SUMMARY OF SELECTED ABS RELEASES


Economic, Environmental and Social Releases

Economic Releases

Research Paper: Reviewing the ABS' Hedonic Regression Model for Desktop Computers (Methodology Advisory Committee), November 2008 (cat. no. 1352.0.55.099)

This paper first details the review of the desktop computer price index, and then discusses how the recommendations arising from the review could be extended to provide a framework for the construction of price indexes for other consumer durables.

International Investment Position, Australia: Supplementary Statistics, 2008 (cat. no. 5352.0)

Provides comprehensive foreign investment country statistics to supplement the quarterly publication 5302.0. For foreign investment in Australia, it includes details on country of investor, investment stocks, flows and associated income. For Australian investment abroad similar detail is provided in respect of country of investment.Characteristics of Australian Exporters, 2007-08 (cat. no. 5368.0.55.006)

This publication provides an analysis of the number and characteristics of Australia's exporters. Estimates on exporters of merchandise trade are compiled from data sourced from the Australian Customs Service and from the Australian Taxation Office's Australian Business Register. Labour Statistics in Brief, Australia, 2009 (cat. no. 6104.0)

Presents a range of summary statistics with the emphasis on simple tabular and graphical presentations. Most of the ABS labour collections are covered, including the Labour Force Survey, the range of employer surveys and the industrial disputes collection. Australian data are compared with those of the major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries.
Environmental Releases

Water Use on Australian Farms, 2007-08 (cat. no. 4618.0)

Information on irrigation practices on Australian farms was first collected in the Water Survey - Agriculture 2002-03 and since then has been part of the annual Agricultural Survey or Census. Included in this issue are data on the type and area of crops irrigated and the volume of water applied. Data are available for each State, Natural Resource Management regions and the Murray Darling Basin. Some previous estimates are included for 2002-03 to 2006-07. Land Management and Farming in Australia, 2007-08 (cat. no. 4627.0)

This product provides important information on a variety of management practices being adopted by Australian agricultural businesses, including cropping and pasture management, surface water and effluent management and natural environment conservation protection. Also presented are data on the types of adverse seasonal conditions experienced in 2007-08, and the farm management responses found effective in dealing with these adverse seasonal conditions.
Social Releases

A Directory of Education and Training Statistics, 2009 (cat. no. 1136.0)

This publication provides descriptive information on various data sources, data items available, frequency of collections, publications produced, and access to information. It includes information about education costs and expenditures, childcare and preschool education through to higher education, Indigenous education and training, other statistical or research reports on education and training, and on classifications and manuals for Australian education and training statistics.Research Paper: Exploring Measures of Low Social Capital, March 2009 (cat. no. 1351.0.55.024)

This paper includes analysis of links between social capital items, variation of social measures across demographic groups and the feasibility of producing meaningful composite items from the dimensions of social capital.Census of Population and Housing: Census Sample File (Expanded 5% Data File), 2006 (cat. no. 2037.0.55.001)

The 2006 Census Sample File (CSF) is a comprehensive Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) of Census variables, containing a small random sample of private households and associated persons, and a small random sample of persons in non-private dwellings. The CSF is produced for model testing and statistical analysis. It is designed and produced after consultation with past users of CSFs and other major users of Census data. The structure of the 2006 CSF is expected to be similar to the 2001 Household Sample File (HSF).Information Paper: Review of Interstate Migration Method, March 2009 (cat. no. 3106.0.55.001)

This information paper reviews the interstate migration model using Medicare data with new updated expansion factors.

Changes to the model, including updated expansion factors, have been applied to interstate migration estimates for September quarter 2006 and onwards.Residential and Workplace Mobility, and Implications for Travel: NSW and Vic., October 2008 (cat. no. 3240.0)

This publication summarises results from the 2008 State Supplementary Survey - Residential and Workplace Mobility, and Implications for Travel. The survey measured the demographic characteristics of movers and non-movers; the reasons why people changed their usual residence; the reasons why people changed their current suburb of employment; and the modes of transport typically used to travel to the current suburb of employment.Experimental Life Tables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2005-2007. ( cat. no. 3302.0.55.003)

This product contains abridged experimental life tables for male and female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians for the reference period. A life table is a statistical model used to represent mortality of a population. In its simplest form, a life table is generated from age-specific death rates and the resulting values are used to measure mortality, survivorship and life expectancy.Perspectives on Migrants, 2009 (cat. no. 3416.0)

Articles examine various aspects of Australia's migration program, including:

• Permanent Migration to Australia - an overview by eligibility category
• Skilled Migration
• Migrant Characteristics and settlement outcomes of secondary applicants
• Temporary Migrants in Australia

Data used is predominantly from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).Early childhood learning and care: data sources, gaps and opportunities, 2008 (cat. no. 4105.0.55.001)

This information paper reports on a data mapping pilot project undertaken by the ABS (in collaboration with several other agencies) with the aim of improving the evidence base on early childhood. The project investigates the existing range of data sources relevant to identified high priority policy questions in the area of early childhood care and education.Apparent Consumption of Alcohol, Australia, 2007-08 (cat. no. 4307.0.55.001)

This publication provides estimates of apparent consumption of alcohol based on the availability of alcoholic beverages in Australia. The publication provides estimates of the quantity of beer and wine available for consumption, and estimates of the quantity of pure alcohol available for consumption from beer, wine, spirits, and ready to drink pre-mixed products.National Health Survey: Summary of Results, 2007-08 (cat. no. 4364.0)

Contains a cross-section of survey results, including selected national statistics about long-term illnesses experienced; mental wellbeing; consultations with doctors and other health professionals; and health risk factors including alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, body mass and dietary practices.Conceptual Framework for Family and Domestic Violence, 2009 (cat no. 4529.0)

Contains a conceptual framework for data relating to family and domestic violence. The framework illustrates relationships between the key elements of family and domestic violence, such as: context, risk, incident, responses, impacts/outcomes, and programs, research and evaluation.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home Ownership: A snapshot, 2006 (cat. no. 4722.0.55.005)

This snapshot provides an overview of demographic, social, economic and geographic circumstances related to home ownership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and households. Topics covered include health status, employment rate, educational attendance and achievement, and comparisons of tenure types in different states, territories and remoteness areas. Data have been drawn from the 2006 Census and the 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey, and a range of other relevant information sources.Locations of Work, Nov 2008 (cat. no. 6275.0)

Provides information about people and the types of places they work, with particular focus on people who usually worked more hours at home than elsewhere in their main or second job or business. Further details about people employed at home include occupation, industry, computer and internet usage, reasons for working at home and time in job at home.