COLLECTION METHODS
STANDARD QUESTION MODULE
Where the standard variable 'Highest year of school completed' is collected, the standard module for 'Highest non-school qualification' should follow directly after the question on 'Highest year of school completed'.
For some collections there may be a requirement to ask further questions relating to school completion or attendance. For example, a collection may ask why year 12 was not completed or what type of school was last attended. These additional questions may be sequenced between the standard question for 'Highest year of school completed' and the standard question module for 'Highest non-school qualification' to maintain continuity with the topic. When additional school questions are not asked and the 'Highest non-school qualification' module immediately follows the 'Highest year of school completed' question, it is recommended that the first question in the module for 'Highest non-school qualification' includes the word-sub 'other'.
The standard questions for the variables contained in 'Highest Non-school qualification' are as follows:
Note: Question 5 is only required to be asked for people who were 15 years or over in 1998. Therefore people born after 1982 can be sequenced past Q5 (i.e. sequenced from Q4 straight to Q5A or to the next question module).
Interviewer-based collections
The standard question module for 'Highest year of school completed' usually precedes the following question module.
Note: The word-sub [other] is used when this question directly follows the 'Highest year of school completed' question.
| Q2 | The next few questions are about any [other] educational qualifications that [name has/you have] completed. |
| | | | |
| | [Has name/Have you] completed a trade certificate, diploma, degree or any other educational qualification? |
| | | | |
| | i | | |
| | | | |
| | Yes | | |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
In ABS Surveys, the following question uses a coder to allocate a code from the ASCED Level of Education classification to the response.
| Q3 | What is the level of the highest qualification that [name has/you have] completed? |
| | | | |
| | Interviewer: Type the first three letters of the level, then select the correct level from the coding list.
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
If level does not appear, type 'Not in coder', and select 'Not in coder' in the pop-up box.
i | | |
| | ........................................................ | | Go to Q4 |
| | If Level specified in trigram coder = School level, Statement of Attainment or Bridging course | | Go to Q3A |
| | If Level specified in trigram coder = Not in coder | | Go to Q3C |
| Q3A | [Has name/Have you] completed any other educational qualifications? |
| | | | |
| | Yes | | Go to Q3B |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
In ABS Surveys, the following question also uses a coder. Note: the coder used for this question differs from the one used in Q3 above. The coder used in Q3 includes school levels and Statements of Attainments, the coders used in Q3B excludes these levels. Both coders are required for this standard question module.
| Q3B | What is the level of the highest qualification that [name has/you have] completed? | | From Q3A |
| | Interviewer: Type the first three letters of the level, then select the correct level from the coding list. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
If level does not appear, type 'Not in coder', and select 'Not in coder' in the pop-up box.
i | | |
| | ........................................................
If Level specified in trigram coder = Not in coder | | Go to Q4 |
| Q3C | Enter the level of the highest qualification completed |
| | ........................................................... | | Go to Q4 |
| Q4 | What was the main field of study for that qualification? |
| | | |
| | Interviewer: Specify main field of study.
Interviewer: If 'Arts', 'Teaching/Education', 'Science', 'Engineering', 'Computing', 'Building', Applied Science', 'Business', Commerce', 'Humanities' or Nursing', ask for more detail. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms. |
| | | |
| | ............................................................................................................ |
| Q5 | In which year did [name/you] complete that qualification? |
| | | | |
| | Prior to 1990 | | No more questions |
| | | | |
| | 1990 onwards | | |
| Q5A | Enter year qualification was completed (in the format yyyy) |
| | | | |
| | ............................................................ | | |
For collections where there is no requirement for individual years to be ascertained, the following question module may be used:
| Q5 | Did [name/you] complete that qualification before 1998? |
| | | |
| | Yes, before 1998 | |
| | | |
| | No, 1998 or later | |
| | | |
Interviewer Help (F9) text
Where the symbol
i is included above with the interviewer-based questions, the following on screen interviewer help instructions are recommended.
Q2 'Completed' a qualification means having successfully passed all of the requirements for the qualification.
ü Study that led to a formal qualification, for example, Trade Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Certificate II, Advanced Diploma.
ü Qualifications completed overseas or through distance education.
ü Qualifications resulting from pre-apprenticeship courses.
