1246.0 - Education Variables, June 2014  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/06/2014   
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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.

      Q2The 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.
      Q3What 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.
      Q3BWhat 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

      Q3CEnter the level of the highest qualification completed
      ...........................................................Go to Q4

      Q4What 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.
      ............................................................................................................

      Q5In which year did [name/you] complete that qualification?
      Prior to 1990 No more questions
      1990 onwards
      Q5AEnter 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:
      Q5Did [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
        Q3What 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
        .......................................................................

        Q4What 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
        .......................................................................

        Q5In which year did [name/you] complete that qualification?
        Prior to 1990 No more questions
        1990 onwards
        Q5AEnter 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:
        Q5Did [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

            Q3CNote:
            • If the level is unknown, type 'Unknown'
            Enter the level of the highest qualification completed
            ........................................................
            Q4What 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.
            ........................................................................................................

            Q5Did [name/you] complete this qualification before 1990?
            Yes, before 1990 No more questions
            No, 1990 or later
            Q5AIn 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.

            Q5Did [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.

              IF Non-Remote
            Q2The 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.
            Q3What 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

            Q3AHave 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.
            Q3BWhat 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

            Q3CEnter the level of the highest qualification completed
            ........................................................Go to Q4

            Q4What 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.
            ............................................................................................................

            Q5Did you complete this qualification before 1998?
            Yes, before 1998
            No, 1998 or later

                IF Remote
              Q2The 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.
            Q3What 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

            Q3AHave 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.
            Q3BWhat 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

            Q3CEnter the level of the highest qualification completed
            ..........................................................Go to Q4

            Q4What 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.
            ............................................................................................................

            Q5Did 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).