COLLECTION OF VARIABLE DATA
SCOPE
Statistical units
'Main source of income' applies to all persons, income units, families or households reporting a positive value for 'Total income'. If total income is nil or negative the main source is undefined. As there are several possible sources, the main source may account for less than 50% of 'Total income'.
QUESTION MODULES
'Main source of income' can be derived where income data is collected on a source by source basis or respondents can be asked to report their main source of income in a separate question. The options available to produce 'Main source of income' depend on which question module has been used to collect 'Total income'. The derivation and/or collection methods available with each of the standard income modules are outlined below.
Detailed question module
In the Detailed question module, 'Main source of income' is derived from complete income data collected on a source by source basis. For those reporting just one source, that is their main source. The Detailed income question module is designed to be asked of all household members aged 15 years and over thus enabling 'Main source of income' to be derived for persons or for higher level units such as income units, families, and households.
Basic question module
In the Basic income module, 'Main source of income' can be derived from income data collected on a source by source basis if complete data are available. For those reporting just one source, that is their main source. Where complete data are not reported for each source, for instance where the respondent did not know the amount, it is suggested that respondents be sequenced to a separate question that asks them to report their main source of income.
'Main source of income' can only be derived for higher level units where the Basic income module has been used to collect income information for each person within that statistical unit.
The standard question wording for use in personal or telephone interviews are provided in the 'Total income' standard, Appendix A: Basic module - personal interview, Question 39 and Appendix B: Basic module - telephone interview, Question 48.
The standard question for use in the Basic module is:
You have told me that [you/proxy name] [receive/receives] [list all sources of income].
What is [your/(proxy name)'s] main source of income? [Please consider dividends from shares, and interest as one source.]
1. Wages or salary (including from own incorporated business)
2. Own unincorporated business or share in a partnership
3. Government pension or allowance
4. Rental investment property
5. Superannuation, an annuity or private pension
6. Dividends from shares and/or interest
7. Other
8. Nil or negative
9. Don't know
Short question module
In the Short income module, respondents can be asked to report their main source of income. The standard wording for use in personal or telephone interviews are provided in the 'Total income' standard, Appendix C: Short income module - personal interview Question 06 and Appendix D: Short income module - telephone interview Question 06.
The standard question for use in the Short module is:
You have told me that [you/proxy name] [receive/receives] [list all sources of income].
What is [your/(proxy name)'s] main source of income?
1. Wages or salary
2. Own unincorporated business or share in a partnership
3. Rental investment property
4. Any government pension or allowance
5. Superannuation, an annuity or private pension
6. Any other regular source
7. Nil or negative
8. Don't know
DERIVATION PROCEDURES
Refer to the 'Question modules' section above for the circumstances in which 'Main source of income' can be derived.
Print Page
Print All