ü Fellowships (e.g. Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons).
û Secondary school qualifications.
û General training, adult education courses, hobby courses and recreational TAFE courses.
Q3 and Q3B Probe for more information if the respondent says Degree, Double Degree, Diploma, Certificate or Apprenticeship.
Example qualification hierarchy from highest to lowest:
Doctorate
Master Degree
Graduate Diploma
Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree with Honours
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma
Associate Degree
Diploma
Certificate IV
Certificate III
Certificate II
Certificate I
Self-completed collections (Census and paper-based collections)
The standard question module for 'Highest year of school completed' usually precedes the following question module.
| Q2 | [Have you] [Has the person] completed any educational qualification (including a trade certificate)? |
| | Mark one box only | | |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
| | | | |
| | No, still studying for first qualification | | No more questions |
| | | | |
| | Yes, trade certificate/apprenticeship | | |
| | | | |
| | Yes, other qualification | | |
| Q3 | What is the level of the highest qualification [you have] [the person has] completed? |
| | For example, trade certificate, bachelor degree, associate diploma, certificate II, advanced diploma. |
| | |
| | Level of qualification |
| | ....................................................................... |
| Q4 | What is the main field of study for [your] [the person's] highest qualification completed? |
| | For example, plumbing, history, primary school teaching, hairdressing, greenkeeping. |
| | |
| | Field of study |
| | ....................................................................... |
| Q5 | In which year did [name/you] complete that qualification? |
| | | | |
| | Prior to 1990 | | No more questions |
| | | | |
| | 1990 onwards | | |
| Q5A | Enter year qualification was completed (in the format yyyy) |
| | | | |
| | ............................................................ | | |
For self-completed collections where there is no requirement for individual years to be ascertained, the following question module may be used:
| Q5 | Did [you] [the person] complete this qualification before 1998? |
| | | |
| | Yes, before 1998 | |
| | | |
| | No, 1998 or later | |
Web-based collections
The standard question module for 'Highest year of school completed' usually precedes the following question module.
Q2. | The next few questions are about any [other] educational qualifications that [name has/you have] completed. |
| | | |
| [Has name/Have you] completed a trade certificate, diploma, degree or any other educational qualification? |
| | | |
| Definition:
- 'Completed' a qualification means having successfully passed all of the requirements for the qualification.
Including:
- Study that led to a formal qualification such as a Bachelor Degree, Certificate II, Advanced Diploma.
- Qualifications completed overseas or through distance education.
- Qualifications resulting from pre-apprenticeship courses.
- Fellowships (e.g. Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons).
Excluding:
- Secondary school qualifications.
- General training, adult education courses, hobby courses and recreational TAFE courses.
|
| | | |
| Yes | | |
| | | |
| No | | No more questions |
Q3. | What is the level of the highest qualification that [name has/you have] completed?
Definition:
- 'Completed' a qualification means having successfully passed all of the requirements for the qualification.
Including:
- Qualifications completed overseas or through distance education.
- Qualifications resulting from pre-apprenticeship courses.
- Fellowships (e.g. Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons).
Excluding:
- Secondary school qualifications.
- General training, adult education courses, hobby courses and recreational TAFE courses.
Note:
- If the level is unknown, type 'Unknown' in Other (please specify)
|
| | | |
| Doctorate (i.e. PhD, EdD, LLD) | | |
| | | |
| Professional fellowship qualification (e.g. medical fellowship) | | |
| | | |
| Master Degree | | |
| | | |
| Graduate Diploma | | |
| | | |
| Graduate Certificate | | |
| | | |
| Bachelor Degree with Honours | | |
| | | |
| Bachelor Degree | | |
| | | |
| Advanced Diploma | | |
| | | |
| Associate Degree | | |
| | | |
| Diploma | | |
| | | |
| Certificate level | | Go to Q3A |
| | | |
| Other (please specify) ...................................................... | | Go to Q3C |
Q3A. | What is the level of the highest Certificate that [name has/you have] completed? |
| | | |
| Note:
- Trade certificates completed from 1995 will have a certificate level, i.e, Certificate III in Construction, Certificate II in Plumbing.
|
| | | |
| Certificate IV | | Go to Q4 |
| | | |
| Certificate III | | Go to Q4 |
| | | |
| Certificate II | | Go to Q4 |
| | | |
| Certificate I | | Go to Q4 |
| | | |
| Trade certificate (completed prior to 1995 only) | | Go to Q4 |
| | | |
| Unknown | | Go to Q4 |
Q3C | Note:
- If the level is unknown, type 'Unknown'
Enter the level of the highest qualification completed |
| ........................................................ | | |
Q4 | What was the main field of study for that qualification? |
| |
| Definition:
- The 'main field' of study for a qualification is the subject that the majority of assessments relate to. This can also be referred to as the 'Major' of a qualification.
