SEX AND AGE
JUSTIFICATION
Questions on sex and age are essential for the production of accurate state and territory population estimates, a major objective of the Census, and for sub-state population estimates. They are valuable items in their own right for planning and policy development. The vast majority of demographic studies rely on data about the sex and age of the relevant population.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The topics of sex and age have been included in every Australian Census since 1911.
For the 2006 Census, date of birth was asked in addition to age. Date of birth was asked to improve the quality of the age data, with age also being asked to cover situations where date of birth is not known. Analysis of the results of the 2006 Census indicate this strategy was very successful in removing the 'age heaping' around ages ending in 0 or 5 which is clearly visible in the results of previous Censuses.
USER REQUIREMENTS
Data on sex and age are required:
- for the production of accurate population estimates
- for studies of particular population age groups, such as young children, teenagers, young adults, older persons
- at the small geographical level and for small population groups, as a basic input into many planning and policy development activities
- in conjunction with other variables, for a variety of cross-classified tables.
2006 CENSUS QUESTIONS
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