population benchmarks in July 2010, November 2012 and April 2013 issues, to take into account the latest available population estimates in the LFS to take into account the Census of Population and Housing. The latest revision presented in the April 2013 issue is reflected in the estimates presented in the 2013 Labour Mobility publication.

These revisions do not involve any changes to the data collected in the Labour Force Survey. Changes to the LFS population benchmarks impact primarily on the magnitude of the labour force estimates (i.e. employment and unemployment) that are directly related to the underlying size of the population. For more details on population benchmarks, see the Explanatory Notes in Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0), and for details about revisions made, see the article in the April 2013 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) and the article in the November 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). These revisions have not been applied to previous Labour Mobility Surveys.

Changes in the scope of the survey

The scope of surveys run prior to February 1990 included persons aged 15 years and over. From February 1990 to February 2005 the survey scope excluded all persons aged 70 years and over. The scope was expanded to 15 years and over again in February 2006. Direct comparisons should only be made where the populations are the same.

Prior to 1997, people living in remote and sparsely settled parts of Australia were included in the survey, From 1997 people living in these areas were excluded.

From 2009, the survey included people in very remote areas of Australia except for people living in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in very remote parts of Australia.

Revisions made in 2006 and 2008

New data items were introduced from the 2006 survey to provide information on people who had worked with their current employer/business for one year or more, and had changes in the work undertaken with their current employer/business in the last 12 months. These data items included 'Whether promoted or transferred', 'Whether changed usual hours worked' and 'Whether changed occupation'.

Prior to 2006, changes in locality were included as a job change. From 2006, data items that referred to locality, were no longer collected.

From 2008, occupation data are classified according to the ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations First Edition, 2006 (cat. no. 1220.0). The new classification replaces ASCO - Australian Standard Classification of Occupations Second Edition, 1997 (cat. no. 1220.0). Data classified according to ASCO can be obtained on request.

From 2008, industry data are classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 (cat. no. 1292.0). The new classification replaces Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 1993 (cat. no. 1292.0). Data classified according to ANZSIC 1993 can be obtained on request.

The introduction of ANZSCO First Edition and ANZSIC 2006 from 2008 have made data relating to change in occupation and industry not comparable with previous years. Consequently, presentation of time series data for 'Whether changed occupation (last to current employer/business)' and 'Whether changed industry (last to current employer/business)' changed in the 2008 publication.

In 2008, amendments were made to 'Whether changed occupation' and 'Whether changed industry' data items. From 2008, these data items are available for change in Major occupation group, change in Minor occupation group, change in industry Division and change in industry Subdivision.

As a result of these changes, users need to exercise care when comparing the estimates between releases. For further information on these revisions please see the Explanatory Notes of the relevant Labour Mobility, Australia (cat. no. 6209.0) publication.