For example, plumbing, history, primary school teaching, hairdressing, greenkeeping.
Notes:
- Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
- Type the full name of the main field of study. For example, instead of 'Engineering' enter 'Mechanical Engineering', or 'Journalism' instead of 'Arts'.
- For Bachelor degrees and above, please include the major for this qualification.
- If completed a double degree, record the field of the qualification [name considers/you consider] most important.
- If completed more than one qualification at the same level, enter the field of the qualification [name considers/you consider] most important.
|
| |
| ........................................................................................................ |
Q5 | Did [name/you] complete this qualification before 1990? |
| | | |
| Yes, before 1990 | | No more questions |
| | | |
| No, 1990 or later | | |
Q5A | In which year did [name/you] complete this qualification?
Please specify in the format yyyy.
If unsure, give your best estimate. |
| |
| ............ |
For web-based collections where there is no requirement for individual years to be ascertained, the following question module may be used.
Q5 | Did [name/you] complete this qualification before 1998? |
| | | |
| Yes, before 1998 | | No more questions |
| | | |
| No, 1998 or later | | |
Collections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The standard question module for 'Highest year of school completed' usually precedes the following question module. For collections on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples there are two standard modules, the first module is used in non-remote areas and the second module is used in remote areas.
| Q2 | The next few questions are about any [other] educational qualifications that you have completed. |
| | | | |
| | Have you completed a trade certificate, diploma, degree or any other educational qualification? |
| | | | |
| | Yes | | |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
In ABS Surveys, the following question uses a coder.
| Q3 | What is the level of the highest qualification that you have completed? |
| | | | |
| | Interviewer: Type the first three letters of the level, then select the correct level from the coding list.
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
If level does not appear, type 'Not in coder', and select 'Not in coder' in the pop-up box.
i | | |
| | ........................................................ | | Go to Q4 |
| | If Level specified in trigram coder = School level, Statement of Attainment or Bridging course | | Go to Q3A |
| | If Level specified in trigram coder = Not in coder | | Go to Q3C |
| Q3A | Have you completed any other educational qualifications? |
| | | | |
| | Yes | | Go to Q3B |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
In ABS Surveys, the following question also uses a coder. Note: the coder used for this question differs from the one used in Q3 above. The coder used in Q3 includes school levels and Statements of Attainment, the coders used in Q3B excludes these levels. Both coders are required for this standard question module.
| Q3B | What is the level of the highest qualification that you have completed? | | From Q3A |
| | Interviewer: Type the first three letters of the level, then select the correct level from the coding list.
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
If level does not appear, type 'Not in coder', and select 'Not in coder' in the pop-up box.
i | | |
| | ........................................................
If Level specified in trigram coder = Not in coder | | Go to Q4 |
| Q3C | Enter the level of the highest qualification completed |
| | ........................................................ | | Go to Q4 |
| Q4 | What was the main field of study for this qualification? |
| | | |
| | Interviewer: If 'Arts', 'Teaching/Education', 'Science', 'Engineering', 'Computing', 'Building', Applied Science', 'Business', Commerce', 'Humanities' or Nursing', ask for more detail. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms. |
| | | |
| | ............................................................................................................ |
| Q5 | Did you complete this qualification before 1998? |
| | | |
| | Yes, before 1998 | |
| | | |
| | No, 1998 or later | |
| Q2 | The next few questions are about any [other] educational qualifications that you have completed. |
| | | | |
| | Since leaving school have you finished any (other) course? |
| | | | |
| | Yes | | |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
In ABS Surveys, the following question uses a coder.
| Q3 | What was the name of this course? |
| | | | |
| | Interviewer: Depending on what the course name is, prompt for the level attained. If there is more than one course, ask for level of highest course.
Type the first three letters of the level, then select the correct level from the coding list.
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
If level does not appear, type 'Not in coder', and select 'Not in coder' in the pop-up box.
i | | |
| | ........................................................ | | Go to Q4 |
| | If Level specified in trigram coder = School level, Statement of Attainment or Bridging course | | Go to Q3A |
| | If Level specified in trigram coder = Not in coder | | Go to Q3C |
| Q3A | Have you completed any other educational qualifications? |
| | | | |
| | Yes | | Go to Q3B |
| | | | |
| | No | | No more questions |
In ABS Surveys, the following question also uses a coder. Note: the coder used for this question differs from the one used in Q3 above. The coder used in Q3 includes school levels and Statements of Attainments, the coders used in Q3B excludes these levels. Both coders are required for this standard question module.
| Q3B | What is the level of the highest qualification that you have completed? | | From Q3A |
| | Interviewer: Type the first three letters of the level, then select the correct level from the coding list.
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
If level does not appear, type 'Not in coder', and select 'Not in coder' in the pop-up box.
i | | |
| | ........................................................
If Level specified in trigram coder = Not in coder | | Go to Q4 |
| Q3C | Enter the level of the highest qualification completed |
| | .......................................................... | | Go to Q4 |
| Q4 | What did you study? |
| | | |
| | Interviewer: If 'Arts', 'Teaching/Education', 'Science', 'Engineering', 'Computing', 'Building', Applied Science', 'Business', Commerce', 'Humanities' or Nursing', ask for more detail. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms. |
| | | |
| | ............................................................................................................ |
| Q5 | Did you finish this course before 1998? |
| | | |
| | Yes, before 1998 | |
| | | |
| | No, 1998 or later | |
STANDARD INPUT CATEGORIES
Valid ASCED (and Supplementary codes), as coded by the ASCED Coder, are the standard input categories for Level and Field.
Level of highest non-school qualification
The standard input categories are the same as the categories of the ASCED. For operational reasons, supplementary codes also exist to enable inadequately described responses to be coded. Valid ASCED codes for standard input categories for Level of highest non-school qualification are listed in the 'Education Standard Variables Guide'.
Main field of highest non-school qualification
The standard input categories are the six-digit Field of Education categories of the ASCED, except for 120101 General Primary and Secondary Education Programmes. For operational reasons, supplementary codes also exist to enable inadequately described responses to be coded. A full list of ASCED codes is available in the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), 2001 (cat. no. 1272.0) on the ABS website.
Year non-school qualification completed
When individual years are collected, the standard input categories are single complete years.
EDITING PROCEDURES
'Year non-school qualification completed' is essential for coding 'Level of highest non-school qualification', as qualifications at the Advanced Diploma/Diploma and Certificate Levels were renamed with the introduction of the AQF in 1995.
Diploma Edit
The coding index will code most responses of 'Diploma' to code 400 (Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level n.f.d.). This edit modifies code 400 to either 411 or 421 based on the year of award. Diplomas issued before 1998 are coded to 411 Advanced Diploma and those issued in 1998 or later are coded to 421 Diploma.
The standard edit:
If ASCED level = 400 and Year non-school qualification completed <1998 then recode ASCED code = 411
If ASCED level = 400 and Year non-school qualification completed >1997 then recode ASCED code = 421
This edit is applied after computer-assisted coding (CAC) during survey processing.
Certificate Edit
The ABS uses the following edit procedure when coding the response of 'certificate' from ASCED Level of Education code 500 to either 510 Certificate III & IV or 520 Certificate I & II based on the year of the award and the ABSCQ code assigned:
If ASCED level = 500 and ABSCQ Level code = 6 and Year non-school qualification completed <1998 then new ASCED code = 510
If ASCED level = 500 and ABSCQ Level code = 7 and Year non-school qualification completed <1998 then new ASCED code = 520
ASCED Broad Level 6-9 Edit
Where the ASCED Coder is used to code responses to 'Level of highest non-school qualification' it can code some responses to Broad Levels 6-9. These codes relate to levels of education that are not valid to the variable 'Level of highest non-school qualification'. They should be re-coded to 000 (not applicable).